Long known as a place to recharge, Ojai is now drawing visitors through its gardens. Beyond the yoga mats and spa menus, the valley reveals itself leaf by leaf: olive groves pressed into golden oils, lavender fields humming with bees, citrus orchards giving way to springtime Pixie celebrations. Here, nurseries are destinations, hikes double as botany lessons, and even dinner is served beneath old-growth oaks in historic gardens. From beekeeping workshops and floral design classes to hidden preserves showcasing Australian natives, Ojai is a town best explored plant-first.
Trails, Preserves & Secret Gardens
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Ojai’s wild spaces are where the valley truly comes alive. From curated botanical collections to open-air preserves and chaparral-covered hillsides, these trails and gardens offer a mix of education, serenity, and inspiration. Every walk reveals something new—wildflowers, towering oaks, native plants, or a hidden nook perfect for pause and reflection.
Taft Gardens & Nature Preserve: A carefully curated collection of Australian natives and Mediterranean-climate plants, set within a conservation-minded preserve. Guided visits reveal the unique adaptations of these plants and offer a behind-the-scenes look at rare and unusual specimens.
Ojai Meadows Preserve: A vibrant natural habitat featuring seasonal wildflowers, native grasses, and abundant birdlife. Trails wind through meadows and wetlands, perfect for a morning walk, wildlife spotting, or connecting with Ojai’s native landscape.
Pratt Trail: A classic oak- and chaparral-lined hike offering sweeping valley vistas. Ideal for both casual walkers and avid hikers, it’s a spot to experience Ojai’s topography and native flora firsthand.
Meditation Mount: Beyond its panoramic views, this site offers tranquil gardens and quiet contemplation spaces. Thoughtful plantings, shaded paths, and peaceful sitting areas make it a favorite for sunrise, sunset, or simply a restorative pause.
Garden Immersions & Workshops
Courtesy of Forage Ojai
Ojai’s gardens aren’t just for looking—they’re for doing. Roll up your sleeves and connect with plants in ways that are hands-on, sensory, and unforgettable.
Ojai Valley Inn: Guests can explore a day in the life of an apiarist with the resort’s resident beekeeper. Learn about honey-making, peek inside a working hive, spot the queen bee, and savor a tasting of cold-pressed raw honey straight from the comb. Once you’re out of your bee-suit enjoy a comprehensive honey tasting that is a sweet, immersive introduction to the valley’s diverse range of flavors.
Birdsong Ranch: A hub for conservation and education, Birdsong Ranch hosts workshops, certifications, and nature-forward events that highlight Ojai’s unique ecology. Past programs have included a Riparian Bird Workshop led by the Wildlife Society and the valley’s first Native Plant Landscaper Certification in partnership with the Theodore Payne Foundation and California Native Plant Society.
Forage Ojai: At this boutique floral studio, every arrangement is a bespoke, personalized creation. Their workshops range from basic floral design to transformative experiences like “Your Life in Flowers,” which combines flower arranging with modern life coaching, helping participants translate their personal story into a living work of art. It’s as much about self-expression as it is about blooms.
Ojai Roots: From a shop brimming with must-have entertaining items to CSA farm box deliveries, Ojai Roots blends design, food, and community. There’s even a gorgeous garden where visitors can enjoy wine tastings and seasonal “Paint and Sip” events, making it the perfect spot to sip, socialize, and soak in the valley’s creative energy.
Ojai Olive Oil Company: Set within a 200-year-old heritage olive grove, this family-run estate invites visitors to experience Ojai through its most iconic crop. The tasting room is open daily, offering flights of estate olive oils and balsamic vinegars paired with fresh local bread. It’s a relaxed, sensory way to spend an afternoon—wander the groves, sip golden oils, and bring home a taste of the valley.
Farm-Fresh Dining
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From historic gardens to sun-drenched patios, the valley’s restaurants pair locally sourced ingredients with a deep sense of place, turning every bite into an experience. Whether it’s a quiet dinner beneath wisteria, a playful paint-and-sip session among the blooms, or a live-fire feast celebrating the region’s farms and coast, these spots show how Ojai does garden-to-table dining with style.
