TOWN:
The town’s main area — a 19th-century Spanish colonial square surrounded by restaurants, shops and galleries. Ojai, which has a population of around 7,500, has banned chain stores. Pottery shops, bohemian home stores and retailers catering to the 50-plus set, line the avenue, interspersed with wine and olive tasting rooms.
ACTIVITIES:
- Sunday 9 AM-1 PM – Farmer’s market
- Caravan Outpost – Stop by to see the scene of hippie meets hipster Airstream lodging with a cool store/lobby. Check their calendar as they do some cool social things like campfire concerts, yoga classes, etc.
- Pixie season – tangerines
- In town: Within 3 blocks you can taste wine at Casa Baranca and Majestic Oak and Honey at Heavenly Honey and Olive Oil at Carolina Gramm.
SUNSET / GARDEN WALK / MEDITATION:
Meditation Mount. Sunset at the “pink moment” – Topa Topas – East/West mountain range – pink quartz in the mountains. Check and see if it is has reopened yet?
BIKE/WALK:
- There is a bike path to town (1 mile from resort to town).
- Ride from Ojai to Ventura. 25 miles downhill/2 hours. Borrow the bikes. Cost for pick up.
HIKES:
- Shelf Road off of Signal Street – easy, popular – out and back loop. Pratt Trail – overlooking valley – out and back.
- Rose Valley Falls;
- Grass Mountain;
- Cozy Dell Trail – 2.-6 mile, 1,000-foot climb that peaked with views of latticed olive groves which blanket the valley floor and teased us for the tasting we would do later in the weekend.
OLIVE OIL:
- Ojai Olive Oil Tasting Room – 3.5 miles from the resort. 3 different breeds of olive trees. Great products. Tasting: Monday-Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM. 1 hour complimentary guided tour –Saturdays 10-4.
- Carolina Gramm – In the arcade in town. Great antique store cum olive oil tasting; preferred to Ojai Olive Oil.
WINERIES:
- Majestic Oak – in town.
- Topa Mountain Winery – OK Rose; fun tasting room; Live entertainment outside on weekends; family and dog friendly. New winery/event space that just opened last year.
- Ojai Vineyards tasting room
- Casa Baranca – winery
DRIVES:
- From SB on 101 to 150 to Lake Casitas Pass Road (pretty drive)
- Solvang – Danish village, pretty 1.5 hour drive
BREAKFAST:
- Beacon Coffee – New hipster pour over style coffee shop that just opened in town. Adorable, great coffee and food! Attached to Cattywampus Crafts which is a new crafting store – also worth a visit.
- Ojai Roasting – Local Coffee house with Pastries, bagels etc. Right in the heart of downtown.
- Knead, a family-run artisan bakery pumping out melt-in-your-mouth croissant sandwiches and bagels with lox.
- The Farmer & the Cook – A great restaurant for breakfast or lunch. It’s out in a little funky neighborhood (Meiner’s Oak) and delicious farm-fresh food. A must-stop on the breakfast train, serving organic, locally farmed Mexican food. Nice storefront with cards, cooking/baking supplies.
LUNCH:
- Suzanne’s
- Hi Ho – great burger spot
- Papa Lennon’s – beer and wine (good local beers) and gelato! Meiner’s Oak neighborhood.
DINNER:
- Azu Restaurant & Bar | Restaurant and Tapas Bar – fun to sit in the bar. Good margaritas and Greek style souvlaki. http://www.azuojai.com/
- Nocciola – One of the best restaurants in town for Italian food. They have beautiful views of the Topa Topa mountains.
- Osteria Monte Grappa – Authentic Italian Restaurant in the heart of Ojai. http://omgojai.com/index.htm
DRINKS:
- The Ojai Rancho Inn – Hipster-ish pool scene and bar. Fun stop at afternoon / evening to check out the quirkiness.
- Tipple and Ramble – most adorable spot for wine and nibbles plus great retail items as well
- Deer Lodge – The original gas/general store in Ojai built in 1932. It has a lot of character – great BBQ on the weekends! Quirky and fun outdoor hang out / honky tonk.
OVIS IN-RESORT:
- ARTISTS COTTAGE – Art Classes – Artists Cottage and Apothecary (Very rudimentary classes)
- SPA – Pedicure a must!
- DINNER at Sunset or BREAKFAST: The Oak
- DRINKS/DINNER: Neff Lounge – pixie cocktails
- DINNER/SNACKS/LUNCH: Jimmy’s Pub – on the golf course – best potato chips!
Last visted: May 2017/March 2018
