Ojai, California
Ojai, California TRAVEL GUIDE
first published 1/13/23, last updated 2/4/25
Welcome to my Bite Sized Travel Guides series. What exactly is a Bite Sized Travel Guide, you ask? Well, it’s essentially a short and sweet travel guide, a summarized version of where to eat, where to stay, what to do and quick tips, my favorite “bites” of a destination, if you will. Because sometimes I haven’t spent enough time in a location, or don’t know it well enough, or don’t have enough professional photos from somewhere, to qualify for a full blown travel guide, but I still want to share the spots I do know, love and recommend, as well as ones I have bookmarked for future visits, in a simple, minimal and easy to digest format with small tips and tidbits as well as any relevant and correlating blog posts and links. The Bite Sized Travel Guides are perfect for someone just looking for quick recommendations, and not wanting to scroll through a whole guide and paragraph after paragraph just to find a spot for dinner. The Bite Sized Travel Guides will also be added to and refreshed anytime I re-visit the featured location and have something new to add. I hope you’ll find these bite-sized bites of a destination just as tasty as I do!
Oh hi, Ojai. If you haven’t heard of, or been to, Ojai, let me tell you, you’re missing out. It’s a magical little town tucked in at the base of the Topatopa mountains, about 25 minutes in-land from the Ventura coast. Think artists retreat meets nature meets small town charm meets mystic spiritual vibes (it’s considered to be a vortex of mystical spiritual energy). It’s filled with citrus groves and I swear there is some sort of magic in the air. It’s perfect for a day trip away from LA, or even a little weekend getaway, especially if you’re looking for a place to relax, unwind, feel restored and get inspired by nature. Let’s just say, Ojai is one of those places that is just good for the soul, and it’ll leave you feeling rested and re-invigorated whether you spend a few hours or a few days here.
In this bite sized travel guide to Ojai, I’ll dish on my favorite spots to eat, shop, things to do, the best spot to catch the famed ‘pink moment’ and more.
WHERE TO EAT + DRINK
THE DUCHESS
This all-day spot can do no wrong for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Don’t sleep on the morning bun or their smoked pastrami sandwich!
FARMER AND THE COOK
A great spot to pick up provisions and farm fresh goods (think natural foods store on a small town scale), but they also have a delicious Mexican cafe and they offer pizza several nights a week
OJAI ROOTS
This local farm recently opened a farm shop where you can get their produce as well as provisions, artisanal goods and locally sourced items. Highly recommend enjoying a glass (or bottle) of wine, a coffee or tea drink or some of the small bites from their menu in their outdoor space which is lovely!
TOPA TOPA BREWING
Great spot to grab a beer + they also now have a Sama Sama outpost for snacks and bites (The tater tots are a hit!)
Ojai Rotie
Farm-driven, fast casual, fresh Mediterranean meets French food; really delicious, great portion sizes for sharing and you can also get it packed up for a picnic to go
ON MY LIST TO TRY // Rory’s Place (reservations strongly recommended), Rory’s Other Place, Boccali’s (especially for the strawberry shortcake), Pinyon (for bagels and pizza), Tipple and Ramble, Chief’s Peak Bar, Deer Lodge for food, drinks and live music, Izakaya Full Moon for Japanese, Ojai Ice Cream
WHAT TO DO
THE FARMER’S MARKET
Happens every Sunday, in the center of town behind the arcade
BART’S BOOKS
The infamous outdoor bookstore, no trip to Ojai is complete without a visit, but I also really like the used bookstore Twice-Sold Tales as all funds raised go to support the local library programs
SHOPPING
Some of my favorites include- DeKor, Treasures of Ojai (for thrifting/treasure hunting), Fig Curated Living, Canyon Supply
SEE THE CITRUS GROVES
Driving around any of the roads around town and you’ll see citrus groves on almost every side of the road; it’s especially magical around golden hour, when the groves really come alive with the light; also keep an eye out for citrus stands as you’re driving around, many people will set them up at the end of their driveways if they have excess citrus
LOOK OUT FOR THE PINK MOMENT
a special and fleeting moment that happens right before sunset when the valley and mountains taken on a reddish pink glow; this overlook is a great place to catch it
ON MY LIST TO DO // go horseback riding, visit this olive farm and do one of their olive oil tastings (they cost $10 pp, fyi), take a pottery class, go hiking, go to Meditation Mount, go to the hot springs
WHERE TO STAY
We’ve only ever been to Ojai for a day trip, but I’d love to do an overnight/weekend getaway there some time this year. So, while I can’t recommend these places from actually staying here myself, here are some options of where you can stay.
OJAI VALLEY INN- good if you’re looking for a more resort-like hotel, definitely the most upscale option in the area
CAPRI HOTEL- mid-century vibes, has a pool, more reasonably priced option
OJAI RANCHO INN- another affordable option from the same team behind Capri Hotel, but this one has a bit more cabin/summer camp vibes (but in a good way)
HUMMINGBIRD INN- Spanish cottage-style stays at Ojai’s east end; they recently just underwent a big makeover so everything is updated and fresh
HOTEL EL ROBLAR- Coming soon…not sure when this property will be open but we drove by it last time we were in Ojai and it looks like it’s going to be a beautiful property!
TIPS to visit
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Ojai is a great place to visit year round. However, it gets suffocatingly hot during the day in the summer months so, unless you’re staying somewhere with a pool, I’d advise going in the winter, spring or fall. I’ll never forget when we did a day trip here one summer day and could barely even walk around it was so hot.
HOW MANY DAYS TO VISIT
Ojai is definitely doable as a day trip, especially for those of us living in LA or other surrounding areas. However, to fully experience everything I’d say a 1-2 night getaway is perfect, but more time for more relaxing never hurts, either.
HELPFUL BLOG POSTS
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