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Channel Islands National Park | Ojai
Ventura County was first settled by the Chumash Indians. Spanish missionaries were the first Europeans to arrive, followed by Americans and other Europeans, who established towns, transportation networks, and highly productive farms. Since the 1920s, agriculture has been steadily replaced as the area’s main industry—first by the oil business and more recently by tourism.
Accessible via boat or plane from Ventura and Santa Barbara, Channel Islands National Park is a series of five protected islands just 11 miles offshore where hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing abound.
Ventura
60 miles north of Los Angeles.
Like Los Angeles, the city of Ventura enjoys gorgeous weather and sun-kissed beaches—but without the smog and congestion. The miles of beautiful beaches attract athletes—bodysurfers and boogie boarders, runners and bikers—and those who’d rather doze beneath an umbrella all day. Ventura Harbor is home to myriad fishing boats, restaurants, and water-activity centers where you can rent boats and take harbor cruises. Foodies can get their fix all over Ventura—dozens of upscale cafés and wine and tapas bars have opened in recent years. Arts and antiques buffs have long trekked downtown to browse the galleries and shops there.
Getting Here and Around
Amtrak and Metrolink trains serve the area from Los Angeles. Greyhound buses stop in Ventura; Gold Coast Transit serves the city and the rest of Ventura County.
U.S. 101 is the north–south main route into town, but for a scenic drive, take Highway 1 north from Santa Monica. The highway merges with U.S. 101 just south of Ventura.TIP Traveling north to Ventura from Los Angeles on weekdays, it’s best to depart before 6 am, between 10 and 2, or after 7, or you’ll get caught in the extended rush-hour traffic. Coming south from Santa Barbara, depart before 1 or after 6. On weekends, traffic is generally fine except southbound on U.S. 101 between Santa Barbara and Ventura on Sunday late afternoon and early evening.
Essentials
Bus Contact
Gold Coast Transit. | 805/643–3158 | www.goldcoasttransit.org.
Visitor Information
Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau. | Downtown Visitor Center,101 S. California St. | 805/648–2075, 800/483–6214 | visitventuraca.com.
Exploring
FAMILY | Lake Casitas Recreation Area.
Lunker largemouth bass, rainbow trout, crappie, redears, and channel catfish live in the waters at this park, one of the country’s best bass-fishing areas. Nestled below the Santa Ynez Mountains’ Laguna Ridge, Lake Casitas is also a beautiful spot for pitching a tent or having a picnic. The Casitas Water Adventure, which has two water playgrounds and a lazy river for tubing and floating, provides kids with endless diversions in summer. | 11311 Santa Ana Rd., off Hwy. 33, 13 miles northwest of Ventura | 805/649–2233, 805/649–1122 campground and water park reservations | www.lakecasitas.info | $10–$15 per vehicle, $13 per boat; Water Adventure $12 ($6, 5–7 pm) | Daily.
Mission San Buenaventura.
The ninth of the 21 California missions, Mission San Buenaventura was established in 1782 but burned to the ground in the 1790s. It was rebuilt and rededicated in 1809. A self-guided tour takes you through a small museum, a quiet courtyard, and a chapel with 250-year-old paintings. | 211 E. Main St., at Figueroa St. | 805/643–4318 | www.sanbuenaventuramission.org | $4 | Sun.–Fri. 10–5, Sat. 9–5.
Museum of Ventura County.
Exhibits in a contemporary complex of galleries and a sunny courtyard plaza tell the story of Ventura County from prehistoric times to the present. A highlight is the gallery that contains Ojai artist George Stuart’s historical figures, dressed in exceptionally detailed, custom-made clothing reflecting their particular eras. In the courtyard, eight panels made with 45,000 pieces of cut glass form a history timeline. | 100 E. Main St., at S. Ventura Ave. | 805/653–0323 | venturamuseum.org | $5, free 1st Sun. of month | Tues.–Sun. 11–5.
Fodor’s Choice | Ventura Oceanfront.
Four miles of gorgeous coastline stretch from the county fairgrounds at the northern border of the city of San Buenaventura, through San Buenaventura State Beach, down to Ventura Harbor in the south. The main attraction here is the San Buenaventura City Pier, a landmark built in 1872 and restored in 1993. Surfers rip the waves just north of the pier, and sunbathers relax on white-sand beaches on either side. The mile-long promenade and the Omer Rains Bike Trail north of the pier attract scores of joggers, surrey cyclers, and bikers throughout the year. | California St., at ocean’s edge.
Where to Eat
Brophy Bros.
$$ | SEAFOOD | The Ventura outpost of the wildly popular Santa Barbara restaurant provides the same fresh seafood-oriented meals in a spacious second-story setting overlooking the harbor. Feast on everything from fish-and-chips and crab cakes to chowder and delectable fish—often straight from the boats moored below. | Average main: $22 | 1559 Spinnaker Dr., in Ventura Harbor Village | 805/639–0865 | brophybros.com | Reservations not accepted.
Busy Bee Cafe.
$ | AMERICAN | A local favorite for decades, this classic 1950s diner has a jukebox on every table and serves hearty burgers and comfort food (think meat loaf and mashed potatoes, pot roast, and Cobb salad). For breakfast, tuck into a huge omelet; for a snack or dessert, order a shake or hot fudge sundae from the soda fountain. | Average main: $14 | 478 E. Main St., near S. California St. | 805/643–4864 | busybeecafe.biz.
Fodor’s Choice | Café Zack.
$$$ | AMERICAN | A local favorite for anniversary and other celebratory occasions, Zack’s serves classic European dishes in an intimate, two-room 1930s cottage adorned with local art. One standout appetizer is the lobster and sweet corn in a curry cream sauce. Entrées of note include seafood curry and filet mignon, the latter typically crusted in peppercorns or topped with porcini mushrooms. The crowd-pleaser for dessert is Zack’s pie, with chocolate ganache poured into a pecan-cinnamon crust and topped with whipped cream and caramel sauce. | Average main: $25 | 1095 E. Thompson Blvd., at S. Ann St. | 805/643–9445 | cafezack.com | Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.
Lure Fish House.
$$ | SEAFOOD | Fresh, sustainably caught seafood charbroiled over a mesquite grill, a well-stocked oyster bar, specialty cocktails, and a wine list heavy on local vintages lure diners into this slick, nautical-theme space downtown. The menu centers on the mostly local catch and organic vegetables, and includes tacos, sandwiches, and salads. Regulars rave about the shrimp-and-chips, cioppino, and citrus crab-cake salad. | Average main: $19 | 60 S. California St. | 805/567–4400 | www.lurefishhouse.com.
Peirano’s.
$$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | New owners have transformed a market building dating back to the 1870s into a colorful, contemporary space filled with art from around the globe. In keeping with the global perspective, the seasonal menus incorporate the flavors of California, the Mediterranean region, and the Middle East. Starters might include a traditional Caesar salad or Gorgonzola-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates with a balsamic-molasses sauce. Seafood paella, and rack of lamb served with mint, honey, and Greek chili sauce are among the main-course options. Weekend brunches find the chefs whipping up omelets, pancakes, and other hearty American fare. | Average main: $27 | 204 E. Main St., at Figueroa Street Mall | 805/648–4853 | www.peiranos.com | Closed Mon.
71 Palm Restaurant.
$$$ | FRENCH | This elegant restaurant occupies a 1910 house, and it still has touches that make it feel like a home: lace curtains, wood floors, a dining patio for good weather, and a fireplace that’s often crackling in winter. A standout appetizer is the homemade country pâté with cornichons; for dinner, try the grilled salmon on a potato pancake, the New Zealand rack of lamb Provençal, or the bouillabaisse. | Average main: $26 | 71 N. Palm St., at Poli St. | 805/653–7222 | 71palm.com | Closed Sun.
Where to Stay
Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach.
$$ | HOTEL | A 12-story hotel with an enviable location on the beach and next to a historic pier, the Crowne Plaza is within walking distance of downtown restaurants and nightlife. All rooms have balconies and ocean views of some sort—ask for a room on the west or north side to catch the sunsets. A 2014 makeover gave the hotel a fresh contemporary look, and all rooms now have new beds, microwaves, refrigerators, and high-definition TVs. The hotel’s restaurant (not bad) and bar have ocean views, too. For a fabulous So-Cal moment, grab a seat on the patio near the fire pit if the weather’s good. Pros: on the beach; near downtown; steps from waterfront. Cons: early-morning train noise; waterfront crowded in summer; most rooms on the small side. | Rooms from: $169 | 450 E. Harbor Blvd. | 800/842–0800, 805/648–2100 | cpventura.com | 254 rooms, 4 suites | No meals.
Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort.
$$ | RESORT | An on-site restaurant, spacious rooms, and a slew of amenities make this 17-acre property—which includes sister hotel Holiday Inn Express—a popular and practical choice for Channel Islands visitors. The hotel sits on the edge of the harbor, a few-minutes’ drive from the Channel Islands National Park’s visitor center and concessionaire boat launches. All of the nautical-theme rooms have flat-screen TVs; most have private patios or balconies. For the best views, request a second-floor marina-facing balcony room. Activity courts include tennis, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. Pros: close to island transportation; mostly quiet; short drive to historic downtown. Cons: not in the heart of downtown; noisy seagulls sometimes congregate nearby. | Rooms from: $160 | 1050 Schooner Dr. | 805/658–1212, 800/368–7764 | fourpoints.com/ventura | 102 rooms, 4 suites | No meals.
Holiday Inn Express Ventura Harbor.
$$ | HOTEL | A favorite among Channel Islands visitors, this quiet, comfortable, lodge-inspired property sits right at the Ventura Harbor entrance. The guest quarters are spacious retreats with flat-screen TVs and puffy duvets. The south side of the hotel overlooks the marinas. For the best views, ask for an upper-floor harborside room or suite. Pros: quiet at night; easy access to harbor restaurants and activities; five-minute drive to downtown. Cons: busy area on weekends; complaints of erratic service. | Rooms from: $145 | 1080 Navigator Dr. | 805/856–9533, 888/233–9450 | holidayinnexpress.com/venturaca | 69 rooms | Breakfast.
Ventura Beach Marriott.
$$$ | HOTEL | Spacious, contemporary rooms, a peaceful location just steps from San Buenaventura State Beach, and easy access to downtown arts and culture make the Marriott a popular choice. It’s a joy to hang out in the public areas: the marble-tiled lobby doubles as an art gallery showing works by local photography students, and waterfalls, lush gardens, and a koi pond with turtles contribute to the tropical theme indoors and out. Ask for a room with a private balcony. Pros: walk to beach and biking/jogging trails; a block from historic pier; great value for location. Cons: close to highway; near busy intersection. | Rooms from: $189 | 2055 E. Harbor Blvd. | 805/643–6000, 888/236–2427 | marriottventurabeach.com | 270 rooms, 15 suites | No meals.
Sports and the Outdoors
The most popular outdoor activities in Ventura are beachgoing and whale-watching. California gray whales migrate offshore through the Santa Barbara Channel from late December through March; giant blue and humpback whales feed here from mid-June through September. The channel teems with marine life year-round, so tours, which depart from Ventura Harbor, include more than just whale sightings.
Island Packers Cruises.
A cruise through the Santa Barbara Channel with Island Packers will give you the chance to spot dolphins, seals, and sometimes even whales. | Ventura Harbor,1691 Spinnaker Dr. | 805/642–1393 | islandpackers.com.
Channel Islands National Park
11 miles southwest of Ventura Harbor via boat.
On crystal clear days the craggy peaks of the Channel Islands are easy to see from the mainland, jutting from the Pacific in such sharp detail it seems you could reach out and touch them. The islands really aren’t that far away—a high-speed boat will whisk you to the closest ones in less than an hour—yet very few people ever visit them. Those adventurous types who do will experience one of the most splendid land-and-sea wilderness areas on the planet.
Channel Islands National Park includes five of the eight Channel Islands and the one nautical mile of ocean that surrounds them. Six nautical miles of surrounding channel waters are designated a National Marine Sanctuary, and are teeming with life, including giant kelp forests, 345 fish species, dolphins, whales, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. To maintain the integrity of their habitats, pets are not allowed in the park.
