It’s hard to imagine that just 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, you’ll find a tranquil oasis in the California city of Ojai. For years, it’s been a place for free-spirited human beings and farmers to live their best lives by connecting with nature. But now wanderers from all over the country visit and fall in love with Ojai’s lovely town and picturesque surroundings.
Creatives like painters and photographers come to Ojai to get their creative juices flowing. Their best works are presented in the city’s art galleries. Nature enthusiasts also come here to hike the many trails available.
Two other types of visitors that love the town of Ojai are Foodies and spiritualists. Foodies are in for a treat with tons of farm-fresh produce and restaurants owned by proud small business owners making delicious meals. The latter group shows up to reconnect with the Earth by attending health retreats and staying in meditation centers for days without speaking.
As you can tell, there is something for everyone in this unique little town. This guide will help you find the best places to satisfy your needs, so you have many things to do in Ojai, California.
» Looking for more inspiration along the route? Check out all our guides to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego. Find the best beaches in Monterey, waterfalls in Southern California, and national parks.
Things to Do in Ojai, California
1. Go Gallery Hopping
Ojai will stimulate your creativity by exposing you to the many art centers in town. Our favorite is the Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts on 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Rd., and it’s located on top of a stunning hilltop 15 minutes away from the downtown area.
The owner showcases ethnic jewelry and modern ceramic art. Her exhibition is eccentric, yet her charm and passion for her craft win you over. Unfortunately, the center allows visitors only from Fridays to Sundays and only for a few hours. Taking a tour will be $10 per person.
The second art center we recommend is the Dan Schultz Fine Art Gallery on 106 N. Signal Street, which focuses on landscape paintings nominated for prestigious art awards. Some of the art is for sale at the gallery. Operating hours depend on the week and are updated on their website.
The Firestick Pottery on 1804 E. Ojai Avenue is an excellent studio for beginners who want to work with ceramics. You can learn to create pots in various ways by taking comprehensive courses. Complimentary tours are available.
2. Shopping For Souvenirs and Art
There aren’t any Targets or Walmarts in Ojai. Instead, you will find boutique local businesses that have been around for years.
Fig Curated Living on 327 E. Ojai Avenue has shelves of homemade items you can buy as souvenirs like plants, wind chimes, organic soap, textiles, and bohemian decorations for your home. This shop is easy to find because it’s on a narrow street with garden nursery decor surrounding it.
Next on our list is Treasure of Ojai, located at 110 N. Signal Street. It’s an antique mall spanning 5000 square feet from front to back. They offer customers American Indian jewelry, living space decorations, retro clothing, and ceramic vases.
Our third pick is Cercana on 302 E. Ojai Avenue, which deals in artistic crafts from countries worldwide. You can buy hand-weaved baskets, small travel bags, decorations, glass bottles, and scented candles for your household.
Lastly, there’s Tipple and Ramble on 315 N. Montgomery Street. The owner sells furniture for both the inside and outside of your dwelling. In addition, there is a comfortable patio near their coffee shop for you to relax if you need time to think.
3. Ojai Olive Oil Company Tasting and Tour
Address: 1811 Ladera Road, Ojai, California
The Ojai Olive Oil Company should be at the top of your list if you visit Ojai. Their farm has over 100-year-old trees and is located 15 minutes from the city center. Tours and tastings are available during the week and are operated by the Asquith family, who run one of the last active permaculture farms in the area.
In the tasting room, you can try different types of olive oil and even various kinds of balsamic vinegar. The employees here are friendly and teach you everything you need to know about olives, from how to extract oil to the blending process with passion.
Aspiring chefs visit Ojai Olive Company to learn all they can to get an edge over other restaurants. This company is child-friendly, and pets are welcome if you keep them on a leash and are willing to put them in an enclosure with others.
At the end of the tour, you get a few goodies so you can try them at home with your loved ones. Lastly, if you love trying organic products to take care of your skin, olive oil-infused creams, soaps, and lip balms are available.
4. Certified Farmers’ Market
You never know what gem you will find at a farmers’ market, and Ojai has some of the most unique in California. They open every Sunday, no matter the weather, from 9 am until 1 pm in the downtown area on a narrow street called Matilija. The community here is all about protecting the environment and sustainability.
You can visit this farmers’ market to get to know the locals better and buy all-natural products as souvenirs. Some products for sale include fresh flowers, beeswax candles, olive oil, and handmade jewelry.
After your shopping spree, you can fill your stomach with freshly baked bread, delicious desserts, dried fruit, and organic nuts. Lastly, live music will soothe you while you are eating and shopping.
