Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Ojai
Pop 7560 / Elev 745ft
Hollywood director Frank Capra chose the Ojai Valley to represent a mythical Shangri-la
in his 1937 movie Lost Horizon . Today Ojai (' oh -hi', from the Chumash word for 'moon')
attracts artists, organic farmers, spiritual seekers and anyone ready to indulge in day-spa
pampering. Bring shorts and flip-flops: Shangri-la sure gets hot in summer.
Sights & Activities
Inside downtown's historic firehouse, Ojai Vineyard ( 805-798-3947;
www.ojaivineyard.com ; 109 S Montgomery St; tastings $15; noon-5pm) pours tastes of its delic-
ate, small-batch wines. It's best known for standard-bearing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and
Syrah, but the crisp Sauvignon Blanc, dry Reisling and zippy rosé are also worth
sampling. Outside town, take a free guided tour of the olive orchards and sample fruity
and herb-infused oils at family-owned Ojai Olive Oil Company ( 805-646-5964;
www.ojaioliveoil.com ; 1811 Ladera Rd; usually hourly tours 1-4pm Wed & 10am-3pm Sat) .
For the ultimate in relaxation, book a day at top-tier Spa Ojai ( 877-597-3731;
www.ojairesort.com/spa-ojai/ ; Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, 905 Country Club Rd) , where non-resort
guests pay an extra $20 to access two swimming pools, a workout gym and mind/body fit-
ness classes. Or unwind with an aromatherapy or hot-rock massage in a hobbitlike cottage
at Day Spa of Ojai (
805-640-1100; www.thedayspa.com ; 1434 E Ojai Ave) , about a mile east
of downtown.
Running beside the highway, the 9-mile Ojai Valley Trail , converted from defunct rail-
way tracks, is popular with walkers, runners, cyclists and equestrians. Pick it up downtown
two blocks south of Ojai Ave, then pedal west through the valley. Rent bikes downtown at
the Mob Shop ( 805-272-8102; www.themobshop.com ; 110 W Ojai Ave; bicycle rental per day
$25-50; 1-6pm Mon, 10am-5pm Tue-Fri, 9am-5pm Sat, 9am-4pm Sun) .
Gather camping tips and trail maps for hiking to hot springs, waterfalls and mountaintop
viewpoints in the Los Padres National Forest at the Ojai Ranger Station (
805-646-4348; http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf ; 1190 E Ojai Ave; 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri) or on week-
ends at Wheeler Gorge Visitors Center ( http://lpforest.org/wheeler ; 17017 Maricopa Hwy;
9am-3pm Sat & Sun) , 8 miles north of Hwy 150 via Hwy 33.
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