A Day Away: Ojai
If you find yourself within a stone's throw from the quaint hippie-town-turned-tourist-destination of Ojai, there is plenty to be enchanted by from sun up to sun down. A local shares her day in Ojai as a guide to sip, savor, stay, and play your way through the charming town.
Driving through Ojai in the morning gives you the strange yet undeniable inclination to play Three Dog Night’s “Shambala” on the speakers. I pass bicyclists and dog walkers and each break in the foliage reveals vast, vibrant mountains with a hue of green that tells the story of a rich rainy season in California. A day in Ojai is one with equal idleness and activity, spontaneity and comfort, getting lost and finding it all. Simply put, I know that today is going to be a good day, neh, the best day.
My first stop? The only natural beginning to a successful day: Coffee. Beacon Coffee is a sun-lit, rustic roastery that attracts all the local misfits. They offer a rich, light roast espresso that goes perfectly with their array of fresh baked goods. My personal favorite is an almond milk flat white with vanilla for a strong, perfectly sweet, and slightly high-maintenance order that offers a lovely hit of optimism. As I sip my little cup of optimism, I look around the cafe to find the lineup of usual suspects. A biker in their spandex, a couple with their baby in one hand and the leash of their Goldendoodle in the other. A whole section of wooden tables is occupied by individuals reading, writing, and typing. Perhaps one or two others are doing what I am doing: people-watching. People-watching is, perhaps, one of the most misunderstood pursuits. Recent generations often choose occupation in lieu of observation but it is every bit as entertaining as any other visual experience. For the record, people-watching is not voyeurism, it is a contemplative observance of people or things in the public sphere. Just for the record. I inhale the surrounding people and their presupposed stories as I savor my coffee and have an existential crisis. When the cafe gets a little too crowded for my peaceful, philosophical musings I wander into the neighboring boutique, Blue Ojai, for a little perusing. The store is chock-full of mainstream and local finds that are perfect for gift giving or as a memorable token of ‘the best day’. Realizing I must get on with said ‘best day’, I purchase some incense and rush off to Farmer and the Cook for arguably the best breakfast burrito. This little restaurant/grocery store is the essence of Ojai. It is a fusion of several concepts tucked into one glorious slice of bohemian real estate– a true anomaly. It is a self-acclaimed ‘cross the border’ cafe and health food grocery store. They have a diverse range of vegetarian/vegan options that serve both the indulgent and health conscious. This would be the place to take that friend who thinks meat-free food is pointless. Lingering here you realize the veil between this spot and 1970 is thin and there may, at any moment, be a nonconformist approaching you to ask if you’re interested in an alternative lifestyle. Sadly, my cult initiation must wait as I scoot off to my pottery class with Firestick Pottery.
I drive up to what appears to be a residential area but is, in fact, the location of a pottery studio and gallery. They offer a range of options for locals and visitors who either want a drop-in experience or a consistent studio space. I opt for the two-hour, drop-in class where the teacher demonstrates all the basics of throwing on the wheel. You can make up to 5 pieces and either pick up the finished products in a few weeks or have them shipped. It was an experience that reconfirmed that it is good to get your hands dirty and try something new. This class offered both a challenge that set my ego straight and a meditative experience that was akin to a vinyasa flow. Why join a monastery when there is wheel throwing? In addition to a lovely experience, you are left with a few creations you can take home as another token of the ‘best day’ or the launching point into a dinner party anecdote. Win-Win. Since it is Thursday on this particular Ojai escapade, I make my way over to the Ojai Community Farmers Market that goes from 3-7 pm every Thursday. Local vendors offer an array of spring's finest fruits and veg along with some beautiful creations. I grab a few baskets of berries and pop them in my mouth like M&M’s as a guitarist strums the tune of some lost mountain lover. In the second verse, I recommit myself to only eating fruit when I have a sweet tooth. Ojai will do crazy things like that to you. My next stop is on the picturesque property of Ojai Valley Inn. I drive through the entrance between citrus trees, peer over at the vast golf course and enjoy a long exhale. A knock-out scenery is almost enough to make you feel like you are living a life of luxury. Although Ojai Valley Inn makes for a superior night's stay, an unparalleled spa day, or a delightful edible experience, I am here on a different mission today. I am going to the Ojai Valley Inn Apothecary. This casita blends in perfectly with the clean Spanish-style property and is often overlooked. They offer candle-making, painting, honey-tasting, and almost anything that makes you feel like you've been transported to an old-world market. Today I am making an aromatherapy rollerball and I couldn't be more excited. Although, I might be coming on too strong because the instructor keeps on recommending calming essential oils. I am not one to argue, she is the expert after all. I land on a lavender patchouli blend and obsessively sniff my wrists as I walk the property of rolling hills and Talavera tiles. I do feel calmer. Who’s to say whether it is the aromatherapy or the mere impact of Ojai on the nervous system? Who’s to say and who’s to care?
