The best vacations in Ojai Valley, California, combine outdoor activities with luxury lodging. The most luxurious place to stay in Ojai is the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. It's the only 5-star resort in Ojai, California, and the grounds are absolutely beautiful. The spa here has won multiple awards (such as SpaFinder's Readers' Choice and Spa Magazine's Silver Sage Award). The golf course is the best in Ojai Valley, and despite a meticulous renovation in 2004, the resort remains of historical significance as well. Clearly, it is Luxury Travel's recommendation for the best place to stay in Ojai. But what else is there to do? There is no shortage of off-property activities to round out a luxury vacation here.
Outdoor Recreation in Ojai Valley
- Horseback riding along the Pratt Trail or Sisan Canyon can be a leisurely or exciting experience, depending on one's approach to horseback riding. The Ventura River Preserve is open to horseback riding tours, and experienced riders can go down Soule Park's bridle path all the way to the beach. Western Trail Rides and Ojai on Horseback are the two major guided tour companies. The Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company also has pony rides for little kids.
- Hop on and off the Ojai Trolley, which winds its way through Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte and (of course) Ojai. In town, the Trolley stops regularly at City Hall, the downtown Arcade, art studios and restaurants. Only 50 cents per adult, and 25 cents for children under 5, the Trolley service begins at 6:40 a.m. and ends at 6:10 p.m. on weekdays, 8:40 a.m. until 5:10 p.m. on weekends.
- Ojai is a bicycle-friendly town. If it's unwieldy to bring a bike on vacation, they are easily rented at Bicycles of Ojai. The store rents both street bikes and mountain bikes. Project Ride offers guided tours around the Ventura River Preserve, Sulphur Mountain, and the beach. Exploring the area by bike, without a guided tour, is a lot of fun too. The Ojai Valley Trail is open for bicycles, and the town is easily traversed.
- Walking is a favorite outdoor activity in Ojai Valley. The town is immensely walkable, and the hiking trails around it are not particularly challenging. Families with young children can comfortably explore parts of the Ojai Valley Trail (the entire trail is over 16 miles long, so too much for kids). The Trail begins one block east of the downtown Arcade and meanders through wooded areas and past the Ventura River.
- Lake Casitas is three miles from downtown Ojai, and the perfect respite from summer heat. Boating, kayaking, and fishing area all popular here, and the Casitas Water Adventure water park is fun for children.
Wine Tasting
- Ojai Valley has gotten into the lucrative wine tourism business, modeling itself after Napa Valley's success. The Boccali Vineyards & Winery in Upper Ojai Valley is probably a luxury traveler's best bet for on-site wine tasting, while the Old Creek Ranch Winery is another option just outside of Ojai.
- The Casa Barranca tasting Room in the downtown Arcade features wines grown at the Casa Barranca Organic Winery & Vineyard in Ojai.
Ojai Valley CA has a lot to offer outdoorsy luxury travelers. There are also farm and ranch tours, golf, and tennis. The many repeat guests at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa are testament to the quality of a vacation here.
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
