The 7 Best Things to Do in Ojai California: My Top Activities in 2026

California is packed with cool little towns like Ojai, which I visited this past summer. And while I definitely wouldn’t describe Ojai as an activity-filled destination where you’re running from one attraction to the next all day, I still had such a fun time here.

That’s right, Ojai doesn’t have a crazy amount of things to do, but I don’t think that’s a negative thing at all. This is a place where you’re supposed to slow down a little, relax and actually enjoy yourself.

So even though I didn’t spend my weekend doing super active activities every single day, I still managed to fit in some really fun wine tastings, a yoga class, an amazing spa treatment, and a little bit of hiking. For me, Ojai is basically the perfect place for a treat-yourself kind of weekend getaway.

And because I think it’s important to come here with the right expectations, I’ve put together this guide to the best things to do in Ojai, including the activities I personally did as well as a few more active options if you’re the type of person who needs to get out and do something.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Ojai? My Quick Answer

For me, my weekend in Ojai was definitely more about NOT being active and actually not doing that much, which is why most of the activities on this list are pretty low-key.

But I know some of you just have that urge to get out there and do something, so I’ve also included a few more physical activities for those of you who don’t want to spend the entire weekend sitting by the pool drinking wine. 

I really came here with relaxation and treating myself as the main priorities, so my two favorite experiences were definitely the spa day at Ojai Valley Inn and doing yoga at Meditation Mount.

I didn’t actually stay at Ojai Valley Inn because, yikes, the rooms are expensive, but you can get a day pass for the spa, which was a much more affordable way for me to experience it. And Meditation Mount has one of the most beautiful settings I’ve come across, with incredible views over the valley.

For something a little more active, we also did the Fox Canyon Trail, which took us a couple of hours round trip and was a really nice way to get out into nature.

And if you want something even more adventurous, a few friends recommended Circle Bar B Stables for horseback riding. Apparently it’s awesome, but unfortunately, I just didn’t have enough time to fit it into my weekend.

My Top Things to Do in Ojai California

1. Visit Bart’s Books

One of the reasons I wanted to come to Ojai in the first place was actually Easy A, the high school movie with Emma Stone that was filmed here haha. But more importantly, I’d heard about Bart’s Books, which is apparently the largest independently owned outdoor bookstore in the world. How cool is that?!

Visiting this place was one of the highlights of my entire time in Ojai. I love reading, I love bookstores, and I love wandering around libraries, so this was basically a little dream come true for me.

The whole bookstore is super quirky, with loads of little aisles, different rooms, outdoor shelves and books absolutely everywhere. You can easily spend way more time here than you think because there’s always another little corner to explore.

And even if you’re not much of a reader, I’d still recommend stopping by. It’s just such a fun and unusual place to walk around and have a look.

2. Enjoy a Spa Treatment at Ojai Valley Inn

One of the most famous hotels in Ojai is Ojai Valley Inn, and honestly, the whole place is absolutely stunning. You’ve got beautiful Spanish Revival-style architecture and a gorgeous pool area overlooking the valley.

Unfortunately, staying there was way outside my own budget. But if it’s within yours, then hey, you absolutely have to go for it!

New good news is you don’t necessarily have to stay at the hotel to enjoy the property. They also have a huge spa, and I found out that you can get a day pass for around $150, which gave me access to the spa facilities.

I spent the afternoon using the sauna and steam room, getting a massage, and hanging out around the pool, and it was soooo worth it.

3. Hike the Fox Canyon Trail

There are quite a few hiking trails around Ojai, which makes sense considering the town is surrounded by mountains and sits right in this beautiful valley.

The hike we did, and one that quite a few people had recommended to us, was Fox Canyon Trail in the Valley View Preserve.

The whole hike took us around two hours there and back. It isn’t a loop, so you’ll have to turn around and backtrack once you reach the top, but I actually really enjoyed it.

There’s a decent incline, although nothing too crazy, so it felt like a good little workout without completely destroying me. And then, once you get further up, you get some incredible views over Ojai and the valley.

4. Join a Wine Tasting in Ojai

There are plenty of amazing wineries and vineyards around Ojai, so naturally, you’ll also find some really cool wine bars and tasting rooms right in town.

We did a couple of wine tastings while we were here, which I really enjoyed. I’d already been to countless wineries around San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara during our California road trip, so obviously, when I got to Ojai, I had to try some wine here too.

We did one tasting at Majestic Oak Vineyard, which is right in town and has a really cozy outdoor seating area. I really liked it here, but the tasting I actually preferred was at Ojai Roots.

