Lalé’s Ojai guidebook
Food scene
Restaurants in Ojai are all privately owned and
Operated as the city does not allow corporate chains. You’ll find everything from gems if you’re in the know. Here we will list our favorites for you and an ongoing list of objective reviews (ongoing)
A local favorite of my own, is the Duchess located on Ojai Avenue where Azu used to be.
The duchess offers incredible morning coffee and pastries and then again open for dinner. Reservations highly recommended on Resy
Fabulous Mediterranean Roasted Chicken with Divine side dishes. Casual outdoor atmosphere, it's affordable, friendly but sophisticated. Serves Beer & Wine.
25 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Rotie
469 E Ojai AveFabulous Mediterranean Roasted Chicken with Divine side dishes. Casual outdoor atmosphere, it's affordable, friendly but sophisticated. Serves Beer & Wine.
An upscale Ojai Favorite with high end and unusual options for dinner and drinks in a converted house complete with fireplace and outdoor patio. Reservations highly recommended.
32 persone del luogo consigliano
Nocciola
314 El Paseo RdAn upscale Ojai Favorite with high end and unusual options for dinner and drinks in a converted house complete with fireplace and outdoor patio. Reservations highly recommended.
The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is hands-down the most luxurious resort in Ojai. The Hotel offers Golfing, a high end spa, swimming pool (for use before or after a Spa treatment) a choice of several eateries from casual to Michelin rated-- and possibly the best Brunch in Southern California at its OAK restaurant (@$55 PP). This place is one of our nearest neighbors up the road, so let us know if we can help make reservations for you.
65 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Valley Inn
905 Country Club RdThe Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is hands-down the most luxurious resort in Ojai. The Hotel offers Golfing, a high end spa, swimming pool (for use before or after a Spa treatment) a choice of several eateries from casual to Michelin rated-- and possibly the best Brunch in Southern California at its OAK restaurant (@$55 PP). This place is one of our nearest neighbors up the road, so let us know if we can help make reservations for you.
From the outside this looks like any other wine shop and liquor store. However, in the back they serve the most delicious hamburgers and fish tacos. Give it a try, pick up a bottle of wine along your way to the restaurant which you can then enjoy as you order your meal.
32 persone del luogo consigliano
The Ojai Beverage Company
655 E Ojai AveFrom the outside this looks like any other wine shop and liquor store. However, in the back they serve the most delicious hamburgers and fish tacos. Give it a try, pick up a bottle of wine along your way to the restaurant which you can then enjoy as you order your meal.
Ojai pizza is not only delicious, but one of the few places that delivers in the area. You will want delivery from the Oak view branch or to dine in, go the one on Ojai avenue In ojai. Check their hours but for later delivery hours call Domino’s in Oak view.
17 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Pizza Company
331 E Ojai AveOjai pizza is not only delicious, but one of the few places that delivers in the area. You will want delivery from the Oak view branch or to dine in, go the one on Ojai avenue In ojai. Check their hours but for later delivery hours call Domino’s in Oak view.
A very popular breakfast spot in downtown Ojai, you can expect traditional breakfast but also long waits unless you get there super early. We think it’s worth the wait.
24 persone del luogo consigliano
Bonnie Lu's
328 E Ojai AveA very popular breakfast spot in downtown Ojai, you can expect traditional breakfast but also long waits unless you get there super early. We think it’s worth the wait.
The Nest
401 E Ojai AveGreat place to grab an outdoor lunch
Too often overlooked, this small and authentic Mexican joint is located on signal Street right before you reach the famous arches. Serving up delicious tacos, burritos and freshly made tortillas.
14 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Tortilla House
104 N Signal StToo often overlooked, this small and authentic Mexican joint is located on signal Street right before you reach the famous arches. Serving up delicious tacos, burritos and freshly made tortillas.
Sightseeing
Ojai farmer’s market is open early Sunday morning through about 1 PM.
World's largest outdoor bookstore. It's a great way to spend a day reading, browsing and searching through new and used books; first editions and books signed by the authors. There is a great selection of $0.50 books located on the outside of the store available even after hours on the honor system. This place is a must for the avid reader.
55 persone del luogo consigliano
Bart's Books
302 W Matilija StWorld's largest outdoor bookstore. It's a great way to spend a day reading, browsing and searching through new and used books; first editions and books signed by the authors. There is a great selection of $0.50 books located on the outside of the store available even after hours on the honor system. This place is a must for the avid reader.
The Study Center & Library is located at Pine Cottage, the former home of Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti lived in Pine Cottage between 1922 and 1986; in 1978 a new addition was attached to the original house.The center is a forum, and takes no positions except to encourage a spirit of inquiry on the part of those who choose to come and participate.
9 persone del luogo consigliano
Krishnamurti Foundation America
1070 McAndrew RdThe Study Center & Library is located at Pine Cottage, the former home of Krishnamurti. Krishnamurti lived in Pine Cottage between 1922 and 1986; in 1978 a new addition was attached to the original house.The center is a forum, and takes no positions except to encourage a spirit of inquiry on the part of those who choose to come and participate.
Catch a show and support local artists here. Do check with them for hours and events as it changes often.
22 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Art Center
113 S Montgomery StCatch a show and support local artists here. Do check with them for hours and events as it changes often.
