Thomas Aquinas College

As we drove out of Ojai by the scenic route among the hills past the ranchos we saw a sign for Thomas Aquinas College. We thought it was rather a curious place for a college, it not exactly in the middle of nowhere but certainly off the beaten track. The drive-in was kind of hidden but we foundit way and drove right in.

The first unpleasnt surprise: it turned out to be a private school so not only one could not drive in but one is not even supposed to park outside the gate! We did  so we got out to take a quick look but the security guard told us that we were not supposed to park there. But when he found out that we just wanted to take a quick look around this unusual place he said it was all right. So we went in.

So as the name implies it is a Catholic school or rather college for high school or even graduates. The complex is located right at the foot of a mountain and it has magnificent view. The buildings have kind of old fashioned look not like these awful-looking modern day institutions.

 We visited a chapel: it was quite big, more like a church than a chapel with Vatican style altar. They were some workmen outside taking a break. Right outside the chapel you get a splendid view for what ordinarily would be considered a backyard.

The complex behind the main building had Spanish mission style architecture with its signature arches. The whole place was spacious and open, the atmosphere was quite relaxed. One could tell it was an expensive school. Well, it was fairly close to Ojai.