Getting Here and Around
Most visitors access the Channel Islands via an Island Packers boat from Ventura Harbor. To reach the harbor by car, exit U.S. 101 in Ventura at Seaward Boulevard or Victoria Avenue and follow the signs to Ventura Harbor/Spinnaker Drive. An Island Packers boat heads to Anacapa Island from Oxnard’s Channel Islands Harbor, which you can reach from Ventura Harbor by following Harbor Boulevard south about 6 miles and continuing south on Victoria Avenue. Private vehicles are not permitted on the islands.
Boat Tours
Island Packers.
Sailing on high-speed catamarans from Ventura or a mono-hull vessel from Oxnard, Island Packers goes to Santa Cruz Island daily most of the year, weather permitting. The boats also go to Anacapa several days a week, and to the outer islands from April through November. They also cruise along Anacapa’s north shore on three-hour wildlife tours (no disembarking) several times a week. | 3550 Harbor Blvd. | Oxnard | 805/642–1393 | www.islandpackers.com | $36–$147.
Park Hours
The islands are open every day of the year. Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center in Ventura is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Channel Islands National Park is in the Pacific time zone.
ATMs/Banks
There are no ATMs on the islands. ATMs can be found in Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Ventura, and at the the Camarillo Airport. Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Port Hueneme have banks.
Visitor Information
Park Contact Information
Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center. | 1901 Spinnaker Dr. | Ventura | 805/658–5730 | www.nps.gov/chis.
Exploring
Top Attractions
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center.
The park’s Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center has a museum, a bookstore, and a three-story observation tower with telescopes. The museum’s exhibits and a 24-minute film, Treasure in the Sea, provide an engaging overview of the islands. In the marine life exhibit, sea stars cling to rocks, anemones wave their colorful, spiny tentacles, and a brilliant orange Garibaldi darts around. Also on display are full-size reproductions of a male northern elephant seal and the pygmy mammoth skeleton unearthed on Santa Rosa Island in 1994.
On weekends and holidays at 11 and 3, rangers lead various free public programs describing park resources, and from Wednesday through Saturday in summer the center screens live ranger broadcasts of hikes (at 11) and dives (at 2) on Anacapa Island. Webcam images of bald eagles and other land and sea creatures are shown at the center and on the park’s website. | 1901 Spinnaker Dr. | Ventura | 805/658–5730 | www.nps.gov/chis | Daily 8:30–5.
Santa Cruz Island.
Five miles west of Anacapa, 96-square-mile Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the Channel Islands. The National Park Service manages the easternmost 24% of the island; the rest is owned by the Nature Conservancy, which requires a permit to land. When your boat drops you off on a portion of the 70 miles of craggy coastline, you see two rugged mountain ranges with peaks soaring to 2,500 feet and deep canyons traversed by streams. This landscape is the habitat of a remarkable variety of flora and fauna—more than 600 types of plants, 140 kinds of land birds, 11 mammal species, five varieties of reptiles, and three amphibian species live here. Bird-watchers may want to look for the endemic island scrub jay, which is found nowhere else in the world.
One of the largest and deepest sea caves in the world, Painted Cave, lies along the northwest coast of Santa Cruz. Named for the colorful lichen and algae that cover its walls, Painted Cave is nearly ¼ mile long and 100 feet wide. In spring a waterfall cascades over the entrance. Kayakers may encounter seals or sea lions cruising alongside their boats inside the cave. The Channel Islands hold some of the richest archaeological resources in North America; all artifacts are protected within the park. Remnants of a dozen Chumash villages can be seen on the island. The largest of these villages, at the eastern end, occupied the area now called Scorpion Ranch. The Chumash mined extensive chert deposits on the island for tools to produce shell-bead money, which they traded with people on the mainland. You can learn about Chumash history and view artifacts, tools, and exhibits on native plant and wildlife at the interpretive visitor center near the landing dock. Visitors can also explore remnants of the early-1900s ranching era in the restored historic adobe and outbuildings. | Channel Islands National Park.
