Around Sacred Ground
Ojai, Through the Sacred Ground Lens
Ojai isn’t something to “do.”
It’s something to arrive inside.
This list is not exhaustive and it’s not touristy. These are places we trust, places that hold frequency, nourishment, beauty, and space. Wander slowly. Drink water. Look up.
Eat & Drink in Ojai
These are places we return to.
Seasonal, nourishing, unfussy, and rooted in care.
The Rochers at The Ranch House
A storied Ojai garden restaurant reborn. Seasonal, thoughtfully crafted cuisine in a lush garden setting, honoring the Ranch House legacy with refined, soulful hospitality.
Farmer and the Cook
Organic Mexican food with color, soul, and consistency. Bright plates, bold flavors, and a deep sense of place.
Highly Likely Café
Coffee, breakfast, and casual daytime meals. Bright, relaxed, and ideal for slow mornings in town.
Ojai Rotie
A beloved local spot offering globally inspired rotisserie-style dishes made with fresh, thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
Ojai Valley Brewery
A relaxed gathering place serving locally brewed beers in a casual setting, perfect for an easy afternoon or early evening stop.
Coffee Connection
Classic Ojai coffee shop. Unpretentious, familiar, and easy for a quick stop or lingering conversation.
The Nest
Coffee, light fare, and expansive views overlooking the valley. A good place to pause, reflect, and take in the land.
3 Birds
Seasonal breakfast and lunch with a fresh, thoughtful approach. Light, nourishing, and well-loved by locals
Ojai Rotie
Simply prepared rotisserie chicken, vegetables, and grains. Casual, grounding, and satisfying after time outside.
The Dutchess
Refined comfort food made with care. A good place for longer meals and quieter conversations.
Hip Vegan
Plant-based, approachable, and nourishing. Light without feeling sparse.
Izakaya Full Moon
Japanese-inspired small plates with thoughtful flavors. Intimate, warm, and well-suited for evening dining.
Ojai Noodle House
Simple, comforting noodle bowls and plates. Unpretentious, filling, and reliably good.
Deer Lodge — Historic Ojai roadhouse with live music, cozy lodge vibes, cocktails, hearty food, and unforgettable nights.
Rory’s Place
Seasonal, locally driven cooking with an elevated but relaxed feel. Ideal for a special evening out.
Topa Topa Brewery — Easygoing brewery with craft beer, outdoor seating, mountain views, and relaxed local energy.
Boccali’s
Classic Italian in a family-run setting. Generous portions and outdoor seating when available.
Nocciola’s
Italian comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere. Familiar, warm, and easy for group dinners.
Ojai Pizza Co.
Wood-fired pizzas with quality ingredients. Casual and satisfying.
Ojai Tortilla House
Straightforward Mexican food and tortillas made in-house. Simple, affordable, and local.
Revel Kombucha Bar
Locally brewed kombucha and fermented drinks. Refreshing, alive, and perfect between activities.
Magic Hour
Cocktails and small plates with sunset views. Best enjoyed slowly, late in the day.
The Oak at Ojai Valley Inn
Polished California cuisine in a refined setting. A good option for celebratory or special-occasion meals.
Ojai Ice Cream
Classic ice cream and desserts. An easy stop after dinner or a warm afternoon walk.
Taco Roma
Unfussy tacos and plates. A reliable, no-frills local favorite.
Shops, Art & Cultural Spaces
Ojai isn’t about shopping bags; it’s about texture, story, and the people behind each space. These are places to wander, touch, and talk.
An iconic open-air bookstore where the walls are made of shelves and the ceiling is the sky. Lose track of time among the stacks.
A magical little shop filled with crystals, earth medicine, metaphysical tools, and beautiful energy. Whether you’re curious or deeply spiritual, it’s a place to feel, explore, and connect.
A beloved local shop filled with intention, heart, gifts, and objects with story. Warm, welcoming, and full of personality — the kind of place you wander slowly.
Gallery 525
A local gallery showcasing a curated collection of contemporary and regional artists in the heart of Ojai.
Dan Schultz
A respected local artist known for expressive work inspired by the natural beauty and creative spirit of Ojai.
Cercana
A beautifully curated lifestyle shop offering home goods, gifts, and thoughtfully selected pieces from independent makers.
