When I last wrote, my sister and I had spent the night ‘glamping’ at Refugio State Beach.
Shortly after waking up — actually, Beth hasn’t even opened her eyes yet — we start talking about coffee. I find an empty Starbucks cup in the car and playfully present it to her, watching her eyes light up for a split second before reality sets in. If someone wants to make money, I swear there’s opportunity for coffee joints on the beach (maybe a truck / van that makes lattes?). Someone should develop that.
Once we pack up the car and take a final hike for photos, we drive south to the nearest town, Goleta. Yelp has pinpointed Goleta Coffee Company and it’s a solid recommendation.
The Vanilla Mac Nut coffee is recommended. I stick with the usual vanilla latte and it’s delicious.
Our next stop is the town of Ojai (pronounced “Oh… hi”) about 30 minutes inland and north of Ventura. It’s surrounded by vineyards and has a certain celebrity cache (Reese Witherspoon got married at her home up here) oddly mixed with lots of hippies. Everything is organic and fashion choices along the main drag are questionable. But it’s a charming town and I haven’t been in many years — and now I have a nicer camera!
This is the main street, lined with shops and restaurants.
There’s a farmer’s market on Sundays from 9am-1pm and we catch the tail end of it. I try a mulberry for the first time (it’s sweet and tasty).
After the farmer’s market we go back to main street and pop into a few stores.
There’s a giant park in town with tennis courts and an amphitheater.
This is an impressive outdoor venue:
Next up, coffee at Java & Joe to satisfy our afternoon caffeine fix.
They make a peanut butter mocha. Even though I’m a little concerned about it tasting gross (the peanut butter flavor comes from bottled syrup), I have to try it. Verdict: it’s just okay.
We grab lunch at Ojai Coffee Roasting Co. and it’s the best decision of the afternoon.
I order a falafel platter and it’s AMAZING. Capital letters warranted.
Our final stop on the way back to Los Angeles is Main Street in Ventura. I first visited here maybe six years ago and have returned with Beth and our parents during one of their visits to LA. There’s great shops and it’s got a more welcoming feel than the main drag in Santa Barbara.
The Calico Cat is a favorite used bookstore. I pick up a play.
This is the San Buenaventura Mission.
And this is the cutest little shop in Ventura — B on Main. Every time I’ve visited, I stop here and the used bookstore above.
Reluctantly, we tear ourselves away from the cuteness and head back to LA to beat the traffic.
It’s been a scenic 36 hours — our coastal drive to Summerland, then camping on the beach north of Santa Barbara, and now a day of visiting Ojai & Ventura. Southern California, you do not disappoint!
