I'm going to be leaving Cambria on a Friday morning and need to be the Brentwood area of LA by 6 pm that evening. I've been to Santa Barbara on a number of occasions, but recently heard about Ojai. Is this a do able sidetrip on my drive down the coast? How far out of my way is it? Could I drive to Ojai, have lunch and head back in time to make it to LA? Any good, inexpensive restaurants for a single woman in Ojai?

Topping for Susan

I think they have some expensive spas in Ojai.

From what I understand, there are some very expensive spas in Ojai and it has become a very trendy place to go for spa treatments.

I haven't been there is a long time though. When I was a kid, Ojai was just a town we'd drive through when we went hiking in the Los Padres national forest. There used to be this hamburger stand that served up ice cream cones with giant scoups of ice cream on them. Mmmmmm.

Since you'll be driving down 101 past Santa Barbara toward Ventura you can go to Ojai on 33. It's about 15 miles from Ventura to Ojai but it's a curvy road so it takes more than 30 minutes to get there. I grew up in Ventura County and have never understood the draw of Ojai but, hey, everyone likes something different. Lots of people like Ojai. If you're going in the Fall it will be dry looking. Sorry can't recommend any restaurants though someone else might be able to provide you with that info. Have a great trip!

There's a few very good new age bookstores.

I just spent a weekend at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. You can use the spa on a day-basis without staying at the hotel. It's quite lovely but expensive and a little snooty. (e.g., $100 for a hr massage).

You can walk the shops in the town but I didn't personally find it all that special. Would have been bored if I stayed any longer. In addition, note that the highway 33 ride inland from the 101 is about as ugly a road as I've ever seen (I live only 1 hour from Ojai)...

If it were me, I'd find parts of Santa Barbara I hadn't seen and/or stop in the Santa Ynez Valley (San Marcos Pass) to visit wineries and/or stop in Solvang. These are all more interesting and picturesque than Ojai.

Note: We did have an enjoyable dinner in Ojai at a funky, but delicious, seafood restaurant called SeaFresh. But it's really casual, not fancy.

Everyone typically raves about Ojai and then I see this post where no one seems to think it's worth a visit. I was planning on a visit this fall with my wife, but may skip it now.

Is Ojai really that bad?

xxx, I don't think any of us described Ojai as "bad". Some of us grew up around there and I guess we just don't "get" the draw. It's not on the beach, it doesn't really have destination shopping or eating, and unless you're there during, or just after, the rainy season it is pretty dry. On the other hand, there are lots of celebreties who have homes in the area and there are spas and golf courses so there are some people who find Ojai enjoyable. Go with what you like.

Unless you have the cash to stay at one of the upscale and very expensive spas, I'm not sure if there's much reason to go there.

Has anyone gone for a daytrip and just enjoyed a little shopping and lunch? And found it to be enjoyable?

It's pretty New Age, but there's a nice little Mexican restaurant on the main street and a couple little boutiques that are good for a bit of browsing. I would go for it. You don't need to stay at one of the expensive spas. Or, you could just have a nice lunch at the Ojai Valley C.C. (now a hotel) outside on the terrace. Pretty and relaxing but hot in the summer.