Summer Getaway: Ojai

Whenever someone we know goes to Ojai, it’s usually because they’re being whisked away by some paramour or another for a $$$$ weekend that leaves them looking refreshed and -- to even greater insult -- happy. As such, this unassuming town has always seemed inaccessible to those of us who are still paying off student loans or are dating an assistant at CAA whose yearly income, when combined with our nonexistent salary, would maybe cover one night at the Ojai Valley Inn. Being the resourceful girls we are, we decided this quaint oasis should be off limits to no one and have remedied the problem with our own Broke Girl-friendly itinerary below.

Getting There: Ojai is an easy drive up PCH -- about 80 miles north of LA. 

Where To Stay:  The Su Nido Inn is a boutique all-suite hotel with rooms starting at $179/night. Another option is the Oak at Ojai -- the rooms are dated but rates ($209/night on a weekend) include fitness classes, all meals & snacks, and use of resort facilities including swimming pools, saunas, hot tubs, and workout equipment. Or, you could always make it a day trip.

Where to Eat: Suzanne’s for divine organic cuisine (Zagat called it ‘one of the best reasons to go to Ojai’); Papa Lennon’s Pizzeria for a slice of housemade pie; Azu for a lunch of Spanish tapas and local wines (dinner can get a bit pricey); Boccali’s for casual Italian on an outdoor patio; Rainbow Bridge for a quick organic breakfast pre-hike; or the Ojai Farmers’ Market on Sunday mornings. 

Where to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth: Knead Baking Company (Reese Witherspoon, who owns a home nearby, is a regular) for everything from coconut macaroons to carrot cake cupcakes. They also serve wine, assorted cheeses, flatbreads and charcuterie. Wine and cupcakes?!  Just add in the cheese and you’ve got three of our basic food groups covered. 

Non-Cheesy Must-Do: When you tire of all the wine tasting from the neighboring Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara vineyards, visit Asquith Ojai Olive Oil (1325 Carne Rd.) for an inspired tasting.  This mom and pop establishment features everything from peach vinegars to basil-infused olive oils and plenty of bread for dunking. 

If You’re Stiff: Yoga studio Lulu Bandha’s actually offers a yoga class called ‘Stiff White Guys’, which actually does not discriminate based on gender. Classes aren’t the cheapest at $15, but you’re paying for the probability of a good laugh. 

Where to Shop: Bart’s Books, a charming outdoor bookstore, is the perfect place to spend an afternoon perusing one of our favorite things --  used literature.

Little-known fact: Ojai got its name from its earliest residents -- the Chumash Indians -- it is derived from the Chumash word meaning ‘moon.’  Also, the town is the setting for 2010’s Easy A -- the one where Emma Stone fakes being promiscuous to help out her dork pals.

What to Pack:

1. Madewell Shrunken Chambray Shirt, $78
2. TOMS Natural Canvas Women’s Classics, $44
3. Cream Two Panel Scarf, $32
4. Pieces Laura Leather Cross Body Bag, $55.60
5. Excedrin, for post-wine tasting
6. ISUN Rosemary-Sage Body Scrub, $40 (Because you can't afford to have a Rosemary-Sage Body Scrub rub down at the Ojai Valley Inn). 
7. Electric Blue Tile Print Shorts $66
8. True Red Basic Scoop Vest $12
9. Ojai, CA: Images of America, $15.59
10. Pomegranate lip butter with SPF 15, $8.99 for 3
11. Polaroid Instant Camera, $99

with contribution by Aili Nahas