Wanderlust Files: Ojai Valley Inn

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

My list of destinations is everywhere and endless.  I drive everyone around me crazy with all the reading and research I do, and mostly sharing of that information.  The sense of longing for new experiences and adventure keeps me going in difficult times and reminding me there is always something out there to experience and savor.  I’m just one of those people who always needs some adventure to plan or look forward to.  This summer I made a “F”ucket list (very similar to a bucket list, perhaps more time sensitive in urgency). Ojai Valley Inn was one of the places on my before 2021 is over “F” list.

Ojai may not seem like a must go destination to many. It is a small, sleepy community nestled in the hills about 30  minutes outside Santa Barbara and about four hours from my home in the Palm Springs area. (4 hour radius makes it practically in my backyard.) Ojai does not make the hot lists of must travel to places, but should as it is perfect for those traveling solo, families, girls or guys weekends away from the spouse, or romantic escapes.

The moment I arrived at Ojai Valley Inn I knew I was in a magical, mystical place. The summer air was filled with jasmine, lavender and a hint of ocean breeze.  The flora and fauna was in full bloom and my senses were in heaven. It felt as if I had transported to some small village in Spain. It reminded me of a summer excursion to Mallorca.

Ojai Valley Inn is one of those places you immediately feel comfortable and wonder if you could actually afford to live in your hotel room permanently – ala Eloise at The Plaza, except as an adult who can order a tipple here and there, and knows the value of a good massage, room service and pool boy bringing you drinks.  My room had been freshly renovated and I was the first guest to stay in it since the renovation (it had new room smell = hotel equivalent of new car smell). All rooms have views of the valley, and on a clear day you can see the ocean.  The marine layer makes morning coffee on the balcony one of those  surreal experiences that you haul your rear out of bed to experience.  It helps that the in-room coffee service is illy and you can hear the birds singing as you watch the sun creep over the hills and the day start to blossom in front of you.

The resort offers 8 dining options, including a fine dining and a residency program for visiting chefs at The Farmhouse.  From first class cocktails, an incredible wine list that was reasonably priced (surprisingly so), appetizers, pool side nibbles, casual fair to healthy spa food – the resort literally has something for everyone.  Not one dining experience was disappointing and the food exceeded my expectations at all the meals for the three days/nights I stayed at the property.

Ojai Valley Inn boasts a world class spa. The facilities are tastefully modern with a hint of traditional class and sensibility thrown in from the locker room, to the quiet pool and the tranquil relaxing room while waiting pre or post massage/facial.  The staff was incredibly friendly and took all the precautions to make  you feel safe in a post-Covid world. In an ideal world, I would have had treatments every day, but because this was a spur of the moment trip I took the only appointment available.  I would recommend to any visitors, do a little pre-trip planning and book treatments in advance and your activities around the treatments.

The golf course at Ojai Valley Inn was one of the first golf courses built in Southern California in 1923 under the direction of George C. Thomas, Jr. and Billy Bell, the course was hailed as “a marvel of golfing architecture.” Thomas, who also designed courses at the Riviera, Bel-Air and Los Angeles country clubs, had two initial considerations for the Ojai course: “…that the average golfer could enjoy his round without too great a penalty, and that a test must be afforded requiring the low-handicap man to play fine golf in order to secure pars.”  The course has a fun celebrity history, including Michael Douglas and Bing Crosby, and a few lost holes to add to the legendary course.  I didn’t indulge in a round of golf this time, but did take advantage of the excellent driving range to practice my swing. Next trip I will definitely sign up for lessons from their pro’s.

For those tennis fanatics, they have a great tennis program and courts available for play and lessons. No need to bring your rackets – they have them!

Last but not least in this overview of the perfect escape, the shopping.  This is seriously curated boutique shopping.  Yes, you can buy that dorky tee-shirt to bring home (they have those) but even better pick up a cashmere shawl, or great silk dress, or bathing suit. If you’re a golfer, super great clothes, shoes and gear.  Chef, no worries, great cookbooks to inspire you and local ingredients to bring some Ojai home with you. The jewelry is also pretty amazing and out of my price range, but if you’re with someone special and they forgot a gift for your birthday or anniversary you’ll never suspect with the selections available.

A few tips to make the most of your stay:

-Make sure to check the website for a full list of activities available each day in advance of your stay. These activities include art classes, tennis and golf clinics, honey and olive oil tastings, etc.

-Book your spa appointments in advance and plan your day around those appointments.

-If you are interested in the Chef Residency Programs at the Farmhouse, those have to be booked in advance and have limited availability. They are prepaid and non-refundable, so planning is a must.

-Olivella, the fine dining restaurant on property books quickly and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

-Private cabanas can be booked in advance, and an afternoon poolside with drinks is ideal for the overworked/overstressed individual.

-Make sure to find out what time is optimal viewing for the “Pink” hour, it’s usually posted by the valet each day.

-Firepits can be booked in advance for evening cocktails or S’mores.

-Ojai has a lot of great bike trails and the resort has bikes you can use to take on the trails and picnic in the area.

-This is the perfect place to go and unwind, no reason to leave the property, so try to plan at least three nights.