Explore Ojai's spas, restaurants, and breweries by bike

An upscale beatnik oasis of fresh comfort food, local libations and quirky shops and spas tucked into a colorful valley just off of the Ventura coastline, Ojai makes for an especially memorable weekend or day trip when navigated by bike.

One of the only valleys in the world oriented east-to-west, Ojai is a haven for both outdoor enthusiasts and the spiritually inclined. Though it's only two hours from Los Angeles and as highway-accessible as anywhere in SoCal, there is something that feels intrinsically appropriate in arriving there on your own power. Ojai is unquestionably bike friendly, thanks especially to a pair of connected, paved bike routes that link Ojai to the coast in Ventura about 15 miles away.

Against a bright blue evening sky sits the tin roof of Caravan Outpost, painted to read OJAI in large black letters. Two white doors are flung wide open, revealing the yellow glow of the lights inside. Overhead is a yellow glowing row of string lights. A water tower on the left side of the frame paitned in pinks and oranges to mirror the surrounding mountains reads Caravan Outpost. Several bright blue bikes and one kid-size magenta bike sit on a gravel lot near a cluster of palms — The SoCal weather and small-town mountain charm of arty, quirky Ojai has attracted a number of creatives and musicians, including artists like Lissie © DOUGBERRY / Getty

Biking through Ojai

For visitors without a bike, the most convenient rental spot is , located a quick pedal away from The Ventura River Trail. From the coast, The Ventura River Trail feeds into the Ojai Valley Trail, a route which in bygone days served as a Southern Pacific railroad line. Completely protected from motorized traffic, the Ojai Valley Trail parallells Highway 33 much of the way, weaving through citrus groves, oak trees, and ranch lands up the valley before ending a couple of blocks south of downtown Ojai.

While the route meanders steadily uphill (about 800 vertical feet in total) to Ojai, the trail's origins as a rail line means the grade is mild and the pedaling manageable even for beginner cyclists. The sweeping views of the valley and rolling hills provide ample scenery and the thick clusters of trees offer welcome shade as the path draws closer to Ojai.

An orangey brown metal bridge made up of several horizontal slats under an arching, undulating portion that looks like the mountains in the area is filled in with a light brown wooden deck. The bridge itself undulates slightly and is surrounded by trees. It's part of the Ventura Trail rail to trail conversion to Ojai. — Almost a hundred years after Ventura River Trail was opened as a rail line connecting Ojai to the Southern Pacific Railroad network, it re-opened as a paved cycling path. © Brenda Ross / Getty

After crossing over West Ojai Avenue and continuing on the path toward downtown Ojai, an afternoon or weekend of indulgence will be well-earned as the exploration begins. After venturing into town from the Ojai Valley Trail, cyclists will find that speed limits are slow, traffic moves leisurely, roads are wide and there are plenty of other like-minded travelers on two wheels.

For cyclists who want to venture beyond the downtown area, the hills and mountains surrounding Ojai are home to a myriad of additional bike routes on pavement, gravel and singletrack. If exploring further afield is of interest, you need more air in your the tires, or want to pick up souvenirs like a local cycling jersey, head to – housed in an abandoned gas station – that is the best stop for all things two wheels, including guided tours.

The sun dramatically strikes a row of Southern California mountains bare of trees behind a beautiful blue swimming pool already in shadow. The sun is still hitting the tops of palm trees around the deck, which is lined with white lounge chairs. The perfectly still waters of the pool reflect the golden mountains and trees. In the immediate foreground are a row of white towels rolled up and stacked, a white bottle of lotion, and a planter full of succulents. — The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa offers a range of services incorporating everything from energy vortexes to indigenous plants to CBD and sound therapy © Stefan Von Imhof / Getty

Spas in Ojai

Located at the beginning of town just off of the trail, at can either serve as a luxurious welcome treat or grand finale. Absorb the area’s “vortex energy” via an indigenous plant-infused sound therapy session (a delightfully dizzying multi-sensory session involving the chimes of crystal singing bowls and aromas of fresh sage) or the spa’s signature Kuyam Experience — wet and dry heat via scented clay and Chumash meditation practices of surrounding oneself in white light. Or opt for a simple CBD oil massage. The one-of-a-kind are tough to choose between, and the Inn’s presents a microcosm of Ojai’s creative, nature-loving spirit with activities like candle making and essential oil consultations.

