Ojai's Enduring Allure

With acclaimed dining and a Forbes Five-Star spa sanctuary, Ojai Valley Inn has long elevated the art of the California getaway.

Photography Sarah Prince

Just 33 miles inland from the Santa Barbara coast, Ojai moves at its own inviting pace. Surrounded by the majestic Topatopa Mountains, this sun-drenched valley has long beckoned artists, adventurers, and wellness seekers. 

At the heart of Ojai Valley sits the iconic Ojai Valley Inn, a century-old retreat spread across 220 acres of Mediterranean-inspired beauty. Visitors travel from around the world to witness Ojai’s legendary Pink Moment, but for Santa Barbarans, this storied resort offers an effortless change of scenery. 

A stay at the Inn means never having to leave the oak-studded grounds to experience the finest flavors of the region. The resort’s culinary crown jewel is Olivella, recipient of the Forbes Five-Star dining award, where Chef Andrew Foskey’s valley-to-table menu pairs hyper-local California-Italian cuisine with selections from a 10,000-bottle wine cellar.

Morning begins under the vine-covered pergola at The Oak with fresh-squeezed Pixie tangerine juice and fairway views. Sunday Bluegrass Brunch pairs a lavish spread with live music on the lawn. Elsewhere, Jimmy’s Pub and Libbey’s Market offer casual fare and gourmet picnic provisions. For a deeper taste of Ojai Valley, The Farmhouse offers one-of-a-kind epicurean experiences inspired by the rich agricultural heritage of the valley. As day turns to evening, the Wallace Neff Heritage Bar—Ojai’s most iconic room—serves uncommon libations in a setting rich with history, while the Inn’s popular fire pits invite guests to linger over sunset cocktails and conversation.

True restoration awaits within the white-walled enclave of Spa Ojai, a 31,000-square-foot Spa Village surrounded by rising peaks. Holding its own Forbes Five-Star distinction, Spa Ojai has become a destination in its own right. A hallmark of Spa Ojai is Kuyam, a restorative mud-and-steam ritual that combines desert clays, essential oils, and Chumash-inspired healing traditions. Beyond the treatment rooms, Spa Ojai extends its wellness philosophy through Mind & Body classes ranging from reiki and sound healing to yoga and fitness.

Wellness extends to the adults-only Tranquility Pool, where nourishing fare and fresh-made smoothies are served from the Spa Café, while the nearby Energy Pool provides a more active alternative. The Spa Boutique complements the wellness experience with premium skincare and signature lavender-infused resort apparel. 

The accommodations are designed as private havens, blending Spanish Revival architecture with contemporary elegance. From spacious guestrooms and suites featuring private balconies and outdoor fireplaces to sunlit Paseo Villas beside the Spa Village, each serves as a refined retreat open to the nature of Ojai. For guests seeking additional space and privacy, the Inn’s exclusive collection of Penthouses caters to elegant entertaining, with stone fireplaces and grand French doors framing panoramic valley views.

Tucked away in the hills, yet within effortless reach, Ojai Valley Inn offers a quintessential taste of Ojai—with exceptional dining, restorative wellness, and a deep connection to this serene mountain valley.

ojaivalleyinn.com