I put together this ideal 2 day Ojai itinerary because there’s something special about how Ojai makes you feel far from the city, even though it’s less than a two-hour drive from LA. It’s the perfect place to slow down, sip something local, and enjoy a bit of California sunshine. Since we usually spend our quick getaways in the Santa Ynez Valley, I thought it was time to switch things up and dive deeper into Ojai’s unique charm.
To stay & some notes
We celebrated Walter’s birthday on this trip, which happened to be a holiday weekend, so when I went to book our stay there wasn’t much left to choose from in town. I was hoping to stay within walking distance of the downtown area. I’ve also stayed a bit outside of town in the Meiner Oaks area at Ojai Retreat & Inn, but that wasn’t the vibe for this trip. I ended up booking Casa Ojai Inn with my Chase points. The reviews online were mixed so I was happy to be able to use points in case it wasn’t so nice. We actually enjoyed the stay. Everything was clean, comfortable and they have a saltwater pool.
If you do decide to stay outside of the downtown area, but still want to explore, the parking is a breeze! There’s street parking everywhere, but also look out for larger public parking lots. I included our favorites in the map above. One of them is right across the street from 3 of the restaurants that we ate at.
Ideal 2 day Ojai itinerary, Night 1
Dinner at Pinyon
For dinner on the day we checked in, we stuck with one of our consistent favorites in town! This friends and family run wood-fired pizzeria, bakery, and natural wine shop is ALWAYS on point and the crew is down to earth and knowledgable. They source from local farmers and artisan producers, crafting high-quality, delicious food!
I opted for a curated wine tasting flight that turned out being the right decision. We started off with the salad, then each chose a pizza.
Walter got the Porco Rosso • Spicy tomato sauce, Pecorino cheese, Soppressata, Breadcrumb, Confit garlic
I got a pizza that’s not on the menu at the moment but remember my mind breaking at the flavor combo • this basically happens every time I eat here. I think it was a corn purée, pepperoncini & a cured meat
We ended the meal with their pistachio tiramisu. The perfect sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy ending.
Cocktails at Rory’s Place
Run by sisters Rory and Maeve McAuliffe, Rory’s Place draws on Ojai’s seasonal farms and seaside ingredients, offering a menu rich in seafood, live-fire dishes, and a curated natural wine list. We only went for cocktails this trip, but absolutely loved the vibe and the cocktails were definitely the best in town. We will be back for the full experience soon!
Walter’s pick: Hello Satan agua del sol mezcal, suerte tequila, passionfruit, serrano, lime + cilantro infused ojal pixle olive oll
My pick (wouldn’t be my usual order but oh my it was tasty): Melon Sour legende rakija, bergamotto, weiser farms melon, yuzu, fennel frond + froth
Ideal 2 day Ojai itinerary, Full Day
Breakfast at Three Birds
The next morning we shared a breakfast sandwich alongside coffee at Three Birds. This cozy café shines with local ingredients and a warm, welcoming community-driven vibe. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a coffee and a bite while reading a book or unwinding on the beautiful patio.
Breakfast Sandwich • Two organic sunny side up eggs, applewood ham, arugula, housemade pesto, pickled shallots, housemade english muffin.
Browse Barts Books
Barts Books has over 130,000 used and new books, “ranging from rare out-of-print gems to well loved paperbacks”! We love to drop in and browse anytime we are in town.
This time I got a book about organic gardening and some seeds! There’s always some treasure to be found at this spot that’s been a fixture for over 50 years.
Grab a beer at Topa Topa Brewing Company
Brewed and canned at their Ventura headquarters, each recipe is built from farm-sourced hops and brewed with intention. We enjoyed sipping a couple different IPAs while sitting at the bar before heading to lunch.
We had walked by so many times and are so happy we finally stopped in! They crafts beers with a focus on quality, artistry, and community.
Lunch at Ojai Rotie
This spot blends French and Lebanese flavors in a fast-casual, chef/farmer-driven setting. They roast free-range, antibiotic-free chicken, bake their own sourdough, and make side dishes inspired by Middle Eastern techniques using local, seasonal produce. Their wine list focuses on the Ojai Valley.
A meal here came highly recommended by many. There was a bit of a line when we arrived, but it wasn’t unbearable. We went with the chicken plate and some glasses of chilled red wine.
You will be taken to your seat, then order your food towards the back. If you want alcohol, there is a separate small “shack” towards the front of the patio. They are super helpful in guiding you towards the right sip with your meal. We went with a chilled red for the hot summer day.
Chicken Meal • includes choice of 2 picnic sides, lift, toum + grilled manouche
Explore and thrift
2nd Helpings: Founded in 1982, this thrift store is run by HELP of Ojai staff and volunteers. Every item, donated by the community, is cleaned, repaired, and priced. Proceeds directly support local services and neighbors in need.
Gratitude Vintage & Thrift: This vintage & 2nd hand general store brings new life to pre-loved goods.
Dinner at Rochers at the Ranch House
We got the chance to experience the best al fresco tasting menu in Ojai at The Ranch House. Four courses of seasonal, locally sourced dishes served in a dreamy outdoor setting made it an unforgettable way to celebrate Walter’s birthday. I shared the full story here: Best Al Fresco Tasting Menu in Ojai.
Ideal 2 day Ojai itinerary, before heading home
Brunch at The Dutchess
The Dutchess is a vibrant collaboration from the team behind the Rustic Canyon Family of restaurants. By day, it’s a bakery and café led by Zoe Nathan and pastry chef Kelsey Brito, serving fresh breads, pastries, lunch, and brunch (weekends). Chef Saw Naing draws from his Burmese heritage to craft bold, soulful dishes that celebrate California’s seasonal bounty.
We had been here multiple times for dinner and it did not disappoint, but we wanted to try something different on this trip, opting for brunch. It was a fantastic choice. I, of course, had to order their iteration of a Fried Chicken Sandwich and Walter got their “classic” plate.
Organic Burmese Fried Chicken Sando • Rosie organic boneless chicken thigh, lemongrass buttermilk brine, pickled onions, slaw, Yangon hot sauce
Dutchess Breakfast Plate • Weiser Farms potatoes, Niman Ranch bacon, tomato chutney, sourdough toast, two sunny side eggs
We finished the meal with an order of the Weiser melon salad for something like dessert.
Ojai always finds a way to slow me down in the best way, this ideal 2 day Ojai itinerary was no different. Whether enjoying local wine and food under the oaks or browsing a thrift shop, every corner feels special. This trip reminded me why Ojai is so special – it’s calm, creative, and full of good food and kind people. I can’t wait to come back, try more spots, and soak up more of that Ojai magic.
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