Top 30 Things to Do in Ojai, CA (2023)

Located in the Ojai Valley in Ventura County, California, Ojai is a quaint and sleepy city in the United States of America.

It is one of the most beautiful cities in the Golden State of California.

It is located approximately 80 kilometers north of Malibu and south and inland of Santa Barbara.

Ojai is a spiritual oasis where you can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and much more.

It is also known for its charming boutique hotels and many other recreational opportunities that you can enjoy with panoramic views.

This beautiful city is surrounded by incredible landscapes such as vineyards and citrus fields.

Ojai is a vibrant and cultural place filled with fascinating and historic museums, elegant art galleries, charming farmers markets, pristine theaters and much more.

The food scene in Ojai is also fantastic.

There are several impressive restaurants and cafes in the city that serve fresh and delicious Californian food.

Ready to start exploring this charming city?

Here are some of the best things to do in Ojai, California:

Walk along the Ojai Meadows Preserve

La Reserva de Praderas de Ojai es un humedal natural protegido con praderas diseñadas para conectar a las personas con su entorno natural.

It was destroyed in the 1900s due to development in the area around the marshes.

However, the land has been restored to its current glory with the help of the local community.

Now, Ojai Meadows Preserve is a popular recreation spot with hiking trails and a plant nursery, along with tons of wildlife and plants.

Celebre a arte no Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts celebrates the life and art of famed New York artist Beatrice Wood.

She was a potter, an artist, and an important part of the avant-garde movement in the United States.

The center celebrates Wood's art through various exhibits and exhibits.

It also hosts various lectures, workshops, and classes to educate visitors about art and its importance.

There is a small gift shop in the center where you can buy gifts and art from local artists to remember this amazing city.

Taste Extraordinary Ojai Olive Oil

The unique geography of the Ojai Valley makes it the perfect location for multiple family farms.

Ojai Olive Oil is one of the largest and oldest olive groves in Southern California.

It is over 150 years old and contributes greatly to the diversity of the area.

This family farm uses organic farming practices to produce the highest quality olive oil.

They produce several award-winning oils that you can buy at the local farmer's market.

You can taste the oils in their tasting room and take guided tours of the property to see how they are produced.

Shop for fresh produce at the Ojai Certified Farmers Market

Ojai hosts a very charming and rustic farmer's market every Sunday where numerous vendors sell the freshest Ojai produce.

The Ojai Certified Farmers Market is the perfect place to sample healthy local produce from the fertile lands of the Ojai Valley.

In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, you can also try artisan jams, chocolates, soaps, candles, honey, gourmet desserts and bread, as well as fresh seafood.

You can also buy local food from various vendors while enjoying the fantastic live music in the background.

Learn about Ojai at the Ojai Valley Museum

The Ojai Valley Museum is a non-profit organization and was founded in 1966 by local volunteers.

It is located inside the old Catholic Church of São Tomás de Aquino.

The museum preserves the history of the Ojai Valley by collecting and displaying various artifacts, documents, photographs, and art.

There is also an interpretive garden behind the building where you can sit and enjoy the beautiful California sunshine after touring the museum.

Join a guided tour of the stunning Valley View Preserve

Located just outside of downtown Ojai, Valley View Preserve is a 195-acre protected area.

The open space consists of several miles of hiking trails, dog trails, and beautiful native flora and fauna.

The most popular hiking trails in Valley View Preserve are Fox Canyon Trail, Foothill Trails, and Luci's Trail.

Be sure to hike these trails to see the stunning beauty of the reserve.

You can also take a guided tour of the reserve to see and learn more about it.

Get the freshest citrus from your friends' ranches

Friend's Ranches is a family owned and operated orchard that has been growing citrus for over 100 years in the Ojai Valley.

Citrus grown here include lemons, oranges, tangelos, and more.

Friend's Ranches is best known for its Pixie Tangerine, a sweet, sweet fruit that is very popular with Ojai locals.

Be sure to stop by Friend's Ranches and enjoy their fresh produce along with their fresh-squeezed citrus juice.

Spend an afternoon at Bart's Books

Founded in 1964, Bart's Books is the largest independently owned outdoor bookstore in the United States of America.

The bookstore has more than a million books available for sale, including thousands of dollars' worth of rare and limited edition books.

Visit Bart's Books when you come to Ojai and spend an afternoon reading a variety of different books under the shade of a glorious lemon tree.

Horseback riding with the Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company

The Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company offers horseback riding on enchanted green trails along the Ventura River.

They also have ponies that the kids can ride on.

The tours last around one to two hours, and you can choose where you want to enjoy horseback riding.

