There’s a small, grassy area on the back grounds of the newly restored and reopened Hotel El Roblar in the picturesque Central Coast town of Ojai. It’s past the hotel’s idyllic pool and a handful of stylishly appointed bungalows, and it’s where guests can find Abra and Cadabra, the hotel’s two giant tortoises. Although it may seem odd that a hotel would be home to these prehistoric-looking reptiles, one of its owners, Eric Goode, is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker and a conservationist who founded the nearby nonprofit, the Turtle Conservancy.
The dichotomy of a high-end, adults-only hotel dedicating some of its space to nature seems right at home in this elegant valley, which has been a destination for its healing hot springs, spiritual retreats, stunning landscape and overall hippie mentality for many years. With the restoration of the Hotel El Roblar, though, and a handful of new restaurants along its main drag, it’s become a bona fide dining destination as well.
That’s not to say there hasn’t been anywhere to eat or stay in the traditionally agricultural town, which boasts a meager population of around 7,600 (including some wealthy former Angelenos). The Ojai Valley Inn, a luxury resort with several restaurants on its sprawling grounds, has been in operation for more than 100 years. In recent years, smaller boutique hotels like the Capri and the Hummingbird Inn have undergone renovations by the Shelter Social Club group as well.
The town’s Spanish-style main dining and shopping stretch, Ojai Avenue, only really spans a handful of blocks. It’s had a few bursts of energy in recent years, as pizza place Pinyon opened in 2021, while 2022 saw the openings of bakery/Burmese restaurant the Dutchess and small plates and raw bar specialist Rory’s Place. In 2024, sisters Rory and Meave McAuliffe also opened Rory’s Other Place, the more casual daytime cafe and provisions shop…