DAY TRIP Ojai Valley

Leave the hustle and bustle of Southern California behind and take a drive up north to the peaceful town of Ojai — the smallest city in Ventura County.

Ojai sits in a valley adjacent to the National Forest and is 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean. When Frank Capra was looking for a town to model Shangri-La after in his movie, “Lost Horizons,” Ojai is the place he chose. The valley is rich with oak and avocado groves, orange blossoms and jacarandas. The climate of the Ojai Valley has “drawn many who wish to rejuvenate their health and enjoy the dry air and seemingly never-ending sunshine.” There are bike trails, horse trails, hiking trails and waterfalls.

Ojai has a reputation as a haven for artists and musicians, and the small village — all 4.2 square miles of it — offers parks, restaurants, art galleries and shops featuring handmade items from local artisans.

GETTING THERE

Take either the 5 or the 405 Freeway north to the 101 North (Ventura) Freeway. Stay on 101 until you reach Highway 33 (Ojai). Follow Highway 33 for 14 miles into the Ojai Valley passing through the communities of Casitas Springs and Oak View. Highway 33 becomes West Ojai Avenue / Highway 150.

THE OJAI VALLEY TRAIL

The Ojai Valley Trail parallels Highway 33 from Foster Park, on the outskirts of Ventura, to Fox Street, Ojai. A post-and-rail wood fence separates a wood-chip bridle path from a paved multi-use 9.5-mile trail that follows the Ventura River into the valley, offering views of the surrounding mountains.

LIBBEY PARK

The park is located in the heart of town where oak trees shade a playground area for children, and there are paths and picnic areas. Libbey Park also contains a bandstand where local musicians play at free summer concerts.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BAND CONCERTS

An old-fashioned summer music series is played in the Libbey Park Gazebo every Wednesday night from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring a chair and enjoy music under the stars. For information, call (805) 646-8430.

THE OJAI ARCADE

The arcade takes up a full block of Ojai Avenue in the downtown area, with shops, restaurants and art work on display.

THE OJAI VALLEY MUSEUM

In 1996, the Ojai Valley Museum moved to the old St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel on 130 West Ojai Avenue and is now home to the Ojai Visitor Information Center as well. The museum has an extensive collection of Native American baskets, pioneer tools and photographs of the early days in Ojai. The Research Library contains archives. Library hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Guided tours are conducted on Wednesday. Admission is a donation of $3 for adults, $1 for ages 6 to 18. Children under 6 are free.

THE OJAI CENTER FOR THE ARTS

The center is California’s oldest multipurpose, nonprofit art center. It features six branches, including art, theater, music, literary, photography and dance. Monthly art and photography shows feature local and juried exhibits from around the country. Literary events and classes in the visual and performing arts are held monthly. The center is at 113 S. Montgomery St. Call (805) 646-0117.

THE OJAI ART CENTER MUSIC BRANCH

The music branch offers a series of chamber music concerts held on Sunday afternoons in the main gallery of the Ojai Center for the Arts. For a schedule of upcoming concerts, call (805) 646-0117 or contact [email protected].

— Sue Thoensen