This Guide Will:
- Put you in the shoes of a local without having to play the guessing game
- Provide you with diverse activities and food options for a quick morning in Ojai
The Itinerary - Overview
This itinerary will give you ample time to explore Ojai’s natural beauty and unique charm with a hike from downtown to a popular, scenic trail, while leaving room to experience the one-of-a-kind Bart’s Books and Ojai farmers market, capping it off with a healthy and unique brunch.
| Time | Activity |
| 7 a.m.-8:00 a.m. | Shelf Road Walk/Hike |
| 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m. | Beacon Coffee breakfast |
| 9:30 a.m.- 10 a.m. | Bart’s Books |
| 10:00 a.m.-10:55 a.m. | Ojai Certified Farmers Market |
| 10:55 a.m.-11:05 a.m. | Walk to Hip Vegan |
| 11:05 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hip Vegan brunch |
Shelf Road Walk/Hike
Price: Free
Duration: 1 hour
From Signal Street and Ojai Avenue, head north until you come across a gate, which is the trailhead. Free street parking is available.
Become acclimated to Ojai by catching a view of it in its entirety, bright and early. This unpaved trail will lead you alongside Ojai’s foothills, providing a view of the entire valley. The trail is approximately 1.2 miles in-and-out with small rolling hills. Bring a hat and sunscreen.
Local’s Tip: Ojai is a health-conscious city; early morning exercise is a popular way to work up an appetite.
From the trailhead is a 1 mile walk back to downtown. If you’ve brought a car, simply park along West Matilija Street for the remainder of the morning, and head back to Ojai Avenue and turn right. Beacon Coffee is just passed N. Blanche Street, on the left.
Beacon Coffee
Price: $3 – 10
Duration: 1 hour
Website: www.beaconcoffee.com
Beacon Coffee is Ventura County’s premier coffee roaster, with all of the coffee personally chosen by the owners who visit the small South American farms on which the coffee is grown. The actual roasting location is in Ventura, but recently, Beacon opened a coffeehouse in Ojai that has made regulars out of the locals and the many celebrities who call Ojai home. Sit back and relax with a single-origin brew or
one of many creative, seasonal offerings such as the locally grown lavender-infused mocha, with a freshly baked tart or pastry.
Local’s Tip: Cattywampus Crafts shares a building with Beacon and is a great place to pick up a small project to pass the time over coffee.
From Beacon, cross Ojai Avenue and head up Canada Street toward E. Matilija Street; Bart’s Book will on the left.
Bart’s Books
Price: Varies
Duration: 30 minutes
Website: www.bartsbooksojai.com
Interior of Bart’s Books
Book worms, rejoice: Bart’s Books is a bookstore out of your favorite fantasy novel. The converted home offers shelves upon shelves of books in every genre in a truly unique setting with no ceilings in an open floor, choose-your-own-adventure-style exploration.
Local’s Tip: Should the weather turn dour (very rare!), remember to bring your umbrella inside!
Out of Bart’s, turn left on to E. Matilija Street and proceed for four blocks.
Ojai Certified Farmers Market
Price: Free
Duration: 55 minutes
Website: www.ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com
Ojai Farmers Market
Depending on the season, expect to find unique, organic fruits and vegetables as well as a slew of handmade craft items such as soap and hand-woven baskets, and a plethora of baked goods. One can get lost wandering the booths listening to musicians busk away the morning.
Local’s Tip: Don’t miss out on Freezer Monkeys popsicles featuring unique combination of farmers market flavors as a mid-morning treat.
Head east on Matilija Street and make a right on Montgomery; make a left on Ojai Avenue. We’ll be heading to Hip Vegan now for brunch, which will be on the left passed Park Road.
Hip Vegan
Price: $10-$20
Duration: 1 hour
Website: www.hipvegancafe.com
Exterior of Hip Vegan
They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do, and Ojai locals love vegan fare. There is no better place to get acquainted with the meat-free, dairy-free cuisine than at Hip Vegan, offering wraps, sandwiches and bowls. Don’t miss out on the Ojai Pixie Tangerine cake, when available.
Local’s Tip: The classic burrito with farm-fresh guacamole is a local favorite.
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About the Author:
Chris O’Neal lives in Ventura, 15 minutes from Ojai. He writes for a local newspaper and has lived in Ventura County for 15 years. He can be contacted at chris.oneal13@gmail.com.
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