Traveling as a family to Ojai? The Lavender Inn is happy to welcome young guests in the Provence Cottage. The Cottage boasts a living room, a kitchenette for storing your family’s favorite snacks, and a separate bedroom with a king bed. A comfy rollaway bed works out perfect for your child. Relax by the fountain in your private backyard while your little one gets some outdoor time. There are also two large smart televisions so everyone can watch what they like. While we know our inn is a delight, we also know you will want to explore Ojai. There are lots of child-friendly activities in the area.
- Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch – Boccali’s is known for their amazing pizza and pasta. In the month of October, they add the joy of a pumpkin patch. Admission to the patch is free and there are lots of tiny pumpkins and “Big Mac” pumpkins for purchase. The pumpkin patch and kid’s hay maze is open every day in October. Visit on a weekend for the daytime hay wagon rides.
- Libbey Park – Want to visit a fun playground? You have to make time to visit Libbey Park. The park is open every day from 6:00 am until 11:00 pm. Along with the playground, it boasts tennis courts, a community bandstand, and lots of tucked away quiet spaces. The park is a favorite for locals and visitors. Be aware that it is especially busy for the Ojai Tennis Tournament each April and the Ojai Music Festival each June.
- Go Hiking – The wilderness around Ojai offers so many opportunities for scenic views. From parks to preserves to the Los Padres National Forest, there are hikes for all levels of expertise. All Trails has a list of 15 recommended kid-friendly hikes near Ojai. Walking the entire length of the Ojai to Ventura Bike Path may be a lot for little legs but if you are lucky you will get to see horses along the parts with the accompanying horse trail.
- Go for a Bike Ride – Does your family enjoy exploring via bicycle? The Mob Shop has you covered. They are a full-service bike shop that also rents electric bikes, active bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes, and kids bikes and trailers. They even have trailers for dogs if you are traveling with your furry family member. There are lots of recommended routes from casual rides to challenging mountain bike trails.
- Casitas Water Adventure – Fun and water go hand in hand on a hot summer day. Casitas has everything you need for a sopping good time. Relax along the lazy river, speed down the slides, or wait for the dump bucket to completely soak you. Certified lifeguards keep everyone safe and shaded decks give you relief from the sun. There are picnic tables just outside of the waterpark if you want to bring your own food and drinks.
- Horseback Riding – The Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company has rides available for everyone who is at least six years old and 47 inches tall. One-hour trail rides take guests into the Ventura River Valley Preserve. Rides are done at a walking pace which gives you more opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking views. Not sure about a full family riding experience? They offer 30-minute pony rides through the ranch for kids. It is a great way to see all of the animals at the ranch while on horseback.
- Ojai Skateboard Park – Test your skills at this free 12,500 square foot park. The skate park is open every day from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm, weather permitting. The park originally opened with a smaller footprint in 2000. Because it was so popular, the city and the school district agreed to the permanent larger park that sits next to Chaparral High School today.
- Visit the Ojai Olive Oil Farm – The farm is open daily from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. They pride themselves on being family friendly and welcome visitors of all ages. If you are traveling with a child in a stroller, the facility is ADA accessible allowing for ease of exploration. They even have a special enclosure for pets while you sample and shop. This is a great way to start to explain to kids where food comes from.
- Hop on the Trolley – The Ojai Trolley is a great way to get around town, especially when little ones get tired of walking. It is fun and fares are only $1.50 for adults and free for kids under 45 inches tall.
- Find a Gook Book – Bart’s Books is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore. Their tagline is “Everything, under the sun.” You can also pop into the local library for some quiet reading time. The library hosts lots of fun events so you may come across a storytime or craft activity.