Ojai Travel Guide

 
by Yaqui
 
  •   Things to Do
    by Yaqui
  • Herb and flower garden
      Herb and flower garden
    by Dabs
  •   Ojai
    by LizC
  • River Rock Bungalow
      River Rock Bungalow
    by pigletsmom
  •   Ojai
    by rudysmom626
 

Pro

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 Wonderful nature and quaint town! 


Con

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 I can't think of any. 


In a nutshell

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 Charming untouched Nostalgic California farming town! 

 

Explore Ojai

Things to Do  

Ojai Farmers’ Market

Ojai Farmers’ Market, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  After hiking Shelf Road Trail, Rudy and I stopped by the Ojai Farmers' Market and it was awesome! Unfortunately, doggies aren't allowed, so I tied him up so I could quickly investigate. As with most Farmer's Markets here in California, all the vendors only took cash, but... 

Spa Ojai

Spa Ojai, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  The Spa at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa was truly wonderful. The grounds include 2 pools (one for lounging and one for lap swimming), a studio with daily classes, a full gym with reclined bikes, ellipticals, and tons of weights - all the cardio equipment had personal television... 

Shelf Road Trail

Shelf Road Trail, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  The Shelf Road Trail is more of a walk than a hike - about a 1.5 mile stroll along the first ridge of the hills above Ojai. The views are fantastic, and while there is a slight uphill grade, the trail is totally flat and even, so it would be a great stroll for people of all... 

Ojai Valley Trail

Ojai Valley Trail, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  When I mentioned going to Ojai, multiple people told me about the Ojai Valley Trail, so I wanted to check it out. The Ojai Valley Trail is a 9 mile trail that parallels Highway 33 from Ventura to Ojai. As you drive into Ojai on Route 33, you can see people walking their... 

Hotels  

Ojai Valley Inn And Spa

 2 Reviews and 673 Opinions  Amazing spa! Very relaxing, quiet environment. Nice golf course. Recently renovated. 

Restaurants  

Cafe Verde: Great setting but not worth the price

Cafe Verde: Great setting but not worth the price, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  At Spa Ojai, the spa at the Ojai Valley Inn, they have their own pool (for people 16 and over and those receiving spa treatments) and adjacent to that, they have Café Verde, the equivalent of a spa café. It serves quote- unquote “spa food” – like wraps, smoothies, pressed... 

Oak Grill: Outstanding Breakfast, Great View, Dogs on Patio!

Oak Grill: Outstanding Breakfast, Great View, Dogs on Patio!, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  I had both dinner and breakfast at the Oak Grill at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. Breakfast was way better than dinner, though dinner was not bad, just not as good as I hoped it would be given the setting/price. I think I was also influenced by the live music at dinner – I am... 

The Farmer and the Cook: Organic and Dog Friendly!

The Farmer and the Cook: Organic and Dog Friendly!, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  A college friend recommended this restaurant to me and I’m so glad he did – I would never have found it on my own, and it was the perfect afternoon snack after a hike with Rudy!I quickly realized that although the hotel I was staying at was LOVELY, the prices and the food... 

Suzanne's Cuisine: Worth the time!

Suzanne's Cuisine: Worth the time!, Ojai

 Yaqui Says:  This wonderful restaurant is run by a mother and daughter team. The daughter manages it and the mother is the chef. My best friend made the suggestion we stopped it here for lunch on the way to Santa Barbara. It was suggested by her sister. The decor is charming and... 

Nightlife  

Calypso Bar & Grill: Favorite amoung locals

Calypso Bar & Grill: Favorite amoung locals, Ojai

 pigletsmom Says:  Ojai has lots of bars and late night coffee places. The Calypso is a tradional local bar with a Caribbean decor. Small dance floor and tables, plus bar. Customers range from truckers to local tennis pros. Guys can be a little assertative. Not my taste, but if you want to... 

