A Day Out Cycling the Ojai Valley Trail in Southern California

The Ojai Valley is – in my opinion – one of the most beautiful places in southern California. Tall, rugged mountains sit on either side of fruit orchards, vineyards, olive trees, and the quaint town of Ojai itself. It’s quite idyllic.

During a housesit there, I got to explore Ojai by bike and one of my favorite outings was cycling the Ojai Valley Trail all the way down to Ventura and back.

This 15-mile paved path (one-way) is a great way to see the natural beauty of the area. From the majestic eucalyptus trees lining the trail to beautiful mountain vistas to ending at the Pacific Ocean, I highly recommend grabbing a bike and setting out for a day on the Ojai Valley Trail.

In this post, I share everything you need to know about biking from Ojai to Ventura (or vice versa) including bike rentals, best stops, and how to tailor it to your interests.

Ojai Valley Trail & Ventura River Trail Map

Ojai Valley Trail FAQs

How long is the Ojai Valley Trail?

The trail stretches 15 miles one-way from Ojai to Ventura. It’s really two trails, though: the Ojai Valley Trail (9 miles) and the Ventura River Trail (6 miles). But it is one continuous path.

What is the trail surface like?

The Ojai Valley Trail is paved, but some sections are a bit bumpy and cracked from tree roots and flooding.

What’s the best section of the Ojai Valley Trail?

In my opinion, the best – and most scenic – stretch of trail is starting from Ojai. You can turn around whenever you’d like.

Are e-bikes allowed on the Ojai Valley Trail?

Yes, Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on the trail.

What’s the elevation profile of the Ojai Valley Trail?

The trail is downward-trending from Ojai to Ventura. There is about 800 ft of elevation loss. On the flip side, if you’re planning on biking up from Ventura, there’s about 800 ft of elevation gain.

That being said, the grade is very gradual, so it doesn’t really feel like you’re climbing.

Ojai Valley Trail Map — The trail is well-marked with trail signs and directions

Where to start

If you want to ride the full Ojai Valley Trail, you can either start in Ojai or in Ventura.

If you only want to ride part of the trail, I recommend starting in Ojai because it’s more scenic.

Ojai parking: There is street parking on Bryant Street where the bike trail starts or on any of the streets that it crosses in Ojai. Alternatively, there is a community parking lot at Rotary Community Park.

Ventura parking: There is street parking near the start of the Ventura River Trail or there’s a Vons nearby. There’s also paid parking down by the beach.

Stone wall pillar with Ojai Valley Trail plaque in Ojai, California

Bike Rentals

There are a number of places where you can rent bikes – including electric ones – between Ojai and Ventura.

Here’s a list of bike shops in both Ojai and Ventura:

The Mob Shop in Ojai
Ventura Bike Depot in Ventura
eBike Adventure in Ventura

4 Ways to Ride the Ojai Valley Trail

Depending on how much biking you want to do, there are a few ways you can bike the trail:

The full trail as an out-and-back starting either in Ojai or in Ventura. This will be about 30 miles with 1,000 ft of elevation gain.
One-way from either Ojai (downhill trending) or Ventura (uphill trending). Bus #16 travels between the two towns. You can also set up your own car shuttle or have someone drop you off.
Partial out-and-back. If you only want to do a short ride, you can ride the Ojai Valley Trail as an out-and-back from Ojai. Go as far as you want and then turn around!
Ride it as part of the Sulphur Mountain Trail, which is a gravel ride that traverses the ridgeline above Ojai.

Looking for more great rides in Ojai? Check out my post on the 5 Best Ways to Explore Ojai by Bike.

Optional Add-Ons

I’m never one to be satisfied with just doing a normal route, so I added a few extra miles (and adventure) to my ride on the Ojai Valley Trail.

Here are a few optional add-ons to customize your ride:

Omar Rains Coastal Bikeway

This paved coastal bike path can easily be accessed at the end of the Ventura River Trail in Ventura (signs point the way). Go right on Omar Rains for fewer crowds and nice views. Go left to watch the surfers catch some waves.

Shelf Road

If you’re up for a bit of an adventure, you can exit the Ojai Valley Trail at N. Signal Road and pedal out to Shelf Road where you can make a loop back to town via Gridley Road. Shelf Road is rough dirt/gravel and a bit technical in places. You should have wide tires and decent bike handling skills.

Silhouette of woman taking a photo of dirt Shelf Road from bicycle — Shelf Road is a fun, adventurous add-on, but I recommend wide tires and confidence on a bike

Omar Rains bike path next to the Pacific Ocean in Ventura, California — Take a right onto the Omar Rains Coastal Bikeway for nice views of the ocean and Channel Islands

Best Stops along the Ojai Valley Trail

If you want to make a day of it, there are a number of great stops along the trail for all interests.

Here are my top picks from Ojai to Ventura:

Food/Drink

Cafe BŌKU – tasty, healthy vegan food
Home Kitchen of Ojai – Great breakfast
Old Creek Ranch & Winery – A bit off the path, but a nice setting to enjoy a glass of wine. Access via E. Old Creek Rd.
Lovewell Tea & Coffee – Great coffee shop in Ventura
Harvest Cafe – Plant-based restaurant in Ventura for a tasty lunch

See & Do

Ojai Main Street – for good restaurants, cafes, and shops
Art City Studios – Cool art sculptures at the start of the Ventura River Trail
Surfer’s Point – Watch surfers catch waves in Ventura

Bike propped up against wall filled with desert plants. Rock sculptures and palm trees in the background — Stop at Art City Studios for a look at the cool rock sculptures

What to bring

What you pack for your day on the bike path will depend on how far you go and what the weather is like (it can get hot in Ojai!)

Here’s a general list of what to bring:

Water, either in a hydration backpack or a water bottle or two. There are shops and gas stations along the route where you can fill up if you need to.
A bike lock. You’ll want to lock your bike if you step off the trail and into a shop or restaurant.
A helmet! I couldn’t believe how many people I saw that weren’t wearing helmets… If you’re worried about how you look, check out the cute bike helmets from Thousand.
A bell. The bike path can get really busy, so it’s helpful to have a bike bell to let people know you’re behind them.

Bike leaned up against wooden fence next to Pacific Ocean in Ventura

I hope this post gives you the inspiration and information you need to get out on the Ojai Valley Trail. It’s a great way to spend a day or afternoon exploring this beautiful part of California!