Ojai There!

Ride the Ventura to Ojai Bike Path

Woman biking the Ventura to Ojai bike path in Ventura County

If a substantive and super scenic bike ride is right in your wheelhouse, do the 30-mile (round-trip) Ventura-to-Ojai bike path that begins (and ends) near the Ventura shoreline. You'll pedal along the Ventura River and stop in delightful Ojai at the base of the Los Padres National Forest.

Woman riding her bike over a bridge on the Ventura to Ojai bike path

Woman bike riding next to a ranch fence and pastoral landscape with trees on the Ventura to Ojai bike trail

Start at one of several paved path entries near downtown Ventura and begin your 15-mile (one-way) route that gently and gradually climbs over 800 feet on the way to Ojai.

The journey mostly parallels the CA-33 and the Ventura River with a wide variety of scenery, starting with oil derricks and passing metal mile markers with inspiring quotes to energize you. Look also for Ventura Spirits, a craft distillery that is right off the path and worth a stop.

Bike rider on a floral section of the Ojai to Ventura bike trail with a palm tree in the foreground

The winding route becomes more scenic as you pass by parks, campgrounds, and hiking trails that veer off into the chaparral, with green hills in the background. Other highlights include a quaint bridge passing over San Antonio Creek and incredible valley views upon reaching the small town of Oak View. Look for a bench and painted rock garden after passing Santa Ana Boulevard—this is a great rest spot to soak in the panoramic vistas. 

Woman riding her bike on the Ventura to Ojai bike path

Man sitting on a bench overlooking the scenery on the Ventura to Ojai bike path

Woman biking the Ventura to Ojai bike path

From here, it’s only about 5 miles to Ojai; the trail bends east at the outskirts of town at Rotary Community Park. Pass by Topa Mountain Winery (you can enter directly from the bike path) and soon reach Libbey Park, the town’s premier public green space and a great stopping point to park your bikes and have a picnic. Walk around, enjoying the town’s boutique shops and restaurants. For coffee, try Ojai Coffee Roasters; for beer, go for Topa Topa Brewery; and for burritos, head to Ojai Tortilla Factory. Don’t miss Bart’s Books, the famous local literature store that contains something for everyone in a beautiful setting.

Woman walking around looking at the books in the outdoor bookstore Barth's Books in Ojai California

When you’re refueled and ready, head back to your bikes at Libbey Park and hop on the trail for an easy, gradually descending 15-mile coast back to Ventura. Ride on!

E-bike Bonus: Too tired for such a long route? There’s a two-tire for that! Rent pedal-assist e-bikes from local spot eBike Adventure (Shepherd, the owner, is super friendly and has great rates!).

A couple on their bikes looking back to the camera smiling on the Ventura to Ojai bike path.

To get to a typical Ojai Valley Bike Trail starting point (this one at Rex St. and Dubbers St.), take the US-101 to the California St. exit in Ventura. After 3 blocks heading north, turn left onto Main St., followed by a right onto Olive St. Pass the CA-33 entrance and take the next left onto Rex St. to find the bike path (find street parking nearby). Dog-friendly (you can also walk along the bike path)!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Photo of the East Brother Light Station in the San Francisco Bay Area

    Oh, Brother!

    Spending the night on a tiny island in the Bay? Intriguing. Spending the night in a lighthouse perched on that island? Sound the foghorn! East Brother Light Station Bed & Breakfast sits on a small patch of land in the strait that separates San Francisco and San Pablo Bays.

    View
  2. Mill About Lakeside

    Bucks Lake Recreation Area near Quincy in Plumas County has plenty of beautiful hiking trails. For an easy hike with beautiful spots for sunning, swimming, and lounging on sand beaches or giant rock slabs, do the Mill Creek Trail.

    View
  3. Camping at Chewing Gum Lake Emigrant Wilderness

    High Sierra Lake Hop

    Situated just north of Yosemite is a High Sierra wonderland that gets a fraction of the crowds and is a fantastic destination for backpacking. The Emigrant Wilderness is 113,000 acres of granite ridges, wildflower-strewn meadows, and cobalt lakes.

    View
  4. The Secret Big Blue

    Set at 4,500 feet, surrounded by 52 miles of shoreline, and with sparkling sapphire hue, Lake Almanor is the other big blue. The secret one. This huge lake—idyllic in spring through fall for all kinds of water adventures—is a gem of Plumas County where you can relax without crowds.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Hot As (Bumpass) Hell

    So you like going to all the hot spots when you visit places? Well, in Lassen Volcanic National Park there’s a place so hot it gets downright steamy. Bumpass Hell is the largest hydrothermal area in the park, with sputtering mud pots, sulfur vents, and boiling pools. It’s California’s Yellowstone.

    View
  2. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View
  3. Starcrossed Stairway?

    Built into the hillside next to the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Heights delights with historic homes, steep and narrow (mostly carless) streets, and enchanting city views. Best of all, it features a network of walkways and staircases that makes it super fun to wander and explore.

    View
  4. Lunch at the Lakes

    Pack your own picnic and head for a lakeside lunch at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Then take your pick from a lovely trio of lakes accessed from the same trailhead. Follow it all up with a visit to Manzanita Lake on the other side of the park.

    View