The Rochers at The Ranch House: A culinary destination and event space nestled within a historic Ojai garden, where fine dining meets natural elegance. Tucked among blooming flowers and mature oaks, it has long been a place where beauty, flavor, and feeling converge. Today, new stewards honor the property’s roots while thoughtfully updating it, inviting guests to enjoy quiet dinners beneath the stars, celebratory gatherings among wisteria, or a tasting menu that reflects the valley’s seasonal bounty.
The Oak at Ojai Valley Inn: Nestled within the lush grounds of the Ojai Valley Inn, The Oak offers a refined dining experience that celebrates the region’s seasonal bounty. Guests can enjoy dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients in a setting that merges indoor elegance with outdoor charm.
Farmer and the Cook: A beloved Ojai institution, this organic café and market serves up vibrant, plant-based dishes inspired by the local harvest. With a focus on sustainability and community, it’s a perfect spot for those seeking wholesome, garden-fresh meals.
Highly Likely: A modern neighborhood café and restaurant with a commitment to California-sourced ingredients and local vendors. The space is bright, airy, and effortlessly stylish—think high ceilings, natural light, and design-forward touches. Alongside a seasonal menu, the restaurant hosts winemaker dinners, pop-ups, and happy hour events, making it the perfect spot to sip, savor, and soak in Ojai’s relaxed, garden-adjacent vibe.
Shopping & Nurseries
Courtesy of Garden Temple Ojai
Ojai is a haven for plant lovers, where every nursery and garden shop feels like a mini adventure. Find rare specimens to California natives, these spots offer inspiration for your own garden—or just a little plant therapy. Whether you’re hunting for statement houseplants, Mediterranean-adapted favorites, or Australian natives, Ojai’s plant shops make it easy to bring a piece of the valley home.
Garden Temple Ojai: A serene, thoughtfully curated oasis featuring statement houseplants, fountains, and sculptural greenery. Beyond the plants, the shop offers design-forward decor pieces that make indoor and outdoor spaces feel cohesive, stylish, and a little magical.
Flora Gardens Nursery: A long-standing favorite for California natives, Mediterranean-climate plants, and fruit trees. The knowledgeable staff offer tips for local planting and design, making it a great stop for both first-time gardeners and seasoned Ojai horticulturists.
Australian Native Plant Nursery (by appointment only): A hidden gem specializing in grevillea, banksia, and kangaroo paw, perfect for gardeners looking to experiment with unique, drought-tolerant plants that thrive in Ojai’s Mediterranean climate. Appointments are required, adding to the feeling of discovering a secret garden.
Summer Camp: A playful, style-conscious framing and lifestyle shop housed in a converted gas station. Alongside houseplants, mid-century pottery, and vintage collectibles, the shop features carefully curated home decor, personal accessories, and custom framing services—blending a love for mid-century design, camping, and the great outdoors.
Seasonal Festivals & Farmers Market
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Ojai marks its calendar by what’s growing, blooming, and buzzing. Discover everything from citrus harvests to lavender blooms, the valley celebrates the seasons with festivals, markets, and experiences that connect visitors to the land.
Rewild Ojai Native Garden Tour: Each spring, this self-guided tour showcases native plant gardens across the valley, from formal landscapes to wildflower meadows. It’s a chance to peek into private gardens, gather inspiration, and connect with Ojai’s thriving native plant movement.
Ojai Pixie Month (March–May): A celebration of the tiny, seedless Pixie tangerine, featuring the Pixie Tangerine Celebration at Libbey Park with citrus-inspired cocktails, culinary treats, and family-friendly activities.
Ojai Lavender Celebration (June): A fragrant, sensory-filled festival in Libbey Park with artisan lavender products, distillation demonstrations, and walking tours through blooming lavender fields.
Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market (Sundays): A lively market with fresh citrus, cut flowers, herbs, and seasonal produce, as well as CSA pick-ups and artisan goods, reflecting the bounty of Ojai’s growing season.