If you take a 20-minute journey from the coast of Ventura, through Johnny Cash’s once-upon-a-time home of Casitas Springs, and into the Topatopa Mountains, you’ll land in an enchanting town named Ojai, population 7,534…
A place where yogis donning harem pants and man buns congregate for full moon meditations and sound healing… where wealthier folks retreat for lavish spa time and golf at the Ojai Valley Inn… and where anyone wishing for a temporary escape from SoCal city life wanders for a little peace and wine.
As for me, a creature of habit, I’m happiest in Ojai with used books, vegan food, cold beer, and a sprinkle of retail therapy. To spend a day like mine, read on for your 8-hour itinerary.
Fresh carrot and apple juice, made with love by Farmer and the Cook
8:30 am: Farmer and the Cook
The day promises to be a rollercoaster of healthy and healthy-adjacent food and drinks—all treats nonetheless, brimming with pure joy. For a clean start, make grocery and cafe Farmer and the Cook your first stop.
On the other side of this darling pom pom curtain, a thoughtful selection of produce, home goods, and snacks line a few short aisles. The food counter and baked goods display stretches across one end of the organic market, behind which over a dozen handwritten menu boards hang from the ceiling.
Saving room for the unexpected, I opted for a simple, freshly made juice—apple and carrot—and it was delicious! But they offer so much more: breakfast, lunch, smoothies, espresso and hot drinks, and beer and wine.
Farmer and the Cook isn’t a vegan establishment but they have plenty of plant-based options, like the Vegan Cauliflower Burrito: cauliflower, Spanish brown rice, pico de gallo, black beans, cilantro-lime slaw, and chipotle sauce in a flour tortilla.
Grab a bite or a sip and stay a bit—there’s plenty of outdoor seating.
Address: 339 W El Roblar Dr, Ojai, CA 93023
Hours: 8a–4p Mon–Tues; 8a–8p Wed–Sat; 8a–4p and 5:30p–8p on Sunday
9:15 am: Meiners Oaks Nursery
Two things I never need but always buy every chance I get: books and plants. And as a proponent of Oscar Wilde’s recipe for contentment—With freedom, books, flowers, and the moon, who could not be happy?—I rarely feel guilty about it.
Next stop: Meiners Oaks Nursery, just across the street from Farmer and the Cook. Take a romantic stroll through the lovely collection of flowers and trees and succulents and pots, all patiently waiting for someone to take them home.
If you look with care, you might find your perfect match.
Address: 312 W El Roblar Dr, Ojai, CA 93023
Hours: 830a–4:30p daily
A mini tractor turned planter, parked a few doors down from Meiners Oaks Nursery
Bart’s Books
10:00 am: Bart’s Books
It’s perfectly alright to be the creep standing outside a shop as the opening employee unlocks the front door, signaling a new day—if the place is worthy—and Bart’s Books is worthy.
The mazy bookshop, loved for its open-to-the-elements design, flaunts an inventory of about 130,000 books, mostly used, some new. I’ve allotted extra time for this stop; there’s so much to see that several hours could be easily spent here.
Treasure hunting
My routine begins before stepping through the front door… Along the store’s street-facing wall, built-in bookshelves display hardcovers missing their dust jackets, selling for $1 or less. With patience and a fervent wish, I always find a gem or two.
Once in Bart’s labyrinth, I move from genre to genre, filling my arms with favorites. If only I lacked concern for money. But always on a budget, I’ll settle into a seat and splay my selection across the table in front of me. In giving each book ample time for consideration, I like to flip to a random page—if I like what I read, it’s a keeper.
The places on this list aren’t in order of preference. If they were, Bart’s Books would be number one.
Address: 302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023
Hours: 10a–6p daily
Gunpowder Fries at Hip Vegan
11:30 am: Hip Vegan
Now for the main event: lunch at Hip Vegan! This is not the time or place to hold back… You want a plate of spicy AF Gunpowder Fries, a giant Torta, an Old Fashioned Burger in a GF green wrap for balance, a make-your-mouth-tingle-it’s-so-sour margarita, and a Green Ginger smoothie? You f*cking do that.
Much love to Jeremy/vegan Rambo for taking full advantage of this opportunity with me. The order I just ran through was ours, and we were two of the happiest little peas in a pod with every bite.
Contrast that with the dinner I had with my mom a couple of weeks later: We split a Torta and Gunpowder Fries—and she took half of her half home for later! 🙄 Choose your company wisely. 😉
Yes, I highly recommend the Torta, an oversized soft bun stuffed with jackfruit carnitas, avocado, beans, cheese, salsa, and sour cream. Mmmmm, I go crazy for a super wet sandwich like this one. And just thinking of the Gunpowder Fries and the devilishly delicious dipping sauces that accompany them makes my mouth water.
If you want to go light on the gluten and carbs, Hip Vegan offers a fab array of bowls, soups, salads, and smoothies.
Address: 201 N Montgomery St, Ojai, CA 93023
Hours: 11a–3p and 4p–7p daily
1:00 pm: Fig Curated Living
After Bart’s Books, Fig Curated Living holds second place among my favorite Ojai shops. Like the unique gifts inside, the store itself is a one-of-a-kind mini wonderland, with blankets of deep green vines snaking across its walls and ceiling.
Every inch of the place is adorned with a lovingly curated collection of quote plaques (featured image), pottery, candles, kitchenware, decor, and jewelry. Plan accordingly to catch them when they’re open.
Address: 327 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Hours: 11a–5p Thursday; 11a–6p Fri–Sat; 11a–5p Sun–Mon
1:45 pm: Kariella
Kariella, named after the owner’s daughter, is a boutique much like Free People, with a beautiful selection of clothing and accessories drawing heavily from the fashions of the 60s.
Got some money to burn? You can walk in looking like an indistinguishable millennial and walk out looking like Bridget Bardot gracing the streets of Rome.
2:30 pm: Soultonic
Find Soultonic a few doors down from Kariella, on the same side of Ojai Ave. This store is like the edgier, grungier version of the last, with a slew of rock-inspired tees and dresses and shoes for the free-spirited.
I left with a new pair of buckled, leather-free, pointed-toe boots that in another life might have been found in the Purple One’s closet. Score.
3:15 pm: Topa Topa
Now to end the day of fun and relaxation with even more copacetic vibes.
Topa Topa Brewing Company sits on the corner of Ojai Ave and Montgomery St, like three skips away from Soultonic.
Topa Topa’s beer lineup is vegan-friendly with the exception of their Tux nitro milk stout. Try my favorite, Spectro Hazy IPA, for a taste of pineapple, peach, and guava.
Hungry? Inside the Topa Topa tasting room, beneath the glowing sign that reads SAMA SAMA, a lovely human stands behind the order window, just waiting to satisfy your beer munchies. Don’t walk up too inebriated; you’ll need to focus enough to navigate the menu key and request modifications for a fully vegan order.
Address: 345 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Hours: 12p–9p Mon–Fri; 11a–9p Sat–Sun
That’s a wrap for today. I hope to spend a lot more time in this ethereal place, in search of more top stops and Hip Vegan favorites. Day Trippin’ in Ojai, the sequel, coming soon? Maybe! ☺️
Wishing you an equally glorious escapade. Happy Halloween from Ojai 💀
