As a Californian I feel so blessed to have so many quick road trips to magical places. If you take a 20-minute drive from the coast of Ventura into the Topatopa mountains you arrive in the enchanting small town of Ojai. It’s the perfect place to spend the weekend — browsing book stores, eating great food, drinking local beer and wine, and, of course, chilling poolside. To spend the weekend like me read on for my full itinerary.
Stay at The Capri Hotel
We stayed at the Capri Hotel for the second time and loved it as usual. The pool is my favorite place to hang, and we pretty much stayed there all day every day. Love the 70s vibes of the hotel. They did an incredible job restoring this property, and the before photos kind of blow my mind. Isn’t this lobby to die for? I dream of my living room looking like this one day. P.S. the morning lobby coffee at The Capri is top-notch.
Get Drinks at Chief’s Peak
We also stopped by Ojai Rancho Inn and grabbed a drink at their bar Chief’s Peak. They have a cute little spot to drink and the sake cocktails are delish. The hotel is owned by the same hotel group as The Capri, and it’s their most rustic country style property in the area. Another cute spot to stay at. Such a fun mystical vibe!
Get Coffee at Beacon Coffee Roasters
We always grab a latte at this local coffee shop Beacon Coffee Roasters. They serve great coffee, and there’s a cute shop called Blue connected to the building next door to browse after.
Sip Wine at Tipple & Ramble
One of the cutest spots in town! You can hang out outside and enjoy wine and snacks on their cute patio. Tipple & Ramble is a must-do on any Ojai trip.
Wander Around Local Shops
Shopping all of the Ojai boutiques is a must. A few I love are: Blue, Ali Golden, Canyon Supply, Summer Camp, Kariella, and Point de Chene is great for wine shopping!
Grab Drinks + Food at Little Sama and Topa Topa
Sip on local beers and kombucha at Topa Topa, and order food from the Little Sama kitchen. I love eating at Sama Sama in Santa Barbara, and I it makes me so happy that they have a location in Ojai. The tots are a must, and their bowls are so tasty.
Browse Bart’s Books
Flooded with used books, Bart’s Books is an Ojai staple that I always stop in. Along the street they have hardcover books tucked into the wall for under $1 (I snagged a few!), and when you enter the maze-like bookshop you’re met with loads of books and plants in the sunshine. Follow around the labyrinth of books for a few minutes or hours, depending on your mood.
Get Dinner At Rory’s Place
The restaurant Rory’s Place recently opened in Ojai and wow it was amazing. We ordered way to much food and loved it all. The cocktails were great, the food was phenomenal, and we left happy.
Hope this helps you plan a trip to Ojai! xoxo Erika
