Los Padres National Forest Headquarters

"Supervisor could care less about conditions of trails and trail signs that are just poles in the ground, the front desk women was very unfriendly and told me I needed an APPOINTMENT !to speak to the apathetic supervisor.."

"I fell in love with Los Padres National Forest during my first drive through it in 1996. In the past, I have always found the rangers and forest offices to be exceptionally helpful, but since the pandemic, they never answer the phones and it's pretty difficult to speak to anybody who works there if you're not there in person. Today I called 3 offices, 7 different numbers, and got no answers at most of them. I finally waited on hold for a while at this location, and then the call dropped - I'm giving the guy the benefit of the doubt that he didn't hang up on me - and none of my voicemail messages were returned. Contrast this with Angeles Crest forest: when I asked if one of the forest road gates was open, they had a ranger drive by and report that it was, then they called me to let me know. I was touched by their courtesy. ------------------- Update: I later received a very helpful phone message from Jennifer in Santa Barbara, thoroughly explaining they are short-staffed at Ojai, and detailing access info, water conditions, and trail conditions. I was impressed by this response, so I'm upgrading my rating."

"Great Place By the River To Camp Or Hike Nice Park"

"In unpromising corporate park, but easy to find and staff helpful. Fair bit of free and paid park material."

"Amazingly new and modern office space with well equipped information desk, maps for sale. Ranger Jennifer is the bomb, succinct and friendly."