Ojai, CA, has long been a popular spot for corporate retreats and incentives, and for good reason. Highlights include pink sunsets, outdoor activities, serene inns, and a good dose of peace and quiet. The sleepy town is having a moment, following Reese Witherspoon’s much-talked-about wedding at her ranch there, so go see what all the fuss is about.
Day 1: This Sporting Life
8:00 AM
Play a round at the public, par-72 Soule Park Course, or at the par-70 Ojai Country Club Course, which was designed by George C. Thomas, Jr. and Billy Bell and built in 1923.
www.ojairesort.com/golf;
www.soulepark.com2:00 PM
If the links aren’t your thing, spend a few hours on the courts. The U.S. Tennis Association recently named Ojai the number two tennis town in the country and it has 64 courts on which to host visitors.
www.usta.com7:00 PM
After working up an appetite, relax over dinner at Maravilla at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa. Featuring California Central Coast cuisine like local seafood, olives, and herbs, as well as prime steaks and chops, this is a satisfying post-workout stop. Don’t miss the award-winning wine list.
www.ojairesort.comDay 2: Au Naturel
9:00 AM
If your group is in town on a Sunday, take them to the Ojai Certified Farmer’s Market to do their part to support local agriculture. Fresh produce, jams, honey, prepared food, orchids, handmade soaps, and a variety of other goods are available.
www.ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com2:00 PM
Take a two-hour horseback ride through Rice Canyon and the Enchanted Forest. Beginners or those with time constraints may prefer a one-hour jaunt
5:00 PM
Spend some quiet time in Libbey Park in the center of town. Walk through the oak trees and explore the old (empty) four-cell Ojai Jail, which was built in the 1920s, and the Libbey Bowl amphitheater.
www.ojainetwork.com/libbey_parkDay 3: Local Flavor
10:00 AM
Tour Ojai Olive Oil’s Asquith Farm, and then visit the tasting room for samples and the opportunity to buy house-made extra virgin and flavored oils, as well as locally produced olive-oil-based cosmetic products and imported balsamic vinegars.
www.ojaioliveoil.com1:00 PM
Meander through the shops and galleries of Arcade Plaza, a recently restored area that now includes the works of local artists and a central water feature. Take in fine examples of the Spanish Revival and Mission Revival architecture typical of the region.
www.ci.ojai.ca.us6:00 PM
Enjoy dinner at the ever-popular Boccali’s Pizza and Pasta—an Ojai staple since 1986. The restaurant, which has a lawn available for private events, serves comfortable fare in heaping portions using local ingredients. Save room for the strawberry shortcake!
www.boccalis.com