Organic Wine Tasting at Casa Barranca

Casa Barranca is a rustic winery overlooking the magnificent Ojai Valley.

It serves several different types of wines made from organic grapes grown on its vineyard.

Casa Barranca Vineyard is the first organic winery on the central coast of California.

All wines are carefully made from the highest quality grapes to ensure that you taste the best wine in California.

Take in panoramic views of the Ventura River Reservation

The Ventura River Reservation is located in the western part of the Ojai Valley.

It consists of 1,600 acres of beautiful green space and three miles of the Ventura River.

The reserve is home to more than 300 different flora and fauna species.

It also has several trails where you can walk, run or walk while enjoying panoramic views of the nearby vegetation.

Learn something new at the Krishnamurti Educational Center

Housed in the former residence of author and philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, the Education Center consists of a library and a quiet room where visitors can read or meditate in peace.

You can learn a lot about Krishnamurti and his teachings at the educational center.

Be sure to explore the peaceful gardens that surround the building.

Fique no Serene Ecotopia Ojai Hot Springs

Ecotopia Ojai Hot Springs is Ojai's hidden gem.

You can really immerse yourself in nature here.

It is a delightful mix of different ecologies, hot springs and streams and is maintained by a local community agricultural program.

You can book your stay in advance on their website and choose from various services depending on your needs and budget.

The serene environment of Ecotopia Ojai Hot Springs will leave you grateful to be alive.

Visit the Ojai Vineyard

Ojai Vineyard has been producing Central Coast wine for over half a century.

Mastery and refinement are visible in the wines produced here.

Guests can sample more than 24 wines in the Ojai Vineyard's tasting room.

Be sure to sample the famous Syrahs, Chards, Rieslings, and Pinots when you visit the renowned vineyard.

Head to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is a nonprofit organization that purchases vacant land in the Ojai Valley and works to preserve it.

This is done by turning them into recreational areas where visitors can enjoy hiking, hiking, jogging, or mountain biking while taking in the beauty of the valley.

Some of the trails are easily accessible on foot and are located near downtown Ojai.

They also host interpretive nature walks to encourage people to connect with the environment.

Don't forget to make a small donation to support this organization and its valuable work.

Start your day with breakfast at Bonnie Lu's Country Cafe

Bonnie Lu's Country Cafe is a diner serving delicious American comfort food.

It is almost always full, so you may have to wait, but the delicious food served by this restaurant will definitely be worth it.

Be sure to ask for their famous English muffins, omelettes, hash browns, and fresh-squeezed orange juice.

Devour delicious vegan food at Hip Vegan Cafe

Hip Vegan Cafe is the perfect place to eat if you are vegan or vegetarian.

The cafeteria serves delicious vegan and vegetarian food made from fresh ingredients.

Don't forget to try the hummus wraps, Wagamama bowl, and tempeh burgers when you visit this charming cafe.

Enjoy the award-winning selection of wines in Olivella

Olivella is an exclusive restaurant that serves delicious Italian food in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

They take pride in preparing their dishes with locally grown produce.

The staff are very friendly and attentive and will make sure your experience is fantastic.

Olivella is famous for its chocolate sphere, filet mignon, lobster risotto and an award-winning selection of wines.

Stay at the Incredible Blue Iguana Inn

Located on Ventura Avenue, the Blue Iguana Inn is a charming boutique hotel.

It is located just 15 minutes drive from the magnificent Pacific Ocean.

Each room is carefully selected, with hand-picked furniture and paintings, along with other valuable goods and services to make your stay as valuable as possible.

The staff are courteous, informative and provide a high level of service.

Be sure to reserve at least one night at the Blue Iguana Inn when visiting the charming city of Ojai.

Go ahead and attend an event at the Libbey Bowl

Originally built in what was once called Civic Center Park, the Ojai Festival Bowl was created by famed architects Austen Pierpont and Roy Wilson.

In the 1970s, the parking area and bowl were renamed Libbey in recognition of Edward Drummond Libbey, the donor.

He had already given the area to the people of Ojai.

Performers and spectators alike referred to the Libbey Bowl as an almost mystical setting.

The feeling viewers get when watching an event at the Libbey Bowl is incredible due to the venue's seamless integration with its natural surroundings with contemporary production amenities.

A beautiful grass area overlooks the bowl and can accommodate 200 to 300 spectators sprawled out on their picnic mats.

Enjoy a well-deserved day of pampering at Ojai Spa

Its luxurious 31,000-square-foot spa is the focal point of its tranquil Spa Village, surrounded by the stunning Topatopa Mountains.

