The Perfect Day Trip to Ojai California: How I Spent 24 Hours Here in 2026

Going on little day trips around California and exploring smaller, less touristy towns was definitely one of my favorite things I did last summer.

One of my favorite little California towns I visited was Ojai, and it’s basically the perfect size for a day trip. There isn’t a huge amount of sightseeing to get through, but there’s just enough to easily fill a day with cute cafes, wine bars, shopping, flea markets, spas and good food.

So, to show you guys how you can do a day trip to Ojai California, I put together this guide with some of my favorite things to do, places to eat, and how I’d personally spend a perfect day here.

Day Trip to Ojai California – My Experience

I actually spent two nights in Ojai, but looking back, I don’t think I needed quite that long. For me, a day trip or one-night stay would have been more than enough, which is also why I wanted to put together this 24-hour itinerary.

For us, Ojai worked best as a sort of spa-meets-treat-yourself getaway. I didn’t feel like there was a huge amount going on in terms of activities, so instead of trying to fill every hour with something to do, I just wanted to relax and enjoy the town.

We had some really good coffee, went out for wine and dinner, did a bunch of shopping and thrifting, and I also treated myself to a spa day, which was awesome. The spa at Ojai Valley Inn is incredible and, if you’re willing to spend the money, definitely worth checking out.

So yes, Ojai absolutely works as a day trip. You can arrive in the morning, spend the day walking around town, eating, drinking, shopping and maybe squeezing in a spa treatment before heading home in the evening.

But if you have the time, I’d personally stay one night. There are so many unique and quirky places to stay in Ojai, from super-luxurious spa resorts to boutique hotels and even Airstreams (Campers).

Everything You Need to Know Before an Ojai Day Trip

Pick the Right Time of Year

I’d definitely recommend thinking about when you visit Ojai, especially if you’re planning on spending a lot of time outside.

We visited in summer, and while I personally really enjoyed it, it definitely got pretty hot at times. From what I’ve seen, spring and fall are generally a little more comfortable, especially if you want to do some hiking or spend most of the day walking around town.

Decide If You Want to Stay the Night

I personally think Ojai works perfectly fine as a day trip, but I also think the hotels in Ojai are cool enough to make staying one night worth it.

We stayed at the Emerald Iguana Inn, which was super cool and quirky, and honestly, the hotel itself was a pretty big part of why I enjoyed our stay so much.

And if you want to go all out, the Ojai Valley Inn is supposed to be one of the most impressive hotels in the area. I didn’t stay there myself, but after seeing it, I definitely understand why people come to Ojai specifically for the hotel experience.

Ojai Is Tiny

This is probably the biggest thing to know before coming here: Ojai is really small.

It honestly only took us about an hour to properly explore the downtown area. There are some cute shops, cafes and restaurants, but you’re not going to spend three days wandering around trying to see every major attraction because there just aren’t that many.

And that’s totally fine! Just make sure you come with the right expectations. This is not a place where you need a jam-packed itinerary from morning until night.

Ojai Can Be Expensive

This is obviously just my own perception, but I did think Ojai was a little expensive for what it is, especially when it came to accommodation.

I’ve also seen people describe Ojai as somewhat gentrified, with higher prices around things like art, restaurants and the whole bohemian side of town. I can definitely understand where that perception comes from, although I wouldn’t say that everything we did was crazy expensive.

My Itinerary for an Ojai Day Trip

Morning: Breakfast & Bart’s Books

Needless to say, every morning for me in Ojai started pretty much the same way: find a coffee shop I like, have a slow breakfast, and drink a good cup of coffee.

There are two places I’d highly recommend for this, and luckily, both have awesome outdoor patios, which I loved because I’m always happy when I can have breakfast outside.

The first one I tried was Three Birds, where I had some fantastic coffee and really enjoyed the whole atmosphere. The other one I’d recommend is Highly Likely Ojai, which also had great coffee but a much more substantial breakfast menu. I had the huevos rancheros here, and they were super good.

Both cafes are also located pretty close to Bart’s Books, which is one of the coolest and quirkiest places in Ojai. It’s the largest independently owned outdoor bookstore in the world, and the whole place is basically a maze of little book-filled rooms, shelves and corners.

I didn’t end up buying anything because, well, I already had enough stuff in my suitcase, but even if you’re not really a book person, I still think it’s worth checking out.