Worth Noting
Anacapa Island.
Most people think of Anacapa as an island, but it’s actually comprised of three narrow islets. The tips of these volcanic formations nearly touch, the islets are inaccessible from one another except by boat. All three have towering cliffs, isolated sea caves, and natural bridges; Arch Rock, on East Anacapa, is one of the best-known symbols of Channel Islands National Park.
Wildlife viewing is the main activity on East Anacapa, particularly in summer when seagull chicks are newly hatched and sea lions and seals lounge on the beaches. Exhibits at East Anacapa’s compact museum include the original lead-crystal Fresnel lens from the 1932 lighthouse.
Over on West Anacapa, depending on the season and the number of desirable species lurking about there, boats travel to Frenchy’s Cove. On a voyage here you might see anemones, limpets, barnacles, mussel beds, and colorful marine algae in the pristine tide pools. The rest of West Anacapa is closed to protect nesting brown pelicans. | Channel Islands National Park.
San Miguel Island.
The westernmost of the Channel Islands, San Miguel Island is frequently battered by storms sweeping across the North Pacific. The 15-square-mile island’s wild, windswept landscape is lush with vegetation. Point Bennett, at the western tip, offers one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife displays when more than 100,000 pinnipeds hit its beach. Explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo was the first European to visit this island; he claimed it for Spain in 1542. Legend holds that Cabrillo died on one of the Channel Islands—no one knows where he’s buried, but there’s a memorial to him on a bluff above Cuyler Harbor. | Channel Islands National Park.
Santa Barbara Island.
At about 1 square mile, Santa Barbara Island is the smallest of the Channel Islands and nearly 35 miles south of the others. Triangular in shape, Santa Barbara’s steep cliffs—which offer a perfect nesting spot for the Scripps’s murrelet, a rare seabird—are topped by twin peaks. In spring you can enjoy a brilliant display of yellow coreopsis. Learn about the wildlife on and around the islands at the island’s small museum. | Channel Islands National Park.
Santa Rosa Island.
Between Santa Cruz and San Miguel, Santa Rosa is the second largest of the Channel Islands. The terrain along the coast varies from broad, sandy beaches to sheer cliffs—a central mountain range, rising to 1,589 feet, breaks the island’s relatively low profile. Santa Rosa is home to about 500 species of plants, including the rare Torrey pine, and three unusual mammals, the island fox, the spotted skunk, and the deer mouse. They hardly compare, though, to their predecessors: a nearly complete skeleton of a 6-foot-tall pygmy mammoth was unearthed in 1994.
From 1901 to 1998, cattle were raised at the island’s Vail & Vickers Ranch. The route from Santa Rosa’s landing dock to the campground passes by the historic ranch buildings, barns, equipment, and the wooden pier where cattle were brought onto the island. | Channel Islands National Park.
Sports and the Outdoors
Channel Islands Outfitters arranges paddling, kayaking, and other Channel Islands excursions out of Ventura and Santa Barbara, and various concessionaires at Ventura Harbor Village (805/477–0470 | www.venturaharborvillage.com) arrange diving, kayaking, and other rentals and tours. Island Packers conducts whale-watching cruises.
Diving
Some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world can be found in the cool waters surrounding the Channel Islands. In the relatively warm water around Anacapa and eastern Santa Cruz, photographers can get great shots of rarely seen giant black bass swimming among the kelp forests. Here you also find a reef covered with red brittle starfish. If you’re an experienced diver, you might swim among five species of seals and sea lions, or try your hand at spearing rockfish or halibut near San Miguel and Santa Rosa. The best time to scuba dive is in summer and fall, when the water is often clear up to a 100-foot depth.
Kayaking
The most remote parts of the Channel Islands are accessible only by a sea kayak. Some of the best kayaking in the park can be found on Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and the eastern tip of Santa Cruz. It’s too far to kayak from the mainland out to the islands, but outfitters have tours that take you to the islands. Tours are offered year-round, but high seas may cause trip cancellations between December and March. WARNING: Channel waters can be unpredictable and challenging. Guided trips are highly recommended.
