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A great variety of luxury condos are available in Ojai, ranging from charming boutique buildings to soaring high-rise luxury towers and almost everything in between. Most of the properties are waterfront, giving buyers an option to choose from the riverfront, oceanfront, or Intracoastal front locations. Large apartment and condo buildings are the primary housing type in Ojai, representing around 40% of all properties in the city, with the remainder being single-family homes and small apartment buildings.
Located in Ventura County, Ojai is flanked by the majestic Topa Topa Mountains. With a territory of four square miles and a population of 7,400 people, the city has a decidedly small-town feel and a relaxed rural vibe.
Ojai is a famed vacation spot, whose hiking trails, organic farms, vineyards, and hot springs attract thousands of visitors a year. Locals often dub the place “Shangri-La” because of its reputation as a wellness retreat and because key scenes from the movie Lost Horizon were shot in the area.
It is bordered by the Topa Topa Mountains to the north, Casitas Springs to the south, Lake Casitas to the west, and the city of Santa Paula to the east. Ojai is about 33 miles east of Santa Barbara and 85 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Despite Ojai being a secluded rural city, getting in and out of town is easy thanks to California State Routes 33 and 150. Both the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and Los Angeles International Airport are under 90 minutes away.
With its proximity to nature, postcard-perfect views, and tight-knit community, Ojai is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of city living.
- What’s in a name? “Ojai” comes from the Chumash word that means “moon.” This makes it one of the few California cities named after a Native American word.
- Film-worthy. Part of Frank Capra’s 1937 adventure film Lost Horizon is set in the fictional Shangri-La. The production crew chose Ojai to depict the calm and serene atmosphere of the fabled paradise.
- Celebrity favorite. With Ojai being just a 90-minute drive from Hollywood, stars like Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, and Anthony Hopkins flock to the city for its luxurious spas and spiritual retreats.
- Meditative beauty. Ojai’s serene beauty and secluded location make it the ideal place for reflection. Luckily, Meditation Mount offers a free venue where you can contemplate life’s most important questions.
- Lavender valley. The city is also home to one of the most unique events in California: the Ojai Valley Lavender Festival. The annual affair celebrates the abundant lavender plants that grow in Ojai Valley because of its Mediterranean climate.
- Pixie perfect. There are over 25,000 pixie trees in Ojai, and the city designates April as Pixie Month to celebrate these tiny citrus fruits. Restaurants and bars create pixie-themed fare, while hotels and spas offer special deals to attract visitors.
- Incomparable sunsets. Stay in Ojai and you’re bound to hear about its iconic “pink moment.” Due to the area’s unique geography, the entire sky blushes pink at dusk between December and January.
Ojai’s stunning surroundings have made it a coveted piece of land for hundreds of years. The area was used as ranchland for almost a century and the ranchero era’s legacy is reflected in the city’s unhurried lifestyle. Below are the key events that shaped this Ojai’s history:
- Early history — Before colonization, the Chumash Indians inhabited the land that would become Ojai
- 1833 — A decade after Mexico gains independence from Spain, the Franciscan missions are desecularized and converted into cattle ranches.
- 1837 — Governor Juan Alvarado grants over 17,000 acres of land to Fernando Tico, who establishes Rancho Ojay.
- 1874 — R.G. Surdam lays out an urban plan for lower Ojai Valley, which he names Nordoff and promotes as a wellness destination. The discovery of hot springs burnishes the town’s reputation as a leisure retreat, attracting snowbirds from the east.
- 1903 — The Foothills Hotel is built, establishing Nordoff as one of Southern California’s top vacation spots.
- 1916 — Entranced by Ojai Valley’s beauty, Drummond Libbey decides to relocate to Nordoff. In 1916, he hires architect Richard Requa to design a Spanish-inspired town center. Many of the architectural features from that era survive till today, including Libbey Park, the Arcade Pergola, and the Ojai Valley Country Club.
- 1917 — After the town center’s makeover, the area is renamed Ojai after both the valley it’s located in and the old Chumash word mean ing “moon.”
- 1921 — The town of Ojai is officially incorporated into a city.
- Present day — Today, Ojai is the epitome of refined rural living. Its wonderful weather, scenic vineyards, and thriving arts scene draw many visitors, many of whom decide to stay for good. For these reasons, Niche.com named Ojai as the fourth-best place to live in Ventura County.
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Niche.com classifies Ojai as a sparse suburban because it’s located outside larger and busier cities like Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. If you’re looking for a neighborhood that gives you more room to breathe, the city is an excellent choice.
