I Went to Ojai for a Spring Mental Cleanse: Here’s What I Found

You don’t just visit Ojai. You soften there.

DO. SEE. EAT. DRINK. is your weekly guide to discovering what’s interesting, delicious, inspiring, and worth savoring wherever you go. Each month, we publish a special issue that deep-dives into a single city or region, giving you our personal take on what to do, see, eat, and drink while you’re there.

Dinner at Rory’s Place, Ojai, CA — broiled oysters, Little Gem salad, Whales Cove mussels, and a glass of Emme Wines 'Pink Lemonade' (2023).

I’m just back from a weekend in Ojai, and while it’s still fresh, I wanted to drop a quick hit list in case you ever find yourself craving a place to soften. Think slow mornings, strong coffee, and a daily massage. I went out for a mental cleanse event, and the timing couldn’t have been better. Tucked in Ventura County, Ojai is known for its natural beauty and energy that makes you exhale without even trying. People say it has a spiritual pull, something sacred in the air, and after four quiet nights, I get it. You don’t just visit Ojai. You soften there.

Play this while you read. It was playing in the gift shop, and this is my official Ojai jam!

Here’s what I loved from a weekend of stillness, sunshine, and daily massages: