An Ideal Day in Ojai, California

The formerly sleepy ranch town is serving up more lodging, shopping, and dining than ever before.

The sunlit interior of Bart's Books, an institution in Ojai, California.

Bart's Books, an Ojai institution. Photo by Thomas J. Story.

Bart's Books, an Ojai institution.

Written by Hugh Garvey February 4, 2022

By turns funky, foodie, and just plain fun, Ojai can occupy much more than one single day. Here are some of our favorite Ojai haunts to set you on your way toward exploring this Southern California gem.

Where to Shop

Ojai Avenue Arcade — The arcade on Ojai Ave.

In the Field

If the Ojai boho chic look had a starter kit, this is where you’d find it: Perfectly picked, locally made surf wear, jewelry, caftans, hats, and home goods make this the top lifestyle shop Ojai.

Bart’s Books

No pilgrimage to Ojai is complete without an hour or so browsing the stacks and flipping through art books, novels, and poetry at the preposterously charming open-air used bookstore that’s been a long-standing national treasure to in-the-know bibliophiles.

Where to Eat

Roast Chicken and Sides at Ojai Rotie — Roast chicken and sides at Ojai Rôtie.

Ojai Rôtie

Izakaya Full Moon

Feb/March 2022 cover — Read more in:
Sunset’s Wellness Issue 2022

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Possibly the best izakaya in Ventura County, this charming family-run spot serves exquisitely prepared Japanese dishes like rice pot with uni and A5 wagyu beef, bincho grilled meats, seasonal sashimi, and artisanal sake.

Pinyon Ojai

Serious sourcing (think Neapolitan tomatoes, boquerones, and local goat kefir), natural wines, and employee profit-sharing make this new wood-fired pizza spot the benchmark for mindful deliciousness. AKA: very Ojai.

Farmer and the Cook

The quintessential boho-hippy-ranchy mostly vegan Mexican restaurant where all walks of Ojai life converge. Wood-fired pizza nights are a long-standing town ritual that always draw crowds.

Sanders & Sons Gelato

Tucked away behind the main drag’s arcade, this spot serves true Italian-style gelato in traditional flavors like pistachio and new spins like Valrhona and ancho.

The Dutchess

Zoe Nathan of Los Angeles’s Rustic Canyon restaurant group (Milo & Olive, Sweet Rose Creamery, Huckleberry, et cetera), pastry chef Kelsey Brito, local baking sensation Kate Pepper, and chef Saw Naing join forces to serve Burmese food, bread, and other baked goods in the former Azu space.

Ojai Tortilla House

Hearty tacos rolled with handmade rosemary-stuffed tortillas and wrapped in foil are the perfect to-go lunch for a picnic in nearby Libbey Park. The al pastor in the loaded “specialty” taco is a carnivore’s delight. Follow @ojaitortillahouse.

Rory’s Place

This highly anticipated eatery from sisters Rory and Meave McAuliffe is finally open. We’re excited enough about their locally-sourced, farm-to-table-family affair that we wrote about it in our 2022 Wellness Issue.

Where to Drink

Ojai Valley Brewery

The brewery’s new taproom and beer garden are a lovely spot to shoot pool, play shuffleboard, and sample micro-seasonal brews featuring local produce grown on the owner’s ranch. Sip gluten-free lemongrass beer, spritely Ojai Pixie tangerine wheat beer, and earthy chaparral sage.

Point de Chêne

A well-curated world-class wine shop featuring local wineries, killer Barolos, natural bottlings, and tasty surprises from Austria and the Balkans.

Beacon Coffee

This local roaster has been pulling perfect Fair Trade espresso and cupping pour-overs for over a decade and is the must-stop spot in and out of town. Grab a bag of beans and local granola to bring those Ojai vibes home.

Where to Stay

Capri Hotel

The folks who run Ojai Rancho Inn are behind a groovy ’70s-vibes reboot of the Capri motor lodge. A pool and palm trees line the grounds, making it a soothing local crash pad. Up next from the gang: a refresh of the nearby Hummingbird Inn.

An Ideal Day in Ojai, California