Ventura County family guide
Things to Do in Ojai with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Ojai on the map
📍 Where Ojai is
Ojai sits in Ventura County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~54 mi / 86 km). It's roughly 64 mi (102 km) from Downtown LA and 170 mi (273 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
🏡 New to Ojai? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Ojai Recreation's Fall 2026 Activity Guide lists youth sports, tennis, day camps for school breaks and summer, and adult classes.
- Library card: Ojai is served by Ventura County Library; the first card is free with photo ID and proof of address at any branch.
- Storytime: Ojai Library closed July 31, 2026 for a six-to-eight-month renovation; Meiners Oaks Library holds storytime Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
- Find your school: Ojai Unified serves the valley; its interactive boundary map shows elementary, Nordhoff Junior High & High School and Legacy High attendance areas.
- Ojai Trolley: The city trolley costs 75 cents; kids under 45 inches ride free, and countywide youth-free fares also apply. Route B is suspended.
- City newsletter: Download the Ojai Outlook, the city's seasonal newsletter; the Fall 2026 issue was posted in September.
- Alerts: Ojai points residents to VC Alert, the My Ojai app and city radio AM 1610, which broadcasts emergency updates.
- Wildfire ready: The city's wildfire page walks through Ready, Set, Go! steps: harden your home, plan where to go, and leave early.
- Local insider: The Ojai Trolley no longer stops at the Ojai Valley Inn as of August 1, 2026, and runs hourly instead of every half hour.
Things to do in Ojai
Parks & Hiking
Libbey Park
The leafy heart of downtown Ojai, with a big community-built playground, shaded lawns, and tennis courts steps from the pergola shops — easy small-town charm. Glass magnate Edward Libbey donated the land to the city in 1917, the same year the landmark pergola along Ojai Avenue was built; the original pergola was later damaged and removed, then faithfully rebuilt and rededicated in 1999. The current playground came together in 2015, built in a single community effort by more than 500 local volunteers.
Free
Camp Comfort Park
San Antonio Creek runs through this shady county park and campground about a mile from downtown Ojai. It has a playground, fire rings, showers and tent/RV sites, making it an easy first family campout close to town. Reserve campsites and group areas through Ventura County Parks.
Day use $2 per vehicle weekdays, $5 weekends; camping by reservationNordhoff High School Pool (community swim)
The City of Ojai runs community open and lap swim at the Nordhoff High pool, Ojai's only public swim option. The Channel Islands YMCA teaches Saturday swim lessons here. Hours follow the school calendar and can change by season, so call Ojai Recreation at (805) 646-5581 ext. 390 to confirm.
$5 per person; under 2 freeSarzotti Park
Home base for Ojai Parks & Recreation, with a playground, oak-shaded open space, two ballfields and a concession stand. The Boyd Center and the John G. Martin gym host the city's drop-in basketball, gymnastics and youth classes. Weekend game days get busy, so expect crowds and limited parking.
FreeShelf Road Trail
This unpaved former road runs along the cliffs a few hundred feet above north Ojai, with scenic overlooks across the valley. It's an easy-to-moderate walk that families do as an out-and-back. There are trailheads at Signal Street and Gridley Road, but street parking is very limited and there are no restrooms. Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash.
FreeSoule Park
This 223-acre county park sits beneath the Topatopa Mountains, with big shade trees, a playground, a softball field, horseshoes and large covered picnic areas. Dogs are allowed only in the fenced dog park, which has separate large- and small-dog areas. Overnight camping isn't permitted.
$2 per vehicle weekdays; $5 weekends & holidaysOjai Valley Trail
A flat, paved 9-mile bike-and-walk path running from Foster Park to Fox Street in Ojai, with a parallel unpaved side for horses — an easy, family-friendly way to cover ground on foot or by bike.
FreeLake Casitas Recreation Area
A large reservoir at the edge of the Ojai Valley with boating, fishing, camping, playgrounds, and picnic areas — a full-day outdoor destination beyond a simple park visit.
