Ojai is one of those towns that asks you to take it slow. The name itself comes from the Chumash word for “moon,” carried forward from the valley’s original inhabitants. After a 1917 fire leveled downtown, glass manufacturer Edward Drummond Libbey saw an opportunity: he brought in an architect, rebuilt the whole block in Spanish Colonial Revival, and quietly paid the debts of merchants who couldn’t cover their share. He even suggested the town be renamed Ojai. A century later, the block still earns the afternoon. Grab a coffee, walk along its iconic arches, and see what this town has to offer.
Tips
- Visit Ojai Valley Museum to learn about the valley’s history. Hours: Thu–Sun, 10am–4pm. Entrance $5.
- Explore Bart’s Books. The largest outdoor bookstore in the U.S., honor-system since 1964. Daily 10am–6pm.