Explore Ojai

Photo by Ray Powers

Stunning pink moments, enchanting trails, relaxing spas, fabulous golf, and gallery hopping –  this and more awaits you when you open yourself to an Ojai adventure.

EXPLORE OJAI
Enjoy some relaxing spa time, grab a bite to eat, get outdoors, spend an afternoon wine tasting, or find a great book between concerts. Ojai also has several unique and exciting events throughout the year.

Look below for more details on your Ojai experience.

💚 = one of our favorites!

Directions

Located 15 miles inland from Ventura and 65 miles north of Los Angeles, the bucolic Ojai Valley is surrounded by scenic hills and intoxicating orchards, brimming with small-town charm and creativity.

Driving Directions
From the direction of Los Angeles: Take 405 Freeway north, to 101 West to Ventura. Exit 101 to Highway 33. Follow 33 into Ojai Valley, it merges into Ojai Avenue. Proceed into town, Libbey Park is on the right side of the street.

From the direction of Santa Barbara: Take 101 Freeway South to Ventura. Exit 101 to Highway 33. Follow 33 into Ojai Valley, it merges into Ojai Avenue. Proceed into town, Libbey Park is on the right side of the street.

From the direction of Santa Clarita: From Interstate 5, take Highway 126 West to Ventura. Merge onto 101 North in Ventura. Exit 101 to Highway 33. Follow 33 into Ojai Valley, it merges into Ojai Avenue. Proceed into town, Libbey Park is on the right side of the street.

Directions to additional venues:
Greenberg Center | Ojai Valley School | 723 El Paseo Rd.
Zalk Theater | Besant Hill School | 8585 Santa Paula Rd.
Chaparral Auditorium | Chaparral High School | 414 E. Ojai Ave.

For real-time traffic information, visit:
CA Department of Transportation

Metro.net

Nearest airports:
Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) – 45 miles
Bob Hope Burbank Airport (BUR) – 70 miles
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 85 miles
Rental car agencies are available at all three airports.

Amtrak
Amtrak service is available to the Ventura station. View the Amtrak website for schedules and fares. Once you arrive in Ventura, you can take the Gold Coast Transit bus (Route 16) to downtown Ojai, or arrange for a taxi to take you to your final destination.

Parking
Free parking is available on the streets surrounding Libbey Park and in various lots within a two-block radius. There are public lots on Montgomery and Matilija Streets. We recommend allowing enough time to find parking and have a leisurely stroll in downtown Ojai and Libbey Park.

Getting around Ojai

  • Downtown Ojai is extremely walkable, with stores, restaurants, and more within a two-block radius of Libbey Bowl.
  • The paved Ojai Bike Path runs throughout the city and all the way to Ventura. A local bike shop, The Mob Shop, offers bike rentals.
  • The Ojai Trolley Service can also take you around town and has service to the Ojai Community Church. Visit the website for routes and service information. 
  • Topa Topa Taxi provides taxi services to destinations throughout the Valley.

Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce | 805 646 8126

Dining

Known for using fresh and local ingredients, Ojai’s many restaurants offer visitors a unique taste of the central coast. No trip to Ojai is complete without a delicious meal – use our quick restaurant guide to help you plan your culinary adventure!

Walking Distance from Libbey Park

Agave Maria’s Restaurant and Cantina 💚
8 am – 9 pm Wednesday – Sunday | 11 am – 8 pm Monday Tuesday
106 S. Montgomery St. | 805 646 6353
Mexican food with a fresh twist, featuring several organic and healthy options. The restaurant has a large outdoor patio and a wide selection of drinks. Located downtown. Reservations are recommended.


Bonnie Lu’s Country Cafe
8 am – 2 pm Thursday – Monday
328 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 646 0207
Homestyle breakfast and lunch diner. Features a wide range of traditional American entrees – a local favorite for breakfast. Make sure to arrive early to get a table.


The Dutchess
7 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 9:30 pm Daily
457 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 640 7987
A place to come in the morning for a cappuccino and a croissant, take home a loaf of bread, meet friends for sandwiches, salads and flatbreads at lunch, and come back for great drinks and Burmese-Californian flavors at night.


Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill
10 am – 8:30 pm Daily
214 West Ojai Ave | 805 640 1301
Jim and Rob’s Fresh Grill offers a wide variety of Mexican American choices and regional favorites.


