Ojai, CA Road Trips

In late 2017, the outskirts of the city were burned by the Thomas Fire. Upper Ojai's emerging cool-climate wine scene has gained recognition from major critics, with estate wineries at elevations above 2,800 feet producing Rhône varieties and Tempranillo from organically farmed vineyards just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Upper Ojai sits above the marine fog line at elevations reaching 2,800 feet, just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean.This creates a marginal cool climate with warm days and cold nights, receiving approximately 21 inches of annual rainfall condensed into a three-month wet season. The combination of elevation, ocean proximity, and dramatic diurnal temperature swings makes Upper Ojai distinctly cooler than the Ojai Valley floor below.

1 Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W Ojai Ave, ☏ +1 805-640-1390. (updated Aug 2019) 2 Lake Casitas (Go west on Route 150). This is quite a large reservoir that has an island in the middle of it during wet years. It is an attractive spot for campers and an excellent place for wildlife watching. During the 1984 Olympics, rowers came to this lake. As of 2024 the lake is so full that the island is completely submerged. (updated Jun 2018)

1 Los Padres National Forest (In the mountains north of Ojai). The region north of Ojai is protected national forest land, although a lot of the forest was burned by the Thomas Fire in 2017, which was one of the largest wildfires in history and was partially the reason for the terrible mudslides in the area a few months later. (updated Jun 2018)

1 Boccali's, 3277 Ojai Ave (a couple of miles past town on Ojai Ave., coming from the West), ☏ +1 805 646-6116, [email protected]. M Tu 4-9PM, W-Su noon-9PM. Cash only Italian dining with lots of outdoor patio space. Local landmark. (updated Oct 2015) 2 Bonnie Lu's Country Cafe, 328 E Ojai Ave (the Arcade Shopping Center), ☏ +1 805-646-0207. Th-Tu 7AM-2:30PM. This small American diner offers extraordinarily friendly and attention service and serves well-prepared meals. There is nothing to complain about with the food - everything is tasty - although it lacks a standout "must-have" dish. There are a limited number of seats so be prepared to wait when things are busy. (updated Oct 2015) 3 Farmer and the Cook, 339 W El Roblar Dr. Locally owned vegetarian restaurant and produce shop. Highlights include organic salad bar that is picked fresh from the owners own farm! On Thursday mornings you can even help harvest greens on this lovely farm, and that entitles you to a free salad for lunch!. (updated Oct 2015)

Tipple and Ramble, 315 N. Montgomery St., ☏ +1 805-319-9496, [email protected]. W-F 2-8PM, Sa Su noon-8PM. Tipple & Ramble is part picnic shop, part wine bar in Ojai, California. A shop that specializes in indoor/outdoor decor, entertaining wares, small batch speciality food items, games, and vintage and new barware. Goods that have a sense of whimsy and adventure, to go on a picnic, make s'mores with the family, or host a cocktail party. (updated Aug 2018) 1 Ojai Mountain (Ojai Mountain Estate, Ojai Mountain Winery), 7070 Sulphur Mountain Road, [email protected]. by appointment 11 am to 5pm. California's highest coastal vineyard, perched at 2,800 feet in Upper Ojai - just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Ojai Mountain grows Rhône varieties and Tempranillo on ancient Monterey shale, farmed organically and crafted entirely from estate fruit. Every visit is private and curated. Our sommelier-led tasting features estate wines paired with cheese and charcuterie, served outdoors with sweeping views of the vineyard and Pacific coastline. Our wines have earned 96 points from Vinous, Editors' Choice and Cellar Selection honors from Wine Enthusiast, and coverage in Forbes, Decanter, and the San Francisco Chronicle. (updated Jun 2026)

1 Casa Ojai Inn, 1302 E Ojai Ave, ☏ +1 805 646-8175, toll-free: +1-800-255-8175, [email protected]. (updated Oct 2015) 2 The Capri Hotel, 1180 E Ojai Ave, ☏ +1 805-646-4305. Check-out: 11AM. This 30-room hotel aims for a retro-1970s vibe and hits the mark pretty well. The outside looks a bit rundown, but the rooms have been redone and contain modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and nice touches like locally-made snacks in the minibar. Continental breakfast daily from 8AM-11AM, free wi-fi, pets allowed for an extra fee, and the lobby has a decent library of DVDs and VHS (yes, VHS) movies that can be borrowed and played on the in-room DVD/VCR (yes, VCR). The pool is a selling point and worth a visit. $150-250. (updated Oct 2015) 3 Ojai Valley Inn, Resort & Spa, 905 Country Club Rd, toll-free: +1 855-697-8780. This AAA Five Diamond Award winning Southern California resort offers a luxury spa, championship golf school, and access to local activities such as wine tasting, tennis, and horseback riding. $300+. (updated Oct 2015)

California State Routes 33 and 150 both go to the western side of the city, and Route 150 also enters it from the eastern side.

The downtown area is fairly small and quite easy to get around on foot, but for further exploration you will of course need a car.