Technically, Ojai Roots is more of a farm shop, but they also have a really cool outdoor area where you can sit down, drink their wine and order little cheese boards. It felt much more casual than a traditional winery tasting, which I really liked.

5. Do Yoga at Meditation Mount

Meditation Mount is a sanctuary just outside Ojai with beautiful grounds surrounded by nature and some absolutely incredible views over the valley.

And I’ll be honest, this is one of the most peaceful places I’ve been to in a very long time. Everything about the setting just makes you want to take a deep breath for a minute.

I joined a morning yoga class with Lee Ann, and she led a really relaxing and meditative yoga session. I was a huge fan!

It also fit perfectly into the kind of weekend I was having in Ojai. After the spa, wine tastings, good food and generally doing very little, a quiet morning of yoga surrounded by nature was basically exactly what I needed.

6. Do an Olive Oil Tasting at Ojai Olive Oil

Besides wine, Ojai is also known for its olive oil, so I of course had to try that too.

You can find Ojai Olive Oil at the Sunday morning farmers’ market in town, which is worth checking out anyway, but we decided to visit their actual farm instead.

The farm itself is beautiful, and it made the whole olive oil tasting feel like much more of an experience than just trying a few different oils at a market stall.

The farm is open for walk-ins seven days a week from 10 AM to 4 PM, and we did a really casual tasting right there. It cost us around $15, and of course, we ended up buying a bottle of olive oil afterward because I couldn’t resist.

7. Go Horseback Riding in Indian Canyon

And lastly, we have the only activity on this list that I actually didn’t do myself: horseback riding.

I’ve never really been much of a horse person, although I did recently go horseback riding with my family in Colorado and absolutely loved it. So looking back, I actually wish I would’ve made time for it in Ojai too.

I’ve heard really good things about Circle Bar B Stables, which offers guided horseback rides from their ranch near Ojai through the Indian Canyon.

And from everything I’ve seen, the scenery looks absolutely gorgeous. You’re out in nature, riding through the canyon with the mountains and valley around you, so it sounds like a really fun way to spend a few hours outside.

FAQs About What to Do in Ojai California

What Is There to Do in Ojai?

Ojai is definitely more of a relaxing weekend destination, with wine tastings, spa days and good food. But there’s also a pretty decent amount of hiking and other outdoor activities around Ojai, including horseback riding, biking and more.

Is Ojai Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! I loved Ojai, and I think it’s perfect for a day trip or a one-night weekend stay. My favorite parts were definitely the beautiful spa at Ojai Valley Inn and the wine tasting we did at Ojai Roots.

Should I Stay One Night in Ojai?

Yes, I definitely think you should, especially because there are so many amazing boutique hotels and quirky places to stay around Ojai.

I actually think the accommodation can be part of the experience here. You’re not necessarily coming to Ojai to pack your days with activities, so having a really cool hotel or unique place to stay makes the whole trip that much more enjoyable.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Ojai?

I’d say spring and fall are probably the best times to visit since you’ll generally get milder temperatures. I’ve heard that summers can get pretty hot, although I visited Ojai in July and actually had perfect weather.

What Are the Best Hikes in Ojai?

There are quite a few great hikes around Ojai, but the Fox Canyon Trail was probably my favorite. It has some amazing views over the valley, and the whole hike only took us around 2 hours.

Final Thoughts on the Best Activities in Ojai

I can only repeat myself here, but when I visit Ojai, I’m not coming here to be busy all day. In fact, it’s pretty much the opposite.

I want to relax, slow down, and not feel like I have to be doing something every five minutes. So things like wine tastings, spa days, good food, coffee, shopping and just enjoying a beautiful hotel are much more my priority.

Of course, there are plenty of more active things to do too. There’s hiking, biking, horseback riding and all kinds of outdoor activities around the valley, so you can definitely make your trip more active if that’s what you’re into.

But for me, that’s not really the main draw of Ojai.

I hope this guide on the best things to do in Ojai gave you a good idea of how to fill your weekend and, more importantly, what to actually expect when you get there.

Check Out My Other Ojai Guides

Is Ojai Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Where to Stay in Ojai California: My Favorite Hotels & Areas

Things to Do in Ojai: The Best Activities I Did

The Best Time to Visit Ojai: My Seasonal Guide

The Best Restaurants in Ojai: My Top Foodie Spots

The Best Coffee Shops in Ojai: My Absolute Favorite Cafes

Day Trip to Ojai: How I Spent 24 Hours in Ojai