Transportation  

Gold Coast Transit~

Gold Coast Transit~, Ojai

 Yaqui Says:  Although, we Californians love our cars, not everyone every has one or chooses to drive them all the time. Our state has some wonderful bus services and many folks choose to use them for work and leisure.Ojai is Route 16Ojai - Ventura/ThompsonMonday - SundayGold Coast bus... 

Ojai Trolley

Ojai Trolley, Ojai

 Yaqui Says:  Something that is so neat when communities do this, is provide a wonderful trolley service around town. It is a great way to learn your way around, or better yet, just relax and take in the beautiful area. Look for the Trolley signs!In 1994 the City of Ojai embarked on a new... 

Shopping  

Ojai Arcade: Unique~

Ojai Arcade: Unique~, Ojai

 Yaqui Says:  Robert Winfield built the stately Spanish Colonial-style arcade that houses shops and eateries. Each arch is like a picture frame for each of the stores. You will notice that each shop or eatery is unique. Not two are a like. Lots of wonderful aromas filters onto the... 

Primavera Gallery: Unusual Art & Furniture

Primavera Gallery: Unusual Art & Furniture, Ojai

 pigletsmom Says:  Colorful and unusual gallery in the Arcade Shopping area.Looks small, but once you get inside the store is quite big.Filled with furniture, lamps, paintings and sculpture. Interesting just to look around. Everything is very unusual and interesting. One of a kind pieces. The... 

Local Customs  

Dog-Friendly Ojai

Dog-Friendly Ojai, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  I don't think I've ever been to a place as Dog friendly as Ojai!Upon arriving at the Inn, there was a dog bed, food dish, and water dish already set up in the room! At each dining venue at the Inn (not Cafe Verde, as it is inside the spa grounds and dogs are not allowed in... 

The Pink Moment

The Pink Moment, Ojai

 rudysmom626 Says:  One of the Ojai Traditions is the "Pink Moment," which happens when the sun starts to set and the rays hit the mountainside. There are tons of spots to sit outside in Ojai so that you can watch the "Pink Moment" happen with a drink. These photos were taken from the grounds... 

Warnings and Dangers  

When Hiking in Ojai . . .

When Hiking in Ojai  . . ., Ojai

 pigletsmom Says:  I'm not a very experienced hiker, but here are a few tips for novice hikers like myself. Always wear proper shoes, and layered clothing. Even if it is a hot day, I always bring a light sweatshirt, just in case. Sunscreen, a baseball cap and a cell phone. I typically pack 1... 

No Smoking!

No Smoking!, Ojai

 LINDstu Says:  They have their own laws and one of the ones I could have been affected by was no smoking anywhere in the street at all! I met other smokers in car parks.You can be fined or arrested on the spot by any of their friendly policemen! 

What to Pack  

If you're planning to Hike in Ojai . . .
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

pigletsmom 433 reviews
Easy and pretty trail in Libby Park

Luggage and bags: A light weight backpack to hold everything in.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Layered clothing. Sometimes it can get cold or very hot on the hikes. A baseball cap.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Sunscreen and bug repllent

Photo Equipment: Extra disposible batteries for camera, and extra film if it's not a digital.

Miscellaneous: Lots of water, protien bars, and a cell phone.
Check out my warnings & dangers for Ojai.
Hiking and Poisen Oak.

Updated Feb 24, 2010

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/69457/b83c3/8/

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Adventure Travel
 Hiking and Walking

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Off The Beaten Path  

Bart’s Books - Outdoors Book store

Bart’s Books - Outdoors Book store, Ojai

 ilyathemuromets Says:  Amazing gem in Ojai, Bart’s Books store, is a very cool book store that has a great selection of used and new books for every taste. The store spans both an inside of the house and outside and even has a selection of book that are outside. When the store is closed honor... 

Casitas Lake

Casitas Lake, Ojai

 pigletsmom Says:  Casitas Lake is a really lovely recreation area just minutes from downtown Ojai. The lake also has a fabulous water park for kids, and a pool that looks like a resort. Great in summer.$7 a car to get into the lake. The lake offers picnic tables, camping facilities, fishing... 

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Map of Ojai