Nestled in a small valley approximately 15 miles away from the Pacific coast, Ojai is a tiny town. However, despite its small size, the town offers plenty of things for you to see and do. The town is surrounded by beautiful scenery, including citrus groves and vineyards, but it also boasts excellent local cuisine, interesting museums and art galleries, and close proximity to the beautiful Los Padres National Forest. If you're planning a visit to this tiny hidden gem, here are the top things you'll want to include on your itinerary.
Ojai is a 2-hour day trip from Los Angeles.
Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
Beatrice Wood was a famous New York artist and potter during the early 1900s, and the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts was founded to celebrate her life and works. In addition to the regular exhibits, the museum offers temporary exhibits showcasing up-and-coming artists. The center is open to the public Friday through Sunday between 11am and 5pm, and it often hosts workshops, classes, and lectures designed to educate the public about different approaches to the arts. There is also a small gift shop selling everything from books to unique pieces of artwork inspired by Beatrice Wood.
8585 Ojai Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-646-3381
Lake Casitas
Created by the construction of a dam on Coyote Creek, Lake Casitas is a manmade lake that was built to provide water for drinking and for irrigation. The lake is surrounded by the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, which offers a disc golf course, boat and kayak rentals, a lakeview cafe open for breakfast and lunch, and a water park. Swimming is not permitted in the lake because the water is used for drinking and needs to be kept clean, but visitors are welcome to fish, boat, and camp at one of the 400 campsites along the shore.
Los Padres National Forest
Covering mountains, rivers, and beaches, Los Padres National Forest is the second-largest national forest in California. One of the best ways to experience the forest's beauty is on foot, and there are a wide range of trails that cater to almost every fitness and ability level. The forest is home to 468 species of wildlife and approximately 1,200 plant species, making it a great destination for anyone interested in birdwatching or learning about the local flora and fauna. Some areas of the forest require special permits, which can be purchased from the Forest Service.
Ojai Meadows Preserve
Designed and created to connect people with the natural world, the Ojai Meadows Preserve is a natural wetland area that has undergone extensive restoration after being badly damaged in the mid-1900s. The native plants have been restored, and the preserve is once again home to a diverse range of native animal species. In 2017, the Ojai Saddle Trails were opened to the public for the first time; all trails are approximately 1 mile in length and typically require 30 minutes of walking. Dogs are permitted on a leash, and visitors are asked to stay on the trails to help preserve the delicate ecosystem.
1447-1601 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-649-6852
Ojai Olive Oil
One of the biggest olive oil orchards in Southern California, Ojai Olive Oil is a family-run business that harvests its olives by hand and uses organic farming practices. The company makes several different varieties of award-winning extra-virgin oil as well as olive oils infused with fruits and herbs; these can be purchased at the Sunday farmers market or right from the shop at the olive grove. Free guided tours of the olive groves and the olive mill are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and free tastings are available every day in the tasting room.
1811 Ladera Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-646-5964
Ojai Valley Museum
Housed inside a former Catholic church, the Ojai Valley Museum is dedicated to sharing the art, history, and culture of the Ojai Valley. A number of semi-permanent exhibits introduce visitors to the most important events in the historic evolution of the valley, and a permanent wilderness diorama allows visitors to get a close look at 12 different species of birds and animals. An interpretive garden sits behind the building, and there is also an art gallery used to showcase works by local artists. The museum is open every day of the week except for Monday, and admission is by donation.
130 W Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-640-1390
Ojai Certified Farmers' Market
Tucked away behind the arcade, the Ojai Certified Farmers' Market is open every Sunday morning between 9am and 1pm, rain or shine. The vendors come from Ojai as well as from the towns and farms in the surrounding area, and they sell everything from locally grown produce to handmade artisan soap. The selection of goods for sale varies, but visitors can typically expect to see honey and beeswax products, live plants and freshly cut flowers, locally caught seafood, and gourmet prepared food. Plenty of street parking is available, and the market often hosts live music performances to keep visitors entertained.
