Experience Ojai

Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Ojai, known as an artist’s, spiritual, and naturalist’s paradise . The creative culture, the charming Ojai Village, and the majestic setting of the Ojai Valley provide memorable activites, and these are some of our favorites. Our friendly staff is happy help make arrangements during your visit in Ojai.

OJAI ATHLETIC CLUB - Day passes are available to use the club to swim in the Olympic-size pool, play tennis, or exercise in a class or weight room for a small daily fee/person.  Check with our innkeeper.

ART & OLIVE TOUR OF OJAI - For a special afternoon, visit the studios of some of Ojai’s premier artisans including the famous potter Otto Heino. Tour our olive groves & taste the varieties of our award winning oils. Enjoy clay demonstrations and talk with the artists. Tours available on Monday, Wednesday & Saturday afternoons.

HIKING - Situated at the edge of 2 million acres of the Los Padres National Forest, Ojai offers myriad opportunities to trek, hike, mountain climb and camp. Whether you walk along paths at Ojai Foundation or Meditation Mount overlooking the valley (which resembles Tuscany or the south of France) or you hike up to watering holes and waterfalls, you will want to return. The closest easy hike is just around the corner and up the street and has a close-up view of the town and valley.

U-PICK LAVENDER - New Oak Ranch is a sunny Mediterranean experience with 24 acres of 5000 fragrant lavender plants, shimmering olives, juicy-sweet Ojai Pixie tangerines and majestic walnuts all surrounded by national forest and other ranches. Visit during the lavender season, typically mid-June through August, and throughout the year by appointment. Snap some photos, snip some lavender and savor your picnic lunch. www.newoakranch.com

MOVIES - The Ojai Theatre, recently remodeled in Old Hollywood Style, offers first run films daily at 7pm and at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. www.ojaitheatre.com The Ojai Film Society shows independent and foreign films on Sunday at 4:30. www.ojaifilmsociety.org.

EVENTS - Special events during the year include the Ojai Music Festival (www.ojaimusicfestival.com) , Ojai Film Festival (www.ojaifilmfestival.com), Ojai Valley Lavender Festival (ojaivalleylavenderfestival.com), The Ojai - one of the oldest tennis tournament’s in the U.S.

HORSEBACK RIDING - Enjoy western lessons and guided trail rides on a private ranch with trail access. www.RanchoDeGranville.org

BOATING, BASS FISHING & Waterpark - Less than 15 minutes away at Lake Casitas is one of the best bass-fishing lakes in the world. www.casitaswater.org

CHILDRENS WATER PARK - Appropriate for children under 12, Lake Casitas ....is open during the summer months. So fun on a hot day!

CRAFT CLASSES - Just a few doors down is the shop, Artful Living, where you can take classes of great interest to art journalers, mixed media artists. fiberartists, scrapbookers, or painters looking for exciting products. Contact artfulliving@ojai.net for more information.

OLD CREEK RANCH WINERY - The winery is a 2000-case family owned micro-winery and cattle ranch on a former Spanish land grant. The tasting room is open Fri., Sat., and Sun. from 11 to 5. www.oldcreekranchwinery.com This winery is on the WINE TRAIL - www.venturacountywinetrail.com

PLAYS - Call for schedules at Theatre 150 (www.theater150.com) and Ojai Art Center.

BIKING - See package specials page

BART’S BOOKS - This is Ojai’s landmark outdoor bookstore, a collector’s paradise of used books. This is just 2 blocks down the street. www.bartsbooks.com

BEATRICE WOOD CENTER FOR THE ARTS - See the permanent collection of renowned artist Beatrice Wood and comtemporary artisits. Gallery is open Sat. & Sun. 11-5. www.beatricewood.com

OJAI MUSEUM - Relics of yesteryear together with artifacts of the Oak Grove people and Chumash Indian cultures are displayed. Attractions often include local Ojai artists. www.ojaivalleymuseum.org - Try both outstanding, picturesque golf courses, www.ojaivalleyinn.com and www.soulegolfcourse.com.

SURFING - 20 minutes to the beach in Ventura. With advance notice, we can arrange surf lessons.

WATERMARK RESTAURANT - in Ventura. Of course this is one of our favorites because we own the restaurant. But, you won’t be disappointed if you are able to stop to eat on your way in to Ojai or on the way home. The decor and the food and service are beyond description, so please check out the website (it’s amazing!) www.watermarkonmain.com

SUNDAY TRIP - Arrive in Ojai and park at the Lavender Inn. Peruse the Farmer’s Market, only 2 doors away, for fresh, local items. Keep your fresh items in our frig until you leave the next day. Return for a lunch cooking class from 1-4. Afterwards walk around the corner to see an independent film at 4:30 or see a first-run film at 7. Relax and enjoy the rest of your evening at the Lavender Inn.