We Can’t Wait To See You In Ojai!
Ojai is one of our favorite weekend escapes from LA. Nestled in a valley in the Topatopa Mountains, Ojai is an adorable vacation town with a village-like center. It is dotted with art galleries, restaurants and locally owned craft shops. A city wide ban on chain businesses makes it a truly unique place to visit, but it also might make navigating travel a little difficult. With our families coming from both coasts, we know it is a bit of a journey. So we put together a little guide of our favorite places to hopefully make it a bit easier!
How To Get Here
If you are flying out, the closest airport to fly into would be the Santa Barbara Airport which is about an hour drive from Ojai. Alternatively, if you want to avoid a possible layover, you can fly into LAX which is approximately a two hour drive to Ojai (but be careful of rush hour!)
Also, rideshare options are limited in the area so in order for you to freely enjoy all that Ojai and the surrounding areas have to offer, we highly recommend renting a car during your stay.
Where To Stay
Ojai Rancho Inn
Where we are staying! A refurbished 1950's retro roadside motel, the Ojai Rancho Inn offers a pool, lawn games, rental bikes, and the adorable Chiefs Peak bar. It is also the site of our welcome party and a shuttle stop for the wedding.
Capri Hotel
The site of our second shuttle stop. The Capri Hotel is a 1963 mid century modern roadside hotel with a pool, hot tub, and complimentary rental bikes available.
Hotel El Roblar
This hotel originally opened in 1919, and was reopened this year by the owners of the famous Bowery Hotel in New York. While it is a more expensive option, the hotel is very cool to check out even you don’t stay there. They have a fantastic restaurant, the sweet corn soft serve is life changing (it sounds weird, but trust us).
Hummingbird Inn
Located right next to the Capri, which will be a shuttle stop for the wedding, the Hummingbird Inn is another great option at a slightly lower price point.
AIRBNB
There are loads of great places in the area, to make it a little easier, we made a list of some great options!
What To Do
Barts Books
Open since the 1960’s, Barts Books is the largest independently owned and operated outdoor bookstore in the USA.
Main Street
Most of the shops and restaurants in Ojai are centered around East Ojai Avenue between South Signal Street and Fox Street. It’s a fun walk and great for perusing the shops. Check out Fig Curated Living for locally made home decor, or Ojai Treasures for fun vintage finds.
Tennis & Bike Trail
Ojai is home to one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the country starting in 1896. Because of this there are a large number of great free courts in Libby Park! Every trip up there we take the bike trail out there and play.
Where To Eat
The Dutchess
This spot is our go-to for brunch every time we are Ojai. All of the pastries are to die for and the coffee is great. The Dutchess is a bakery/cafe by day and a trendy Burmese restaurant by night.
Ojai Rotie
A casual patio restaurant with Mediterranean roast chicken, and fresh sourdough bread. There can be a bit of a line on the weekends, but it is worth it.
Rory’s Place
This locally owned upscale restaurant has some of the best crudo, cocktails, and oysters we’ve ever had. Check out Rory’s Other Place next door for coffee or a Matcha Soft Serve Sunday.
Boccali's Pizza & Pasta
A great family friendly spot with an iconic strawberry shortcake. We also recommend the lasagna and antipasti. As a fun side note in October there is a pumpkin patch right next door.
Hotel Roblar
The Condor Bar and La Concina both have modern California Mexican Cuisine and fantastic atmosphere.
Izakaya Full Moon
Fantastic Japanese food with sushi and skewers. Izakaya Full Moon does not take reservations, but you can put your name in and stop by the Ojai Pub for a pre-dinner drink while you wait.