How to Enjoy an Ideal Long Weekend in Ojai, California

This is part of our series on long weekend getaways, offering tips to maximize your summer Fridays, school holidays, and the extended daylight of the season. Return each week for fresh itineraries and effortless escapes.

In the sunny Southern California region, numerous opportunities await for a getaway. Picture places like Joshua Tree, Palm Desert, or Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Additionally, the mountains offer blissful retreats — not to mention excellent skiing — in quaint towns. However, discovering a small, vibrant, and spiritually enriched town in a lush valley filled with fragrant orange groves, just two hours from LAX? That's truly a hidden gem.

Ojai, which translates to 'nest' in the Chumash language, is located a short distance from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. It often evokes delightful gasps from first-time visitors. Just fifteen miles from the coast, the tranquil ambiance of Ojai feels a world apart from the chaos of city life and busy freeways. Visually, it's breathtaking, surrounded by undulating mountains that cast a pink hue at sunset.

The town has a wonderfully relaxed pace, which likely explains why frazzled Angelenos — along with Hollywood celebrities — have been flocking here since the 1930s. However, it’s far from deserted. A delightful array of wine tasting rooms, art galleries, and charming B&Bs can be found along Ojai Avenue. The community-driven Ojai Valley Land Conservancy diligently works to uphold the town's reputation as a sanctuary devoid of shopping malls and extensive commercial development.

Whether you're seeking a serene nature getaway or a luxurious weekend filled with fine dining and spa experiences, seize the opportunity to drive just two hours north from Los Angeles to Ojai.

Enjoy a local craft brew

At Ojai Valley Brewery, there's a strong connection to the local environment. Proudly featuring the Ojai name in their branding, this two-year-old brewery utilizes naturally sourced ingredients (such as wild sumac, wild sage, prickly pear, and hibiscus) that grow in the Ojai Valley. This results in 15 unique ales and lagers that you won’t find anywhere else in California. The White Pixie, a white ale made with the zest and blossoms of the area’s sweet, seedless pixie tangerines, is especially popular.

If you're interested in a tasting experience, the brewery offers a taproom at Azu Restaurant & Bar. In the restaurant's back patio, you can sample a variety of draught beers, including the Dubbel Date (made with real dates) and the pink peppercorn-infused Etchart Gold, paired with dishes like chorizo-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates, honey baked brie, and chili-braised short ribs. Love what you taste? The brewery has recently begun bottling some of its fan favorites, allowing you to take a piece of the experience home with you.

Get ready for pixie season

Ojai's mild Mediterranean climate yields an abundance of olives, walnuts, lemons, apricots, and kale, all sourced from farms within a 15-mile radius. This fresh produce is showcased year-round at local eateries such as The Nest, Farmer & Cook, and Azu Restaurant & Bar. However, there's one special crop that needs careful planning to enjoy.

From late March to early May, the highly sought-after pixies come into season. The anticipation builds for the harvest, and if you're around during this time, you'll see this beloved citrus fruit featured prominently on menus and market stalls throughout Ojai as the town embraces pixie season. (While it may be too late for this summer's crop, be sure to mark your calendar for next year.)

Just north of downtown, Tipple & Ramble offers a delightful pairing of an upside-down cornmeal pixie orange cake with a drink called the Rosemary Fizz — a refreshing mix of freshly squeezed pixie juice, rosemary syrup, prosecco, and a dash of Aperol. If you crave pixies first thing in the morning, one local B&B owner bakes lavender pixie sweet bread for guests' breakfasts. There’s even pixie kombucha available on tap at a local kombucha tasting room.

Get to know a local beekeeper

While we all understand the origins of honey, if you've ever wanted an up-close experience with a functioning hive — complete with a hands-on demonstration from a real beekeeper — consider booking the 90-minute beekeeping tour at Ojai Valley Inn. Situated on the resort's stunning 220-acre grounds, guests are led to the southeast corner of the property, where everyone is provided with a full bee suit, including gloves, a hat, and a face screen.

Once there, the beekeeper gently wafts a bowl of burning sage around the hive to soothe the bees before carefully lifting a panel from the hive to showcase a thriving colony of European honeybees in their natural habitat. No need to worry: the demonstration is laid-back and completely safe. The beekeeper shares fascinating facts about bees (did you know the queen mates while flying? Or that a single bee only produces about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey during its lifetime?). It's the type of science lesson you would have loved as a child.

Ventura County is renowned for its honey, so it's fitting that the tour concludes with a guided tasting of twelve different honeys sourced from the area. These range from the intensely sweet eucalyptus to the rich, molasses-like pine and creamy avocado varieties. Each flavor is unique, illustrating how honey — much like wine — is significantly shaped by its environment.

Take a bike ride

For those seeking a cultural experience, Ojai hosts a variety of prestigious events throughout the summer, such as the Ojai Music Festival in June and the Ojai Playwrights Conference in August. However, nature truly takes center stage in Ojai. The local bike shop, The Mob Shop, provides a selection of bike tours tailored for all skill levels, allowing travelers to leisurely explore Ojai's beautiful countryside and serene neighborhoods.

During a typical two-hour "Experience Ojai" ride, you'll venture east out of town towards the citrus orchards, zooming past vibrant orange and tangelo trees. Depending on the season, the guide may even allow a brief snack break. Just make sure to have extra napkins on hand (those fruits are incredibly juicy).

If you're up for a bit more adventure, rent a bike for the day and navigate down to the Ojai Valley Trail. This clearly marked, paved path runs alongside Highway 33, extending all the way to Ventura (about nine miles). Not only is it a picturesque route to the ocean — it's also quite accessible. Whether you're an experienced mountain biker or a beginner, it's a fantastic way to enjoy an afternoon in Ojai.

Travel Details

To get to Ojai from Los Angeles (LAX), take the 101 highway all the way to the coast, then merge onto Highway 33, which leads directly into Ojai. Nestled within a valley, Ojai offers a true sense of escape. Surrounded by national parkland, with rolling hills and mountains, the drive is stunningly picturesque.

If you’re drawn to rustic mountain cabins adorned with knotty pine walls and charmingly crooked timber bed frames, consider a stay at Ojai Rancho Inn. This retro motel features 18 rooms that perfectly capture the relaxed, hippie, and communal spirit of Ojai. Although the rooms are simple, the amenities (including fireplaces and a sauna) are noteworthy. Guests can enjoy a fire pit in the backyard, ideal for sipping wine, playing bocce ball, and cooling off in the pool. The inviting atmosphere is largely thanks to Shelter Social Club, known for curating trendy, vibrant hotels in popular SoCal destinations like Santa Barbara and Solvang. At the heart of the property is Chief's Peak, a cozy bar renowned for its fantastic oyster happy hour on Fridays and a remarkable collection of crystals displayed on the mantel.

On the more luxurious side, the Ojai Valley Inn is a vast mountain resort featuring four outdoor pools, tennis courts, lush fairways, and over 300 modern guest rooms.