9 Best and Fun Things To Do In Ojai CA (California)

Ojai (pronounced “OH-hi”), located about 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles, is nestled in a golden, oak-studded valley. Things To Do In Ojai CA, this spiritually charged small town has long been a haven for hippies and organic farmers. With its bohemian vibe, small-town charm, and scenic setting, it now attracts travelers of all types.

Ojai is located in one of the world’s few east-west valleys, and its early sunrises and late sunsets create the famous “Pink Moment,” which paints the surrounding peaks of the Topa Topa Mountains in rosy hues at Santa Barbara.

The play of light across the valley inspires artists and photographers, and their work can be seen in the town’s many galleries.

You’ll fall in love with this peaceful little town whether you spend your time soaking in soothing hot springs, exploring the stunning countryside on horseback, or attending one of the valley’s cultural events or festivals. With our list of the top things to do in Ojai, California, you can discover the best places to visit at meditation mount.

List Of 9 Things To Do In Ojai CA Today

1. Rose Valley Falls Trail

Ojai, surrounded by rippling peaks, rugged canyons, and ancient oaks, has some stunning hikes. The hike to Rose Valley Falls is one of the most beautiful and popular.

This 1.1-mile out-and-back hike in the Los Padres National Forest is suitable for the whole family, except for small children (it is not stroller or wheelchair accessible). Dogs on leashes are also welcome.

The approximately 40-minute drive from downtown Ojai to the trailhead, which meanders through canyons and along curving mountain roads, is equally beautiful and longer than the hike itself. To avoid paying a fee, park outside the Rose Valley Campground’s gates meditation mount.

You’ll cross several small streams and hop across logs before arriving at the falls, a slender veil of water cascading between vibrant moss-cloaked rocks. You can climb inside the waterfall through a cave or cool off in one of the pools here at caravan outpost.

The trail is best hiked in the spring. The meadows are dotted with wildflowers, and the falls are gushing with winter and spring rains. Summers are typically hot and dry, with temperatures occasionally exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Weekends are naturally busy during peak season at barts book.

When it comes to spa Ojai outdoor activities, this is one of the most rewarding. Even if you feel like you’re deep in the wilderness, restrooms are close to the trailhead.

Hikes in the Los Padres National Forest include the Matilija Creek Trail and the Piedra Blanca Formations Trail, as well as the Sespe River Trail to Willett Hot Springs and the Pratt, Foothill, and Fox Canyon Trails Loop at Ojai day.

2. Beatrice Wood Center For The Arts

If you enjoy art, you’ll enjoy spa Ojai. The delightful Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts (8585 Ojai Road), located in a beautiful mountain setting about 10 minutes from downtown Ojai meadows preserve, should be at the top of your list of places to visit for artistic inspiration.

You can visit this charismatic artist’s home and studio, where you can admire her fascinating collection of modern and folk art from around the world, as well as ethnic jewelry and Wood’s own contemporary ceramic creations at casa barranca. 

Her collection is as unique and endearing as the artist, author, and activist herself. The center is open for limited hours on Fridays and Sundays, and guided tours are available for a small fee at topa mountain winery.

Dan Schultz Fine Art Gallery and Studio should be your next stop on your art exploration (106 Nca. Signal Street). 

The main focus of this award-winning California artist’s gallery is plein air Ojai landscapes in oil, but there are also figure paintings and portraits. This is a great place to find that one-of-a-kind Ojai souvenir. Hours vary, and visits are only available by appointment on some days.

OVA Arts (238 E. Ojai Ave), a kaleidoscope of vibrant pottery, pillows, and contemporary fine art pieces created by local artists; Porch Gallery Ojai (310 E. Matilija Street), housed in a historic house; and Primavera Gallery (214 E Ojai Ave), featuring contemporary art, American craft, and jewelry at lake casitas.

Do you want to roll up your sleeves and make your own art? Firestick Pottery (1804 E. Ojai Ave), a working ceramics studio, hosts workshops for aspiring potters and provides free tours of master potters at work at ojai valley trail.

3. Shop ‘Til you Drop

Shop ‘Til you Drop, there are no big chain stores in Ojai, but there are plenty of locally owned stores and local treasures.

Looking for unique souvenirs from your trip to Ojai? FiG Curated Living is located down an alleyway brimming with garden decor (327 E Ojai Ave).

You’ll find a treasure trove of gifts and goodies here, including pottery, plants, wind chimes, and wall hangings, as well as jewelry, soaps, candles, textiles, and home decor.

Ojai Treasures (110 N Signal Street) lives up to its name. This 5,000-square-foot “Antique Collective Mall” sells unique estate and ethnic jewelry, pottery, home decor, vintage clothing, and other items.

Cercana (302 E Ojai Avenue) sells a wide range of artistic treasures from all over the world. Candles, ethnic baskets, travel bags, textiles, ceramics, glassware, crystals, jewelry, and decorative items for the home can be found here.

Local art, Ojai souvenirs, and one-of-a-kind gifts are also available at Poppies Arts and Gifts (323 E. Matilija St.) and Ova Arts.

Looking for a gift for the bibliophile in your life? Bart’s Books is a locals’ favorite. And if you want to pick up some fresh-picked goodies to take home, visit the ojai farmers market, which are held every Sunday.

If you’re looking to decorate a new home, go to DeKor & Co (105 S. Montgomery Street). Its spacious showroom is filled with vintage furniture, oriental rugs, light fixtures, ceramics, pillows, and other stylish accents at San Francisco. 

