I’ve wanted to visit the Ojai Valley for a while. A few years ago, we planned a trip with Indy but had to cancel due to his health. This year we finally made it to Ojai – twice.
On a warm June day after battling freeway traffic, we reached the peaceful Ojai Valley. We settled in at the hotel and took a short walk to the main street of town which led right to Topa Topa Brewing Co. We grabbed a table, sampled local beers, and people/dog watched until the sun set.
We spent the next few days checking out the museums, shops, restaurants, and views – oh, and trying more beer.
Ojai Museums & Arts
Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is in the former home of Beatrice Wood, an artist and writer who passed away in 1998 at age 105. She had an independent spirit and lived a fascinating life. Her later years inspired the character Rose in the movie Titanic – very cool! (About Beatrice Wood)
The Center is a short drive from town through winding hills that reveal beautiful views. I could have spent hours exploring Beatrice’s home – there was so much to see. Some rooms were packed with treasures she collected throughout her life. Some rooms displayed rotating exhibits in various mediums like ceramics and fiber. The fun continued outside with all manner of sculptures throughout the gardens.
My favorite part was Beatrice’s art studio – a detached building packed with tools, colorful pigments, glazes, clay, and sculptures. It reminded me of my mom’s studio.
Ojai Valley Museum
The Ojai Valley Museum tells the story of Ojai starting with the earliest inhabitants – the Chumash – through the missionaries, ranchers, entrepreneurs, artists, and philosophers who shaped the town. The history nerd in me wanted to like the museum, but I didn’t really connect with the exhibits. Maybe I will give it another try next time we visit Ojai.
Shopping in Ojai
Although Ojai is a small town, it is a good destination for shopping enthusiasts. There are no chain stores because the city created an ordinance that prohibits chain businesses.
On our first day out and about we got infused balsamic vinegars at Carolina Gramm, local honey at Heavenly Honey, and gently used books at the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation
The next day, I set off alone to check out the clothing and accessory shops. I got a t-shirt and hair accessories at New Leaf and beads for a future necklace at Blanche Sylvia. Then I fell in love with the vibrant clothes at Danski.
Goodbye Ojai – for now…
When we got home, I had Beatrice Wood on my mind, so I browsed the Center’s website. Something caught my eye – an upcoming ceramics workshop to make a goddess sculpture. The workshop was on the one-year anniversary of Indy’s death. I knew it would be a tough day for us and thought the workshop could be a good diversion. So, we planned a return trip to Ojai in November.
Hello Again Ojai
A fortunate freeway onramp closure took us on an alternate route to Ojai – a scenic, traffic free drive on Pacific Coast Highway. Lesson learned – no more freeways for north bound road trips. We checked in to the same room at Su Nido Inn and headed to Topa Topa for a beer.
The Ceramics Workshop
After we registered for the ceramics workshop, I spent several months thinking about what kind of goddess statue to create. I scoured Pinterest and found lots of inspiration. Then the perfect idea popped into my head. In memory of Indy, I will create a goddess of the animals. No – she will be in memory of all the dogs in my life: Juno, Piper, Cain, and Indy. The goddess will be named her after the two female dogs – Juno and Piper – her name will be Junoper. She will be part human and part animal and have a tail and antlers. Since I have never worked with ceramics, I thought it would be best to keep the body shape simple. Michael also pondered his goddess statue, looked at a bunch of photos online, and decided to create an Asherah pole.
Goddess sculptures by talented artists
The workshop started with a demonstration from the instructor Maryann Cord. There were also several beautiful sculptures made by artists for inspiration. Then we gathered clay and tools and started to create our goddesses. Maryann was always available to answer questions, help with challenges, and provide encouragement. After a few hours, everyone took a break and enjoyed a huge, delicious vegetarian lunch prepared by the Center’s director (thank you Kevin!). Before we resumed work, Maryann demonstrated various pigments and glazes that we could use.
Working with ceramics was more challenging than I expected, so I put my plan for Junoper on hold and made a simple figure. I don’t like how my goddess turned out, but I don’t hate it for a first try. I may create Junoper out of polymer clay one day.
Michael also changed his plan and made a goddess who resembles a sculpture we have at home. The head has a blank space to affix one of mom’s polymer clay faces. Before the trip, I brought up the idea of trying to incorporate some of mom’s unfinished work. I pulled out a container of polymer clay faces, and Michael found new inspiration. Mom would be happy.
At the end of the day, we placed our sculptures on a shelf in Beatrice’s studio, where the staff will fire them in the kiln. We will plan a future trip back to Ojai to pick up our goddesses.
Shopping & Wine Tasting
On the previous trip I didn’t have a chance to visit some shops nor the tasting rooms. So, I made sure to plan ample time for shopping and wine tasting. I had two leisurely afternoons browsing, shopping, and sipping while Michael napped at the hotel. I returned to my favorite clothes shop, Danski, browsed the shelves at Bart’s Books, found some new stores (Sunday Designs and Sanctum) and got a few gifts at OVA Arts and Soul Tonic. Whew – then it was time to relax with a flight at Ojai Vineyard and Majestic Oak Vineyard.
Meditation Mount
Meditation Mount is a nonprofit organization that promotes building an enlightened and compassionate world. The center is open for group meditation, sound baths, and independent visits on designated days by reservation. We went for an afternoon visit and took a leisurely walk along the path that circles the property. It is a peaceful place with lovely views of the Ojai valley. Next time, hopefully we can attend a sound bath.
Ojai Restaurants
We ate out a few times and mostly got take away. A few of our favorites are below.
Sama Sama
Ojai Pizza Company
Tres Hermanas
The Nest
Ojai Beverage Company
Where We Stayed
Su Nido Inn
Although the décor at Su Nido Inn is not our style, we really liked the amount of space, homey vibe, amenities (kitchen goodies and Molton Brown toiletries), and central location.
Impressions of Ojai
I’m glad we finally made it to Ojai. Aside from the beach, there is a little of everything that I enjoy: nature, art, wine tasting, and shopping. (One thing we weren’t able see was the Ojai Raptor Center due to their schedule. We will plan our goddess pick up accordingly so we can visit.) The small-town atmosphere is a nice change of pace from Los Angeles.
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