A Laid-Back Ojai Day Trip Itinerary

Ojai (a Chumash word – pronounced “oh-hi”) is the ultimate destination for a chill SoCal day trip. 

Located 50 minutes east of Santa Barbara and just under two hours north of Los Angeles, this sweet town is known for its laid-back yet active downtown area, filled with boutiques, vintage shops, amazing eateries, fun bars, and stunning wineries. Nestled in a scenic valley and surrounded by agricultural land, it’s also an incredible destination for those looking to enjoy nature and go out for a hike. The town is even famous for its breathtaking “pink moment” – we’ll talk more about that below!

While there are plenty of activities to enjoy in Ojai, the town is small, so you can see a lot in just one day. Here is my ultimate Ojai day trip itinerary – perfect for first-time visitors!

How to Spend One Day in Ojai

Here’s exactly how you can spend a fun (and chill!) day exploring the beautiful town of Ojai. 

Stroll Through Ojai Meadows Preserve

Start your morning off with a walk through Ojai Meadows Preserve. I recommend street parking near the Highway 33 Entrance and starting your walk there. 

This peaceful preserve is the perfect spot to enjoy a bit of nature in Ojai. There’s an easy one mile out-and-back trail (which starts at the Highway 33 Entrance) that takes you through the meadows and along the wetlands. Expect to see plenty of wildlife, including bunnies, ducks, birds, and more. You’ll also have beautiful views of the surrounding mountains! 

This is definitely more of a walk than a hike, so you don’t need to break out the hiking boots. That said, it is a dirt path, and there is a gentle uphill section towards the second half of the trail that you can explore if you’d like (which I do recommend, as the views of the mountains are gorgeous). Be prepared with the right shoes – my On Cloud 5 Sneakers were perfect for this trail. 

Explore Bart’s Books

Bart’s Books is one of the spots that you can’t miss when visiting Ojai. It’s the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, with more than 130,000 new and used books available to purchase. Even if you’re not on the market for some new books, it’s a super cool and unique space to walk around. The novelty of having a bookstore outside makes it worth the stop!

Bart’s is just a few blocks away from Downtown Ojai, so you can park your car near the bookstore and then walk into town for lunch. 

Grab Lunch in Town

For lunch, I recommend stopping by one of these restaurants, conveniently located in the heart of town: 

• Hip Vegan: Whether you’re vegan or not, this is an excellent eatery (with great indoor and outdoor seating!) to stop by for lunch. The diverse menu features sandwiches, burgers, wraps, burritos, bowls, salads, and more. No matter what you get, I highly recommend getting the gunpowder fries as a side. The menu also has options for gluten-free diets. 
• The Nest: Another great lunch spot is The Nest. Menu items include pizzas, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and more. They also have a great cocktail, beer, and wine menu. There are options for vegan and gluten-free diets. 

Need a caffeine boost? Stop by Three Birds, which has a beautiful outdoor patio. I highly recommend their vanilla latte!

Explore & Shop in Downtown Ojai 

Of course, an Ojai trip isn’t complete without a stroll through the downtown area. There are plenty of fun boutiques, antique shops, thrift stores, and more to walk through.  A few shops worth checking out include Fig Curated Living (a home and garden goods store), Treasures of Ojai (an antique shop where you’ll find vintage furniture, jewelry, and clothing), Bungalow (a home goods and clothing store for adults and kids), and Sunday’s (a shop with fun and funky local artisan goods – a personal favorite!). I also recommend stopping by OVA Arts, a gallery featuring works by local artists. 

While you’re in town you can also enjoy a stroll through Libbey Park, located right next to the iconic Ojai Post Office Bell Tower. 

Visiting on a Sunday? You can also check out the Ojai Farmers Market, which is located in the heart of town. It’s open until 1pm. 

Do a Tasting at Ojai Olive Oil

Make your way back to your car and drive about 10 minutes northeast to Ojai Olive Oil to get a taste of the agricultural life in the area. On the way, you’ll drive past acres of tangerine orchards, including those growing the famous Ojai pixies!

The farm and tasting room is open to the public daily. You can do an olive oil tasting on site for $15 per tasting (reservations are not required), where you’ll taste their oils and balsamic vinegars while learning about their process and the history of the farm. One tasting is perfect for two people!

Of course, you can buy their products on-site – and you’ll definitely want to leave with a few bottles in hand after the tasting! After my last visit, I left with the basil and Tuscan olive oils, as well as the fig balsamic vinegar.

There are also some picnic tables located right outside the tasting room. Before or after your tasting, I recommend resting your feet and taking in the views of the gorgeous olive trees! 

Catch the Pink Moment

Ojai is famous for its “pink moment”, a moment as the sun sets when the Topatopa Mountains and the Ojai Valley are illuminated in a gorgeous pink light. This is all thanks to the east/west location of the valley – it doesn’t block the light out at sunset, but lets it shine in!

To get the best view of the pink moment, you can head to the Scenic Overlook of Ojai viewpoint, which is located on Highway 150. It is less than a 10 minute drive from both Ojai Olive Oil and Downtown Ojai. 

Of course, this is weather dependent. You won’t be able to catch the pink moment if it is overcast – although it’s still a beautiful spot to take in the view! I wasn’t lucky enough to see the pink moment during my last visit, but enjoyed the view regardless.

Be sure to keep the sunset time in mind! Depending on your timing (and the time of the year), you may want to grab dinner prior to catching the pink moment.

End the Day with Dinner & Drinks

If you’ll be staying for dinner, end your day trip to Ojai on a high note with dinner and drinks in town. Here are a few options to consider: 

• Nocciola: The perfect eatery for an upscale Italian dining experience. You’ll find traditional dishes (including homemade pasta, of course), as well as a great wine menu with both Californian and Italian options. 
• Ojai Rotie: For something a bit more laid-back, head to Ojai Rotie – a fast casual Lebanese and French-inspired restaurant with a great outdoor patio. Their main menu item is their rotisserie chicken, but they have a variety of side dishes, as well as sandwiches, salads, and more. 
• The Dutchess: A charming restaurant that takes inspiration from Burmese and Californian cuisine, The Dutchess is a great spot for a last meal in Ojai. Menu items include a chickpea coconut curry, pork belly noodles, crispy rice salad, lamb biryani, and so much more. I highly recommend getting the chickpea fritters to share! There are vegan and gluten-free options available. 

Want to grab a drink before or after dinner? I recommend stopping by Topa Topa Brewing for a beer, or the wine garden at Ojai Roots.