SoCal Vlog #17 - Ojai (Day 18 & 19)

From Glendale to Ojai – Tortoises, Mountain Views & Small-Town California Vibes We left Glendale after a coffee run to Taco Bell (motel had none) and admired the palm trees and mountain backdrop—plus a legendary Valvoline air dancer. Next stop: Ojai, California – a charming small town surrounded by mountains, known for art, hiking, and boutique shops. At Barbara Balman Boutique, Sol hooked us up with a private Turtle Conservancy tour, where we met “The Dude,” a friendly tortoise. Fun fact: All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. Dinner at Topa Topa Brewing + Sama Sama Kitchen (Okonomiyaki tots, rice bowls, noodle soup). Wrapped the night with an evening swim and drone shots of Ojai’s stunning mountain views. Day 2: Breakfast at a local diner (gluten-free pancakes, Elvis breakfast). Hiked for panoramic valley views, browsed Bart’s Books (the famous outdoor bookstore), antique shops, and the Ojai Farmer’s Market (Helen’s first tamale). Ended with dinner at Zadie’s—seafood tacos, brownie, and acai ice cream—before heading back to Los Angeles. We might actually live here one day.