It’s no secret that Ojai is an idyllic escape. The tucked-away California town nestled in the Topa Topa Mountains—it’s a mere 90 minutes north of LA, yet there isn’t a single corporate chain within city limits—has a reputation as a hippie, healing mecca. Its storied electromagnetic vortexes rival Sedona, and then there are its famed hikes and homegrown food, but you already knew that. We’re here to reveal a whole other side of Ojai, the obvious and not so obvious hotspots, so you can know—and love—all that Ojai has to offer.
Where to sleep Obvious: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, a long celebrated luxury resort where celeb guests are as common as 5-star spa treatments. Not so obvious: Ojai Rancho Inn (pictured), a converted 1950s roadside motel redone to kitschy modern status that boasts Instagram-worthy snaps whether you’re sunning yourself by the pool (there’s poolside yoga Wednesday nights), lazing in your room (the timber beds are beyond tempting), chilling on your own front porch (complete with vintage camp chairs) or browsing the hipster gift shop (we dare you not to buy something). Bonus: There are cruiser bikes for borrowing and a twinkle-lit lawn area for live folk music and summer movie nights.
Where to adventure Obvious: Ojai hiking is epic. You can’t go wrong with Shelf Road Trail (3.5 miles out and back) or Foothill/Pratt Trail (4.2 miles). Not so obvious: Bike! Not only is there the Ojai Valley Trail, a 10-mile Ojai to Ventura paved bike path that takes you over bridges and past soaring cottonwoods all the way to the Pacific, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy features dozens of biking trails, or take a guided tour with The Mob Shop, a locally-owned bike shop that rents a full roster of two-wheelers, and learn the history of Ojai while you pedal (psst: you might even pass a celebrity house or two).
Where to eat Obvious: Topping the list of Ojai’s bohemian cafes is Farmer and the Cook, a mostly organic Mexican-smoothie-pizza joint that pulls much of the veg-centric ingredients from “the farmer’s” 12-acre farm. Psst: The Sopes won’t disappoint. Not so obvious: You’ll find the best bagel this side of New York at Knead Baking Company, a mother-and-daughters owned operation that turns out TDF artisanal bread, bars, quiches, cookies, scones and sandwiches. And you’ll find the best housemade pasta this side of Italy at Nocciola (pictured), an upscale Italian restaurant most locals brag is the best eatery in town (psst: the 5-course tasting menu is best enjoyed on the patio at sunset).
Where to drink Obvious: At Deer Lodge, an Ojai institution since 1932, saddling up to the bar for a brewski or moonshine cocktail is a must. Not so obvious: Order up an Ojai Spritz at Chief’s Peak, Ojai Rancho Inn’s wonderfully retro bar, a refreshing mix of bitter orange liqueur, prosecco, red vermouth and sparkling water (psst: the soju cocktails are equally as good). Sip Rosé of Grenache at Topa Mountain Winery (pictured), a BYOFOOD tasting room with killer views. Speaking of tasting, order up a sampling of jun kombucha at Revel, a kombucha bar that brews up on-tap booch made with raw honey and local ingredients (psst: the Pink Moment, a blend of hibiscus, ginger and orange zest, is beyond yum).
For more information, visit ojaivisitors.com
