What does your ideal getaway look like? For some, it means shopping and wine tasting, while others are looking for hiking and physical adventure. And then there are those who want to settle in and luxuriate for a couple of days. One small, unassuming town offers the perfect weekend getaway, whether you are looking for a laid-back weekend with friends, a nature adventure trip, a luxurious retreat, or some combination of everything. Come along as we explore all there is to enjoy in Ojai, a true gem and one of our favorite small towns in Southern California.

Ventura’s small secluded town of Ojai is located in the picturesque Ojai Valley, surrounded by mountains and filled with history and culture.
Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
You can have whatever kind of getaway you want in Ojai, close to home but a world away.
Locally-owned shops and boutiques, cafes, galleries, and restaurants line Ojai’s walkable main street behind the beautiful and historic arcade.
Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Work up an appetite shopping and checking out local artwork before choosing one of the diverse options local restaurants for lunch.
Why not try something a little different?
Robert Mungary (Bobby)/Google Local
Ojai Rotie serves up freshly prepared French-Lebanese rotisserie chicken, handmade sourdough, and a mouthwatering selection of sides and options in a casual outdoor dining setting.
The former St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel is over 100 years old and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The beautiful building now houses the Ojai Valley Museum. A collection of exhibits and a rotating gallery showcase Ojai’s history and culture, local artists, and a variety of other topics.

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Even if you are not a huge bookworm, we think you will find plenty of bookstores in which to wander.
302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Marcella Cadenas/Google Local
One of them is the enchanting Bart’s Books where you can browse scores of books and periodicals by category. Most of the store is made up of outdoor shelves and nooks, but you can duck into small rooms for special themed collections, like the vintage art book room, or the kitchen filled with food-related books.
The hills and mountains surrounding Ojai are filled with scenic trails, lakes, creeks, and waterfalls.
Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Rodolfo R./Google Local
Enjoy a short and easy hike to Rose Valley Falls, take your mountain bike up one of the trails in the Ventura River Preserve, or enjoy a scenic drive up Highway 33 for incredible views of mountains, rock formations, and the Pacific Ocean.
If camping is your style, we suggest snagging a spot at Wheeler Gorge Campground, just a few miles from downtown.
17017 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Patricio Camacho/Google Local
This small wooded Southern California campground has beautiful rustic sites along a running creek that feel very private. Enjoy hiking, swimming holes, and dark skies perfect for stargazing.
There are several boutique hotels in town to choose from, one of which is the Ojai Valley Inn.
905 Country Club Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Ojai Valley Inn/Google Local
Tucked away in this quiet town, the Ojai Valley Inn has been named one of the world’s best resorts. If what you need is to escape the ordinary and be pampered, wined, and dined in a lush, luxuriant atmosphere, look no further. With a world-class spa, horseback riding, yoga, a children’s camp, and eight different dining options, you won’t need to leave the premises for your incredible, rejuvenating weekend getaway!

This is just a taste of what the sweet, historic town of Ojai in Southern California has to offer. This town really really does have it all. For more information, check out the Ojai Valley Museum Visitor Center website, as well as the Ojai Valley Museum Facebook page.

Have you been to Ojai? What would your ideal weekend getaway include? Do you enjoy visiting any other small towns in Southern California? Where do you like to go for fun weekend getaways in SoCal? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.

Here are a few other SoCal weekend getaway ideas for you to check out!

If you’re still in the mood for more California adventures, take a look at this video about the Castle Winery in Napa:

 

 

 

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Lysa Allman-Baldwin | November 28, 2023

Is Ojai in Southern California?

Yes. Ojai is a charming small town in Southern California.

Where can we find natural wonders in California?

  • The Amboy Crater in the Mojave National Preserve rises some 250 feet above the desert landscape and is in an almost perfect symmetrical shape.
  • The Cypress Tunnel at Point Reyes is considered one of California’s most iconic and popular tourist spots.
  • Lake Helen at Lassen Volcanic National Park offers its own unique perspective of the spectacular surrounding landscape.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other beautiful natural wonders in California.

Where can we see holiday lights in Southern California?

  • Santa’s Speedway Christmas Lights in Irwindale is an annual drive-thru event offering 2-miles of lighted fun.
  • The Sherman Library and Gardens between Laguna Beach and Newport Beach becomes a mesmerizing lighted garden in a fairytale storybook setting.
  • The amusement park Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park transforms into Knott’s “Merry” Farm with hundreds of holiday lights at this time of the year.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other places to see holiday lights in Southern California.

Where are some fun facts about Southern California?

  • The hottest temperature ever recorded on earth was 134 degrees on July 10, 1913 in the town of Furnace Creek in Inyo County.
  • The town of Fallbrook is recognized as the Avocado Capital of the world.
  • The famous Santa Monica pier was originally used to move sewage offshore and is over 100 years old.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fun facts about Southern California.

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Ojai, CA 93023, USA