Exploring Ojai: Arts, hiking, funky shopping and travel tips for this hip California town
From Los Angeles, Ojai, Calif., is an easy road trip of 80 miles, but it feels like an eternity away from the hustle and bustle. Nestled among the mountains and orange groves, the peaceful mountain town of Ojai is a true melting pot for artists, musicians and outdoor enthusiasts.
Things to Do
Grab some coffee from Ojai Coffee Roasting Company to get the pep for your day, and stroll the town to check out the local art culture. Ojai is an arts town; there's even space in the city hall where a rotating art exhibit features the work of local artists. Over at The Ojai Art Center, which holds the distinction of being the longest continuously operated multi-disciplinary art center in the United States, you'll find exhibitions, art workshops and theater performances. Wander down Ojai's side sreets to explore the studios of working artists; many of them will open their studios upon request. The Ojai Studio Artists non-profit organization hosts a studio tour in the fall, but can also be a wonderful source for getting closer to the town's art scene.
Besides the arts scene, Ojai is known for its many beautiful parks, and in the middle of it all is Libbey Park. Located in the center of town, Libbey Park is host to many of the city's cultural events, including the Ojai Music Festival, an event with a unique approach that rotates musical directors and a mix of classic and contemporary music.
Video: Exploring Ojai
Ojai's valley location, surrounded by mountains, means amazing hiking trails with gorgeous mountain views and ample opportunities to encounter wildlife. Some of the trails start right in downtown, and there are trails of all difficulty, whether you're seeking a family hike or a quad-burning mountain climb. For a relatively quick excursion that offers easy access to great overlook views of the city, head to the Shelf Road Trail.
All of the hiking is sure to build an appetite, though, so renew your energy with tapas at Azu or a meal at The Garden Terrace. Unsure where to eat? Take an Ojai food tour and you'll find yourself in the kitchens and talking to local chefs and culinary masters.
After lunch, browse the downtown shopping for a bit of Ojai to take home. Most of Ojai's shops and boutiques are located in and around the main shopping arcade right in the center of town. Inside these boutiques, like jewelry maker Love Heals, the focus is on artisan-style quality and uniqueness. You'll find that same sense of curated, quality goods at Rains of Ojai. A fixture in the town since 1914, Rains is filled with kitchen, home and garden accessories, clothing and gifts.
After a day of exploring, shopping and hiking, the luxurious four-hand massages and relaxing yoga classes at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa are a much-deserved treat. Ojai is an active town, and there are plenty of recreational options on this 220-acre luxury resort, including golf and tennis, Pilates workouts, swimming, horseback riding and hiking, art classes and even a camp for any children in the party.
Lodging and Accommodations
Besides the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, which has a number of luxury penthouses in addition to its 308 rooms and suites, Ojai's hotels and lodging options tend to favor smaller, boutique and independently-owned inns and bed-and-breakfast establishments. You'll find even more options if you are willing to spend the night in the nearby (and larger) towns of Ventura and Oxnard, Calif., both of which are on the Pacific coast.
Thank you for joining me on my Ojai adventure. If you would like to find out more about this trip and others like it, visit
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Hidden Gems: The 2686 Kitchen in Ventura, CA
Baby Squid Media's very own Raleigh Mendez, Tish Disabella and Nick Norris visit a local favorite, The 2686 Kitchen. At this hidden gem in Ventura, California, they interview the owners, Joby Yobe and Jorge Alem, and pastry chef, Anastashia Chavez about their restaurant experience and food selections. Dishes served include empanadas, Milanesa Napolitana, Tiramisu cheesecake and other delicious items.
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Directed by Adrian Arroyo
Ojai Olive Oil - An Introduction
Ojai Olive Oil - an introduction to who we are and what we do, by master miller Philip Asquith.
Our organic, permaculture farm is located in southern California's beautiful Ojai Valley, and is family owned and operated. Producing the very best extra virgin olive oil is our passion. Some of our trees are as much as 150 years old, and our groves include varietals not found anywhere else in California. We do everything by hand, including our harvesting and bottling. Our extra virgin olive oils are among the most awarded and recognized in the world. We were honored as the #1 olive oil company in the United States in 2014, receiving top honors from both the California Olive Oil Council and the New York International Olive Oil Competition.