But while the city may be small compared to its neighbors, real estate here commands a sizable price tag. Information from Realtor.com shows that a typical Ojai listing fetches around $1.3M—much higher than the national average. The good news is that property prices appreciate by about 7% year over year.
Ojai offers a range of realty options to suit your lifestyle and needs. Among the options are:
Unlike in major cities, condos in Ojai tend to be single-story abodes or cozy townhomes rather than multi-story constructions. Such properties are ideal for young families looking for a starter home or empty-nesters looking to downsize. Condos are a great entry point to the Ojai real estate market as their average listing price is much lower than other property types. A quick property search will reveal that most condos have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and have at least 1,000 square feet of floor space. These multi-family properties are conveniently located near the downtown area and its urban conveniences.
Single-family homesThose looking for a more traditional home should look into single-family properties. Located in secure and serene communities, these houses are the ideal place to raise a growing brood. They tend to be located near outstanding schools, which is great for buyers with school-age kids. The bigger space comes at a bigger cost, however, with listings ranging from $700,000 to over $1 million. But deluxe features such as walk-in closets, grand fireplaces, poolside patios, expansive yards, and private saunas make them well worth the purchase. Many of these properties have panoramic views of the nearby mountains, as well as easy access to biking and hiking trails. Single-family homes typically have four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a floor space of around 1,500 square feet.
Luxury homesOjai is also home to several high-end listings that won’t feel out of place in an architectural magazine. These luxury homes often command prices upwards of $5 million, but they are located in the most premier neighborhoods or in multi-acre lots. They’re often designed to maximize the views of the surrounding valley, and some even have provisions for ranching like stables, barns, and horse arenas. They also boast luxurious amenities such as resort-style pools, home theaters, private gyms, chef’s kitchens, and guest houses. Several restored homes date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, which adds both charm and historic significance to the property. Luxury houses in the area can have up to 10 rooms and seven bathrooms, and typically measure over 7,000 square feet.
Of course, this is just an overview of the available realty in Ojai. Contact a trusted agent who can provide more information and who can assist with your property search.
Ojai is a city that’s full of interesting dichotomies. It’s an affluent city that has a rural, village-like feel. It’s fairly small yet bursting with personality. It’s secluded but sought after by famous individuals.
For all these colorful contradictions, there’s one indisputable fact: Ojai is one of California’s top realty markets. Take a look at the various reasons why this city should be part of your home search:
Ojai’s cost index may be 64% higher than the national average, but it’s one of California’s more affordable premier neighborhoods. For instance, information from AreaVibes.com shows that Beverly Hills is 63% more expensive to live in despite being just a 90-minute drive away. Moreover, Ojai offers something priceless that nearby markets simply cannot offer: proximity to pristine nature. It’s also worth noting that the median household income in Ojai is about $70,000, which helps offset the higher living costs. While housing prices are steep, people will be glad to know that essentials like groceries, services, healthcare, transportation, and utilities are cheaper than the state average.
Job opportunitiesAccording to BestPlaces.net, Ojai’s job market is projected to grow by 27.7% over the next 10 years. The tourism industry figures prominently in Ojai, as the area attracts many leisure seekers. The city can also be considered a “bedroom community,” as most residents work in nearby cities and come home to Ojai at the end of the day. That said, both Santa Barbara and Los Angeles offer plenty of job opportunities in the entertainment, technology, startup, hospitality, and education sectors. Chain stores are prohibited in Ojai, so the city is a conducive environment for small businesses should you decide to open one.
WeatherThe great weather in Ojai allows you to explore its many wonders practically year-round. This area gets about 269 sunny days a year and receives just 19 inches of rain annually. BestPlaces.net gives Ojai an 8.9/10 on its Comfort Index for its balmy weather. The warm season runs from June to September, with average highs of 84°F. Meanwhile, the cool season starts in November and ends in March, with temperatures rarely falling below 41°F. Tourists often flock to the area in June, July, and May, when the weather is at its finest.
SchoolsPublic schools in Ojai are administered by the Ojai Unified School District (OUSD). Thanks to student diversity, top-notch teachers, college preparedness, OUSD placed sixth in Niche.com’s ranking of Ventura County’s best school districts. Schools provide a holistic curriculum, which places equal emphasis on academics, athletics, and the arts. The school district also implements education innovation programs such as the 1:1 Device Initiative, in which all middle school students receive a Chromebook laptop that they can use for their studies. Inclusiveness is also crucial, which is why schools offer adult continuing education, distance learning support, computer literacy training, and special education services.
