24 Hours in Ojai!

Ojai Rancho Inn; dinner with the "third Firestone Sister," Trisha at Deer Lodge; scenes from Deer Lodge; Knead Bakery; the Farmer and the Cook Organic Market; Meditation Mount; Modern Folk Living boutique; and at the top of the Cozy Dell Trail. 

Ojai has always been a place that holds a lot of intrigue as it is known by many as "the happy valley."  Once years ago, when Mary and Napper were there for a weekend visit, they witnessed a fender bender on the main street and then watched as the drivers got out of their cars, inspected the damage and hugged.  It's true.

When our great friend (also dubbed the third Firestone Sister) Trisha, invited us to come up to explore Ojai for 24 hours, we were thrilled to delve deeper into the happy valley.  After about an hour and a half drive from LA, we arrived at the Ojai Rancho Inn, a red roadside motel that has been given new life by the achingly hip and cool Kenny and Chris of Shelter Social Club.  All three Firestone Sisters has a girl crush on Kenny who checked us in and determined we wanted her to take us shopping and be our friend.   Ojai Rancho Inn is a great affordable option right in the heart of Ojai.  It is around the corner for the luxe Ojai Valley Inn where rooms go for six times the price.  The rooms at Ojai Rancho are clean and gussied up with cool tie dyed curtains, aztec like art and bedspreads and ceramic pendants.  They are not fancy but they are perfectly suited for a few nights in town.  One note is that if you are troubled by noise, the Inn is right on the main road so utilize your white noise app on your iPhone!  And bring your own toiletries.  There is a pool on property and there are plans to convert an old room to a sexy cool pool bar and hang out spot-- can't wait to see!!

For dinner we had burgers to kale salad to fried chicken to bread pudding at the Deer Lodge which has been around since the 1930s.  New owners Pamela and Tom have given the Deer Lodge wings again by offering a new menu that embraces the local, organic, healthy thing while also offering the old faves like mac and cheese and burgers.  Live music is a regular thing here and the mix of clientele is great for people watching.

Knead Bakery is a MUST for breakfast.  The charming family who owns the bakery are smart and sweet and inspiring -- having given up their high powered jobs in the "real world" and settled in Ojai to run this adorable, divine bakery.  We loved everything we put into our mouths here.  Literally everything.  We wish it was round the corner in LA...

Meditation Mount is a short drive up a hill and is a tranquil and gorgeous setting for strolling and well, meditating.  The Farmer and the Cook, a crunchy cool organic grocery/cafe great for exotic local fruits and smoothies.  Papa Lennon's next door serves tasty salads and pizza.

For shopping, there are only two stores you need to hit -- Modern Folk Living which sells everything from fabulous Matta dresses to yoga mats, and Hattie's which sells lovely refined casual women's clothing.

If you're up for a hike, the Cozy Dell Trail was picturesque and offers views of the Ojai valley and surrounding mountains.

All in all, it was a lovely 24 hours in Ojai!  We shall return for further explorations.  xoxoxo