Whale-Watching
About a third of the world’s cetacean species (27 to be exact) can be seen in the Santa Barbara Channel. In July and August, humpback and blue whales feed off the north shore of Santa Rosa. From late December through March, up to 10,000 gray whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way from Alaska to Mexico and back again, and on a whale-watching trip during this time frame you should see one or more of them. Other types of whales, but fewer in number, swim the channel from June through August.
Ojai
15 miles north of Ventura.
The Ojai Valley, which director Frank Capra used as a backdrop for his 1936 film Lost Horizon, sizzles in the summer when temperatures routinely reach 90°F. The acres of orange and avocado groves here evoke postcard images of long-ago agricultural Southern California. Many artists and celebrities have sought refuge from life in the fast lane in lush Ojai.
Getting Here and Around
From northern Ventura, Highway 33 veers east from U.S. 101 and climbs inland to Ojai. From Santa Barbara, exit U.S. 101 at Highway 150 in Carpinteria, then travel east 20 miles on a twisting, two-lane road that is not recommended at night or during poor weather. You can also access Ojai by heading west from Interstate 5 on Highway 126. Exit at Santa Paula and follow Highway 150 north for 16 miles to Ojai. Gold Coast Transit provides service to Ojai from Ventura.
Ojai can be easily explored on foot; you can also hop on the Ojai Trolley ($1, or $2 day pass), which until about 5 pm follows two routes around Ojai and neighboring Miramonte on weekdays and one route on weekends. Tell the driver you’re visiting and you’ll get an informal guided tour.
Essentials
Bus Contacts
Gold Coast Transit. | 805/643–3158 | www.goldcoasttransit.org.
Ojai Trolley. | 805/646–5581 | www.ojaitrolley.com.
Visitor Information
Ojai Visitors Bureau. | 206 N. Signal St., Ste. P, at E. Ojai Ave. | 888/652–4669 | ojaivisitors.com | Weekdays 8–5.
Exploring
Ojai Art Center.
California’s oldest nonprofit, multipurpose arts center exhibits visual art from various disciplines and presents theater, dance, and other performances. | 113 S. Montgomery St., near E. Ojai Ave. | 805/646–0117 | www.ojaiartcenter.org | Tues.–Sun. noon–4.
Ojai Avenue.
The work of local artists is displayed in the Spanish-style shopping arcade along the avenue downtown. On Sunday between 9 and 1, organic and specialty growers sell their produce at the outdoor market behind the arcade.
Ojai Valley Museum.
The museum collects, preserves, and presents exhibits about the art, history, and culture of Ojai and Ojai Valley. Walking tours of Ojai depart from here. | 130 W. Ojai Ave. | 805/640–1390 | ojaivalleymuseum.org | Museum $5, walking tour $7 ($15 family) | Tues.–Sat. 10–4, Sun. noon–4; tours Oct.–July, Sat. 10:30.
Ojai Valley Trail.
The 18-mile trail is open to pedestrians, joggers, equestrians, bikers, and others on nonmotorized vehicles. You can access it anywhere along its route. | Parallel to Hwy. 33 from Soule Park in Ojai to ocean in Ventura | 888/652–4669 | ojaivisitors.com.
Where to Eat
Azu.
$$$ | MEDITERRANEAN | Slick furnishings, piped-in jazz, craft cocktails, and local beers and wines draw diners to this artsy Mediterranean bistro known for tapas made from organic ingredients. You can also order soups, salads, and bistro fare such as steak frites and paella. Save room for the homemade gelato. | Average main: $25 | 457 E. Ojai Ave. | 805/640–7987 | azuojai.com.
Boccali’s.
$ | ITALIAN | Edging a ranch, citrus groves, and a seasonal garden that provides produce for menu items, the modest but cheery Boccali’s attracts many loyal fans. When it’s warm, you can dine alfresco in the oak-shaded patio and lawn area and sometimes listen to live music. The family-run operation, best known for hand-rolled pizzas and home-style pastas (don’t miss the eggplant lasagna), also serves a popular seasonal strawberry shortcake. | Average main: $15 | 3277 Ojai Ave., about 2 miles east of downtown | 805/646–6116 | boccalis.com | No credit cards | No lunch Mon. and Tues.
