Ojai

Sure, it’s February and I may be a little late, but it feels great to final go through all my photos from 2016 and reflect.

Last July I made a trip to Ojai, CA for the opening of Caravan Outpost. I was around in the very early days, camping on a dirt lot dreaming of an oasis. Matt, our dear friend, Brandon, and a few of their business partners spent the first half of 2016 building Outpost. The Fourth of July we celebrated all their hard work! Tommy Guerrero came to play. Caravan Outpost is an Airstream lovers dream - I've shared some of my favorite trailers below. 

If you haven’t been to Ojai yet, something about it is magical and I suggest going! About an hour north of LA and 15 minutes inland from Ventura, they call Ojai (pronounced oh-hi) the Valley of the Moon. Originally inhabited and named by the Chumash tribe. The city is small, they don’t allow big business or chain stores, allowing the art + culture to be the core.  It is a small farming community with a huge focus on organic produce so needless to say; there is no shortage of delicious food!

The old train track became the bike path, it runs the length of town and you can ride it all the way to Ventura. The best way to see Ojai is by bicycle! I’ve had a handful of awesome trips and I’d like to make some recommendations on things to do + see.

Stay at Caravan Outpost or the Ojai Rancho Inn (and the Capri once Shelter Social Club is done remodeling it!)

Be sure to go have a beer or glass of wine at the Chiefs Peak poolside bar, where the friendly staff is always spinning vinyl. Check their calendar, too, as many Sundays they do Folk Steady or other weekend events. Last year the Topa Mountain Winery opened, we’ve had some relaxing afternoons hanging on their patio + playing bocce ball in the yard.

There is some great shopping in Ojai, definitely make the time to go to In the Field and Fig! Caravan Outpost has a camp shop with lots of treasures to be found, from sweet blankets, vinyl, to jewelry and foraged goods like boots + hats + bags. Probably my favorite place in Ojai is Bart’s Books – arguably one of the best used book stores in the country!

Every Sunday morning is the Farmers Market and it’s the best! There is wonderful hiking trails and I suggest making the drive up to Meditation Mount. 

The places I can’t wait to eat every time I’m back – Farmer & The Cook (actually in Meiners Oak), Knead Bakery, Hip Vegan, Osteria Monte Grappa.