( Travel + Leisure ) -- One of Southern California 's prettiest escapes is just a short skip from Los Angeles . All you need is three days and the right itinerary . Ojai is a haven for artists and musicians . DAY 1 . Check in : The 220-acre Ojai Valley Inn & Spa ( 905 Country Club Rd . ; 800/422-6524 or 805/646-1111 ; doubles from $ 400 ) was recently overhauled to the tune of $ 90 million . The result : 308 refreshed rooms , with four-poster beds and adobe fireplaces , plus the Artist Cottage , which hosts crafts classes and aromatherapy workshops . A full slate of activities such as golf , tennis and hiking mean you 'll never have to leave the property . In the heart of town , try the Mission revival-style , all-suite Su Nido Inn ( 301 N. Montgomery St. ; 866/646-7080 or 805/646-7080 ; doubles from $ 329 ) . All nine rooms have super-plush beds and custom tile work ; three have vaulted ceilings . Take a hike : Of the 24 hiking paths that crisscross the valley , the 6 1/2-mile Last Chance Trail , which winds through the forested Santa Paula Canyon , is the most beautiful -- and the most popular . To avoid crowds , opt for the Shelf Road Trail , with its dramatic valley views . Grab a bite : Dine by candlelight on the slate patio at Suzanne 's Cuisine ( 502 W. Ojai Ave. ; 805/640-1961 ; dinner for two $ 80 ) , a 15-year-old local institution that serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with organic produce from area farmers . Hit the town : Ojai 's not known for its nightlife , but those looking to unwind can head to the art-filled Movino ( 308 E. Ojai Ave. ; 805/646-1555 ) , a sultry little wine bar where residents and visitors alike mingle over glasses of regional favorites ; the 54-bottle list includes three from the Ojai valley itself . DAY 2 . Start fresh : Begin the day at the low-key Ojai Café Emporium ( 108 S. Montgomery St. ; 805/646-2723 ; breakfast for two $ 15 ) with just-baked blueberry muffins or decadent cinnamon-roll French toast . Stop and shop : Most of Ojai 's galleries and boutiques are located in and around the main street shopping arcade ( see Where to Shop ) . If your tastes veer more to the homegrown variety ( artisanal soaps , candles , honey and breads ) , time your visit to coincide with Ojai 's Certified Farmers ' Market ( 300 E. Matilija St. ) , held on Sundays . Get cooking : Nancy Michali trained at San Francisco 's renowned Tanta Marie culinary school before opening the Ojai Culinary Studio ( 315 N. Montgomery St. ; 805/646-1124 ; classes from $ 30 ) in a wood-floored house . The assortment of international cooking classes features ingredients from the on-site garden . DAY 3 . Find your spiritual side : Pilgrims , gurus and yogis have been drawn to these chaparral-covered hills for years . To see why , follow Reeves Road to the serene Meditation Mount ( 10340 Reeves Rd . ; 805/646-5508 ) , where rock platforms seem suspended over the valley . Sweat it out : The 31,000-square-foot spa at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is the only one in the country to offer Kuyam -- a Moroccan mud treatment and guided meditation . More traditional treatments include several facials that use the inn 's natural skin-care line . Treat yourself : Small plates ( tomato-and-basil-stuffed artichokes ; smoked salmon on baguette ) make up the menu at Azu ( 457 E. Ojai Ave. ; 805/640-7987 ; dinner for two $ 50 ) , a diminutive tapas bar inspired by chef Laurel Moore 's travels in Spain . With more than 60 wines , 20 vodkas and six beers on tap , it 's also the perfect place to round out the night -- and your visit . E-mail to a friend . Planning a beach getaway ? Do n't miss Travel + Leisure 's guide to Affordable Beach Resorts . Copyright 2009 American Express Publishing Corporation . All rights reserved .
The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles . 457 hiking paths crisscross the Ojai valley . baguette 's Cuisine serves dishes made with local organic produce . Ojai offers a range of unique treatments .