Visit our ranch for free Tours & Tastings, or visit us online to shop for all of your olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and all natural cosmetics needs at ojaioliveoil.com.
Video shot and edited by Chad Ress.
WEEKEND in SANTA BARBARA - TOP 10 THINGS TO SEE and DO - VLOG (2018)
Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful destinations in California, nicknamed the American Riviera. Located along the Pacific Coast and only 92 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is the perfect weekend destination.
In this vlog, we explore the fun things the city offers, including the Cabrillo bike path, Urban Wine Trail, State Street, historic Spanish colonial architecture, Santa Barbara Zoo, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.
A few months before our visit, this region experienced deadly mudslides and fires, and the area is repairing itself. The community is stronger than ever and there is no better time to visit Santa Barbara. The best way to support the community is through your tourism and patronage of the local businesses. #seeSB
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3. Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
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6. Sunday Arts & Crafts Show
7. Santa Barbara Courthouse
8. Santa Barbara Skate Park
9. Santa Barbara Pier
10. State Street - Dining and Wine
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The Wine Down - The Ag Biz- McGrath Family Farms (Phil McGrath)
EPISODE SYNOPISIS
This week on The Wine Down Sonja and Brandon are joined by Phil McGrath of McGrath family farms to discuss the world of farming and agriculture. Phil explains his family history, when/why he transitioned to organic farming and the importance of fresh,local and seasonal produce. A few video segments highlight McGrath farms and what goes into CSA produce boxes. Continuing on the discussion from a recent wine challenge of finding wines that pair with vegetables, the group taste a few wines alongside several plates featuring seasonal vegetables (courtesy of Restaurant 111).
GUEST BIO
Phil McGrath -- has been farming on the Oxnard plane for over 40 years. He comes from one of the oldest farming families in Ventura County. His great-grandfather began his agricultural legacy back in 1867 when he came to the states from Ireland as a sheep farmer. The family eventually farmed 5,000 acres in Camarillo and Oxnard transitioning from sheep and cattle, to dairy, and then row crops. Phil carried on this tradition of change by transitioning his conventional ag operation to organic agriculture in 1995. He's never looked back. He says he farms in paradise. Today he has a farm stand along the 101 freeway off of Central Avenue in Camarillo. He's a regular at many local farmers markets, including Santa Monica and Hollywood and works directly with many of the city's best restaurants and chefs.
ADDITIONAL LINKS, ETC.
epa.gov/agriculture/torg.html
rodale.com/
localharvest.org/
wwoof.org/
attra.ncat.org/organic.html
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
00:00 Introduction, show intro, guest intro PHIL MCGRATH of McGrath Family Farms in Oxnard, CA
01:40 Background of McGrath family.
03:25 Organic Farming: WHO CREATES IT? WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
05:20 BACKGROUND ON HOW SONJA AND PHIL MET
10:00 ORGANIC: Why is it important?
13:20 Tell us about farming in paradise which has a lot to do with climate but also topsoil and terroir.
17:30 IS IT MORE OR LESS EXPENSIVE TO FARM ORGANICALLY?
18:48 HOW MUCH DOES THE CONSUMER VALUE IT?
19:15 YOU GREW UP ON A FARM BUT WHY DID YOU BECOME A FARMER?
21:20 McGrath family history (book, photos, history).
28:40 VIDEO of Phil discussing the importance of eating locally and seasonally
30:39 HOW HAS FARMING ORGANICALLY CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
32:00 Strawberries used to be seasonal right?
39:00 CSA (community serviced agriculture) program VIDEO : WHAT IS IN THE (CSA) BOX?
45:00 Popular Produce.
45:47 DO CHEFS DETERMINE WHAT YOU ARE GROWING W/THESE TRENDS?
47:20 How do you deal with your seeds? Do you save them?
48:30 BOOK MENTION: FOOD HEROES
50:00 Heirlooms
52:00 Availability
52:11 2 big secrets FRESH and LOCAL!
53:25 THE WINE MISSION: A challenge to pair vegetables with wine.
56:00 pairing wine with food (food provided by RESTAURANT 111 in LA)
61:00 Sonja's Wine Mission
62:36 Brandon's Wine Mission
66:00 How do they select how to blend?
68:24 WRAP UP