Life is about finding great spots to eat. It may be about a few other things as well, but searching for magical spots to eat ranks very high on my list of favorite things to do.

I’m not much of a restaurant guy because I prefer natural settings. I’ve got a couple of my favorites to share with you.

Highway 150 between Carpinteria and Ojai is one of my favorite local drives, and there are several nice picnic spots along that narrow and sometimes winding road. The one at the top gets my vote.

Heading inland from the coast, the road winds through a canyon environment which at first seems very country, though it is private property with many farms and such that cover the low flats and extend up into the surrounding mountains. It is a very pretty drive.

There are two summits to cross on the way to the big valley that the city of Ojai sits in. The first includes a tight turn to take with care.

Just before the second summit, there is a wide entrance to a property, and there is usually a stand there with fresh flowers for sale. It makes for a nice stop to, well, smell (and purchase) the flowers.

At that second summit there is a wide pullout providing a fantastic view, and this has become one of my favorite spots to stop and spend some time enjoying the views and a snack to go along with the visuals. The longer I sit and watch, the more scenic the view becomes.

Multiple canyons and mountainsides are within this fantastic viewscape.

Looking downward, I am entranced by an upper arm of scenic Lake Casitas, which I know to be a good fishing lake where some very large bass wait to bite lures and baits like wild dogs. I’ve sat there and made some great fishing plans while looking at the lake.

During some of my scenic picnics there, I’ve limited myself to half of my sandwich and saved the other half for another gorgeous spot, the lake itself.

Just 10 minutes more down the road brings me to the Lake Casitas entrance where I’ll gladly pay the $10 day-use fee to enjoy the other half of my sandwich at lakeside.

That lakeside stop often leads to me hauling out my fishing rod and tackle box, which I always keep in my vehicle. I little such fun recreation after a meal is good for me.

I’m happy to share two of my prime picnic spots. Maybe I’ll see you at one or both spots.

Capt. David Bacon is a boating safety consultant and expert witness, with a background in high-tech industries and charter boat ownership and operation. He teaches classes for Santa Barbara City College and, with a lifelong interest in wildlife, writes outdoors columns for Noozhawk and other publications. The opinions expressed are his own.