Inn of the Seventh Ray

While this charming New Age haven now aims to attract a more mainstream clientele, the Inn of the Seventh Ray hasn't lost touch with its hippie roots. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes happily coexist alongside grass-fed filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and black-vinegar-braised short ribs with BBQ-spiced carrots. For Easter and other special occasions, the weekend brunch menu is great, especially the whole-grain Belgian waffles. Of course, the real draw is the bucolic outdoor dining space draped in lights, lilac and oak trees. In the evening, take in the serene, creekside scene under heat lamps and twinkling stars, then start with a glass from their organic-leaning wine list before diving into a dinner that might include crispy shrimp cakes, grilled octopus or a creamy black truffle risotto. Just be sure to check road conditions ahead of time and take extra caution while driving to and from here at night; in recent months, Topanga Canyon Boulevard has also been subject to frequent late-night closures due to wildfire recovery-related construction work.