Midday: Explore Downtown & Go Shopping

After breakfast, it’s time to actually explore downtown Ojai.

We left our car near Bart’s Books, where we found free curbside parking, and then just walked over toward the main street. And this is where I probably spent way too much time shopping.

The downtown area is really beautiful too, with all the Spanish Revival architecture, whitewashed walls and red roofs that make Ojai feel so distinctly Californian.

There were a bunch of little shops I really liked. Sunday’s and Fig are right next to each other and both have some really cool and quirky souvenirs, while Finding Fleas is the place to go if you’re into random vintage stuff. And trust me, Ojai has plenty of it.

And if you’re already in the mood for an early afternoon drink (I mean, we’re on vacation, come on), I’d definitely stop at Topa Topa Brewing Co. I’d already been to their brewery in Santa Barbara and loved it, so obviously I had to check out the Ojai location too.

Afternoon: Enjoy a Spa Treatment at the Ojai Valley Inn (+ Alternatives)

The Spa at Ojai Valley Inn has got to be one of the best spas in town. There’s a huge pool, saunas, massages and all the other things you’d expect from a proper luxury spa, but I thought it’s the location that really makes it special.

The outdoor pool area looks out over the mountains and the valley, and it’s just such a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon.

You can obviously stay at the Ojai Valley Inn itself, although I’ll be honest, when I saw the price tag for the rooms here, I had to gag for a second. But you can also book a day pass for the spa, which is a much more affordable way to experience it without staying at the resort.

Just make sure you book as early as humanly possible because I imagine those day passes can fill up pretty quickly.

If spa treatments aren’t your thing whatsoever, there are definitely some more active options too. Ojai has some really nice hiking around the valley, and I can highly recommend Fox Canyon Trail, which has some beautiful views.

Evening: Dinner + Wine Tasting

I’ve always enjoyed a glass of wine and visiting vineyards, but I really got into it while traveling around California, especially around San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. I went to quite a few different wineries and did a bunch of tastings.

So naturally, I had to fit a wine tasting into my day in Ojai.

We went to the tasting room for Majestic Oak Vineyard, which is right on the main street, Ojai Avenue, and it has a super cute little outdoor patio where we did a fantastic wine tasting.

And then, because apparently one drink-related activity wasn’t enough for the day, we headed to Pinyon for dinner, which is just a couple of minutes down the road.

We had some really good Italian food here. I think their pizzas might actually be the best pizza in Ojai, and I also had their Italian meatballs, which were delicious.

And of course… more wine.

FAQs About a Day Trip to Ojai

Is Ojai Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! I think Ojai is the perfect place for a day trip or one-night getaway where you can treat yourself a little with good food, wine, a spa afternoon and a nice hotel.

What Is There to Do in Ojai?

Not a ton, at least when it comes to actual activities. If you want to be active, there’s some great hiking around Ojai, including Fox Canyon Trail, but I think most people come here for a more relaxing kind of getaway.

Is Ojai Expensive to Visit?

It definitely can be. I’m usually not someone who cares too much about over-the-top luxury, but I do think Ojai is more fun with a slightly bigger budget.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can actually enjoy the things that make Ojai such a fun getaway: a nice hotel, a spa afternoon, wine tasting, a good dinner and maybe a few cocktails along the way.

How Many Days in Ojai Do I Need?

I think one day in Ojai, or two at the absolute most, is plenty.

Personally, I’d recommend staying one night. Arrive early, spend the whole day exploring, stay somewhere nice, get breakfast the next morning, and then head off home.

Final Thoughts on My 1-Day Ojai Itinerary

I can only say that I absolutely loved my time in Ojai, but I definitely didn’t need the two nights we spent here.

Don’t get me wrong, it was really nice having the extra time, especially because our hotel was so cool, but looking back, one night would have been enough for me, and that’s what I’d recommend to most people.

The main exception would be if you’re coming for one of the bigger events, like the Ojai Wine Festival or Ojai Lavender Festival, or if you specifically want to stay at one of the amazing hotels here and actually spend some time enjoying the property.

But if your main goal is to see Ojai itself, I just don’t think there’s enough going on to fill an entire weekend for me.

I hope this guide on a day trip to Ojai gave you a good idea of what there is to do here and how many days in Ojai you actually need.

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