Ojai

A haven for art lovers and sun worshippers alike, Ojai is old California in all the best ways. Seemingly frozen in time, the village-like core of the city is full of quaint galleries, New Age shops, laid-back wineries and rustic bars.

The SoCal town (home to around 7,500 residents) makes for an easy weekend escape from the frenetic pace of Los Angeles. In fact, this darling destination just a two-hour drive from LAX has served as a not-so-secret retreat for Hollywood A-listers for decades.

Outdoor adventurers can find excitement here, too, with Los Padres National Forest to the north and Lake Casitas, with its myriad recreational areas and nearly year-round sunshine, only seven miles southwest.

Still, the real highlight of this scenic city is its natural beauty. Ojai (which means “nest” in the native Chumash language) is a verdant valley of fragrant citrus groves tucked between mountain ridges that casts a magical pink glow come sunset.