Jillian and Mallory, two of the women at HELM that you may have talked to at one time or another when you called, wrote in or stopped by, are no strangers to the West Coast. Jillian travels back and forth consistently from her home here in Austin and Mallory recently drove up the coast with friends to hike, explore and enjoy the perfect weather. With both having spent time in Ojai, we thought it would be a great chance to highlight some of their favorite spots in the picturesque city just north of LA.
MALLORY
TOPA MOUNTAIN WINERY
"Just outside of downtown Ojai, Topa Mountain Winery was the ideal afternoon destination after a 5-mile hike. They have a great selection of wines to sip while enjoying a picturesque view of the Topa Mountain Range. The 2017 Chief Peak was a personal favorite."
THE DUCHESS
"The Duchess recently opened in Ojai to much fanfare and it did not disappoint. Open all day, we went for dinner which featured a Burmese-Indian menu. Our group had a mix of vegetarians, meat-eaters, dairy-free and gluten-free eaters, yet we were able to order almost everything on the menu. The Lamb Biryani was baked under a puff pastry and was the perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and savory. Definitely don't skip over the small plates - perfect for sharing and sampling the full range of the menu."
LOVE SOCIAL CAFE
"Love Social was the perfect breakfast spot before heading over to the Ojai Farmers Market which is open on Sundays. We sat outside and enjoyed the ambiance, the breakfast tacos were wonderful (yes, this is coming from a native Texan), and the coffee was perfect."
JILLIAN
photo by a little bit alexa
THE FARMER & THE COOK + ENID & EDGAR VINTAGE
"The Farmer and the Cook is a Mexican Cafe, bakery and organic market with incredible Goat Cheese Tacos, natural wines and treats. It has plenty of outdoor seating and a casual, friendly atmosphere. Just around the corner (only steps away) is an outdoor vintage shop that is always fun to explore. Enid and Edgar has vintage sweatshirts, denim and maybe the odd trapper hat."
BART'S BOOKS
"Bart's Books is an al fresco library and treasure trove - the largest outdoor bookstore in the world. With a great arts section and serene setting, it makes proper use of the perennially serene climate."
DEER LODGE
"Ojai's historic restaurant and tavern offers live music occasionally and outdoor fire pits always. Rich in history, they serve California cuisine and have pool tables, a dog-friendly patio and kid friendly menu."