Summer Camp (1020 W. Ojai Ave.) and In the Field are also worth a look for stylish decor and other irresistible finds, while Tipple & Ramble (315 N. Montgomery Street) sells indoor and outdoor furniture and has a lovely patio for those who want to linger at ojai vineyard tasting room.

Even Ojai has its own specialty department store. Rains, which was founded in 1915, sells everything from clothing, gifts, and kitchenware to outdoor equipment and home décor.

4. Ojai Olive Oil Company

One of the best things to do in Ojai, especially for foodies, is to sample the fruity liquid gold at Ojai Olive Oil Company’s farm or Ojai beverage company. 

The farm, which is graced with 150-year-old olive trees, is about four miles from Ojai and is open for a free tasting and tour almost every day of the year. Ojai Olive Oil Company’s farm is one of the few working permaculture farms in Southern California, run by three generations of the Asquith family at Ojai art center.

Visit the tasting room to try different types of olive oil and balsamic vinegars. The friendly staff is also happy to share information on how the olives are grown, how the oils are extracted, and how the blending and bottling process works s a fun thing.

Aside from selecting the best olive oil, aspiring chefs will also learn about storing and cooking with extra virgin olive oil. Everyone, including children, is welcome here, and you can even bring your four-legged family member – there’s a special enclosure for pups to play in while you taste and tour.

Best of all, you can stock up on goodies to give to family and friends. In addition to olive oils and balsamic vinegars, olive-oil-infused face creams, lip balms, and soaps are available.

If you can’t make it out to the farm, you can visit their stall at the Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market on Sundays at San Diego.

Address: 1811 Ladera Road, Ojai, California

5. Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market

At the Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market, you’ll find succulent strawberries, farm-fresh organic vegetables, and fragrant essential oils, among other things. 

Every Sunday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Matilija Street, the market reflects the city’s community-centered, eco-conscious vibe at Ojai valley bike trail.

This is an excellent place to visit to get a sense of this friendly small town while also purchasing some locally produced souvenirs and gifts. Honey, jewelry, Ojai olive oil, beeswax candles, and lavender bouquets are all available. 

Are you hungry? Fresh-baked breads, gourmet desserts, nuts, and dried fruit are also available for snacking while you shop. The convivial atmosphere is enhanced by live music at ventura river.

6. Ojai Valley Museum Of History And Art

The Ojai Valley Museum of History and Art has more information about this fascinating little town. This worthwhile little tourist attraction is an eye-catching landmark along the main street, housed in an old church that is now a National Historic Register building.

Once inside, you can explore two exhibit rooms that reveal the valley’s history, from the Chumash Indians to present-day stories from Ojai retreat first settlers. The Chumash Interpretive Garden and the Sespe Wilderness diorama are highlights at North America.

Insider Tip: A tourist information office is located in a corner of the building. Sign up for a 10:30am Saturday historic walking tour of downtown Ojai retreat, which includes admission to the museum, to make the most of your visit to have a wine.

7. Ojai Valley Inn

When it comes to romantic things to do in Ojai, nothing beats snuggling up in a plush suite at the Ojai Valley Inn. This sprawling oasis is one of California’s top resorts, set on 220 picturesque acres peppered with oaks.

Stay in one of the comfortable contemporary Spanish-style suites or splurge on a penthouse suite. Then, intensify the romance with a couples’ spa treatment at the luxurious 31,000-foot spa village at Ojai California. 

If you prefer to be more creative, visit the Artist Cottage & Apothecary, where you can try your hand at candle-making, painting, and floral design.

Do you prefer to stay active? Play a few rounds of golf or tennis. Hike or horseback ride through the surrounding hills, book a private cabana at one of the sprawling pools, or arrange a picnic and sightseeing bike tour. 

And if you’re a foodie, you’ll have plenty to choose from with seven restaurants. At the resort’s hives, you can even sample honey and learn about beekeeping.

Overall, you have the option of having a romantic weekend full of activities or completely unwinding and letting the tranquility of this picturesque valley wash over you at this grand dame of Ojai hotels.

8. Libbey Park

Looking for a family-friendly restaurant where the kids can let off some steam? Take your picnic to Libbey Park. Locals and visitors alike congregate here in the heart of downtown under shady trees.

The playground is a hit with the kids, and there are organic cafés nearby where you can get sandwiches and snacks. The best part is that the ice cream shop is only a short walk away.

Walking paths wind through the park, and there are plenty of shady spots to rest. Choose a bench near the fountain or spread your picnic blanket beneath a towering oak. 

A small creek runs through the back of the park, which has a lovely wooded setting. After your picnic, you can play some tennis on the public courts.

Many of Ojai’s fun art and music festivals, including the Ojai Music Festival, take place in Libby Park, which also houses the 973-seat Libby Bowl, Ojai’s famous live music venue for Native American.

9. Bart’s Books

Bart’s Books is an Ojai institution, having opened in 1964. This well-loved gem, hidden away on an Ojai street corner, is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, brimming with more than 130,000 new and used books in a variety of genres ranging from travel and art to health and happiness.

Bookworms will have a great time here. Looking for a good used cookbook? If you come here, you’ll find a plethora of delectable new recipes. Do you want to curl up with a good book? Choose your next page-turner. And if you’re looking for a rare specimen, the helpful staff can help you find it.

You can spend hours browsing the labyrinthine shelves that spill out onto the street, and the sunny courtyard invites you to sit and linger. Even if the store is closed, you can grab a book from the outdoor shelves and drop your money in the box.

Address: 302 W Matilija Street, Ojai, California

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