5. Ojai Valley Museum of History and Art
Address: 130 W Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
We love learning about the history of every city we visit, and local museums help you do that. The Ojai Valley Museum of History and Art is in a building that used to be a church but is now an official National Historic Register Building. This tourist attraction will be a great place to visit because the architecture is appealing and makes for memorable photographs.
The moment you get inside, you are absorbed in the rich history of Ojai and learn about the Chumash Indians, the original inhabitants of this beautiful city to the people who settled after them from Europe. Our favorite attractions were the Chumash Interpretive Garden and their exhibition dedicated to the Sespe Wilderness Diorama.
Operating hours are from 10 am to 4 pm and are only open from Friday to Sunday.
6. Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room
We rarely go anywhere in California these days without stopping in at least one winery tasting room. Ojai is home to the Ojai Vineyard that has a fantastic tasting room right in the center of town. For more wine tasting options in and around Ojai check here.
Although reservations are needed, you can just call ahead if you’re in town and would like to stop by for a tasting. They have a few indoor and outdoor tables where you can enjoy a flight of their recent additions and old favorites. The library of wines at Ojai Vineyard is extensive, so even if you just go for a glass or bottle, you’ll have dozens to choose from.
Our favorite things to do is stop in here for a tasting flight right before lunch, then go next door to Topa Topa Brewing Company (see #7) for a little beer tasting and some lunch at Little Sama, inside the brewery. You can also take your own food to Ojai Vineyard if you’d like.
7. Topa Topa Brewing Company
Although this is a Ventura brewery, there is a perfectly located outpost of the brewery in the center of Ojai that is fun to visit when you need a little break from walking around. It’s a great set up with a seamless indoor/outdoor area where you can hang out and feel like you’re soaking up the atmosphere around you while tasting some beer.
One thing I really like about Topa Topa is that they always have something unique and fun to try on tap, like the Spectro Hazy IPA, the Nitro Stout, or the Yuzu Seltzer (available at time of publication).
Inside the pub is Little Sama, a walkup window serving Southeast-Asian-inspired cuisine like Okonomiyaki tater tots (omg) and a Katsu sandwich.
8. Rose Valley Falls Trail
While you can’t really classify the falls as a real waterfall, after a big rain there might be a pretty good stream of water coming over the rocks at the top of this short hike into the Los Padres National Forest. The trailhead is inside the Rose Valley Campground, so there is a parking fee of $10 if you park in the campground lot. You can park outside on the road instead.
The hike is relatively short at just a mile and it’s an easy hike for the whole family to do. It’s best in spring if you want to see water in the falls. The drive from Ojai is about 40 minutes up into the mountains, which itself is part of the draw.
9. Libbey Park
Libbey Park is an excellent place to bring your kids for an outdoor picnic. It’s a great place for tourists and residents to connect with nature. Also, playgrounds for children are available so they can blow off a little steam. While the kids are running around, you can try the organic cafe nearby with affordable sandwiches and drinks.
There are paths leading you all around the park you can follow for a nice run, and when the sun becomes too intense, many trees are nearby to provide shade. Lastly, there is a lake behind the park that you can sit near to enjoy a cool breeze or play tennis on the courts right next to it.
Near the rear of the park is the Libbey Bowl which is a venue for concerts, orchestra performances, and public events. Check here for the schedule of events.
10. Topa Mountain Winery
Located just a few miles outside of town, the Topa Mountain Winery is the place to go for a relaxing afternoon sipping wine in their gorgeous outdoor space. You need to make a reservation to visit and the appointments are in 90 minute slots. You can choose to get a bottle, a glass, or a wine tasting flight.
What we love the most about this winery, aside from the wine itself, is the beautiful environment, surrounded by vines, with views of the Topa Topa mountain range. There is a bocce ball court, corn hole, and a few other games to entertain you. On weekends there’s live music in the afternoon and sometimes even a pizza stand.
Where To Stay
Mid Range Priced Hotels
- The Ojai Retreat is a well-known bed and breakfast that gives travelers the time they need to destress and have some alone time. Every morning, you get an organic breakfast that leaves you energized for the day.
Address: 160 Besant Rd, Ojai, 93023, CA, United States of America
Budget-Friendly Hotels
- The Casa Ojai Inn is an affordable hotel with large rooms with authentic wooden furniture, and the interior design is inspired by California adobe architecture. Each accommodation includes kitchens, a private patio, jacuzzi tubs, and a small area for grilling.
Address: 1302 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, 93023, CA, United States of America
Conclusion
Ojai is a magical city known for its unique hotels, wellness retreats, farmers’ markets, and outdoor activities. We hope this guide gives you ideas on places you can visit when you arrive, and the hotel options we mentioned will be heaven-sent after a long day of exploring.
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Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.