Looking for an easy escape from the hustle and bustle of LA? Whitney Reed shares her complete guide on where to shop, dine, stay and explore in Ventura City & Ojai. Read on to discover her favorite locally run hidden gems.
Best places to eat in Ventura (including some kid friendly)?
Ventura:
- Fluid State – enjoy draft craft beers & sourdough bread
- Rumfish y Vino – downtown’s Central American cuisine & gastro-bar. This is the second location, outside of the original location in Belize.
- Beach House Fish (on the Pier) – tapas bar & seafood menu for daily catches. With stunning views on the water and the neighboring Channel Islands – you can’t go wrong with this location.
- Casa De Soria – a local landmark from the 1950’s, they serve the best Mexican in town
- Paradise Pantry – gourmet small plates, sandwiches & wines with a small market
- Spencer Makenzie’s – fish tacos to die for!
- Frontside Cafe – clean, quality food with a balanced menu – enjoy your meal in the open, airy and bright ambiance
Ojai:
- Pinyon – family & friend run wood-fired pizzeria bakery & natural wine shop
- Beacon Coffee – roasts high quality micro-lots from family-owned farms around the world
- Tipple & Ramble – specializes in indoor/outdoor decor, entertaining wares, small batch specialty food items, games, and vintage and new barware
- Agave Maria’s – authentic Mexican
- Papa Lennon’s – family owned pizzeria
- Farmer and the Cook – organic Mexican cafe & market
- Bonnie Lu’s – charming cafe serving home-cooked comfort food & breakfast all day
- Boccali’s – family owned and operated pizza & pasta restaurant
Best places to shop for mom and bebe?
Ventura for Baby & Mom:
- Findings Market 🙂 – a multi-faceted platform that supports and features local creatives & independent designers. Whitney highlights a carefully curated collection of emerging artists and inspiring brands both in her brick-and-mortar store along with at their Fairs & Markets.
- Contrast – Mid Century Modern furniture, vintage clothing & specialty surfboards
- Enid & Edgar Vintage – vintage clothing, records & books
- Timbre – neighborhood bookstore in Ventura
Ventura for kids:
- Little Bird – baby & kids consignment shop
- Brooklyn Charm – custom design jewelry shop
Ventura for mom:
- Passport Habits – created from a dream to break down barriers, shop gorgeously unique pieces lovingly made by real people all over the world
- Tiki Girl – designer swimwear, clothing, gifts & beauty goods
- Folke – meticulously curated vintage furniture boutique offering a focused collection of mid-century modern pieces and new home decor items that blend together their Scandinavian and California aesthetic
- Iron & Resin – handmade gear meant for a purpose & strictly built to last
Ojai:
- Kids of the Canyon – a place for parents to shop & kids to play
- Bungalow by FIG – Find a little bit of everything: handcrafted garden decor, plants & planters, beautiful textiles, ceramics and glassware, bags, locally made jewelry, candles, natural bath and body goods, baby items, cards & paper products, home decor, and so much more
- Bart’s Books – world’s largest outdoor bookstore
- Pixie’s General Store – specialty gift store for mama, kiddos & more!
- Ali Golden – embodiment of the modern urban uniform
- Summer Camp – home & lifestyle goods, vintage, plants & custom framing
- Ride or Dye – naturally plant dyed vintage & clothing
Best places to enjoy nature with kids?
- Mondo’s Beach in Ventura
- Harmon Canyon in Ventura
- Ventura Botanical Gardens in Ventura
- Ventura River Preserve in Ojai
- Taft Gardens in Ojai
Best places to enjoy art?
- First Friday at Bell Arts Factory in Ventura – live art & music, special exhibits &
- Porch Gallery in Ojai – artist created products, books, chocolates & unique gifts
- Ojai Museum – history, art & culture of the Ojai Valley
- Sally England Studio in Ojai – gorgeous fiber art
- Local pop-up markets
Best places to stay?
Ventura:
- Waypoint – unique hotel and outdoor experience from the comfort of luxuriously restored vintage trailers overlooking the pier
- Ventura Beach Marriott – two blocks from the ocean
- Crowne Plaza – beachfront location
Ojai:
- Caravan Outpost – enjoy nature in one of the 9 airstreams or the tiny house. Walk or bike to all the local restaurants, shops & nearby hiking trails.
- Ojai Rancho Inn – at the base of the Topatopa Mountains, the perfect stay for visitors and locals alike
- Capri Hotel – mid-century modern hotel in downtown Ojai with intentional design and attention to detail
- Lavender Inn and Spa – historic boutique inn, located in the heart of town
- Ojai Valley Inn – sprawling greens, incredible spa & championship golf-course
Camping in Ventura & Ojai:
