Discover Ojai: The Ideal Weekend Getaway for Nature Lovers

Ojai is magical. Set back off the coast of Ventura, it’s no wonder that the 1933 movie, Lost Horizon, about a plane that crashes in Shangri La, was in part filmed here. Not as expensive to visit as neighboring Santa Barbara, and far less crowded, Ojai has all the makings for a nature lovers perfect weekend getaway.

Upon arrival, you will notice that downtown Ojai is quaint and quiet in the winter, but bustling with activity in the warmer summer months. On Sunday mornings, there’s a fantastic farmers market nestled among the shops and eateries just off of the main street, behind the building known as the “arcade”.

Just fifteen miles out of town, up highway 33, you will find a variety of hikes for every experience level. This one, a half miler, ends at Lower Rose Falls, and a beautiful water feature that flows off a sandstone cliff and lands on moss covered rocks below. Be ware of the possibility of snow in the winter months. It can get rather slippery and a bit dangerous.

Back in town, it’s time for lunch. For alfresco dining, try Nest, with a variety of healthy, yet satisfying dishes. If you’re a vegan, or just want to live like the locals, opt for the Hip Vegan, housed in a Spanish Style Villa on the corner of North Montgomery Street. Take some time to digest while meandering the rooms of Bart’s Books, the largest outdoor bookstore in the U.S., at the corner of Matilija and Canada streets. Before heading to your hotel, pick up some drinks and snacks at the amazing Westridge Midtown Market.

If you are open to visiting natural hot springs, be sure to make a reservation for Ecotopia, one of the few remaining public accessible springs in the area. Twenty dollars will get you a two hour window to enjoy this creek side establishment, swimsuit optional. You can soak to your heart’s content, then hop in the cold creek, or take a break and wander through the garden maintained by your usage fee. The view down the valley is nothing short of relaxing.

As night falls, the sky opens up with stars. It’s time to make your way back into town for dinner before all this fresh air has you settling in for the night.

Eat: For breakfast, load up at Ojai Coffee Roasting. For delicious Italian dinner fare, visit Osteria Monte Grappa. Excellent quality sushi is just around the corner at Sakura Ojai.

Stay: Hummingbird Inn