DESTINATION | OJAI
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here’s nothing to do in Ojai, and not enough time to do it,” is the unofficial motto of a sleepy town that has become the weekend escape of choice for Angelenos looking to kick back and unwind. The saying perfectly sums up both the distinctly laid-back vibe and the fact that there’s a whole lot of nothing to do in Ojai – from biking and golfing, to wine tasting and farm-to-table dining. Nestled in a scenic valley between the Topa Topa mountains and the Los Padres National Forest, 130 kilometres north of Los Angeles, it has been a destination resort since the 1940s. It earned the reputation of California’s very own ShangriLa after providing the backdrop for Frank Capra’s 1937 movie Lost Horizon. Visitors have continued to be drawn to this idyllic valley with its storied electromagnetic vortex (more on that later), hidden hot springs, jaw-dropping sunsets known locally as “pink moments” and a steadfast commitment to a slower way of life. So how to spend a few days doing nothing in Ojai? A morning or two can be whiled away walking the length of the iconic, Edward Libbey designed, Spanish-style stucco arcade. At the west end of 84 |
| AERLINGUS.COM
Previous pages, Caravan Outpost has community spirit in droves. Clockwise from top, field-fresh produce at the Farmers Market; sip and linger at Beacon Coffee Company; mind the cacti; Knead Bakers Bobbi (mum) and daughters Rachel and Leah Corbin.
the street you’ll find a cool, young crowd lining up at Beacon Coffee Company (211 W Ojai Ave, +1 805 248 7054; beaconcoffee.com), owned by the Ventura-based roasters, for a cold brew caffeine fix and gluten-free baked goods. At the east end, gluten lovers flock to Knead Baking Company (469 E Ojai Ave, +1 310 770 3282; kneadbakingcompany.com) for the signature breakfast sandwich with an organic fried egg, Vermont white cheddar and rocket on a fresh bagel. In the middle you’ll find quirky boutiques – no chain stores are permitted to operate in the town – wine-tasting rooms serving regional vintages and restaurants using local ingredients. On Sundays however most of the town heads over to the Farmers Market (ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com) to stock up on organically grown produce from fruit, vegetables,