With a population of just 7,500 people, Ojai may not be the most well-known city in California, but it is certainly a notable one. Ninety minutes from Los Angeles, half an hour from Santa Barbara, and 30 minutes from the Coast, the resort town makes a fantastic getaway with picturesque views of mountains and a mild climate.

The Ojai Valley is by no means a new development. Native Americans occupied the area as far back as 13,500 years ago. The Chumash gave the town its name, which in that language means “Moon.” When California joined the union as the 31st state in 1850, settlers quickly moved in and began drilling for oil. A gold rush followed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and an olive oil mill popped up shortly after that. It’s been developing as a destination city with luxury hotels ever since. 

The city celebrates its distinctiveness with several events throughout the year. For instance, April is Ojai Pixie Month, where the entire town offers special discounts and gatherings honoring the harvest of the Pixie Tangerine. That particular small, hyper-sweet tangerine is indigenous to the city’s unique micro-climate. Also, during April, you can check out the Annual Taste of Ojai, a celebration of the arts and music scene. The month of May means Art in the Park, and June brings both the annual Music Festival and Wine Festival; it’s the longest-running wine festival in Ventura County, which raises money for the Rotary Club.

The beautiful scenery is available year-round, however. Just after sundown, an optical phenomenon called the Alpenglow creates what appears to be a reddish glow on the horizon, across from the sun. Also known as the “Pink Moment,” that period has been called enchanting and soothing, with an intoxicating radiance. The glow can be observed from the many hikes and trails near Ojai. The Sulphur Mountain Road ridgeline trail is an easy-to-moderate hike over a gentle trail that lets you see both sides of the Black Mountain’s ridge. The Middle Fork of Matilija Canyon shows off native rock walls, then leads you to a beautiful pond, over to the Three Falls and through a forest of willow and sycamore trees. If you’re an avid hiker, you may try out the strenuous Sisar Canyon Trail, climbing to the top of the Topa Topa bluffs.

Many resorts and hotels give easy access to beautiful trailheads and have overlooks celebrating the beautiful scenery. The Ojai Valley Inn is a five-diamond, award-winning resort and spa with a golf course on site. The Ojai Retreat & Inn has panoramic views from the garden or valley available from a five-acre hilltop. Of course, there’s plenty of fine dining here as well. The Oak Kitchen within the Valley Inn has locally-sourced products, many of which come from the garden on the Inn’s grounds. Olivella is an Italian valley-to-table culinary program; a dining experience rather than just a place to eat. The cuisine is made from seasonal produce harvested from California’s Central Coast. If you’re looking for something more casual, Bonnie Lu’s Country Café is a charming breakfast spot that’s been serving up comfort food since 1995.

Even though Ojai is stunning to view and has a fantastic climate, it isn’t immune to pests. Burrowing rodents, insects, and wildlife still find themselves in places they don’t belong. If that happens to you, contact 101 Gopher & Pest Control. Let the experts handle your pest issues so you can get back to the serenity of the city.