Everything you ever wanted to know about Ojai and it’s history. Check their site for special events
32 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Valley Museum of History and Art
110 N Signal StEverything you ever wanted to know about Ojai and it’s history. Check their site for special events
Located 10 minutes from downtown in Upper Ojai, you can learn all about this amazing woman and her ceramics, the spirit of Dadaism and folk art at the art gallery on a beautiful ranch
12 persone del luogo consigliano
Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
8585 Ojai RdLocated 10 minutes from downtown in Upper Ojai, you can learn all about this amazing woman and her ceramics, the spirit of Dadaism and folk art at the art gallery on a beautiful ranch
There are many Art galleries in and around Ojai, But a brilliant local artist Dan Schultz has a gallery that features his world famous landscapes figures and portraits in oil that continue to receive national recognition. Stop by and chat with the artist located on signal street
Dan Schultz Fine Art Gallery and Studio
106 N Signal StThere are many Art galleries in and around Ojai, But a brilliant local artist Dan Schultz has a gallery that features his world famous landscapes figures and portraits in oil that continue to receive national recognition. Stop by and chat with the artist located on signal street
Music scene
A small and cozy gathering place for wine and music lovers alike. This place tends to attract local musicians as well as established artists who may on occasion be known to join in with impromptu jam sessions. Has outdoor seating and snacks/meals.
21 persone del luogo consigliano
The Vine
308 E Ojai AveA small and cozy gathering place for wine and music lovers alike. This place tends to attract local musicians as well as established artists who may on occasion be known to join in with impromptu jam sessions. Has outdoor seating and snacks/meals.
Ojai is home to many famous musicians, and if you’re lucky you’ll see them up around town. For an old school fun night of music, dancing and dinner Visit the world famous deer Lodge, established in 1932. Check their website or call them to make sure they have a band on the night you’d like to visit. Usually there’s music on Friday and Saturday nights, but even without it, a meal here will take you back to what it must have been like when hunters stopped here with their “kills”.
86 persone del luogo consigliano
Ojai Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa HwyOjai is home to many famous musicians, and if you’re lucky you’ll see them up around town. For an old school fun night of music, dancing and dinner Visit the world famous deer Lodge, established in 1932. Check their website or call them to make sure they have a band on the night you’d like to visit. Usually there’s music on Friday and Saturday nights, but even without it, a meal here will take you back to what it must have been like when hunters stopped here with their “kills”.
Hiking in Ojai
There are lots of good hikes in Ojai. For us, however, the best ones are right outside our front door surrounding us. Explore the land Conservancy just north of us or cross the creek for a fabulous hike into the hills above us and Lyon Canyon
A manageable hike just North of downtown for people of all fitness levels.
12 persone del luogo consigliano
Shelf Road
Shelf RoadA manageable hike just North of downtown for people of all fitness levels.
Too many amazing trails to check. See this:
https://www.alltrails.com/us/california/ojai
Hiking Trail
Hiking TrailToo many amazing trails to check. See this:
https://www.alltrails.com/us/california/ojai
Wineries
Much of the charm of Ojai are our wineries from locally sourced Central California grapes.
Our favorites are:
Old Creek winery on old Creek Road nearest to us
Old Creek Ranch Winery
10024 E Old Creek RdAnother lovely winery located on your way into town with delicious wines
39 persone del luogo consigliano
Topa Mountain Winery
821 W Ojai AveAnother lovely winery located on your way into town with delicious wines
The Ojai Vineyard
109 S Montgomery StLocated right in the center of town Down an easy to miss flight of stairs adjacent to Ojai pizza, you will find this cute little outdoor wine tasting room, serving flights of wine in a charming setting under the trees.
9 persone del luogo consigliano
Majestic Oak Vineyard
321 E Ojai AveLocated right in the center of town Down an easy to miss flight of stairs adjacent to Ojai pizza, you will find this cute little outdoor wine tasting room, serving flights of wine in a charming setting under the trees.
Food scene & Food shopping
Ojai Certified Farmers Market
300 E Matilija StWestridge Midtown Market IGA
131 W Ojai AveConsigli per viaggiatori
Cosa portare
Pack hiking & water shoes and sweater or jacket for nights
At the Creek House there's a creek with water running through the property year-round (lest there's a drought). You'll be able to enjoy "creek walk" up or down stream as you carefully share the creek with endangered frogs, turtles and all kinds of birds.
While the days can be very warm, the evenings tend to get colder , so do pack warm layers for night time strolls or outdoor eating. Finally, Please be sure to bring sunscreen, and long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect yourself against bugs (specially in warmer months as they are common in the countryside.)
Usanze e culture
Ojai is a daytime place!
It also gets very dark at night in Ojai so it’s neat to arrive during the daylight hours if possible and plan your activities around daylight too. Most restaurants close at 8:30 or 9 PM so you may want to adjust your reservations in your plans accordingly. It’s sometimes hard to find food outside of those hours. One of the reasons for many peoples visit to Ojai (which means “moon” in Chumash) is the visibility of stars in the night sky. For this reason the City and county have ordinances against light pollution. For your safety, we will leave the “Riverwalk” lights on until midnight.
Usanze e culture
Celebrity sightings
Many Hollywood stars choose ojai as a place to get away or have a second home here. We probably don’t need to tell you this but they like to be treated just like anyone else, so please don’t ask for autographs, or go the other way and deliberately ignore them. May we suggest instead that you simply smile and nod a greeting, and should you find yourself sitting nearby, that you strike up an organic conversation with them like you would anyone else. This is the magic of Ojai for them and everyone else you meet in this friendly town.
Da non perdere
The Sunday morning farmers market is a must
Browse and shop for locally sourced fruits vegetables and other interesting delights. There is also a farmers market on Thursday nights. 300 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023