Looking for an easy 2-3 night getaway from our home base in Orange County and Ojai may fit the bill. My major concern is comments I've read re an underwhelming restaurant scene. Fresh, well-prepared food will be essential to my husband's happiness. Anyone with current knowledge/recommendations? Thank you!

BonVoyage...I guess I'm the self-appointed old guru regarding Ojai...many of the few others are part of the "I panic if it isn't organic" crowd. Though I've been here only two years I've met a good part of the artsy-fartsy crowd...I guess I'm one of them being a somewhat known writer who has spoken all over the tri-county area.

Per capita I would say that Ojai and its environs offers several good menu choices. I would suggest NO WEEKENDS, it's a zoo....mid week is fine. Some you may wish to look into (they all have web pages):

Suzann's....high end dining in a glamorous garden setting.

The Emporium....best Ruben sandwishes and other good offerings. Al fresco dining available.

Monte Grappa..another lovely outdoor eating area, old Italian and superior pizza section.

The old Ranch House is perhaps the most overall expensive but you won't have to mortgage your house...utterly delicious in very nice jungle-like setting. Reservations are probably a "Must."

Sakura, Japanese (owned by Koreans, of course)..excellent in every way...selection of sashimi, and sushi rolls are the best in this part of California IMO

Casa del Lago and Agave Santa Maria, both Mexican both downtown. The latter has very nice patio dining.

Papa Lennon's in the Meiner's Oaks enclave, nice outside dining area...superb large salads, pizzas and Italian sandwiches. Their Brie sandwich is my favorite and their wonton chicken salad is worth a star. They say Papa is the Lennon Sister's father...remember them?? Much of my adult family lives in the area and I'm only minutes away.

Just a few blocks up the street (El Roblar) is a purely organic, fresh everything, nice outside dining, Farmer and the Cook.

Bocalli's several miles east on the Santa Paula Road is Italian with outside seating...great meatball and egg parmesan sandwiches. Weddings are held on their vast acreage property.

Sea Fresh is a very complete sea food restaurant on the main street, again al fresco dining.

Eggs and Stuff is a pleasant place for breakfast, omelettes, wraps and little Swedish pancakes (gratis). The California omelette with avocado is my favorite.

For a quicker meal with a sparse but neat setting is the new "Spin" in the Rite Aid lot just south of town on your way in on Hwy 33.

Then there is Jim's Pub at the classy Valley Inn....tasty food at fair prices.

Wanna visit a fesh, delicious water well (bring a bottle) there is the one I frequent on Rice Road, between Baldwin and Lomita. Fun to pour your own, free of all the additive junk.

Last but not least by any means:
My Place... I have a set-fee breakfast omelette. But I'm lazy as hell so you would have to catch me when I'm full of vigor(and vinegar) which is about once every few months or thereabouts. Good conversation!

At an advanced octogenarian age there ain't no guarantees!!

Of course, there are others..but this is a good start IMO...have fun in Ojai...a most unique small town of 8000 population not including the horses. The Ojai Trail is the best for bikes and walking...all the way from Ventura to Ojai. Note: Ojai in summer can be an oven in the 90's and more. But very dry. Fall and spring are unmatchably beautiful. There are more festivals here than one can imagine.

Hast la vista.

Stu Tower

That's a pretty complete list.

Stu, I don't know where to begin to thank you! I showed your reply to my (also octogenarian) husband who said, "you may have moved the needle on Ojai." So many fine choices and cherries on top. Love the idea of pouring water from the well, and, yes, we both remember the Lennon sisters . Negotiations continue on if and when--we'd love to meet you and express our thanks in person.

http://www.thelighthousepress.com/tower.htm
check my publisher's web pages...click on "email" and send one ..it will be sent to me from my publishers...
my son and wife moved here 15 years ago and we visited many times each year. Dear wife died two years ago and I hightailed it here shortly therefter from Bel Air Glen in LA. Now we have ten family units living here including the newest, a great-granddaughter/

I warn you, you just might fall in love with our Ojai...October/Nov is best.

The world famous Ojai Valley Inn is 5-star gorgeous....,but there are many less expensive options all over town.

It sounds idyllic--many thanks again!