Nocciola
5:30 pm – 9:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | 5:30 pm – 10 pm
314 El Paseo Rd. | 805 640 1648
Upscale handmade Italian cuisine with a lovely ambience. Reservations recommended.


Ojai Rotie 💚
7:30 am – 11 am, 12 pm – 3 pm, 4 pm – 8 pm Friday – Sunday | 7:30 am – 11 am, 4 pm – 8 pm Wednesday and Thursday
469 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 798 9227
Lebanese French picnic fare for lunch and dinner, and artisan bakery and coffee in the mornings.


Osteria Monte Grappa
5 pm – 9 pm Monday – Thursday | 5 pm – 10 pm Friday and Saturday | Closed Sunday
242 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 640 6767
Authentic Italian cuisine offered at the heart of downtown Ojai. A wide range of pasta, entrees, and pizzas made fresh from local ingredients. Reservations are strongly recommended.


Rainbow Bridge
8 am – 9 pm Daily
211 E. Matilija St. | 805 646 6623
Rainbow Bridge’s hot deli offers a wide variety of dishes as part of its rotating menu, as well as sandwiches, soups, and smoothies. The grocery has all the ingredients to perfect your picnic.


Rory’s Place
5 pm – 10 pm Wednesday – Monday
139 E Ojai Ave | 805 798 9207
Rory’s Place is a collaboration between sisters Rory and Meave McAuliffe. They grew up playing in the kitchen of their mom’s bakery in Santa Monica in the 90s, and have been cooking together ever since.


Sanders & Sons Gelato
12 pm – 8 pm Sunday – Thursday | 12 pm – 10 pm Friday and Saturday
334 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 633 9077
Gelato from scratch at a micro-dairy in Ojai, using organic cream, milk and eggs, fresh fruit from locally owned farms, focusing on local, seasonal flavors.


The Nest of Ojai
11 am – 4 pm Wednesday | 11 am – 8:30 pm Thursday | 11 am – 9 pm Friday and Saturday | 10 am – 8:30 pm Sunday
401 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023 | 805 798 9035
American-style food cooked with a local flair, coninuously rotated menu options and ecellent cocktails.


Yume Japanese Burger Cafe
11 am – 8 pm Thursday – Sunday | 12 pm – 8 pm Monday and Tuesday
254 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 272 8963
Delicious Japanese Burgers cooked with wagyu beef marinated for 24 hours.


Off The Beaten Path


Ca Marco Risorante
11 am – 3 pm, 5 pm – 9 pm Tuesday – Saturday
1002 E. Ojai Ave.| 805 640 1048
Inviting atmosphere, delicious authentic Italian dishes, and curated wine selections.


Farmer and the Cook 💚
Cafe and Market: 8 am – 4 pm Monday – Wednesday | 8 am – 7 pm Thursday – Sunday
Pizza Cafe: 4 pm – 7 pm Thursday – Sunday
339 W El Roblar Dr. | +805 640 9608
Organic market & Mexican cafe with a large patio serving vegetarian fare, salads, and pizzas on the weekends.


Ojai Deer Lodge 💚
12 pm – 8 pm Wednesday and Thursday | 12 pm – 9 pm Friday | 11 am – 9 pm Saturday and Sunday| Bar open until midnight Friday and Saturday
2261 Maricopa Hwy. | 805 646 4256
Farm-to-table dining & regular live music in a lodge setting with fireplace & outdoor seating.


Ojai Valley Inn Restaurants
905 Country Club Rd. | 855 697-8780
The Ojai Valley Inn offers a wide variety of phenomenal dining experiences. Explore their website for further details.


The Ranch House 💚
5 pm – 9 pm Tuesday – Sunday | Bakery open 12 pm – 4 pm Tuesday – Thursday
102 Besant Rd. | 805 646 2360
Upscale Californian fare, including homemade bread & site-grown herbs, plus an extensive wine list.

Lodging

The Festival has discounted rooms reserved at the Ojai Valley Inn. To book, contact Sheila Cohn at 805 869-1154 or [email protected]

Ojai-Inn-Spa
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
805 646 1111
Ojai Rancho Inn
Ojai Rancho Inn 
805 646 1434
Blue Iguana Inn
Blue Iguana Inn 
805 646 5277
casa-ojai
Casa Ojai
800 255 8175
Emerald-Iguana
Emerald Iguana Inn
805 646 5277
oakridge-inn
Oakridge Inn
805 649 4018
Caravan Outpost
805 836 4891
su nido inn
Su Nido Inn
866 646 7080
 

For a change in landscape, consider staying in the coastal city of Ventura, approx. 17 miles from Ojai where they have a variety of accommodations to suit your needs and budget. Visit the Ventura Visitor and Convention Bureau >>

Explore Ojai

These are some experiences we highly recommend you take advantage of when you visit Ojai. We promise that each of these places and activities will enrich the time you spend here!


Walking Distance from Libbey Park


Bart’s Books 💚
10 am – 6 pm
Daily
302 W Matilija St. | 805 646 3755
“Bart’s Books is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, serving the Ojai community since 1964. We believe that there is a book for everyone, and that reading is the catalyst for a connection amongst passionate people.”


Blanche Sylvia 💚
212-A E. Ojai Ave. | 805 798 4769
Shop for vintage and handmade jewelry and accessories at Blanche Sylvia in downtown Ojai.


Blue Ojai
10 am – 5 pm
Monday – Sunday
209 W Ojai Ave. | 805 633 9086
Shop fashion and home decor in the heart of downtown Ojai.


Canvas and Paper
12 pm – 5 pm
Thursday – Sunday
311 N. Montgomery St. | 805 798 9301
“Canvas and Paper is a non-profit exhibition space showing paintings and drawings from the 20th century and earlier in thematic and single artist exhibits.”


Gunay’s Shop
10 am – 6 pm
Monday – Friday | 11 am – 6 pm Saturday | 11 am – 5 pm Sunday
246 E. Ojai Ave. | 917 889 0878
“GUNAYSSHOP, an innovative company in the field of home textile and jewelry accessories, is a Turkoisboutique establishment.”


Majestic Oak Vineyard
12 pm – 6 pm
Saturday – Thursday | 12 pm – 7 pm Friday
321 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 794 0272
“At Majestic Oak Vineyard, we believe in family, sharing our passion, and celebrating life with loved ones.”


Ojai Certified Farmer’s Market
9 am – 1 pm
Sunday
300 E. Matilija St. | 805 698 5555
“Locally grown fresh fruits & vegetables harvested daily.”
Sale of Jams, Honey, Breads, Desserts, Meat, Fish and more!


Ojai Community Farmer’s Market
3 pm – 7 pm Thursday
414 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 701 1210
“Our mission is to provide access to healthy food, cultivate community and promote education. A handful of engaged community members listened to it’s community needs for an Ojai Midweek Farmers Market.”


Ojai Valley Museum
10 am – 4 pm
Friday – Sunday
130 W. Ojai Ave. | 805 640 1390
“Sharing the history, art, and culture of the Ojai Valley through museum exhibitions, programs and events.”


The Ojai Vineyard 💚
12 pm – 5 pm
Daily
109 S. Montgomery St. | 805 649 1674
“The wines we make today are a culmination of four decades pursuing excellence with the fruit grown in our region.”


Rains Department Store
9:30 am – 6 pm
Monday – Saturday | 9:30 am – 5 pm Sunday
218 E. Ojai Ave. | 805 646 1441
Family-owned store that has a long history in Ojai, established in 1914. Offerings range from apparel, outdoor supplies, gifts, and more!


Off the Beaten Path


Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
11 am – 5 pm Friday – Sunday
8585 Ojai Rd. | 805 646 3381
“The Center celebrates the life and work of Beatrice Wood while presenting exhibitions, performances, and educational opportunities.”


Meditation Mount
Refer to their events calendar and visitor guidelines
“The Mission of Meditation Mount is to promote the building of an enlightened and compassionate world through the power of Creative Meditation, inspirational educational programs, and community-based events focused on the practical application of the six Universal Spiritual Principles & Pathways.”


Ojai Valley Land Conservancy 💚
Refer to their website for visitation information
“Open space protected by the OVLC is preserved in perpetuity for the benefit of the community. Working with willing landowners on a voluntary basis, land is either protected by its acquisition or through a land conservation agreement.”


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