$15/vehicle weekday, $25 weekend/peak; walk-ins & bikes free
Ventura River Preserve
A roughly 1,600-acre land-conservancy preserve with 12 miles of easy, flat trails along the Ventura River, plus canyon routes with valley views — a genuinely low-effort family hike option.
Free (donations welcome)Fox Canyon Trail
A popular, roughly 1.75-mile beginner-to-moderate hike through Valley View Preserve with panoramic views of the Ojai Valley — a good first real hike for older kids.
FreeRose Valley Falls
A short, easy 0.8-mile round-trip forest walk in Los Padres National Forest to a seasonal waterfall — a gentle introductory hike for small children, though the falls run dry in summer and fall.
$5 National Forest Adventure PassMeditation Mount
Hilltop gardens known as the International Garden of Peace, with sweeping views across the Ojai Valley — a short, peaceful, self-guided visit rather than an active outing.
$12/person, pre-registration requiredOjai Skate Park
A free, unsupervised 12,500-square-foot concrete skate park with street and bowl sections, open from dawn to 10pm daily.
FreeAnimals & Nature
Ojai Meadows Preserve
This restored wetland next to Nordhoff High has easy, flat trails, and more than 185 bird species have been recorded here, so bring binoculars. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy closes its preserves after rain (roughly one day per quarter-inch of rain), so check trail updates first. Horses aren't allowed.
FreeOjai Olive Oil Company
A family-run olive grove on 200-year-old heritage trees, with a farm shop, tasting room, free guided tours on select days, and picnic tables and hammocks scattered through the property.
Tasting $15 weekday / $20 weekend; guided tours freeFriend's Ranches
A fifth-generation citrus farm and the original grower of the Ojai Pixie tangerine, open to the public Tuesday and Friday mornings to buy fresh Pixies and juice straight from the packing house.
Free to visit; fruit priced separatelyMuseums & Learning
Meiners Oaks Library (Ventura County Library)
With the downtown Ojai Library closed for renovation from August 2026 to spring 2027, this is the valley's open branch for families. Storytime is Tuesdays at 10:30 am, followed by Play to Learn at 11, and there's LEGO Monday after school. PAWS for Reading (kids read to therapy dogs) runs on Wednesdays.
Free
Ojai Valley Museum
A small local-history and art museum inside a converted 1917 church — an easy rainy-day stop with rotating exhibits on the Ojai Valley's past.
$5 adult / $1 child (6-18); free every 3rd FridayArts & Culture
Ojai Day
This city-run community festival dates to 1917 and was revived in 1991. It fills Libbey Park and the downtown streets with local vendors, live entertainment, food and family activities, and a community mandala painting is a tradition. Arrive early for parking, or bike in on the Ojai Valley Trail.
FreeOjai Music Festival
This adventurous classical and contemporary music festival has run for eight decades in the outdoor Libbey Bowl. It also runs BRAVO education programs and a summer camp for kids. Concerts are livestreamed free, which helps with younger kids who won't sit through a full concert.
Libbey Bowl passes; free livestreamOjai Post Office Tower & Arcade
A 1917 Mission-style tower and adjoining shopping arcade commissioned by glass magnate Edward Libbey, and the defining downtown landmark that gives Ojai's Spanish-village look its character.
FreeShopping & Treats
Bart's Books
Open since 1964, Bart's calls itself the world's largest outdoor bookstore, with more than 130,000 used and new books on shelves under tin roofs and oak trees. Kids love hunting through the open-air stacks. It's a two-block walk from Libbey Park. Pets aren't allowed, and the store stays open on rainy days.
Free to browseOjai Certified Farmers Market
A long-running Sunday-morning open-air market behind the historic Arcade, with local produce, flowers, live music, and — in season — Ojai's famous Pixie tangerines.
Free to browseMore for families in Ojai
From our researched guides: the Ojai spots for pickleball courts. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Pickleball courts
All SoCal pickleball courts →Ojai Valley Athletic Club
Private club at 409 S Fox Street with a thrice-weekly all-levels open play and a seasonal clinic schedule. Non-members can get on court for lessons by paying a $5 guest fee on top of the lesson rate.
