If you’re looking for a Southern California day trip spot, Ojai is the perfect place. This town is small enough to not feel overwhelmed when planning your itinerary, but there are definitely enough things to do in Ojai to fill up the day! Below, I’ve created a stop-by-stop guide on what to do (and where to eat) when spending one day in Ojai, CA.
Things to Do in Ojai, CA (in One Day!)
First Stop: Ojai Olive Oil
The first stop during our Ojai day trip was Ojai Olive Oil. The farm is open to the public daily, and you can do an olive oil tasting on site for just $10. As you taste, you’ll learn about the process of making the olive oil and the history of the farm.
Of course, they also have a store on-site where you can buy their olive oils and balsamic vinegars – and you’ll definitely want to leave with a few bottles in hand after the tasting! We ended up buying the Tuscan olive oil, basil olive oil, and fig balsamic vinegar.
The store and tasting area are located right on the olive farm, so you can walk around and check out the trees during your visit.
Second Stop: Bart’s Books
One of the best spots in Ojai that you definitely won’t want to miss is Bart’s Books – the world’s largest outdoor bookstore. 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 Books is just a few blocks away from Downtown Ojai, so you can park your car by the bookstore and just walk over to our third stop…
Third Stop: Downtown Ojai and Ojai Farmers Market
Of course, an Ojai day trip isn’t complete without a stroll through the center of town. There are plenty of fun boutiques, antique shops, thrift stores, and more to walk through.
If you’re there on a Sunday, you can also check out the Ojai Farmers Market. Didn’t get a chance to stop by Ojai Olive Oil? Don’t worry – they’ve got a stand at the farmers market!
Libbey Park is also a super pretty park to check out, and great if you have kids. There’s a very cool playground that seven year old me would have been stoked to play on.
Fourth Stop: Lunch at Hip Vegan
Whether you’re vegan or not, Hip Vegan is a great Ojai restaurant to stop by to pick up lunch! The highlight of our meal was the gunpowder fries. They don’t share their secret sauce, but they have some sort of spicy, curry-ish seasoning on it. I don’t know what it is…but it’s delicious, and definitely worth a try.
Fifth Stop: Topa Mountain Winery
If you’re a wine fan, a stop at Topa Mountain Winery is one of the best things to do in Ojai! The wine was delicious, the outdoor patio is beautiful and sprawling.
Topa Mountain does require reservations (which is great for ensuring it doesn’t get too crowded), and you can get on their mailing list to be notified when reservations open up. They send out an email on Monday for reservations that Wednesday through Monday (at the time of writing this – check their website for the most up-to-date info).
If you’re unable to make a reservation, another option is Boccali Vineyards, which is a bit over two miles east of town. I haven’t been there personally, but it is highly rated. They do tastings on a lawn, with tables spread far away from each other.
Sixth Stop: Ojai Meadows Preserve
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect with Ojai Meadows Preserve, as there wasn’t much info online. Thankfully, I was very pleasantly surprised.
The area is absolutely gorgeous, peaceful, and filled with wildlife. Lots of bunnies and ducks, and we heard so many birds and crickets chirping! I liked visiting at the end of our Ojai day trip, because we were there during golden hour.
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 an uphill section that you can explore if you’d like, so be prepared with the right shoes. I was wearing my converse, and was totally fine.
I hope you have a wonderful time exploring the beautiful town of Ojai! If you have a longer trip planned for Santa Barbara County or the larger Southern California region, be sure to check out some of my other articles:
- How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Solvang
- The Ultimate Santa Barbara Weekend Getaway
- The Perfect Paso Robles Weekend Itinerary
- A Weekend in Joshua Tree: Travel Tips and Itinerary