One of the best things about living in Los Angeles is the close proximity to so many small towns fit for a weekend getaway. A 90-minute drive north of Los Angeles and a short windy road into the mountains will eventually lead to the small, laid back town known as Ojai.
Ojai’s population of nearly 8,000 residents consists mostly of local artisans and passionate food producers who fervently protect their small town charm. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a mass retailer here thanks to an ordinance that banned corporate chains but you will find plenty of hemp sanitizer, avid bike riders, and retirees who have planted roots in Ojai to enjoy the quiet life.
Your best bet is to visit during the weekend as most shops and restaurants are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Buy a book at the largest outdoor bookstore
You can’t visit Ojai without strolling through Bart’s Books—the largest independently owned outdoor bookstore in the world. The original owner, Richard “Bart” Bartinsdale, was inspired by the book carts in Paris along the Seine River so he opened Bart’s Books in Ojai—except it’s wayyy bigger than a cart. You’ll easily get lost in a sea of over 130,000 (mostly) used books including an impressive first edition collectible section. Pro-tip: For the hard core bibliophiles, trade-in your used books for store credit.
Pick-up freshly baked bread by Kate’s Bread
Getting a loaf of Kate’s bread is like finding treasure on a scavenger hunt because you won’t find her bread in a bakery. Kate is a self-taught baker who sells freshly baked baguettes, seeded loaves of bread, and beautiful pastries out of her parent’s home in Ojai. Follow her on Instagram for updates on pick-up days (or for entertaining videos of her baking while lip synching to old classics like “Break My Stride”). You’ll pick up the goods at the house and when you do get your hands on the perfectly crunchy sourdough bread or the flaky Parisian-style croissants, you’ll probably come back for more.
Treat yourself to a spa treatment at Body Essentials of Ojai
Let’s be honest, you deserve a day of self-care to detox yourself from 2020 and Ojai is the perfect place to do it. Body Essentials of Ojai was the first day spa to open in Ojai in 1990 and continues to take home awards for their luxury spa services; in 2019, the spa was voted Best Facial and Best Spa by Ojai Valley News. They offer a range of treatments using a holistic approach, from deep tissue massages to gentleman’s facials, sugar hair removal, and even airbrush tanning, using only medical-grade organic products. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable and will teach you how to swap your toxic facial cleanser with a natural product that uses fruit enzymes instead. Who knew? Inquire with staff about the spa’s COVID policies when making an appointment.
Leave a Reply