Inside Ojai, California’s “Valley of the Moon,” Where Mountain Views Meet Michelin-Recognized Dining
OJAI, CALIFORNIA – A short drive inland from the Pacific coast, the small town of Ojai has long served as a haven for the arts and outdoor recreation, tucked into the Topatopa Mountains northeast of Santa Barbara. The town’s name comes from a Chumash word meaning moon, giving it the nickname “the Valley of the Moon.”
Despite sitting off California’s main highways, Ojai offers an impressive dining scene with multiple Michelin-recognized restaurants, quirky shops, and a hotel scene that rivals bigger cities nearby. Chris Kandziora, senior vice president at Ojai Valley Inn, said the town offers quiet, natural beauty and a chance to truly slow down.
Walkable Downtown and Outdoor Adventures
At about four square miles, Ojai is compact and walkable. Highlights include the Ojai Valley Museum, housed in a converted church, and Bart’s Books, billed as the largest outdoor bookstore in the world with over 100,000 titles spread across an indoor-outdoor space.
Outdoor options include the 15-mile Ojai Valley Bike Trail, hiking at Valley View Preserve and Shelf Road Trail, and catching the town’s famous “Pink Moment” at sunset, when the Topatopa Mountains glow pink and orange.
Where to Eat and Stay
Top dining picks include Ojai Rotie for Mediterranean fare, The Dutchess for Michelin-recognized Burmese American food, and Rory’s Place, also Michelin-recognized, known for broiled oysters and California king salmon.
For lodging, the Ojai Valley Inn offers 305 rooms, a spa, golf course, and six restaurants. Closer to downtown, Caravan Outpost offers renovated Airstream trailers, while the Blue Iguana Inn and its adults-only sister property, Emerald Iguana Inn, sit just outside town toward the coast.
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