Ali Golden
A clothing boutique featuring timeless, well-made garments with an emphasis on quality, comfort, and conscious design.
Soulful, vibrant gallery energy with expressive, living art that feels warm, human, and alive.
Fig Curated Living (or your preferred home store)
Thoughtful home goods, textiles, and objects with soul. Perfect for bringing a little piece of Ojai energy back home.
A grounding experience of Ojai’s story — art, culture, history, and the spirit of the valley held with care.
Vintage charm meets modern creativity — plants, design, nostalgic goodness, and an atmosphere that feels joyful and artistic.
Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
Celebrating the legacy of Ojai’s beloved artist Beatrice Wood — playful, soulful studios, exhibitions, and gardens that invite curiosity and creative discovery.
Community-rooted, ever-changing exhibitions featuring local and regional artists. Intimate, creative, and deeply Ojai.
Downtown Arcade & Side Streets
Stroll through the arcade and surrounding streets, ducking into small shops, galleries, and cafés. Let curiosity (not a checklist) lead.
Experiences & Trails
Ojai is best met on foot, in the elements, with the sky visible and your phone mostly away. These are gentle ways to meet the land.
A sacred vantage point overlooking the valley. Go for sunrise or sunset, breathe, and let the quiet rearrange you. (Reservations recommended.)
Horseback Riding – Discover Ojai
Explore the Ojai Valley on horseback with guided rides through scenic trails, open land, and quiet countryside.
Mountain Biking
Enjoy miles of nearby trails offering everything from gentle rides to more challenging terrain, all set against Ojai’s iconic mountain backdrop.
Jeep Tours – Cloud Climbers
Take in panoramic views of the valley with guided Jeep tours through rugged backcountry and scenic overlooks.
A wide, gently sloping path with panoramic views of orchards and town below. Perfect for a morning or sunset walk that doesn’t feel strenuous.
Ojai Community Farmers’ Market (Thursday)
A gathering of growers, makers, musicians, and neighbors — farm-fresh abundance with real Ojai community spirit.
A more immersive trail that moves you a bit deeper into the hills. Peaceful, expansive, and grounding without being extreme.
A short, nourishing hike to a layered waterfall tucked into the hills outside of town. Feels like a soft reset for your nervous system.
Community-centered pottery studio where creativity meets grounding energy. Take a class, paint, create, or simply witness the beauty of hands working with earth. A wonderful place to slow down and express.
Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market (Sunday)
Beloved Sunday ritual in Ojai — seasonal produce, flowers, artisan food, live music, and the valley moving slowly together.
Olive groves, tastings, and dappled light through ancient trees. Feels like a hidden pocket of Europe inside Ojai.
Each evening, the mountains blush as the sun drops. Step outside, pause, and watch the valley exhale. It’s different every night.
Wide-open valley views, walking paths, sprawling lawns, and quiet desert-meets-mountain beauty — a peaceful place to wander, breathe, picnic, or just be.
Wellness & Ritual in Ojai
Spaces to soften, restore, breathe, and reconnect.
A lovingly tended garden sanctuary for quiet reflection, gentle grounding, and peaceful connection with nature.
A beloved downtown studio offering yoga, meditation, breathwork, and soul-soothing sound baths. Welcoming, grounded, and beautifully guided.
Thoughtful, heartfelt yoga in an intimate studio setting — slow, nourishing practices with gentle community energy.
Yoga, breath, and healing gatherings in a warm community space. Classes feel alive, heartfelt, and deeply supportive.
Meditation, sound healing, and ceremony experiences that feel reverent, calming, and energetically restorative.
Ojai’s sacred stillness space — expansive valley views, guided meditations, and a place to truly exhale.
Nature-rooted outdoor yoga with animals, fresh air, and a gentle connection to Ojai’s land and quiet beauty.
Skilled therapeutic massage and bodywork focused on deep relaxation, release, and nervous-system care.
A classic in-town spa for massage, body treatments, and true unwind-and-be-cared-for nurturing.
Watsu with Mimi Camarillo (Aquãtez Ojai)
Warm-water therapeutic bodywork blending Watsu, breathwork, and sound for profound relaxation and release.
Grounding, accessible massage therapy and restorative treatments to help the body soften back into ease.
Angelica Griffith Precision Healing
Therapeutic massage, reflexology, and holistic healing care guided with intuition and heart.