Ojai, Mountain city in Ventura County, US
Description
Ojai is a city in Ventura County, California, nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains about 15 miles (25 kilometers) from the coast. The streets run mainly along Ojai Avenue, which forms the downtown core and is lined with low buildings featuring arcades and shops on both sides.
History
The area received its first town name in 1874 in honor of writer Charles Nordhoff, who had described the region in his travel accounts. The current name was introduced in 1917 and comes from the language of the Chumash, who inhabited the valley before the arrival of Spanish missionaries.
Culture
The Libbey Bowl amphitheater in the center of Libbey Park serves as an open-air stage for concerts and performances that both visitors and residents attend. The venue dates from the 1950s and shapes the cultural atmosphere of the town through its open architecture and proximity to the surrounding mountains.
Practical
The city sits about an hour's drive north of Los Angeles and is reached via winding mountain roads that pass through valleys and hills. The downtown area is easy to explore on foot, and many shops and cafes are within a few blocks along the main street.
Did you know?
The former railway route to Ventura was converted into a paved walking and cycling path that runs through orchards and open fields. Parts of the old rail infrastructure remain visible along the way and recall the earlier connection to the coast.
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Charles M. Pratt House
1.7 km
Bart's Books
316 m
St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel
120 mCozy Dell Canyon
4.2 kmWork of art, sculpture
1.5 kmWork of art, sculpture
131 mOjai Art Center Theater
296 mLibbey Bowl
302 mPorch Gallery Ojai
285 mDan Schultz Fine Art
70 mMermaid with Bike
3.1 kmWater Conservation Mural
2.7 kmGolden Lion Mural
3.1 kmWork of art, sculpture
152 mSoule Park Golf Course
1.4 kmOjai Valley Inn Golf Course
1.8 kmWork of art, installation artwork
500 mWork of art, mural
2.7 kmScenic viewpoint
1.9 kmScenic viewpoint
3.7 kmScenic viewpoint
4.2 kmScenic viewpoint
3 kmScenic viewpoint
2.5 kmScenic viewpoint
4.4 kmScenic viewpoint
4 kmWaterfall
2.4 kmWaterfall
2.6 kmWaterfall
2.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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