The Best Small Town In Southern California For A 3-Day Weekend
It’s reaching that point of the year when the same routine day in and day out is feeling a bit stale. Summer is gone, and winter vacation can’t seem to come soon enough. If that sounds familiar, and you happen to find yourself in Southern California, it might be time to grab a Friday or Monday off! A three-day weekend in Ojai is calling. This small town of about 7,500 residents sits just two hours from Los Angeles and offers just the change of pace you need. Here, you can start your day at a cozy bakery, explore a local nature preserve, and still make it back in time for an evening of live music. If you have not visited Ojai yet, chances are you will want to by the end of this article.
Ojai Avenue
Much of Ojai’s commercial activity is concentrated on or near Ojai Avenue, so you’ll definitely want to dedicate some time to exploring this area. If you arrive in the morning, consider grabbing breakfast at The Dutchess, a bakery and cafe that emphasizes locally sourced ingredients in its dishes. In addition to its fresh breads and seasonal pastries, a few of the dishes you’ll find on the breakfast menu include granola, egg sandwiches, and a breakfast plate with farm potatoes, bacon, and eggs, as well as Burmese specialties.
After breakfast, spend a couple of hours browsing some local galleries and boutiques. OVA Arts features works by both established and emerging local artists and hosts an evening art event on the third Friday of each month, complete with artist meet-and-greets, live music, and refreshments. Boutiques like Kariella, meanwhile, are a great place to grab some new apparel or accessories for your closet. Once you start developing an appetite later on, stop by Rory’s Place for a bite to eat, renowned for its oysters, seafood towers, and other dishes.
History & Art
Wrap up your morning of shopping and get ready to explore some of Ojai’s museums and historic theaters. The first stop is the Ojai Valley Museum, an art and history museum housed in the former St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Built in 1918, the church was abandoned in 1963 when the parish outgrew it. By the 1990s, it had fallen into disrepair, but the city stepped in, purchased it, and renovated it to house the museum and other nonprofit organizations. Today, the museum features exhibitions on the Ojai Valley’s culture, local art, and an interpretive garden showcasing plants important to the Native Chumash people. You can visit the museum Thursday through Sunday each week.
Want to catch a live performance or movie during your visit? Look no further than the Ojai Playhouse. Operating since 1914, this historic playhouse continues to host all kinds of cultural events and performances today, including live concerts, comedy acts, and film screenings. Popcorn, candy, soda, and other beverages are available for purchase before the show.
Outdoor Recreation
Your weekend in Ojai isn’t complete without venturing out to some of the nearby nature preserves and recreation areas. Ojai Meadows Preserve is easy to access from town and is a wonderful spot to experience the area’s meadows and wetlands. Once threatened during the 20th century, the preserve was saved in 2000 when the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy stepped in, restoring it with native plants like live oaks, cottonwoods, and sycamores. Today, visitors can explore its 58 acres year-round along its trail network, either by foot or bike.
Just a 20-minute drive southwest of town brings you to Lake Casitas, a recreation area with campgrounds and a seasonal waterpark. With more than 600 campsites for both RVs and tents, finding a spot to camp is usually no problem. Options range from rustic sites to ones with full hook-ups. If you visit in the summer, you can also enjoy Casitas Water Adventure, a lively waterpark featuring a lazy river, three large slides, two dump buckets, and several other water attractions. Shaded decks, lounge chairs, and a snack bar are on site as well.
Local Inns
Camping is certainly not for everyone. If Lake Casitas camping is not your style, you are in luck: Ojai also has some spectacular inns. For a truly luxurious experience, consider booking your weekend at the Ojai Valley Inn, a beautiful, Mediterranean-inspired property with Spanish hacienda touches, offering some of the most unique rooms and suites in town. You’ll find several onsite dining establishments, including farm-to-table restaurants, a pub, a bakery, and more. Tennis and pickleball courts, a golf course, and a spa are a few other amenities that guests can appreciate.
Near the Ojai Meadows Preserve, travelers will also find the Ojai Retreat & Inn. This inn sits on five acres of secluded and wooded property, providing an especially peaceful escape for guests. Additionally, a European-style buffet breakfast is served daily, featuring a generous selection of breads, fruits, cheeses, and yogurt, giving you the perfect start to your day.
A Weekend Tailored To Your Liking
A weekend in Ojai can be whatever you want it to be. You can spend your time in town exploring its art scene and shopping, or spend the entire weekend lounging at a local resort, enjoying golf and great food. For the more adventurous, a day of hiking or a couple of nights camping is also a possibility. No matter how you shape your itinerary, a great time is practically guaranteed!
