Downtown Ojai is small - roughly five blocks in any direction - and most of what makes it downtown is on or near the Arcade, the Mission Revival colonnade that runs along Ojai Avenue. If you have two hours, this is how to spend them.

Start at the Arcade

Park on Matilija Street or one of the side streets. Walk the length of the Arcade itself (it runs along the south side of Ojai Avenue, across from Libbey Park). You will see:

  • Coffee, clothing, and homewares shops in the colonnade.
  • The Arcade fountain at the middle of the block - a landmark, and a reasonable meeting point.
  • Libbey Park directly across Ojai Avenue, with Libbey Bowl (the outdoor amphitheater) behind it.

Bart’s Books

Bart’s Books at 302 W. Matilija Street is two blocks off the Arcade and worth the walk. It is the outdoor bookstore, with shelves, rooms, and courtyard browsing that feel specific to Ojai. Check current hours before you plan around it.

Libbey Park and Libbey Bowl

Libbey Park is the shaded downtown park across from the Arcade, with Libbey Bowl behind it and a new community-funded, community-built playground. The Sunday farmers’ market is not in the park; it sets up 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Matilija Street parking lot across from the Arcade shops. Worth wandering even outside of events - the park is shaded and quiet.

Coffee and lunch

A few walkable options depending on your mood:

  • Ojai Coffee Roasters - the local roast, close to the Arcade.
  • The Dutchess - coffee, bakery, lunch, and dinner at the east end of downtown.
  • The Nest - casual lunch near the Arcade.
  • Ojai Pizza - easy downtown lunch when you want something simple.
  • Ojai Rotie - lunch or dinner under the tipuana tree.

The two-hour route

If you want a no-decisions itinerary:

  1. Park on Matilija or the Canada lot.
  2. Coffee at Ojai Coffee Roasters.
  3. Walk the Arcade slowly. Shops that catch your eye are worth the minute.
  4. Cross to Libbey Park. Sit under an oak, or walk through the new playground if you have kids with you. If it’s Sunday, wander over to the farmers’ market in the Matilija Street parking lot.
  5. Walk to Bart’s Books. Buy a paperback.
  6. Lunch at The Dutchess, The Nest, Ojai Pizza, or Ojai Rotie.

Two hours, covered. You will come back.

A note on parking

There is no meter-fed on-street parking downtown. It fills up on busy weekends and during market hours, so park a few blocks out if you want the easier walk.

Walking downtown is the fastest way to start understanding the center of town.