300 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-698-5555
Valley View Preserve
Encompassing 195 acres just outside of downtown Ojai, the Valley View Preserve is a protected open space that offers dozens of miles of hiking trails. The most popular trail is the Fox Canyon Trail, a beautiful 1-mile path that connects to Foothill Trail and U.S. Forest Service trail. Other options include the short but steep Luci’s Trail and the Foothill Trail; the Fox Canyon, Luci's, and Foothill trails can be combined for a long but satisfying walk around the preserve. Parking is available at the Pratt Trailhead, and a kiosk at the Fox Canyon Trailhead offers maps and information about the area's ecosystem.
Phone: 805-649-6852
Ventura River Preserve
Nestled in the western Ojai Valley, the Ventura River Preserve protects almost 1,600 acres of land, including 3 miles of the beautiful Ventura River. The land was formerly the Rancho El Nido ranch, and today it provides a safe place for approximately 300 different species of plants and animals. There are many miles of trails open to visitors; guided tours of the preserve are offered several times a year, and other possible activities include hiking, horseback riding, and dog walking. The preserve can be accessed from three different trailheads, all of which offer plenty of parking.
1290 Meyer Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-649-6852
Friend's Ranch
Family owned and operated, Friend's Ranch has been growing citrus fruits in the Ojai Valley for more than a century. The orchards grow everything from oranges to lemons to tangelos, but the fruit they're best known for is the Pixie tangerine, a sweet, seedless fruit that has become something of a local legend. Citrus fruits from the ranch are available for sale at several local stores, but you can also pick up bags of fruit and freshly squeezed juice from the Sunday morning farmer's market or stop by the packing house on a Tuesday or Friday morning.
15150 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-646-2871
The Day Spa of Ojai
Step into a Mediterranean-themed paradise when you visit Spa Ojai, a 31,000 square foot luxury establishment situated within the grounds of the popular Ojai Valley Inn. Spa Ojai is known for bringing its patrons into an unparalleled state of relaxation through facilities like their two spectacular pools, a fully equipped gymnasium, a spa boutique, and even an artist cottage and apothecary.
905 Country Club Road, Ojai, California 93023, Phone: 855-697-8780
The MOB Shop Biking Tour
Cycling is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the beauty of Ojai, and the Mob Shop offers exciting bike tours to visitors who'd like to get active and enjoy everything the area has to offer. There is a wide range of tours to choose from, which include everything from stops at cultural and historical landmarks to an exciting descent down Sulphur Mountain or a leisurely ride through fragrant citrus orchards. The company is also happy to offer customized tours; these must be arranged at least one week in advance. For visitors who'd prefer not to join a tour, the store sells and rents bicycles.
110 W Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-272-8102
Bart's Books
Since being established in 1964, Bart's Books has grown into America's largest independently owned and operated outdoor bookstore. The bookstore now has almost one million books for sale, including everything from rare art books worth thousands of dollars to 35-cent paperback specials that are offered for sale on the outdoor shelves via the honor system. These books can be purchased 24/7 by putting money through a slot in the door, but it's well worth visiting the store during opening hours to browse the rest of the book selection and to marvel at the lemon tree growing in the center of the building.
302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-646-3755
Rose Valley Falls Trail
Beginning at the Rose Valley Campground in Los Padres National Forest, the Rose Valley Falls Trail is a half-mile trail that leads to the base of a small but beautiful waterfall. Hikers will cross over Rose Creek several times before continuing up the canyon to the waterfall. The water runs over an arkosic sandstone cliff, which is easily eroded; visitors are asked to refrain from climbing around on the steep sections. Parking on the road outside the campground is free, but visitors who choose to park in the campground will have to pay a day-use fee.
Majestic Oak Vineyard
Sip on deliciously and passionately crafted wine at the Majestic Oak Vineyard, a family-owned vineyard that has been sharing its passion for wine for over a decade. The vineyard was founded in 2015 and is known for the majestic oak tree that has grown in the middle of the vineyard’s grounds for generations. It is this same oak tree after which the vineyard has been named, and it is the same oak tree around which many people gather to pick the yearly grape harvests. And it isn’t just the grape picking that the Majestic Oak Vineyard takes care of. The family behind the winery also crushes, bottles, and ages the wine by hand right on the property.
321 E. Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023, Phone: 805-794-0272