If you’re looking for a more accessible experience that isn’t couched within a hotel or resort setting, is a dedicated, self-contained relaxation pampering destination corner draped in soothing aromas and mystical fashion accessories. Its bountiful options of facials, massages and body treatments range from 15 minutes to two hours, so you can customize how long you spend getting pampered before the pedaling continues.

This photo captures Ojai's famous — Whether you're sipping or cycling, it's worth stopping to enjoy the brief late afternoon period when the golden hour gives way to Ojai's famous

Ojai wine and beer

The stunning setting of the is among the first sights greeting cyclists upon arrival in Ojai. Surrounded by vineyards and lush gardens, its sprawling outdoor patio area is the perfect place to sip a glass of tangy, estate-grown NV Barbera. Soak up the sounds of live music on weekend afternoons, especially before embarking upon the all-downhill journey out of town. The patio is also a winning spot to witness Ojai’s famous "pink moment," the few minutes during sunset when the surrounding hills and valley walls take on an awe-inspiring reddish alpenglow.

Also named after the surrounding mountain range, the East Ojai Avenue location of is home to one of the best people-watching patios in town. Their rotating Single Hop IPA or Flatlands saison will hit the spot after the uphill ride into town, particularly when accompanied by a fried chicken salad from in-house Balinese food stall .

A fresh piece of orangey pink salmon is topped with a dark green herbed chimichurri and a bright orange flower over a bed of couscous and broth. Other plates heaped with vegetables sit in the background, forming blurred green tones. — Ojai restaurants offer a delicious mix of healthy plant-forward cuisines and SoCal comfort food © Brent Winebrenner / Getty

Where to eat in Ojai

Speaking of tasty bites, Ojai has no shortage of foods ranging from fresh and light to funky and comforting. With the exception of light selections such as its quinoa salad and ceviche, authentic and cheesy Mexican fare runs adrift of Ojai’s famously health-conscious way of life.

Swap the margaritas for a wholesome date shake at . It's the place to grab an exquisitely fresh rainbow-colored salad, steaming bowl of turmeric and fresh herb-flavored soup or surprisingly filling sandwich. Service is quick and the seating spare, with a few counter seats inside and single picnic table outside.

Offering a tasty balance between decadent comfort and airy fresh fare, ’s buzzy patio is a popular place to sip elaborate cocktails enhanced with locally grown ingredients like citrus, lavender and rosemary, or to nosh on lamb meatballs or flavorful, thin-crust pizzas.

A white mission-style adobe arch with a scalloped top and two black iron lantern sconces marks the entrance to Libbey Park in Ojai, California, full of large green trees and a paved walkway from the viewer straight back in the frame. — Downtown Ojai is aesthetically consistent, with white adobe arches and other mission-period details that belay the long history of this place © Emma Walsh

Shopping and sights in Ojai

As one might expect by Ojai’s general nonconformist vibe, there are no chain stores in town (though it's worth noting ’s flagship store is right down the road in Ventura). The spacious shops under central downtown’s archways run the gamut from , a gallery showcasing and selling original masterpieces of local artists, to , an “everything” store run by a mother-daughter duo that sells high-end outdoor clothing, designer shoes, handmade jewelry, candles and kitchenware.

Another glimpse of Ojai’s vast, eclectic, sometimes eccentric talent pool can be found at , which displays varying works from fiber sculptures to water colors to large-format mixed media. Down the block lies , Ojai’s famous outdoor bookstore launched in the 1960s by Richard Bartinsdale, and initially functioned on an honor system money drop in the form of an old coffee can. Today, it's still one of the few bookstores in which perusing titles is possible with a bike under one hand, as the rows of shelves are all outside.

The former Ojai city jail, a small beige square building with tiny square windows and a tile roof its in a grove of trees surrounded by a sidewalk with curving organic forms. — Ojai has grown a lot in recent years, a fact that's readily apparent when you see the tiny building that once served as the city jail © Steve Osman / Getty

Next you can head to Libbey Park, a shady spot full of fountains and sweet-smelling flower gardens where you can relax or rejoin the bike path. Be sure to check out Old City Jail before pedaling out of town. The historic landmark, a tiny concrete building with only a few rock-sized holes for natural light, housed petty criminals from the 1920s to the 1970s. The sight will supply an enhanced sense of freedom for the fast and exhilarating ride back down the valley.