The sun is setting and between all my contemplation, I realize I am late to meet a friend for an apéritif at a true hidden gem, Ojai Rancho Inn. What can I say, Ojai loves an inn. You would be hard-pressed to find a ‘hotel’ or ‘resort’ in the name of any Ojai establishment. This little 20-room boutique hotel is a great option for a weekend stay but their bar, Chief’s Peak, is open to the public and overlooks an area that is reminiscent of a backyard in the summer. The fireplace, lawn, and pool offer the perfect backdrop as you enjoy conversation or settle into an easy read. The small bar offers a collection of beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails and the interior design is a nod to Ojai’s Chumash roots. I opt for the Ojai spritz and drift away to the echo of my dear friend, Van Morrison, on the vinyl. The space is cozy, and I find myself rubbing shoulders with artists, entrepreneurs, and the exact rag-tag crew you would expect to be dwelling in Ojai.
For my final stop of the day, I will be joining a real group of friends (not theoretical musicians) for dinner at the latest hot commodity in town, The Dutchess. The Dutchess is an all-day bakery & Burmese-California restaurant. With a bar in the front, an intimate fire-lit dining room in the middle, and billiards in the back, it is the quintessential gathering destination for a wide array of occasions. Aesthetically it feels like a warm hug from a distant but dear older relative who has an impeccable collection of worldly pieces and even better stories to go along with them. The first order of events is a drink. Their drink menu depicts an effort to marry foreign whimsy and hometown roots. In fact, their whole menu takes on this valiant, paradoxical task. I can’t keep my eyes off their unique, intriguing cocktail list. I go with the ‘lime in the curried coconut’ and feel good about my choice. Upon tasting it I can confidently say I have never tasted a drink quite like it. It is a cooling with a kick, a true flavorful delight, sung to a South-Asian tune. When it comes to food, sharing is the only way to ensure you get as many different options as possible and there are still a dozen more dishes I want to try. Everything is so different from what I would usually choose. I am reborn into a whole new genre of food inspiration. I sit content and entranced by the fireplace as our dinner, along with my Ojai day, comes to a close. The realization of my extraordinary predictive powers washes over me. I can’t help but smile, this was the best day.
*For more of an active day I would have added in The Punch bowls Hike which is roughly 7 mile round trip exploration, which makes for a 4 to 6 hour excursion.
*If I was staying the night I would have opted for the Caravan Outpost, a collection of airstreams strung together to form a small, casual, and inventive overnight experience.
*If I wanted an additional dining spot, The Nest and Bocallis are fun and dependably good.
Beacon Coffee (@beaconcoffee), The Dutchess(@thedutchessojai), The Nest (@thenestojai) Boccalis (@boccalis_ojai) Farmer and the Cook (@farmerandthecookojai) Ojai Rancho Inn(@ojairanchoinn), Ojai Valley Inn (@ojaivalleyinn), Caravan Outpost (@caravanoutpost) Firestick Pottery (@firestickpottery) Ojai Farmers Market Thurs 3-7pm (@ojaicommunityfm) Artist Cottage at the Ojai Valley Inn (studio hours 10am-6pm daily) Spa at the Ojai Valley Inn, Blue Ojai (@blue_ojai) The Punch bowls Hike: The Santa Paula Canyon Trail starts at the Thomas Aquinas college (10000 Ojai Road, Santa Paula) and takes you to the "The Punch Bowls" in the Los Padres National Forest. roughly 7 mile round trip exploration–4 to 6 hour excursion.