One of the perks of living in a smaller city is the ease of getting around. You can explore most of the city, including the charming downtown district, in under an hour. And you don’t even have to own a car to do so—WalkScore.com gives Ojai a walkability score of 89 and a bike-friendliness score of 83. For a scenic ride around the city, you can also take the Ojai Trolley, which goes through the city center, Meiners Oaks, and Mira Monte. To travel outside the city, you can take a Topa Topa Taxi or hop on the Gold Coast Transit at select pickup points around Ojai. You can also drive to nearby cities by passing through California State Routes 33 and 150.
RestaurantsThere are many reasons why Ojai should be on foodies’ lips. The fertile Ojai Valley supplies local restaurants with a plenitude of fresh, seasonal produce. And top-notch vineyards produce wines beloved by connoisseurs the world over. If you want to savor the local culinary scene, contact these restaurants and book a table:
Olivella. Located at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Olivella proves that the finest ingredients, simply prepared, make for the most refined dishes. From wild-caught fish to freshly made pasta, Chef Andrew Foskey spares no expense in procuring and preparing the best ingredients for his guests.
Tipple & Ramble. Tipple & Ramble is what you get when casual meets chic. Where else in Ojai can you enjoy fine wine and charcuterie while sunning on an outdoor patio beside a pink retro trailer?
Farmer and the Cook. Not all of Ojai’s best eating spots are in the downtown area. About 2.5 miles away in Meiners Oak is Farmer and the Cook, which serves up vegetarian and vegan Mexican fare using produce grown by the owners themselves.
RecreationFar from the madding crowd, Ojai is an excellent place to unwind and recharge. Luckily, the city has many leisure activities that are sure to invigorate your spirit. Take a look at these top picks:
Spa Ojai. Also part of Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, this wellness sanctuary offers rejuvenating treatments that will melt your stresses away. Spa Ojai’s open-air cabana massage is 60 minutes of bliss designed to soothe tired muscles and harried minds. Meanwhile, the CBD oil massage provides much-needed relief from joint pain caused by injuries or arthritis. Beauty treatments such as botanical facials will also have you looking as good as you feel.
Meditation Mount. The Ojai Valley has long been known as a spiritual retreat and many attribute this to the area’s supposed electromagnetic vortex. And if it’s soul-searching you’re after, Meditation Mount should be at the top of your list. Its scenic views and serene atmosphere make it ideal for contemplation and reflection. The facility offers introductory courses to meditation, as well as guided and self-guided sessions to visitors.
Los Padres National Forest. Few destinations offer the variety of ecosystems that Los Padres National Forest does, which ranges from semi-arid deserts to towering redwood forests. This national forest is also the perfect place to get up close and personal with local wildlife, including 468 species of fish and woodland creatures. And after a long day of trekking, you can soak your weary bones in Sespe and Willett Hot Springs.
AttractionsWith so many fascinating sights and sounds to see in Ojai, you’ll never run out of enjoyable things to do. Indeed, around every turn are delightful attractions just waiting to be discovered. Here are a few must-visit ones:
Casa Barranca Tasting Room. For the best wines in Ojai, Casa Barranca Tasting Room is the place to be. A pioneering organic winery, the vineyard produces award-winning rosé, merlot, cabernet, and chardonnay wines. Even better, its tasting room is conveniently located in the downtown district.
Ojai Valley Museum. A visit to the Ojai Valley Museum will give you a deeper appreciation and insight into the city’s colorful past. It has semi-permanent exhibits that depict the most pivotal events in Ojai’s history. A diorama also showcases the 12 unique species that call Ojai Valley home. And for art lovers, a small gallery puts the spotlight on the area’s most talented artists.
Ojai Olive Oil. The Ojai Valley’s fertile soil can grow just about anything, including some of the finest olives in California. Ojai Olive Oil Company offers a free tour of their groves and mill, giving you a firsthand look at the entire oil pressing process. Be sure to buy a few bottles of their award-winning, herb-infused olive oils while you’re there.
Come home to OjaiWith its small-town charm, convenient location, proximity to nature, and interesting attractions, Ojai is truly one of Southern California’s best-kept secrets. Luckily, there is still available realty here.
And who better to serve as your real estate agent than a proud Ojai resident like me, Donna Sallen. With a deep knowledge of the city’s various neighborhoods, I can provide detailed information about the city’s property market.
Keeping your unique needs and desires in mind, I provide expert advice every step of the way, from property search to closing. When you work with me, you work with an agent who genuinely loves the area and is eager to welcome you to it.
Whether you’re looking for a single-family or multi-family home, my exclusive realty portfolio can meet your needs. If you want to view properties from the comfort and safety of your home, I can also arrange virtual showings for you.
To get started, contact me at 805.798.0516 or send and email to donna4remax(at)aol(dotted)com