Lessons $80/hr, splittable between 1–4 players; non-members pay an extra $5 guest fee
Venue website ↗Farmers markets in Ojai
Ojai Certified Farmers' Market
Beloved Sunday market behind the Arcade on Matilija St with local citrus, produce, and prepared food — a perfect add-on to an Ojai day trip.
Festivals & annual events in Ojai
What Ojai is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Ojai Holiday Home Tour & Market
A 30-year tradition where you tour three decorated homes and a Tiny Home Village, and browse an open-air artisan market at Libbey Park. It benefits the Ojai Music Festival and its BRAVO education programs. Tip: home tours are for ages 12 and up, while the market is open to all ages with no tickets needed.
Home tour $50 advance, $55 day-of; Holiday Market free
Ojai Day 2026
The City of Ojai lists Ojai Day 2026 for Saturday, October 17 in downtown Ojai on Ojai Avenue. The city is taking vendor applications through Sept 4, and more details are promised at ojaiday.com. Tip: lat/lng is downtown Ojai (Ojai Avenue), the city-listed location. Hours and cost were not on the page, so 'Free' is the usual pattern, not a stated fact. Check ojaiday.com for the schedule.
Local restaurants in Ojai
Boccali's Pizza & Pasta
The Boccali family's 'Original Ojai Italian' since 1986 — hand-tossed pizzas and garden-grown pasta served on a country patio in Ojai's east end.
Farmer and the Cook
An organic farm-to-table market and cafe since 2001, with a garden and small stage kids can play on while parents linger over the meal.
Deer Lodge
Ojai's oldest restaurant, a historic roadhouse serving California comfort food with a dog-friendly patio and game room.
Ojai Coffee Roasters
A locally roasted coffee cafe in the heart of downtown Ojai, a casual stop for a treat between errands.
Bonnie Lu's Country Cafe
A classic American diner and breakfast spot since 1995, tucked into Ojai's downtown Arcade.
Ojai Ice Cream
A scoop shop since 1979 with creative local flavors like honey lavender and olive oil alongside the classics.
Papa Lennon's Pizzeria
A family-run Italian and pizza spot with a spacious patio, occasionally hosting the musical Lennon family themselves.
Ojai Rôtie
A casual patio restaurant known for pasture-raised rotisserie chicken and house sourdough bread.
Sea Fresh
A family-friendly seafood, sushi, and steak spot with a mountain-view patio, often called a hidden gem by regulars.
Local shops in Ojai
Bart's Books
The largest independent outdoor bookstore in the U.S. — 130,000+ books on open-air shelves, sold on the honor system after hours.
Twice Sold Tales
Cozy used-and-rare bookshop in downtown Ojai, a quiet browse for out-of-print finds.
In the Field
Artfully curated shop of clothing, jewelry, and home furnishings with an artsy, laid-back Ojai sensibility.
Rains of Ojai
A family-owned general store operating since 1874, selling clothing, gourmet goods, and home and gift items — an only-in-Ojai institution.
Serendipity Toys
An old-fashioned independent toy store since 1979, the last of its kind in Ventura County, with puzzles, educational toys, books, and plush.
Seasonal & outdoors near Ojai
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Ojai.
More Ventura County family guides
Ojai family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Ojai with kids?
Family favorites in and around Ojai include Libbey Park, Ojai Meadows Preserve, Ojai Day and Ojai Music Festival, and more. Our guide lists 23 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Ojai?
Yes — free family spots near Ojai include Libbey Park, Ojai Meadows Preserve, Ojai Day and Meiners Oaks Library (Ventura County Library). Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Ojai on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Ojai include Meiners Oaks Library (Ventura County Library) and Ojai Valley Museum. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Ojai?
One easy plan: start outside at Libbey Park while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Boccali's Pizza & Pasta, then head indoors to Meiners Oaks Library (Ventura County Library) for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 21 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Ojai?
Local, family-friendly spots in Ojai include Boccali's Pizza & Pasta, Farmer and the Cook, Deer Lodge and Ojai Coffee Roasters, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Ojai guide cover?
Our Ojai family guide includes 23 things to do, 9 local eats, 5 local shops and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Ojai
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Ojai on one map — then book on your favorite site.