1 hr 20 mins by car
Ojai is a gem close enough to L.A. for a day trip, and is worlds away from busy city life. Go for yummy breakfast at Bonnie Lu’s, then go the town’s quaint main street, as the antique shopping is great here. New shops like Summer Camp are also worth a stop.
Visitors can go to the olive farm or a citrus grove, then stop for an organic lunch at Farmer & the Cook. You can then explore the nearby trails in Los Padres National Forest, just north of the town. Be sure to check out Bart’s Books, an outdoor bookstore located in an actual house, or head up to Meditation Mount for incredible views, especially the famed “pink moment” at sunset.
Ojai has some of the best wine tasting, which you can grab along with a beer and a bite at Ojai Beverage Company. Chief’s Peak is an amazing bar at Ojai Rancho Inn, a hot spot for an after-dinner drink; you’ll find more old-timey people and regular live music at Deer Lodge.