Plant-Based Eating in Ojai
Enjoy all the plant-based eating options that the Ojai, CA has to offer with this guide from Sharon Palmer.
I splurged on a weekend in Ojai to celebrate spring. Ojai Valley is one of my favorite places in the world—it’s only an hour and a half from Los Angeles, but this magical city seems like it should be on another planet. The area is all about organic, local agriculture and a peaceful, more zen-like way to live in this sunny, Mediterranean climate. Read on to learn more about my plant-based adventures in Ojai.
Ojai Valley
On the drive up, this view shows the valley circled by mountain ranges, and the citrus trees are all bright with fruit right now.
Chopped Salad, Azu, Ojai
I have this salad every time I’m in Ojai at this charming village restaurant. It’s so fresh and topped with chickpeas, beets, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, avocados and a yummy tahini dressing.
Pixie Tangerines
April is Pixie month in Ojai, so I was thrilled to see them for sale all over town. I love these little bright, crisp, sweet tangerines, which are grown specifically in the Ojai Valley, although I stopped at a nursery to bring back a Pixie Tangerine tree to grow at home. We’ll see if it loves my garden in LA.
Pixie Tangerines
These Pixies were on display in the hotel lobby. I ate Pixies all weekend!
Tipple & Ramble, Ojai
I stopped by this latest hotspot in Ojai for a snack and a glass of wine. I love the trend of picnic spaces—casual wine bars where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a beer in a backyard setting, with perhaps a little snack, too. Just look at this hammock and mural!
Tipple & Ramble, Ojai
We ordered the Mediterranean Board, which came with house fermented radishes and cauliflower, olives, and two types of hummus with turmeric cashews and roasted chickpeas.
Tipple & Ramble, Ojai
Just love this vintage restored camper, which is a little mini kitchen in the outdoor patio setting here.
Farmer and the Cook, Ojai
For dinner, we stopped by Farmer and the Cook, one of my favorite places in Ojai. It pretty much screams the laid-back, bohemian style of Ojai. It’s a small organic food store with a menu of café items, too. You order at the counter, and sit down in a rustic deck with mix matched furniture and listen to all the locals talk about their day. I ordered veggie tacos with cashew cheese. So good!
Farmer and the Cook, Ojai
This peace sign herbal wreath pretty much says it all.
Farmer and the Cook, Ojai
The small supermarket offers a variety of organic produce.
Ojai Valley Inn
We stayed at the fabulous Ojai Valley Inn, which is perched in the valley with 360 degree views of the hills, mountains, and countryside. It’s an amazing experience staying in this lovely, historic hotel, with typical Ojai architecture and immaculate grounds, complete with lavender, roses, and citrus trees.
Spa Lunch, Ojai Valley Inn
For lunch, I enjoyed a facial and this spa salad, with almonds, beets, avocados, and a Mediterranean dressing.
Olivella, Ojai
The restaurant at the hotel is probably the best in the city. I had this delicious rutabaga filled ravioli, which was completely vegan. So delicious.
A visit to Ojai is not complete without a stop at the Ojai Farmers Market on Sunday morning. You will experience the freshest, most amazing local food, local artists and musicians, and an overall feel for the spirit of Ojai.
Nuts, Ojai Farmers Market
Love these local walnuts and pecans!
Radish Flowers, Ojai Farmers Market
Talk about root to stem—why waste those pretty flowers when your radishes have gone to seed!
Lettuces, Ojai Farmers Market
Spring is the time to enjoy lettuces in Ojai, such as these tender, colorful heads.
Greens and Flowers, Ojai Farmers Market
These are all edible—even those bright nasturtium flowers!
Radishes, Ojai Farmers Market
Isn’t this rustic display of radishes just lovely?
Sweet Strawberries, Ojai Farmers Market
Oh, these strawberries were good!
Pixie Tangerines, Ojai Farmers Market
Of course there are Pixies at the farmers market.
You can find just about everything at this market.
Hip Vegan Café, Ojai
I tried this restaurant for lunch—it’s perfect for Ojai, isn’t it?
Hip Vegan Café, Ojai
So many great choices, so hard to decide!
Hip Vegan Café, Ojai
They had me at Pixie Mimosa!
Tempeh Burger, Hip Vegan Café, Ojai
This tempeh burger was divine—so savory with a yeasty, nutty sauce, and a delicious, sprouted grain bun and fresh greens.
I stopped at all of the local galleries while in Ojai. I have my eye on a painting of an old pickup truck parked in a citrus field.
For more plant-based eating guides, check out:
Plant-Based Eating in Walla Walla, WA
Plant-Based Eating in the Southwest: Utah and Colorado
Plant-Based Eating in New York City
Plant-Based Eating in the Big Island, Hawaii