Weekend Wanderlust : Ojai
Putting a new twist on this Weekend Wanderlust with a destination that I’ve actually already been to. Usually Weekend Wanderlust is all about the five things I would do first when visiting a new destination. They are the inspiration for traveling there! But don’t worry, this Weekend Wanderlust is true to its name. After our recent trip to Santa Barbara, I’m really wishing that I could travel to Ojai this weekend. I love that whole region of California (Ventura, Montecito, Santa Ynez, Los Alamos) and a trip up there without at least a stop in Ojai is leaving me with wanting more!
So, let the weekend wanderlust begin… OJAI!
SLEEP : We’ve visited Ojai many times but have never stayed overnight. While I would love to say at the Ojai Valley Inn, I would easily settle for a stay at the Ojai Rancho Inn. We’ve loved our many stays at their sister property The Alamo Motel in Los Alamos and I know that we would love our time here.
EAT : When traveling up to Ojai with the kids, they always want to have lunch at Agave Maria. This Mexican restaurant has the perfect patio to enjoy a margarita in the warm valley weather. On our next trip, we will definitely be dining at Little Sama, a Southeast Asian restaurant who’s sister restaurant we fell in love with in Santa Barbara.
DO : No trip to Ojai is complete for me until I stroll through Bart’s Books. This is my favorite second-hand bookstore in the world. Located in an old home, books are tucked into every nook and cranny of the house. The patio is full of bookshelves, there are little, cosy spots to skim through potential buys, and the best part, the kitchen is full of cookbooks for sale.
PLAY : The playground at Libby Park in the center of town is our kids’ favorite. It’s huge with so many different areas and even a parent-powered merry-go-round-like structure!
TREAT : We always finish our day at Ojai Ice Cream. Located across from the playground at Libby Park (genius business placement), it’s unimaginable that we would head home without going there.
Have you been to Ojai? What places do you love there?
