If you haven’t yet experienced the picturesque small town of Ojai, you’re definitely missing out on one of the dreamiest places in all of Southern California. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, an outdoorsy adventure, or a spiritual retreat filled with time for solitude and relaxation, Ojai is one of the most idyllic places you could possibly visit. This is one tiny Southern California town everyone should visit.

Welcome to Ojai!
Facebook/Ojai Chamber of Commerce
Keven Harris/Flickr
Located in Ventura County in the Ojai Valley, this tiny town with less than 10,000 residents is one of the smallest, if not THE smallest, towns in the county. Only 45 minutes away from Santa Barbara and 90 minutes from Los Angeles, this boutique haven is easily accessible to and from the larger cities in the region. With a stunning mountain landscape and lush natural surroundings, the setting of Ojai will take your breath away.
- Adam Reeder -/Flickr
You know you're in a place of rare beauty when people gather on a Saturday morning to paint a picture of the magnificent setting. Other than its beauty, what can you expect when you head to Ojai? You're in for a treat! The activities are endless making it a fantastic day trip destination in Southern California.
Ojai is a place for outdoor adventures.
Kathy Angileri/AllTrails
Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or golfing, and everything else in between, Ojai is a prime destination to experience the outdoors. With over 24-miles of hiking paths in the Ojai Valley, you could literally spend your entire trip exploring scenic trails.
BirdiesTravels1/TripAdvisor
Or perhaps you'd like to take a bike ride with this mountain setting as your backdrop.
Golf Advisor/TripAdvisor
Or maybe hit some balls on this pristine green course.
Visit Ojai to partake in its annual food and wine events.
flickr/Peter Jackson
Yelp/Business Owner

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The Ojai Wine Festival/Facebook
If you're a foodie or oenophile, you'll want to time your visit during the annual Wine Festival which happens annually in June at Lake Casitas. Or show up for the annual Taste of Ojai that takes place in October each year.
Listen to live music at the Ojai Music Festival.
Ojai Music Festival/Facebook
Ojai Music Festival/Facebook
This must-see music festival is the ultimate Ojai experience. You can check the dates and schedule on the Ojai Music Festival website. People travel from all over the country to attend this epic music festival in one of the best small towns in Southern California.
Attend the annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival.
Ojai Valley Lavender Festival/Facebook
June is officially "Lavender Month" in Ojai. Experience the heavenly scent of lavender fields at the Ojai Lavender Festival held annually in historic Libbey Park. You can visit the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival website for more information.
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company/Facebook
If a day of relaxation and leisure is what you're looking for, go horseback riding under a canopy of trees on one of Ojai's many lush trails. Ojai is certainly a relaxing day trip destination in Southern California.
Or curl up with a good book...
flickr/Kent Kanouse
flickr/Kent Kanouse
Find your next great read at Bart's Books -- an independently owned bookstore in the heart of Ojai. It's a unique one-of-a-kind experience that brings the magic of the bookstore to the outside.
wikimedia Commons
If you happen to show up after hours, no problem. Just pick out the book you want and drop some coins in the slot to pay for it. Now that's trust! You gotta love small town life. You can read more about Bart's Books in our full coverage.
Visit the Ojai Valley Museum of History and Art.
Management/TripAdvisor
This former chapel turned museum is a great place to learn about the art, culture, and local history of Ojai. The Chumash people, who originally inhabited this area, have an interesting history that you'll learn all about during your visit to the Ojai Valley Museum. Read about the Ojai Valley Museum in our full coverage.

What a magical getaway. Are your bags packed yet? Treat yourself to a trip to Ojai, a tiny Southern California town that everyone should visit and you may never want to leave. It truly is one of the most beautiful places in our corner of the world.

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Tiny Southern California Town Everyone Should Visit

Melissa M. | July 11, 2021

What are the best small towns in Southern California?

Small towns can be charming and also provide a great escape from city life. SoCal is filled with some incredible small towns that are worthy of a day trip or longer. You can read about 10 of the most charming small towns in Southern California in this post where you will learn about Avalon on the island of Catalina, Solvang which will make you feel as though you are in Europe, and Temecula which has plenty of wineries to explore.

What are some of the best road trips in Southern California?

SoCal is a magical place to explore with mountains, small towns, gorgeous beaches, small towns, big cities, historical sites, and so much more! The best way to explore the region is on a road trip and we have put together many themed road trips to help you on your next adventure. Do you love chasing waterfalls? You can visit eight falls on our Ultimate Waterfalls Road Trip. If you’re a nature lover, head out on this road trip to see SoCal’s natural wonders. And if you have a sweet tooth, taking a sweet road trip to some old-school chocolate shops may be something you’re interested in.

What are the best day trip destinations in Southern California?

Aside from taking a day trip to a charming small SoCal town, there are many fascinating places to visit for the day. Balboa Park in San Diego is filled with museums, a zoo, plenty of trails to explore as well as botanical gardens. If you want to spend the day relaxing, you may want to consider the San Bernardino National Forest mountain town of Crestline which has a lake and plenty of ways to connect with nature.

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Ojai, CA 93023, USA