A few weeks ago I spent the weekend in Ojai with one of my favorite brands, Z Supply. They make amazing tees and basics that are so soft and cozy. The crazy thing abut this trip was that it was my first time in Ojai! I’ve lived in Los Angeles for 33 years and have never once stepped foot in the charming city only 2+ hours away from me. A lot of people I’ve talked to said that’s just the way Ojai would like to keep it - a little secret paradise that only few know about. Eeek, well I’m blowing up their spot because it’s just too good to keep to myself. Keep scrolling to see where we ventured and my suggestions if you’re planning a weekend in Ojai:

Where to Stay

If you’re trying to picture where Ojai is on a map, it’s between Ventura and Santa Barbara but inland, nestled between the Topatopa mountains. Since it’s not on the coast it gets pretty hot in the summer and decently cool in the winter, so my suggestion is visiting in spring or fall. The most notable hotel in Ojai is the Ojai Valley Inn. Checkout my hotel diary here. It’s a fabulous spot for a romantic weekend getaway to just veg out and relax.

If you’re looking for something more off the beaten path and vibe-y I would 100% suggest Caravan Outpost which is the Airstream Camp Site that we stayed at for 2 nights.

Everything about Caravan Outpost is amazing - the location (walking + biking distance from the main street), the communal morning coffee, the outdoor space, and of course, the airstreams. I’m one for adventure but I so appreciate Airstreams that are hooked up to modern tech: AC and wi-fi. Hah - remember this Airstream adventure in Malibu?! It’s safe to say the views at Caravan Outpost aren’t nearly the same but the lodging is MUCH more comfortable. I believe the Airstreams can hold 2 -4 people. Personally, I wouldn’t put more than 2 just for overall use of space but it’s definitely doable. This is definitely a great spot for a couples getaway or girls weekend.

wearing: The Stylist LA polka dot dress | Z supply tee | Z supply black romper | lack of color hats (fedora) + (rancher)

Places to Eat + Drink

For such a small place there are plenty of interesting things to do, granted I do think 2 -3 nights is enough to get a good feel of the city and what it has to offer. We arrived late afternoon on a Friday and spent the evening at Caravan Outpost. For this trip Z supply had dinner catered at the Outpost but you can easily walk or bike (they have bikes for you!) to the main street (Ojai Ave) to grab food. On Saturday we stopped at a few spots that were delicious and oh-so cute:

Tipple + Ramble:  instagram worthy wine + cheese bar. The outdoor area has all these beautiful sitting areas; it’s the perfect spot for a late afternoon treat. The wine was great and we also ordered a bunch of empanadas to munch on.

The Nest: outdoor farm to table restaurant with healthy menu items and great drinks.

Food Recs from the EDP fam:

• OMG Ojai

• Agave Marias

• Nocciola

• Sakura

• Sama Sama Kitchen

• Boccalis

Put Gargantua Restaurant on your radar - they are opening a new location soon and the food is incredible. They catered our dinner and breakfasts at Carvan Outpost and the food was so healthy, fresh, and delicious.

THINGS TO DO

I cannot suggest Cloud Climbers Jeep Tours enough, especially if you’re bringing your guy. He will get a kick out of the jeep and you’ll get to enjoy Olive Oil and Wine tastings! The company can create a specific itinerary for you but we had four stops (all that you can do on your own as well):

Movie Mountain which is a look out point that showcases the entire Ojai Valley. It’s stunning and such a great photo opp (the jeep photo above is from that point),

Ojai Olive Oil:  a must stop wether you go on a jeep tour or just by yourself. They walk you through the Olive Oil making process and have tons of Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegars to taste. I ended up buying 5 bottles for myself and my parents. The Garlic Olive Oil paired with the Fig Balsamic is TO DIE FOR. The drive there is also so beautiful!

Earth Island Medical Herb Garden: this is a gorgeous garden of healing herbs that is definitely a different kind of stop but very informative. All the herbs and plants are planted together based off how they can heal different parts of your body. We happened to be there when the owner was working in the garden and I could’ve listened to her talk about it all day long; she’s so knowledgeable on how we can use plants to heal different ailments.

Topa Mountain Winery: Can’t to go Ojai without some wine, right? Named after the local mountain range, this winery has beautiful outdoor and indoor tasting areas. As part of the jeep tour, they arranged for a picnic lunch and tasting pairing to go along with. It was such a treat!

Ojai Valley Inn Spa: as I mentioned I didn’t stop here but I’ve heard rave reviews about their spa. I believe you can take advantage of it’s amazingesss without staying at the resort.

I’m just obsessed with this place! It’s kind of how I felt about Palm Springs the first time I went. It feels SO far away and disconnected (in the best way possible) but really it’s only a few hours away from Los Angeles. Things move at a much slower pace which is so nice when you need a little time away. Already planning my next trip with the hubs! Let me know if you have any fave stops in Ojai and I can add ‘em to the list. xx - Ash

What We’re Wearing

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