Two swimming pools, a fully equipped gym, Mind & Body workshops, Spa Shop and Spa Café, serving a selection of fresh and healthy delights, are all accessible with a visit to the Ojai Spa.

When Ojai Valley Inn guests book a spa or salon session on the day of their appointment, they are entitled to complimentary access to the spa facilities; this includes the use of all restrooms and wet area amenities.

Subject to availability, non-resort guests may book services at the Ojai Spa as paying Day Spa guests.

For visitors 18 and older, the Ojai Spa offers facials and manicures.

Taste exquisite wine from Topa Mountain Winery.

Since opening its doors in 2016, Topa Mountain Winery has earned a reputation as the best place in Ojai to enjoy craft wine in a beautiful, warm and welcoming environment.

In the upper reaches of the Ojai Valley, under the watchful eye of the Topa Topa Mountains, lies their production site and winery, which is surrounded by century-old oak trees and towering redwoods.

Lauro Guerra, the winery's founder, created it to express his enthusiasm for winemaking and showcase outstanding wines from grapes grown in the Ojai Valley.

All the wines are made using methods that aim to enhance the characteristics that each variety has naturally and that were shaped by the particular climate of its vineyards.

They are then matured in a mix of old and modern French oak barrels.

Show appreciation for the arts at the Ojai Art Center

Across the state of California, the Ojai Art Center is a multi-use center that has long served the art industry.

The Ojai Art Center, opened in 1939, has eight branches covering different areas of the arts.

An artistic group is based at the Ojai Art Center, including theater production.

Since those early days, the Art Center has housed a 120-seat theater that has welcomed thousands of people from Ojai and the surrounding community each year.

Annually, the Theater presents a variety of stage shows, from comedies to operas, plays and musicals.

Run to Coffee Connection for breakfast

The Meiners Oaks neighborhood in stunning Ojai Valley is where Coffee Connection is located.

They produce artisan drinks using certified natural coffee and espresso as they believe in serving the customer with a smile.

They are proud to give back to their community and are popular and locally operated.

Coffee Connection offers sustainably grown and fair trade certified caffeine.

Each drink is handcrafted with passion and respect for the art form that connects Coffee Connection with countless people around the world.

Other things to do nearby

Visit the beautiful Lago Casitas

Lake Casitas is a man-made lake created after the damming of Coyote Creek.

The lake was intended to provide water for important activities such as irrigation.

Swimming in the lake is prohibited; yet you can camp, fish, and boat in its serene surroundings.

You are also surrounded by the Casitas Lake Recreation Area where you can play golf, enjoy lunch overlooking the lake, a water park, and much more.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located in Ventura, just a 10-minute drive from Ojai.

Enjoy the Casitas water adventure with friends and family

Just 10 minutes from Ojai, Casitas Water Adventure is a family-friendly water park and part of the Casitas Lake Recreation Area.

The water park is very compact and has water games, a deep lagoon, cafeterias, picnic tables and much more.

The pond is 18 inches deep and offers several water features, bridges, a jungle gym, slides, and more.

Don't forget to visit the Lake Casitas Recreation Area water park to enjoy the water of Lake Casita with your family and friends.

Explore the magnificent Los Padres National Forest

The Los Padres National Forest is the second largest national forest in central and southern California.

It comprises most of the mountainous lands of the Californian coast.

The forest is home to more than 400 species of animals and more than 1,200 species of plants, making it a prime destination for nature lovers.

Visitors can bird watch or simply explore the forest and admire its abundant flora and fauna.

The best way to explore this green space is by following the different paths in the forest, which are very easy to follow.

Hike the Rose Valley Falls Trail

The Rose Valley Falls Trail is located 30 minutes from Ojai in the Los Padres National Forest.

This half mile trail leads to a beautiful waterfall in the woods.

You can take the trail to enjoy the beautiful green space of the forest and see the beautiful waterfall at the end.

Make sure you take a good camera with you so that you can take impressive photos of the stunning surroundings.

Pratique Mountain Bike Not Pratt Trail Loop

Pratt Trail Loop is a 15.4 kilometer scenic trail near Ojai and is rated as difficult.

The challenging but picturesque trail features beautiful plants and stunning views of the city.

You can run, hike, and mountain bike while taking in the expansive views of the valley.

final thoughts

Ojai, California is surrounded by amazing natural resources, including world-class regional food, wineries, museums, hiking trails, art, and culture.

You can participate in indoor and outdoor activities throughout the day.

Ojai attracts visitors of all stripes thanks to its fascinating history, lively atmosphere, and charming town.

A list of the best things to do in Ojai, California should be on your itinerary if you're visiting this popular tourist destination.

Come to Ojai and experience the endless fun for yourself!