With an unhurried small-town bohemian charm and a spiritual and physical connection with nature, living in Ojai means living a life less ordinary. It means beginning the mornings watching the rising sun paint the Topa Topa Mountains in hues of rose and gold. It means leisurely watching the days unfold with strolls through farmer's markets, browsing art galleries and taking hikes through winding trails lined with majestic oaks and fragrant citrus groves. Ojai has long attracted artists, writers, and spiritual seekers, imbuing it with a welcoming, open-minded atmosphere. "People come here for the lifestyle,” says Tonya Peralta, a local Realtor and 4th-generation Ojai resident. “If you’re into art, or yoga, or growing your own food, you can find your own community of like-minded people.
The Ojai Post Office Bell Tower can be seen from all over the community.
Locals enjoy getting together and supporting local business though out Ojai.
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The valley’s spiritual energy
The wellness resorts and yoga studios around the city are not a fad. Ojai Valley’s identity as a site of spiritual pilgrimage can be traced back thousands of years. The native Chumash People believed that Sulphur Mountain — visible to the east of the city — is where the blessings of heaven are brought down to earth. People still come from all over to trek to the top of the mountain — known as Meher Mount — to pay their respects to the Avatar Meher Baba. The city itself gained popularity as a wellness retreat in the 1880s. By the 1920s, it had transformed into a spiritual mecca sought out by artists and freethinkers. This free-spirited environment made Ojai a symbolic location of hippie culture in the 1960s. This identity persists as many locals still refer to their “spiritual connection to the valley” as a fundamental part of living in Ojai.
Mountain trails and posh athletic clubs
Ojai’s popularity with residents, vacationers and celebrity visitors can be attributed to its natural surroundings. The Mediterranean climate doesn’t hurt either, with about 270 sunny days a year and summer temperatures averaging around 70 degrees. Hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding are part of daily life for many residents. Trails are woven throughout the community and lead across the peaks and valleys of the Topa Topa Mountains. Some folks get around town on the Ojai Valley Trail, an old railroad converted into a multi-use trail. It has a paved side for hikers and a dirt side for horseback riders. One of Ojai’s bucket list experiences is viewing “the pink moment” at the peak of Sulphur Mountain, when the sunrise bathes the valley in pink light.
Many residents enjoy posh exercise spaces like the Ojay Valley Athletic Club downtown. This private club has multiple pools and world-class tennis facilities with over a dozen courts. Golfers can play at the historic Ojai Valley Inn and receive luxurious treatments at the renowned spa.
At anytime of the year you will find locals hiking many of Ojai's popular trails.
Ojai sits at the foothills of the Topa Topa Mountains.
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Boutique shopping in downtown Ojai
People don’t just come to Ojai for the nature, of course. The city is also home to one of the most charming downtown areas in all of Southern California. Thanks in part to its ban on chain stores, Ojai boasts a large number of vibrant locally owned shops, from beloved local grocer Westridge, which stocks a wide assortment of Ojai-grown fruit and produce, to iconic open-air bookstore Bart’s Books, which made the BBC’s list of the world’s ten most beautiful bookshops. The local restaurant scene is similarly top-notch, offering a much wider variety of cuisines than expected in a town of roughly 8,000 people. California fusion joint The Dutchess, wagyu-specializing Yume Japanese Burger Cafe and Italian eatery Nocciola are just a few of the many highly rated restaurants found along Ojai Avenue, the town’s main drag. Residents in the mood for an after-dinner drink, have several popular breweries and tasting rooms in town, including Topa Topa Brewing Company where they promise “Good Vibes. Great Beers.”
If you need a good read Bart's Books in Ojai, Ca is the place to stop.
Enjoy a drink from Topa Topa Brewing and the views of Topa Topa Mountains in Ojai.
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Homes hidden in the hills
Ojai’s median price is just over $1.2 million. Mediterranean-inspired, midcentury modern and ranch-style architecture can be seen throughout the city, but settings vary by neighborhood. In Mira Monte, on the city’s south end, homes are tucked into the hills with lots of privacy on wooded lots. Just north in Meiners Oaks, ranch-style homes sit close together on grid streets. Homes in downtown Ojai start on a grid, then spread out on spacious lots farther from Ojai Avenue. Palatial estates with panoramic views south of the Ojai Valley Inn and in the mountains to the north can cost north of $10 million.
Homes throughout Ojai, Ca have stunning mountain views.
Spread out and relax larger ranch style homes in Ojai, Ca.
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Live music and artistic activity
Those looking for a little local entertainment and things to do won’t be disappointed. There are several live music venues in town, including the Libbey Bowl in downtown Ojai’s Libbey Park, which often features major musical acts like Lyle Lovett and Gin Blossoms. There are also several daytime activities available in town, from a large skate park to the Ojai Valley Museum to various art galleries featuring local, national and international artists. With yoga studios on nearly every corner, fresh organic produce available and an emphasis on the mind-body health connection, sustainability is also deeply ingrained in the town's ethos and embraced by residents who passionately support local farms and eco-conscious businesses.
There is a weekly Farmers Market in Downtown Ojai.
The Ojai skate park is loved by many.
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Film-worthy public schools and prestigious private options
The Ojai Unified School District receives a B-plus rating from Niche. The district’s Nordhoff High School was the filming location of the hit Emma Stone movie “Easy A.” Nordhoff gets a B-plus from Niche and prides itself on its rigorous academics and vibrant arts programs. B-rated Topa Topa Elementary is another standout.
Ojai is also home to prestigious private options, like the Thacher School, Niche’s No. 2 best boarding school in California. Thacher students experience a unique combination of rigorous academics, character-building challenges, and standard Ojai activities like hiking and horseback riding. Tuition and boarding can cost almost $80,000 a year.
Topa Topa Elementary School serves students from K-6th grade in Ojai, CA.
Matilija Junior High serves 500+ students from grades 6-8th in Ojai, Ca.
Nordhoff High School serves all of the Ojai valley.
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Commuting to Ventura
Ojai is still somewhat rural at its heart, so major industry and healthcare facilities are limited. The Ojai Valley Community Hospital is a small but well-regarded facility, offering basic and emergency care. For work and bigger city needs, locals head 15 miles south on State Route 33 to Ventura. This proximity to Ventura also means that beach days aren't far away. Besides walking, driving or horseback riding, folks can use the bus to travel along Ojai's main roads. The Santa Barbara Airport is just over 40 miles up the coast for flights.
Locals enjoy walking around the many shops and restaurants in Ojai, Ca.
There is some public transit throughout Ojai.
The Ojai Valley Community Hospital is a small hospital servicing the area.
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