Suzanne’s Cuisine.
$$$ | EUROPEAN | Peppered filet mignon, linguine with steamed clams, and pan-roasted salmon with a roasted mango sauce are among the offerings at this European-style restaurant. Seafood, roasted meats and poultry, and vegetarian dishes dominate the dinner menu, and salads and soups star at lunchtime. All the desserts are made on the premises. | Average main: $28 | 502 W. Ojai Ave. | 805/640–1961 | suzannescuisine.com | Closed Tues.
Where to Stay
The Blue Iguana Inn & Suites.
$$ | B&B/INN | Artists run this Southwestern-style hotel, and their works and those of other local artists decorate the rooms. The small, cozy main inn is about 2 miles west of downtown. A sister property, the Emerald Iguana Inn (no children under 14), has art-nouveau rooms, suites, and cottages in a secluded residential setting closer to downtown Ojai. The suites and cottages have kitchenettes. Pros: colorful art everywhere; secluded. Cons: 2 miles from downtown; on a highway; small. | Rooms from: $129 | 11794 N. Ventura Ave. | 805/646–5277 | iguanainnsofojai.com | 4 rooms, 8 suites, 8 cottages | Breakfast.
Oaks at Ojai.
$$$ | RESORT | Rejuvenation is the name of the game at this destination spa where you can work out all day or just lounge by the pool. The fitness package, a great value, includes lodging, three nutritionally balanced and calorie-conscious meals a day (plus snacks and beverages), use of the spa facilities, and activities that include hikes and exercise classes. The two courtyard suites each have a refrigerator and a fireplace; these and the nine minisuites have private patios and jetted tubs. Cell-phone silence is required in public areas (though it’s okay to text), and bringing children under age 16 is discouraged. Nonguests can dine here, too. Pros: great place to get fit; peaceful retreat; healthful meals. Cons: some rooms are basic; on main road through town. | Rooms from: $250 | 122 E. Ojai Ave. | 805/646–5573, 800/753–6257 | oaksspa.com | 44 rooms, 2 suites | All meals | 2-night minimum stay.
Fodor’s Choice | Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
$$$$ | RESORT | This outdoorsy, golf-oriented resort and spa is set on beautifully landscaped grounds, with hillside views in nearly all directions. Though many of the rooms were remodeled in the 21st century, they still reflect the Spanish-colonial architecture of the original 1923 resort. If you’re a history buff, ask for a room in the 90-year-old adobe Neff Building. The five restaurants tout “Ojai regional cuisine,” which incorporates locally grown produce and fresh seasonal meats and seafood. Pros: gorgeous grounds; exceptional outdoor activities; romantic yet kid-friendly. Cons: expensive; areas near restaurants can be noisy. | Rooms from: $400 | 905 Country Club Rd. | 805/646–1111, 855/697–8780 | ojairesort.com | 231 rooms, 77 suites | No meals.
Su Nido Inn.
$$$ | B&B/INN | A short walk from downtown Ojai sights and restaurants, this posh Mission Revival–style inn sits in a quiet neighborhood a few blocks from Libbey Park. One- and two-bedroom suites, each named after a bird, ring a cobblestone courtyard with fountains and olive trees. All suites have spacious living rooms, kitchenettes, fireplaces, and featherbeds; six have soaking tubs, and some have private patios or balconies. Pros: walking distance from downtown; homey feel. Cons: no pool; can get hot during summer. | Rooms from: $199 | 301 N. Montgomery St. | 805/646–7080, 866/646–7080 | www.sunidoinn.com | 3 rooms, 9 suites | No meals | 2-night minimum stay on weekends.
Performing Arts
Libbey Park.
On Wednesday evenings in summer, all-American music played by the Ojai Band draws crowds to Libbey Park in downtown Ojai. | Ojai Ave. | 805/646–8430 | Free.
Ojai Music Festival.
Since 1947, this early-June festival has attracted internationally known progressive and traditional musicians for outdoor concerts in Libbey Park. | 805/646–2053 | www.ojaifestival.org.