This is a relatively small museum offering permanent exhibitions of local history including Ojai's huge Motion Picture heritage. Displays of the various movies that were filmed here over the decades were particularly interesting. Admission is $5 (a 2 for one coupon is available in one of the local coupon books).
A resident of 84 years took us around pointing out current sites and often telling us some history or what had stood there 75 years ago.
The Ojai Museum located in an old Spanish style building on the main street has lots of informative exhibits about the history of Ojai and the surrounding areas including the people who originally settled Ojai. There is also a big exhibit about the founder of AARP which was started right there in Ojai.
The museum is located close to downtown in a former Catholic Church, the collection varies depending on what is being featured a the moment. We saw a portrait collection, which was outstanding. It featured many artists rendering of well known people in Ojai, and was quite fascinating, giving a history of each person and what they meant to Ojai. Well worth a visit.
Pictures and history of Ojai, also a section with portraits of local Ojai people. The gentleman volunteer was friendly and helpful. We recognized that one of the portraits was of him. There is a small museum shop, mostly books.
Came here on a Saturday morning and happened upon a walking tour just about to start. We and our girls 8 and 11 really enjoyed it. Nice weather, low 70s. The guide would lead us short distances to shady areas, most with some sort of seating. Very informative. Included museum entrance afterwards.
The Ojai Valley Museum has great influence in Ojai. It's exhibits are interesting and usually have to do with Ojai Valley. It was showing an exhibit of the ranching families when I went. I really enjoyed it. It also has some great artifacts from the area and is a nice way to start your visit in Ojai.
Lovely building and location is excellent, but if it were not for the temporary exhibit about the pioneering families of Ojai Valley, there wouldn't be much to it. I suggest that they retain a portion of the temporary exhibit and incorporate it into the permanent collection. Worth 1 hour of your time.
Very much a hometown feel. Small place, but with all the local history you need. Ran into a wonderful local who knew everything about the town.