How about a Road Trip to Ojai?

For a quick day trip or weekend getaway, Ojai is our featured road trip of the month. Just 87 miles from European Motors, the city of Ojai lies in a small valley, north of Ventura and east of Santa Barbara. Once in Ojai, you will be surrounded by mountains and fresh country air.

Take the PCH and enjoy the stunning views of the coast and performance of your European luxury vehicle.Take a break at Thornhill Broome Beach, which is the halfway point. Pull off the side of the road and take it in. You will see a giant Sand Done on your right but if you passed Rock Mugu (see photo) you have gone too far.  Dare to climb it for bird's eye view of the coastline.

Things to do in Ojai.

1. Park your car, stash the keys and rent a bike from the best rental spot in the area, Bicycles of Ojai . Ojai is ideal for tooling around on two wheels – the main drag stretches a mere dozen blocks. The shops, art galleries, restaurants, and the fabulous Ojai Valley Trail are best seen from atop a bicycle.
2. Bart’s Books (established 1964). Tucked around and under a 420-year-old Oak tree, the outdoor used bookstore is positively spilling over with books. Framed by the Topa Topa Mountains, walking into Bart’s Books is a little like walking through one of those meditation labyrinths – everywhere you turn, there’s another nook to discover and another pile of books to examine.
3. Casa Barranca Tasting Room , one of downtown Ojai's wine tasting venues.
4. Check out the super-secret Natural Hot Springs in Matilija Canyon . To get there, follow Maricopa Hwy (CA-33) north for about 3.8 miles from Ojai until you see cars parked on the right shoulder. Once parked, the trail is a moderate 3 mile round trip, including creek walking, swimming and a single track trail with some elevation gain.

Before you make the trip to Ojai make sure your vehicle is 100% safe. Review our blog for tips on how to get your car road trip ready or schedule an appointment for a car diagnostic.