Ventura to Ojai Paved Bike Path Reviews

This is a wonderful rail to trail bike path. The trail begins in Ventura, is paved all the way to Ojai, and is completely connected. It is 15 miles to Ojai, somewhat uphill. For a shorter ride, you can start at Foster Park. Take the 33 Hwy north to foster park. It is 9 miles to Ojai from here. Once you reach the end of the path in Ojai, you can turn right at the stop light and pick up the Ojai trail. There are wonderful cafes in Ojai to have lunch. Cafe emporium is an excellent choice, great food, close to the bike path. The ride back to Ventura is mostly downhill, a nice easy ride after lunch!

This trail winds it way from Ojai to Venture, Just a great bike ride with your young children or friends...

We biked from DT Ventura to Ojai. I believe it's between 12 & 15 miles. I can only reiterate what a number of reviewers have already said. Heading north can be tough. There is a gentle grade all the way to Ojai. I didn't have the greatest bike so it may have been a bit tougher for me than it should have. Still, I'm sure I would have needed many rest stops on the way north even with a great bike. Then again, I'm 68 & apparently not in quite as good a shape as I thought. Still, be prepared. Coming back is much easier as grade is downhill. Being new to the area I enjoyed the combination rural, suburban, urban landscape. Contrary to other reviewers I found the first 3 or 4 miles of industrial graveyard & oil pumps interesting, if not particularly aesthetic.

Trail head at Ojai, Foster Park or Ventura. The first ride we did was from Ventura to Foster Park and back. The second ride was from Foster Park to Ojai and back. Cost $ to park at park but car is safer there than under the freeway bridge. Next up is the entire route from Ventura to Ojai and back. Path is mostly paved, share with walkers, hikers and dogs. There is several "stop" signs along the way so be careful.

This is an enjoyable round trip bike ride from Ojai to Ventura Beach. We took most of the day to enjoy the ride down, time in Ventura and on the beach and then back to Ojai. The trail is very clean and easy to find in Ventura on your return trip. There are some industrial areas to pass through right before you get into Ventura, but a trip well worth the time and effort. The bike rental company allowed us to leave our car at their location so parking was not an issue. There is also plenty of public parking in Ojai.

We are bikers and have biked this path. It's an easy path; but there is some uphill going. You can start at the Pier and wind your way through the town, continuing on to Ojai. There are some stops along the way, a regional park with bathrooms, towns that you wind either through or around and ultimately Ojai. We love the Mexican restaurant at the end of town; so that is our stop. Don't have Margaritas though...rats. Don't want to drink and ride...ha ha. If you don't want to start in Ventura, drive to Foster Park with a vehicle and ride up and back. It's fewer miles. It's a lovely ride any time of the year. That said, it was get 90+ degrees in the summer and that temperature doesn't work for me. So we are Spring, Fall into Winter riders for us.

A nice ride that can be a little tougher going up than coming down. If you are up for a mostly downhill cruise with lots of great scenery start in Ojai. If you want a little more of a workout start in Ventura and pedal up the hill. Park in the public lot off of Main just past the freeway bridge or on the street. Don't forget sunblock and water. Although once you reach Casitas Springs there are places to stop and get water, coffee, etc. If you start in Ojai have breakfast at Bonnie Lu's then cross the street to the bike path. If you start in Ojai be sure to have some drive down to the end of the path in Ventura to meet you. Either way, or both it is a nice ride.

Great bike path all the way from Ventura to Ojai. Meet other folks. A very nice ride with the greatest scenery. Take your time, enjoy it, it uphill 2/3 of the way to Ojai, but downhill back. Don't miss this mountain bike rider, or road bike rider. It's even paved.

We rented bikes from the Crowne Plaza on the Ventura pier and rode the trail from the Pier into Ojai, about 34 miles round trip. Absolutely stunning!!! Easy ride, very gradual ascent so you don’t realize that most of the way is actually uphill. We went slowly on the way up to Ojai, taking in the scenery and even got some nice photos with the gorgeous sunlight! We ate our sandwiches in Ojai and then began the trek back, made it in half the time it took on the way up bec of the easy descent, and caught the beautiful sunset at the Ventura beach at around 530p! There are a couple road crossings; otherwise the bike trail is modestly trafficked with walkers, bikers, children alike and paved all the way up. It seemed like there are more trails to catch in Ojai if you want a longer trek and have time. I would absolutely do this trail again. Go for it if you’re thinking about it! Any level of biking skills can make this journey, just allow yourself enough time.

My wife and I load our bikes on the bus and ride down the trail. We like to eat brunch at the Ojai Valley Inn. Bring plenty of water and plan to end your ride in Pierpont.

Cycled from Ventura to Ojai, hired bikes from Bike Depot, which is near the start of the path, we managed the ride there, coffee & back in 4 hours. Great easy cycle path,

We saw this trail all along as we drove from Ventura to Ojai. When we stopped it was at a little parking area just going into Ojai. We walked about a mile towards town and back and the trail was mostly level and well maintained along the stretch we walked. On the ride up the portions we could see seemed nice also.

Excellent casual SoCal ride. Cold morning start off the Main St bike trail head warmed up quickly as this gradual climb, aided by tail winds headed towards Ojai almost 15 miles to town center. It's a totally paved bike path. You can make this a workout just by picking up the pace. Coming back you realize that the tail wind is now a cool headwind and the grade was steeper than you thought. Not much traffic. Only one bathroom stop at a park on the path. A very nice ride.

I love this trail. It's full of history and a ton of things to explore. Well done, Ventura, California!

We take this trail often and it's a safe and healthy alternative route to get to Ojai! As well as getting around Ojai!

We did not go the distance from Ventura to Ojai. We called a bike rental shop in Ojai and were told they could not rent bicycles due to Covid. So we rented bikes in Ventura and started the ride from the pier. We only made it a few miles and turned around because the scenery was so bleak and depressing. On the coastal path there were a few too many inclines, but there was a view of the ocean. We returned the bikes after only 2 hours. I guess we just didn't make it to the "gorgeous" part of the trail.

This is a designated bike path, so no cars to worry about except for a few road crossings. The climb to Ojai is gradual and there is usually a breeze to your back. Heading back down to Ventura, into the breeze, can be chilly, so a light jacket might be needed--it, of course, depends on the time of day and the season. It is about 12 miles long, but you can extend by riding on the oceanfront in Ventura. I would sometimes park at the supermarket at Seaward and ride along the ocean to and from the trail. You have to make a one-block jog into town on the street to connect the two paths. Additionally, there are a few places at the end and beginning of the ride to grab a bite to eat, but nothing in the middle. I would ride up to Ojai, eat breakfast at Eggs and Potatoes (just as you enter town), and then ride back.

Nice solution to the periodic flooding out of our path-the bridge also helps my back when I face that long climb up to Mahoney Hill and beyond to Ojai. Thanks!

Did you know you can ride uninterrupted from Ventura Beach to quaint Ojai on one 15-mile bike path? You get to see rock art, breathtaking vistas, scurrying animals and lots of people's back yards. Easy ride and fun for a day trip.

Bike path is nice. Once in a while there can be rude bicyclists that yell at you or don’t give you time to move out of their way. It is a nice bike path.

I’ve ridden this trail numerous times. It’s a very pleasant half-day or longer bike ride. The section that runs through Ojai is particularly pretty and tree-lined, and of course, Ojai is a wonderful artsy destination town. It’s not a “hidden” country trail; for most of the trail, you are paralleling the main Ojai-to-Ventura road, so traffic is always within eye-shot or earshot, but it’s low-level, low-speed traffic and the trail’s flora form a nice barrier. Definitely worth doing a few times

This is an enjoyable ride to Ojai. The views of the Ventura River are limited but have been good when the foliage is low. It's uphill from Foster Park to Ojai which is about halfway. There are bathrooms here. The downhill return trip is fast but there might be headwinds that can be strong.

From Buena Ventura State beach you have Ocean scenery. Then into town shortly before you start towards Ojai and Foster park . Now path has slight up hill trend with shade. Enjoyable scenery and pick your time to stop . When you reach into towns , many options for you. If you choose you can ride all the way to Libby Park. Going back you enjoy cruising down hill .

This ride is flat, wide bike path, minimal lights and stops with cool ocean breezes. 20 miles round trip. Long stretches to hammer if that's your thing.

Park in the Mrs Olsen parking lot at Harbor Blvd and W Channel Island Blvd. Ride North along Harbor Blvd to Beachmont St. (Lt), (Rt) Seaview Ave, (Lt) Peninsula St, (Rt) Pierpont Blvd, Cross San Pedro to bike path, ride to Ventura Fairgrounds/Surfers Point.

Continue on to Santa Barbara or Ojai via another great bike path to Hwy 150.

This is a great bike ride. It's separate from Hwy.33 thus it's very safe. It is also shaded for the most part and hence comfortable. There's a slight incline going, but so gradual you're hardly aware of it on the ride up. What is delightful is that on the way down you barely need to pedal which makes a very relaxing end to a long ride.

A great paved bike path connecting Ventura to Ojai. Many access points - we like to park under the freeway overpass near Foster Park (free parking) just north of Ventura, and ride up to Ojai. That section is more scenic than the part that goes through Ventura. Lovely views of the Ventura River Valley and nice native habitat along much of the trail from Foster Park. Dirt horse trail runs alongside the bike trail at the Ojai end. The trail goes right past the Oak View Community Center, so that's another convenient place to park.

The Ventura to Ojai bike path is a great place to ride. I usually start along the Ventura Promenade and pick up the bike path over by the Vons on Main Street. But if you want to shorten the ride a bit, you can park near Foster Park and pick up the trail there. It's uphill to Ojai, but not too steep or difficult. People coming downhill tend to be going pretty fast so take care. I usually stop and turn around at the Full of Beans coffee shop, but the trail is flat all the rest of the way into downtown Ojai. It's a beautiful well maintained trail, enjoy!

I live in Virginia but keep a bike in Ventura so I can do this ride. Best to go in the morning before Ojai gets too hot. I'll be back.

This is excellent if it is the sort of thing you are looking for. Not for road racers or for real mountain bikers, but perfect if you want a family ride or leisurely cruise from the coast up to ojai and back, or just do it one way and leave a shuttle car at the other end. If you do it one way, go Ojai to the beach. You can then keep going down the coast, through pierpont beach community and around to the ventura harbor for food or drinks or a swim in the ocean. Go for it!

Nice paved path for biking, skating, or walking. It's wide enough to pass people and not run into someone going the opposite way. It's kept very clean and beautiful!

Be careful not to park at the beginning of the path in Ventura. We were threatened because the locals did not want us parking on their street. It ruined our whole experience knowing that our vehicle might be hurt. We ended up turning around and ending our ride early. Sad the City of Ventura is putting effort into beautifying the path but it is littered with homeless.

This is a great ride, but you should have a decent bike if you plan to ride all the way to Ojai. There are some nice views. It’s much harder riding to Ojai, then riding to Ventura. If you really want an easy ride start in Ojai and ride down to Ventura, just make sure you have someone to pick you up when you get to the bottom! My friends and I like to ride to Ojai and treat ourselves with a bite to eat! It’s not crowded at all during the week. Definitely a fun day.

We have been riding this path for over 20 years and always enjoy it. We usually park in Foster Park where the fwy ends and then ride up to Ojai for breakfast. It's a great 18 miles round trip. A slight uphill on the way there and a fast ride on the ride back to the car. It is a paved dedicated path for riders, walkers and runners. The horse path parallels the path. Enjoy!

Very well paced path for biking and running. Very smooth and fast for runners going downhill. Rolling hills both ways.

This is a wonderful bicycle path. First, you must ride prepared with water and be prepared for climate change. It can get several degrees warmer and you can get wind at the lower end.
You can do the entire path or go you to a point and turn around. I like to start in downtown Ventura and end in the arcade in Ojai. Once at the arcade you can treat yourself to breakfast, ice cream or even a glass of wine.
The path is pretty shaded but it does have a few occasional rough spots or debris, so watch the path, but it is way better than cars.

16 miles of well maintained trail with an excellent destination in Ojai. Scenic as you get near Ojai - not so much at the Ventura end. Modest incline on the way to Ojai, nice relaxing return back to Ventura. Links to other trails along beach.

Approx 15 miles. Scenic and may be challenging to some because of distance. Fun to ride up to Ojai, have breakfast/lunch and ride back. Ojai Bev company one of my favorites. Also, the Emporium cafe. Fun to ride to Deer lodge too. Tends to get pretty hot in the summer.

Highly recommended! Traversed tree-lined pathways, industrial areas with pumpjacks for oil wells, wooden bridge crossings, rest stops with a restful bench and scenic views, and even chickens, a family of quail, oversized friendly hogs and Clydesdale horse that greeted us at their property lines! Beautiful falling leaves at this time of year. Pleasant trail!

Very nice trail. Connects Ventura to Ojai. you can take bus into Ojai and ride downhill back to Ventura. Lots of scenery

Goes from the Ventura beach promenade to downtown Ojai. It's a mild uphill slope from Ventura to Ojai. You can also park at Foster Park and go to Ventura or Ojai from there (closer to Ventura). Wonderful ride!

This is a pleasant easy going journey through some scenic back country areas. Family fun. Great for geocachers as well.

Recently, the Ventura River Bike path was designated as a National Recreation Trail and for good reason. The path is in great shape and very easy to follow. Great sights along the way combined with many bird and wildlife sightings will add to this enjoyable experience. Ojai and Ventura, at each end, are fun cities to spend time in. Take a day off from your travels to enjoy a day on a rental bike or bring your ow. For runners or walkers, this is a great route. Enjoy!

We are amateurs and enjoyed this ride. We did not complete the full ride as we didn't realize where it went. We enjoyed the scenery and will be visiting some of the campsites located along the path. The part we did complete (starting at Ventura pier) there were no amenities beyond the pier.

First, the ride can be either longer or shorter. Casual riders should probably take the shorter route, esp. If it's the first time. The longer ride is to take the trail starting at the fairgrounds next to the ocean in Ventura. The distance to downtown Ojai is about 15 miles. The shorter route starts at Foster Park and is 9 miles to Ojai. With an altitude of 745 feet downtown, the average increase in elevation to Ojai is about 50 feet per mile.
Start early in the morning, for a couple of reasons. First, in June thru mid-Sept. the temp will be in the 90's, if you're lucky. I rode up there yesterday, June 1st, and it was 97 at 11am. Second, if you head back toward Ventura after 1pm or so you will encounter a headwind that can, at times, make the downhill ride back seem uphill!
Enjoy! It's a pretty ride!

This paved bike path is great, and full of beautiful ocean views, and also of the mountains. Such beautiful views.

We went with our 10 and 13 year-old boys and it was totally manageable. There is no rush, you can go at your own speed.

It's a beautiful trail depending on the time of the year. I biked up to Ojai and back to ventura. It was with a bit of disappointment for the expectations, I blame it on my expectation. Please carry lights if you're headed in low light of early sunset days. It should be lovely during spring. The biking experience was nice as the total miles added was 36.

The road is not good right now. It reminded me of Michigan roads, very bumpy. If you're short (I'm almost 5-4) it's very hard to reach the pedals on the taller, 2-seater bikes. I also made the mistake of wearing a skirt. Boy, is that a big mistake, especially in the lower 2 seater bike. We had to change bikes. The guy that worked there was nice, though. They are doing some construction there now and part of the path is blocked off.

Always a pretty walk! Even when there's no water in the "river" it's still interesting. You never know what sorts of "creatures" might be seen!!

I have done this trail many times. Unless you're quite out of shape, most people will be able to bike the entire trail from Ventura to Ojai if you're at all a seasonal to full time biker. There are some intermediate portions with some gain in elevation, but most of the way the incline is quite manageable.
I love the fact that the trail is almost 100% OFF the main road, so it is safe and quiet. It is shaded in many areas, so you don't have the direct sun to overheat you. All around a fantastic paved trail.

I never knew this was here but i enjoyed my ride immensely. What a beautiful path and enough to enjoy on both ends.

This trail is made for bikes but it's a great walking trail. Once you are out of Ventura you hit some real CA scenery. The last part from Oak View to Ojai is too close to the highway so don't walk the whole thing. Bus service is available so you can jump off the trail and take a ride back to Ventura.

I liked riding the 4 person surrey on the beach bike path, am I reviewing the right attraction? If it's near the pier, that was fun. Nearly stacking a surrey in the sand while waving to lifeguards and dogwalkers would make anyone laugh and want to ride it again, right?

A very exhilarating up hill ride. Very scenic and challenging all the way into ojai. The ride back is mostly down hill and a fast return to ventura, minus a few cross streets.

My husband and I (both over 60) cycled the path from Ventura to Ojai, about 30 miles return. The path tends gently uphill for quite a few miles going northbound into Ojai, but that makes it easier getting back to Ventura after lunch!

One of the gems of Ventura is the path up to (and back) Ojai. go as far as you want with very few traffic crossing so you can stay on pace. Watch out for runners which are numerous. Avoid biking here on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend as a marathon uses the path.

IF YOU WANT TO GO TO OJAI...DRIVE....OR PLAN TO TAKE THE WHOLE DAY SO YOU CAN STOP ALONG THE WAY AND ENJOY YOURSELF....We left after noon and had to have the bikes back to the rental place by 5....so we RACED there...the group of 9 was spread out so was not really a group activity. Had a nice Mexican lunch but had to remount and race back to ventura..

We don't have racing bikes, just standard street bikes, so it took us 2 hours to cycle from Ventura to Ojai, but the path is terrific. The views are beautiful once you get out of the industrial area of Ventura. The grade is gradual but you are going uphill the whole way. Once in Ojai you have your choice of cafes, shops and parks for resting. We always have lunch or breakfast then cycle back. Because the route back to Ventura is downhill (gradually) the cycle takes 1.5 hours. Bring water and wear sunscreen. It is a really good outing for the day but expect to be tired afterwards - in a good way.

We use to take this path lMy brother lived in Casitas pass and I would love to go from there it is just a great way to share a fun day with companion ,kids friend first date etc.,

This is an easy ride from Foster Park to Ojai for breakfast and coast back or from the Ventura State beach for a longer ride. Safe all paved trail.

Although most of the bike path is along the road, it's still very pleasant. Bring your own bike or rent one from a couple different places in town. Or just take a walk. Once in Ojai, the path veers from the road and gets kind of secluded and that part is interesting. All-in-all, a nice outdoor experience.

Start at San Pedro turn in at Surfer's Point and can go all the way to Ojai. This is a beautiful, well maintained path that shows the awesome diversity Ventura County has to offer. Be aware of your surroundings however, as a number of less than savory characters hang out along the path at the beach and for the first several miles as the path turns from the beach to Ojai. While I run solo all the time on this path, I would never go by myself at dusk or before sunrise, particularly where the path parallels the Avenue. We love to drive to Casitas Springs Road and bike with the kids toward Ojai.

This has to be one of the best community services of all time: a great, long bike path from Ventura to Ojai. You don't have to do it all; there are several places you could start and stop. But go early in the day to avoid the heat, because it can get super hot in Ojai. I would not particularly recommend this for kids. There are lots of serious riders on this path, but others like me who are just pedaling along.

Trail begins in Ventura on the Pacific Ocean, then parallels the Ventura River and an old abandoned railroad line. The trail is also adjacent to an equestrian trail meandering through beautiful old trees, little rural settlements and eventually terminating in the lovely resort town of Ojai. There you can easily find a delightful restaurant to refresh oneself before a return to Ventura. Or do the ride in reverse as there are also many dining houses in Ventura. Special feature is that it is an easy comfortable ride for all ages as it is nearly level as it is all at a railroad grade. Try it and you will always remember it with pleasure,

Nice walk. Right next to the road which makes it noisy. Walking trail and horse trail. Lots of bikes but no one hit us, thank goodness. Only walked 1/2 mile but looks like a nice attraction.

Such great exercise and a lot of fun. Meet someone for lunch and have them drive you back in their car. Great for families and couples too. As long as the kids are strong enough to make it. Bring an extra tire tube. Go Ojai to Ventura, a bit more downhill and you get to the beach!

Scenic, flat, plenty of places to stop. Great way to see the sights

While real cycling aficionados will take issue with this choice, those of who are not as fast or prefer a more relaxing bike ride will appreciate the beautiful scenery and tranquil ride from Ventura to Ojai.

Just did this with my g/f last week, as part of a camping trip to Wheeler Gorge up in Ojai. It is a tiny bit tricky to find the trail's starting point in Ojai. There is a clearly-market location, on the east side of the street. But this is NOT the right place...that is where you would go for a 2-mile (level) ride east, continuing into Ojai.

The correct place is in the Von's parking lot, towards the south, near a breakfast restaurant. Literally just a foot or three from the 33.

From Ojai down to Ventura is about 14-15 miles. Most of it on a very slight downhill, with a few level places along the way, and the final few miles all level. So, a fit 6 year old could do this ride easily, allowing for a few rest stops along the way. For part of the trip, you're next to the highway (but this path is separate, so it's very very safe), for part you're maybe 30-60 metres away, so you can't see the 33 but can hear traffic, and for other parts, you're far enough away that you can't even hear the cars go by.

Lots of dappled sunlight, lots of parts with no shade (don't forget your sunscreen!!!)...a few nice bridges, one or two parks where one can stop for a picnic/rest.

It was *really* pleasant, even with the temperatures being well north of 90F that day. Note that, during the summer, Ojai is at least 15 degrees hotter than coastal Ventura.

The ride took us a bit over 2 hours, but that was with a lunch break, and several stops for me to indulge my photography passion.

We found out in advance that you can ride down into Ventura, and take a bus back. The number 16, I think. $1.50 per person, there is a 3-bike rack on each bus (no extra charge) and it takes you right back to the start of the trailhead. Since we had decided to use the bus, we could burn our extra energy riding around the bike path that hugs the ocean down in Ventura. Note that this bus runs at all times only once per hour. But there is a text number where you can find out when the next bus will arrive at your particular bus stop...a nice feature, if you remember to bring a smart phone.

Since the ride Ojai-to-Ventura was, essentially, all gentle downhill, this (obviously) means that the Ventura-to-Ojai return would be all uphill. For a fit rider, this would be a fantastic workout. But for casual riders, it would be a really really really long slog. Maybe on a nice road bike. But on my heavy hybrid? Would have been unpleasant for me. (Although I am a dedicated and regular casual rider, and not a bike die-hard, so your mileage may vary.)

Highly highly recommended. I am so happy that we decided to bring out bikes on this particular Ojai camping trip.

This is great for all levels of riding (Depending how far you want to go), We started at the Vons in Ventura and rode to Ojai and found many restaurants that were open.

We normally start around 9, get to Ojai by 11, just when the restaurants open up. There is a very slight uphill that you don;t really notice but when your belly is full and you're riding back, you notice that there is more coasting on the way back which is nice!

Its mostly shaded and a beautiful ride. If you are doing the ride we did, I would classify it as intermediate mostly because the trip is about 31 miles round trip. So if your butt can handle it, then go for it!

Started from Ventura near Olive Street where we rented bike- the Ventura Bike Depot - so didn't see the beach part of the path at all. Its about 15 miles from Ventura to Ojai. Be warned first 5-6 miles are through junkyard. Quite ugly actually. If you are patient the scenery gets much better. Around mile 10-12 there are few restaurants you can stop and grab something to eat. It's uphill from Ventura to Ojai so we were too hungry and tired and stopped for lunch here. Nothing special but once we refilled we biked further to Ojai which is 3-4 miles more. Wish we hung on because the town is quite pleasant with lovely architecture. It's Santa Fe type town with a wonderfully sweet park. Biking back is a breeze because it's mostly downhill. The views, because you coming down, are amazing and almost other worldly. But as you get closer to Ventura you are aghasted by the junkyard again. So all in all, 5-6 miles of sucky view and the rest just beautiful. If you are moderately active you should have no problem going up and down the trail for a 30 mile bike ride. We covered it 4-5 hours with lots of stops in the between for lunch, rest and photo taking.

If you like to bike, you should definitely take this trail. It is a gradual uphill to Ojai, but, not hard. Once you get out of Ventura, plenty of woods and scenery. Ocean breeze kept us cool.

By far the safest, barely no cars in sight! You cross a few roads at times. But for the most part you are away and free of cars. the first 5 miles in Ventura are on a flat road, after that you start climbing to Ojai. You can stop to a coffee shop on the flat road in Ventura or in Ojai and make this ride a social-coffee ride. There is the occasional crazy but most days, you'll truly enjoy this ride. It's busier during the weekend.

This bike path is easier than you would expect, for it goes from sea level all the way to the foothills of Ojai. The secret is the fact that it is on an old railway grade, so it has a very steady slope, challenging but not punishing. I do want to warn you about the goathead thorns. I had to buy a thorn-proof liner for my bike tire after that ride.

We walked this trail several times. It is excellent for walking, bike riding or running. If you stop at the campgrounds store and walk around the campgrounds, you can get to the beach which is clean and pleasant public area.

You can park near the fair grounds and start up the path along the Ventura River all the way up to Ojai. On the was it is all up hill, but is a fairly gentile grade. Get too tired, turn around and coast back down. Bottom several miles is good for kids. Near beach can be cool and cloudy but it can get sunny and hot just a few miles inland.

We rented bikes at Ventura Bike Depot very easily, just a 5 minute process, the guy picked us both out hybrid bikes super quickly and gave us directions to the trail which was only 1 block away. The way up to Ojai is basically flat with a bit of uphill. I was tired at the end and recommend stopping for a lunch break or snack or drinks in Ojai. We then biked back, a bit faster and easier as it was downhill. Give yourself at least 3 hours for this ride if you don't stop for a break in Ojai and you are an average biker not on a street bike. Its 28 miles round trip (45km). The trail itself was pretty and we really enjoyed the exercise.

You need to have two cars, one with room for bikes, you take that one down to the beach first, leave it, then you take the other car back to the Ojai, my recommended starting point, unless you are and experienced cross country biker, Tour De France type. The trip is scenic and mostly downhill, some parts along the river and some not. Make sure you take water, your cellular, and a since of adventure...you might even get to see where "Johnny Cash" Lived...

This is built on old train tracks so the over 1000 foot climb is barely noticeable but it is there. This is a great beginner ride for those wanting to work up to some real distances. If you get to where this is like nothing to you, you'll be ready for the SB county line ride.

I never paid much attention to bike paths untill I was helping in Ojia with the fire victems. Visiting Ojia on the weekend with all of it's shops restaurants, I met several couples from LA who wer visiting and riding thier bikes from Ventura to Ojia using the bike path. Then I realized how much fun that is. its well maintained and away from the main traffic with incrediable viewsl. Your Turn.........

Easy to cycle with the occasional busy place where you need to slow down near the beach and near industrial truck passes. The trail is well marked with signs where you need to be ready to stop. The city is still improving this trail with closures closer to Ojai. A great way to spend a few hours and you could always stop in the parks along the way for a snack or lunch if you prepare ahead of time.

I've been riding this path sense it first began years ago. Now that it is done, you can ride from the beach at Ventura to the mountain hide away of Ojai. The city's and county have done a wonderful job of this project and we are proud of it. You can walk, jog, run or ride your bike and enjoy the beautiful views that it has to offer. Sometimes it gets a little busy so be courteous and watch out for the little ones. One of my favorite things to do is ride up to Ojai and have lunch then come back to Ventura and enjoy the beach for awhile. Enjoy the best bike path in Ventura Co.

Great bke trail we get dropped off in Ojai and ride back to Ventura. Excellent work out and beautiful scenery.

Decided to try the Ventura to Ojai bike path on a nice August Sunday morning. The temperature at the Ventura trailhead was a nice breezy 72 degrees at 10:30am and almost a bit cool but bike shorts and T-shirt worked just fine.

The bike path is well marked and well maintained, the ride up to Ojai is a very gradual climb, easy for any recreational rider. Although at about 7 to 9 miles up there is a short stretch of medium climbs to the top.

Beware if you are starting later in the morning as I did that the temperature rises significantly from the breezy beach compared to the higher elevation at Ojai. By the time I reached Ojai it was a hot 96 degrees and mostly full sun so prepare accordingly and stay hydrated.

The ride back down to Ventura was met this day with stiff winds heading up the valley so there was very little coasting back down and had to put in about the same amount of effort as the ride up.

This day I was riding a mountain bike and my moving time top to bottom was a little over 2 1/2hrs not including a short rest at the top of the trailhead so plan anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to make a roundtrip ride.

I would recommend this trail!

The part just north of Ventura is industrial, and at one point you have to actually bike past a freeway entrance, but don't get discouraged. Just keep biking up toward Ojai, and eventually you will get to beautiful hillsides, twisted oaks, sloping vistas, the a pedestrian bridge across an attractive stretch of the Ventura River, and eventually the Ojai Valley. Although it is a safe bikeway, separated from the street, at several spots, you need to cross streets, so keep your kids close, and bring a bike light in case you need to come back after sundown. Coming back from Ojai to Ventura is a lot easier, because it gently slopes downhill.

I cycled this path from Ventura to Ojai, then rode all over Ojai and then cycled back to Ventura.. This path is well maintained, and so much to see. Little towns like Casitas Springs, Oak View and old ventura oil fields.. It is peaceful, shaded, so many trees, flowers, parts of history along the way. grab a bike, and check it out..

Beach to mountain ride. Take your time or push yourself, it is a wonderful way to spend a day

This is a fun thing to do in Ventura! Nice smooth path, slight uphill to Ojai. But coast back home! Only advice, ride bikes that fit you.

The completed bike path really goes through a beautiful area, but there are several roadway crossings, so slow down for those and watch for cars. There is a slight incline during much of it, but most of it is relatively flat or easy to climb. Several good places to eat once you get into Ojai.

This path is manageable even for novice riders. The way to Ojai is a slow uphill grade; just take your time. Get to Ojai, walk around and have lunch, knowing it is downhill the whole way back. The path is one third industrial, two thirds beautiful. Shaded, smooth, not crowded (we were there on. Friday). A great activity for friends, family, or solo riders. Bike depot is a great place to rent bikes-- on west Main Street, near the bike path. They are very helpful.

My wife persuaded me to do this ride from Ojai to Ventura Beach and back. For the record my wife is a relatively serious road biker who thinks nothing of doing 4-5 hour rides in the foothills of the Rockies. I on the other hand am an overweight male in my sixties. My wife never cuts me any slack. Although she is ten years younger, she always insists it won't stop her when she reaches my age. Well no, she's a marathon runner, zero fat, remarkedly fit and an a type personality. Hardly a fair comparison. Anyway she ropes me into doing this trip, telling me how much I will love it, especially getting to the ocean. True enough, but you still have to cycle back. The path is well marked and in good condition. For the most part, after leaving Ojai, you are in lovely farmland. This gradually changes, as you pass the sanitation station and enter the industrial area. Quite a bit of the path borders these industrial sites, not very pretty. The streets are busy when you enter Ventura but the promenade by the beach is lovely. Have lunch on the pier, relax and try not to think about the ride back, which is obviously uphill even if the grade is not that bad. Keep in mind that for seasoned riders this is a cakewalk, for mere mortals like myself it is tough ride back to Ojai. The cycle shop does offer to pick you up in Ojai for $70, and you can apparently take the local Ventura to Ojai bus. The buses can take up to three bikes. My wife convinced me that it would not be too bad, which for her was true. I was exhausted, demoralized and aching in every muscle of my body. So, if you are fit and a competent cyclist this is a doddle, for everyone else it can be a challenge. 17 miles each way, 34 in total or 55klm.

We rented our bikes from Ventura Bike Depot on W. Main Street and were advised that this valley trail to Ojai would be a good choice for our four hours: up the valley, lovely cup of coffee at Noso Vita and back to Ventura. Perfect!

The path was a great reason to rent bikes in Ventura. The path is slightly uphill Ventura->Ojai which makes the ride back that much more enjoyable. The first ~2 miles out of Ventura is in an industrial area with not the best scenery. Ojai was quaint, artsy, and relaxed. Try the ice cream shop in the downtown area it was delightful. The trail itself is used by locals, there are a few areas of rough pavement tagged with white spray paint. Would ride again, allot yourself 4 or more hours for this excursion. Hour thirty to ride there, one hour or more to check out Ojai and an hour to ride back.

Great trail in need of maintenance! I would love to see them re-pave this trail however it's a safe way to walk , run or ride!

Each section of this trail has a different feel starting at the coast, through industrial Ventura, up to Foster Park and beyond. There are numerous access points and parking areas along the route. My favorite section is near Oak View through the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy confluence preserve full of sycamores and across the San Antonio bridge with great views of the hills and Ventura River bottom. The paved trail is separated from the horse trail by a wooden or metal fence. Bathroom stops and picnic areas are available at Foster Park, and at various businesses in lower Ojai and Ojai, which is a great place to stop for lunch or a beverage.

Beautiful to bike ride or walk. There are benches to stop and sit along the way. From the beach into the mountains

We enjoyed walking along the beach on the path. Stop and watch the kite surfers at Surfers Point. Sit and enjoy the beach scene and watching the surfers catch a wave.

I'm 72 years old and don't ride a bike any more, but I do love to walk. This trail is great whether you start in the Ojai Valley or at the Ventura Beach! I can manage a mile or two, so I usually try to pace myself and just enjoy whatever I see along the way. People are friendly and polite, and this makes a great start to what might otherwise be a boring day!!

Always a great ride especially in the fall. You can ride between Ventura and Ojai. I like stopping for lunch in between the ride back and forth.

Even better riding down from Ojai. If its your first time to ride the path go with someone who has rode it before. It makes it more interesting and you may not feel to lost.

While we didn't walk all the way to Ojai, we did enjoy a morning stroll along the beach and up past the Ventura River Estuary.

The bike path is wide and well marked, and everyone seems to be on their best behavior when it comes to passing each other and not blocking right-of-way.

The main part of our walk took us along the beach front, where the Ventura Long Board competition was serendipitously occurring that morning. We got to watch several talented surfers ride the waves while browsing through the many booths selling candles, tee shirts and assorted hippie dippie items.

Families as well as couples and joggers, bikers and health nuts were out in force, making the path lively and inviting. Once we got to the fresh water estuary, the myriad of birds was marvelous.

A foot race happened to come up behind us, with a hundred people or so crowding the path, so we turned around and went back to the hotel. But the next day we took the path in the opposite direction for about a mile, enjoying the pier and promenade.

This is a well maintained, paved bike path. Is it any easy uphill grade to Ojai and of course, easier going back. Pay attention, It can get a little busy on the week-ends as it is used by walker's, kids and animals. During the week I saw a bobcat hanging out in the shade on the edge of Ventura.

This is a terrific riding experience! If you start at upper Ojai and ride to the ocean it is probably 15 or so miles long...and it is all downhill. The scenery is terrific while you are in the upper Ventura River Valley but becomes a little tedious in the lower third as it goes through more commercial areas.

The paving is very good and there is a nice rest area about half way down at Foster Park. It includes a restroom, picnic tables and drinking water. On weekends it does gets little crowded and some bikers go at speeds less than safe.

You can rent bikes in Ojai and also on Main Street in Ventura.

I love this trail, it's got enough of an incline to get the heart pumping and it ends right by downtown ojai. There are numerous cafes, wine tasting rooms, shops, etc to explore and ample bike racks. I try and do this ride at least once a week.

Easier going down than coming up! It's a nice safe ride and mostly scenic. It goes through a light industrial area in West Ventura which is not as scenic.

A nice paved path. I use this path to bike to work daily. Please be a considerate biker/jogger and yield to traffic. I am tired of seeing people with their ipods in crossing intersections without paying any attention.

This is a really nice, safe bike trail. It’s completely separated from traffic, completely paved. It starts down in Ventura and ends up in Ojai. It’s a rails to trails route that follows 90+% of an old railway. Down in Ventura it passes behind some industries and then goes through an old and removed refinery. All that’s left are 2 sphere tanks and concrete footings from equipment. It then winds up the hills, crosses 2 bridges and has some really nice views farther up. The trail is fairly easy but it is uphill at about 2% grade (remember it was once a railway). We have lunch or late breakfast up in Ojai and then ride back. It’s easier to return to Ventura but you’re still pedaling. I park a few blocks from the start of the trail at a park called West Park, 450 West Harrison Ave Ventura 3001. It’s a safe spot and there’s bathrooms. Bring water as Ojai is warmer than Ventura and if you ride the whole trail it’s about a 14 mile trip each way, very doable just take some time and enjoy the ride.

I liked all the trees along the way. It's nice that you follow the road because it's very easy to find your way to Ojai. I had a great time riding through this area as it's so peaceful.

I'm a Native of Ventura - and this is definitely one of the best ways to experience this part of Ventura County. For those that are not avid bicyclists, I'd suggest starting up in the Ojai Valley and riding "downhill." Pace yourself. This use to be a railroad line.

Started the trail in Ventura and rode it up to Ojai, slowly ;-), had a snack & coffee and rolled it back down! Absolutely beautiful, away from the road, safe ride, and lots of nature...just what I needed.

I walked this with my sister after touring Ventura's Wednesday Flea market. Easy path near the ocean on one part, by the estuary & on into town. We only did as far as the main road, but saw herons & egrets at the estuary & everyone on the path was polite.

What an awesome place, enjoy! So much nature & beauty to explore and enjoy. Definitely a worth while visit. Take your time, go slow and take in all the surroundings. Absolutely beautiful.

Great bike ride but come equipped with snacks /drinks..Not too many stops along the way. Be careful for other riders speeding down from Ojai to Ventura

A great ride - not difficult - and you get to experience a complete change of scenery and weather! From the cool beach of Ventura to the warm Ojai Valley. We were a party of 7 adults on ebikes and we rode into Ojai - had lunch - and then rode back. Fun day!

The trail was safe and away from traffic; it was a paved path along the towns and river. I am anxious about riding in traffic, so this was a perfect trail.

It is potentially a 30-mile round-trip path. When you enter the town of Ojai, there are several excellent little restaurants and some boutiques. We have e-bikes and found the trip very doable for a casual afternoon. We left at 11:00 am and returned around 3:30pm.

This is a great riding area for travelers and locals. For the healthy and hearty, the ride up to Ojai is a slow climb with views of the Ventura River, mountains, and wildlife. I've seen birds, Coy-wolf/coyote, roadrunner and the frogs are out this time of year, near the trail. It's a joy to be so close to this natural setting. Cruising down to the beach is a must, and this is the ride for fun and for free. Dress warm in layers to shed at you warm up, but the breeze is cool on the coast, usually. Bring: Sweatshirt, I use a zippered hoodie, for ease, Sun protection, hat, sunscreen, is recommended, light tennis shoes, water and snacks. Enjoy.

Know that this ride is an uphill all the way to Ojai but the reward is to have a nice lunch when you stop and then coast all the way back down to the ocean. One of the best experiences on a bicycle in Ventura County.

I like being able to not have to constantly look over my shoulder for cars- and this trail is great for that- separated from autos- occasionally crossing paths with them- a good ride from the beach to Ojai. However- you will pass though some of the spots along the way actively processing/pumping oil. Industrial- old dilapidated buildings- or storage yards- and also wonderfully wooded ways and the occasional streamside.

This is one of our favorite rides. Most of the ride is on a path with a few crossing of streets. It is a Moderate ride due to some windings uphill. I have to admit that I almost wrote Easy ride; but some might find it somewhat challenging. That said, you really don't have to ride the whole way. It is beautiful and lovely. There are stops along the way at little towns for food or restrooms. Ojai is one of my favorite towns to walk, shop, enjoy a meal.

Have been traveling this area for decades. The bike path was a wonderful addition. Great views and exercise.

You're well away from traffic, but you traverse the remains of an old oil refinery. That is much like being in a post-modern movie (think Bladerunner). But then you're suddenly high enough to see the valley, the orchards and nothing but blue sky beyond. Many beautiful spots to stop for a rest and a look-see at the part of the country featured in "There will be Blood," though without the oil derricks.

We were rolling through SoCal and came equipped with bikes. This trail was the perfect exercise after 5 hours in the vehicle. Great ride to Ojai & back. I only regret not leaving earlier in the day since we could have spent more time enjoying Ojai. We did manage to sneak in a quick wine tasting when we landed.

The only issue I'd take with the bike path was some rando SoCal young kids/adults who seemed unencumbered by soap and or jobs. There were lots of trailers parked to the side of the trail. Also, one rando had a fire going on the trail, which is really no bueno with all the fire dangers we face. I was passingly glad not to encounter a few of them on my own, though none of them seemed particularly dangerous.

Gentle slope up from Ventura to Ojai.
Very few road crossings.
very nice scenery, even through the town of Ojai.

This filled a day of our family's PCH road-trip. We hired bikes from the Ventura Cycle Depot (very professional, reasonable prices), which was conveniently located at the start of the Bike Path. We used a tag-along for our 6 yr old, and were glad that we did; although the gradient was never excessive, the final couple of miles into Ojai were fairly hard work for our 'inexperienced legs'.

Ojai itself was lovely. We bought sandwiches in the natural food shop, and ate them in the town's wonderful park (which our youngest really enjoyed playing in).

Cycling back was not quite the easy ride we had expected, because a very stiff onshore breeze effectively negated the downhill gradient.

That aside, this was a terrific way to spend a day in some beautiful countryside.

I ran part of this route on my way to the beach. It is well paved and scenic in parts. It's relative seclusion offers a reprieve from motorists making it ideal for both runners and cyclists.

I am SO grateful to have heard about this path! Very well maintained, safe bike path ending in cute Ojai. Lots of great views along the way. I had a great experience on a high-quality bike rented from Bike Depot (which is right near the trailhead).

The bike path is great! It's well paved and as others say, safe from all the cars and away from traffic. A wonderful way to enjoy the beauty of west Ventura on into Ojai with friends and/or family at every level of fitness. Beware of the heat though, I have MS and am intolerant of the heat which can be punishing from late spring, well into late fall. But awesome thing to do in this area and the price is right! ;)

I rated this path as very good mainly because most of it is good and the fact that it exists at all is a big plus for our local community. Having said that, don't expect to find it completely free of families pushing strollers, debris, cracked or broken pavement or the like. It does attract users other than cyclilsts, and although the lower portion from Ventura to Foster Park is in very good to great condition, the upper portion is being compromised by tree roots, soil subsidence and other problems that are making the pavement less than ideal. If you ride a mountain bike, you probably won't notice it. If you're on a road bike, you will definitely notice it. Still, it's a nice ride off the street and away from traffic, and takes you right up to Libbey Bowl in downtown Ojai (if you follow the signs near the end of the route!).

I saw all the great reviews and headed over for a run starting in Ventura. I was disappointed by the scenery for the 3 mile out and in. From Ventura the path goes along a very busy highway and through an industrial area. Not very pretty. Should have just run along the beach.

It's a nice gradual climb to Ojai (12 miles or so). Take an hour or so for lunch when you get there. Enjoy the ride back. Park at Buenaventura Beach. It's free.

The Ventura-Ojai bike path is a great ride; good pavement all the way and very little cross traffic or cars to deal with. The recently-completed bridge makes it a smooth ride all the way. The only downside is that it isn't really wide enough for side-by-side riding, but some folks insist on doing it anyway. So ride single-file and enjoy the day.

Lovely dedicated and safe bike path. Best way to enjoy this path is start from Ventura to Ojai, only about 12 miles to Ojai, have lunch and head back. Difficulty is going up is not bad at all. Very slight uphill so when you return it is all down hill!!

Scenic path taking you up to Ojai from Ventura. Some parts of the path have some roots making the path bumpy. Some stop signs at road crossings. A gentle steady climb all the way up. About 20 miles on way.

If you want to be safe and away from cars this is the perfect place for you. If you want to go fast and not have to go around walkers, dogs, strollers or even roller blades this is not for you.

Safe,wide walking,running path. Excellent views to the water and stopped and talked to some local people.

The bike path extends from the part of the beach in Ventura next to the Ventura River all the way to Ojai. There is only one 3 block section, crossing Main St in Ventura to pick up the path next to the Ventura River, that is along the street. I think it is close to 25 miles up to Ojai on a "self-contained" paved path with a elevation rise of about 700 feet. You will pass by the Ventura river, a rusting oil field "cemetery" where we have often noticed a curious white egret or two. About half-way you hit the beautiful oaks and rolling golden hills. Take a short break at Foster Park. As you head up through the small, eclectic little towns on the way, you'll cross a shallow little stream of a few inches and then the rest of the path is a beautifully railed path next to horse pastures etc and continues a block south of the old town area of Ojai and into Ojai's lovely park. AND coming back down is so much fun, too!

I rode this trail twice, it goes from Ventura and all the way into Ojai, Libby park, it is paved trail the entire way, about 15 miles each way. it is all all types of riders.

I love this bike path that goes from Ventura beaches up to Ojai! It is well kept and a beautiful ride!.....especially downhill for me!

My husband and I rode this bike trail yesterday on a cool winter day towards Ojai. we left from the Ventura RV resort and found the entrance to the trail quite easily. The trail takes you through an industrial part of town to begin with before you find it more rural. There is a park on the left to stop at for a comfort break and water. There is an uphill bias and you need to be careful of rocks and debris on the trail after a rainstorm. We did not make it all the way to Ojai this time but if you do you will be treated to a variety of places for lunch,coffee or just exploring around.

The return trip was very fast and downhill most of the way and we were able to beat a rain storm by about 15 minutes and got back to the RV park just in time to stay dry. My legs were tired after this one so it is a good work out taking the 15 miles all the way up to Ojai. Fun coming back down hill but again be careful of debris on the trail after wind or rain. Walkers and joggers,dog walkers and small children learning to ride bikes are also using this trail

Runs from Ventura to Ojai with only moderate hills. The path runs through some areas that is quite beautiful and away from traffic

My family with kids aged 8 and 10 set off on this Ventura to Ojai bike path from the first trailhead in Ventura based on the reviews from this site. On the right was a fence with concertina wire protecting dwellings made of rotting tin and other trash. On the left was a ditch with head to toe homeless people. Beyond the poor homeless was the freeway. I didn't realize that this went on for 6 miles (of the 15 mile path). There was no escape had we been attacked. I can't emphasize enough how dangerous and dirty this part of the path was. I would give this bike path a zero however the following day we drove up to the 2nd trailhead at Foster Park and enjoyed the path up to Ojai. So my very strong recommendation is to wait until Foster Park to start the path if you are heading north or stop at Foster Park if you began in Ojai.

One of the best bike trails in California. You can access it starting at Sanbuenaventura State Beach or downtown Ojai. It is a fairly gradual incline up to Ojai. The fun part is having lunch in Ojai before going back to Ventura, or the reverse is tacos on the pier before returning to Ojai. Great bike trail.

This bike path is a local favorite and can't be beat! I've ridden it many times and I recommend ring in any season. You will not be disappointed and it's free!

This path is wonderful for bike riding. It gets alittle scary in some parts, if you are alone. Deserted areas. But have ridden it up to Ojai and then rode to soule park. Great excercise. Avoid mid summer, unless you like heat...

Have biked lots of times and although its up hill. Its a small grade and easy up to Foster's Park. Safe for kids if they stop at street crossing and obey signs (there are two).

Bike rentals along to boardwalk are inexpensive and the people watching is worthwhile. It takes about 45 minutes, easy ride, to ride the entire stretch just along the beach and back.

Gradual incline all the way from Ventura to Ojai.. just enough so you have to peddle almost all the time.

But from Ojai to Ventura you can coast 90% of the time..

So, if you have young kids, or older people... haul the bikes to Ojai and ride downhill to Ventura.

If you are reasonably fit, it is an easy ride both ways... and a great day trip to bike to downtown Ojai, grab some lunch and then coast back to Ventura.

Make sure you have a tire/tube patching kit since there are a lot of "goat head" thorns at times... and it is a long walk to any bike shop.

There is a bike rental shop in Ventura near the end of the trail. They will rent a tire/tube repair kit along with a bike.

I am a bit reluctant to write a review about this cycling path, which is well-known among locals but pretty much unknown outside its immediacy. Even on weekends there are not many cyclists around, which makes for a peaceful ride. I ride from Ventura to Ojai, stop at Foster park, use the restrooms, explore the area a little bit. During the summer months this park is popular with families, and you can see kids playing around, family BBQs, celebrations, etc
After this 15 minute pause I proceed until I get to Ojai, where I am in the habit of stopping for lunch at the rather average Mexican restaurant Los Caporales, nothing exciting there but their beers are cold, and the Mexican fare is acceptable. And one can park the bikes right in front of the terrace so that you can keep an eye on it, something quite important in the whole area because bikes are often stolen.

A fun, and not overly taxing ride. The view gets better the further up you go, but even down low in the old oil industry areas its still interesting. A nicely paved path that rewards you for going at least 5 miles up from the start.

Fun bike run. Ventura to Ojai is uphill, but gradual enough for the casual bike ride. About 1/2 way to Ojai is a nice park to stop and have a bite to eat that you will bring in your bike bags.

We are experienced riders but have a toddler in a trailer right now. This is a great path and a nice round trip from Ventura - about 30 miles round trip from our hotel on the beach. There are bathrooms in the beach area, then a park about 1/3 of the way up, and of course, in Ojai. It gets hot in Ojai and somehow seems to take a while to get there, but it's all downhill on the way back.

Pay attention in Ojai when the trail crosses diagonally at a light - look for the horse statue on your right. You can connect to a trail that runs behind the main drag in Ojai which keeps you out of traffic. At that point you can go up the side streets to whatever you want to visit....then get back on the trail. Ojai is very busy on the weekends and I wouldn't recommend the street for new riders.

The trail to/from Ventura has been improved with a nice new bridge. There is an industrial area near Ventura that isn't too attractive, but it's been cleaned up a lot. Most of the trail to Ojai is shaded and has nice views.

My husband and I are renting a beach house on Hollywood Beach. We've had a number of overcast days on the beach and decided to try something different -- rent a bike and ride the Ventura River Trail to Ojai. Here is the brochure: http://www.ventura-usa.com/includes/media/docs/Ventura-River-Trail-Guide.PDF

Bike Rental from Ventura Bike Depot
http://www.venturabikedepot.com/

We rented our bikes from Ventura Bike Depot, which is conveniently located at the start of the Ventura River Trail trail. Our bikes got us there and back, but my husband's bike kept sliding out of gear so make sure you test it before you leave. For a half-day ride to Ojai and back, we paid about $35 each (and we had a basket).

Trail Access
From Ventura Bike Depot, we literally rounded the corner, crossed a street and took a left. Poof. We were on the trail.

Well Maintained
The trail is well maintained, cleared off, few cracks and wide enough for two-person riding. I saw a previous review where someone said it wasn't wide enough, but I disagree. When there was no oncoming bikes, we rode side-by-side.

Scenery and Smells
At the beginning of the trail through Ventura, you ride through industrial truck-loading areas with oil-drilling equipment, and graffiti-covered wastewater facilities (smelly!). I have to admit I was not that enamored with the scenery until we got closer to Ojai. Sorry, but the trail goes through the armpit of beautiful Ventura. There are also some small communities before Ojai where homes are surrounded in garbage, junk cars, etc. That said, there are some beautiful areas and vistas across the ride, as well as many well-landscaped yards and parks.

Friendly People
As we rode past other joggers and bicyclists, everyone, and I mean everyone, smiled and said, "Hello."

Weather
It's fascinating that in Ventura, it can be 66 degrees and somewhat windy, and by the time you get to Ojai, it's 90 degrees and sweltering. Prepare by bringing layers and sunblock -- and lots of water.

Ride - Easy to medium intensity
We were worried about climbing high-incline hills the entire way on our clunky bike rentals, but instead it is a long, easy incline all the way to Ojai. On the way back, you basically don't even have to pedal. I'd say it's an easy-to-moderate ride, and my husband and I are avid road cyclists and mountain bikers.

Overall, we loved having an opportunity to ride to from Ventura to Ojai and back. It's a great community resource and workout. I highly recommend it for tourists and locals alike.

I had to drive over an hour to get to Ventura to ride on this trail. I highly recommend being well hydrated before you start, especially if it's a hot day. The trail does slowly go uphill which I didn't really notice until the ride back down, which only took me 45 minutes. There is a picnic/bathroom/drinking fountain area at the six mile mark and places to rest along the way. Once in Ojai you can stop for lunch or Starbucks before the return trip. It's 30 miles round trip so know your biking ability first. I will ride this trail again. Afterwards I went to the ocean and biked along the trail there.

A great walking or biking path. Much of it is pretty level and pretty quiet. Lots of interesting plants. Do look at the Ortega Adobe close to the start of the trail in Ventura. This is where the family that started canning green chilies under the Ortega name in 1897!

Been riding this upper path for 20+ years and and the lower path (ventura to Foster park) since it was opened. Upper path is near impossible to ride from the tree roots lifting the asphalt and making it a washboard surface. Parts of the path in lower ojai are cracked and the splits can lock your tires if you are not careful. Overall the path is very pleasant and beautiful scenery and vistas. Vent to foster Good beginner path as it is very flat.

We love to walk or cycle the Ojai Trail. We park at Foster Park and head to Ojai for lunch. It's a slight uphill all the way to Ojai, but the prevailing wind is at your back. It's all downhill on the return ride with a slight headwind. Great trek.

Did this ride today all the way from the Ventura Pier to downtown Ojai... Most people say it's 11 or 12 miles but from the pier to Libbey Park it's 17.5... Biiiiig difference especially if you're going there and back. It's true, it's uphill the whole way to Ojai, my husband and I rode our beach cruisers... BAD IDEA! No gears so it was killer. Doesn't look like an incline but it is and you can tell just how high it is cause the way back requires little pedaling! It took 2-2.5 hours to get there and 1.5 hours to get back. It was a blast though and ill do it all over again just with a bike with lots and lots of gears.

Take this bike trail trip on an electric bike, it was a great way to enjoy the sites and we just cruised up the hills with no effort and peddled when we wanted to peddle. Our group rented our bikes from Ebike of Santa Barbara! They delivered the bikes and we had a blast!

We rented bikes close to the trail, easy to follow, very few traffic crossings. Nice paved path along varied city and rural settings. Some beautiful flora and great mountain views, some parts edged by 8 foot chain link fencing. Very few restroom opportunities or places to get water. Trip to Ojai an easy climb and a wonderful fast downhill back.

Pacific vibes all around while enjoying the ride. Capturing the California Vibes /// (get informed)•

Starting at about San Buenaventura State Beach, or Ventura Pier area, you can ride about 11 miles to Ojai and back on a nicely paved bike path. The climate can change from mild in Ventura, to hot in Ojai, so be prepared for both temperature zones. Foster Park is a nice half-way point to use the restroom and take a snack/water break. A total ride of about 22 miles, without much elevation gain, makes it pleasant even on a mountain or beach rider type bike.

This is a very nice trail that's flat, but uphill grade towards Ojai. Not a lot of places to bike around Ventura as it's either too hilly for this flatlander, or too congested.

The bike path is great and a fun ride between Ventura and Ojai. Here's the problem... my wife and I had the brilliant idea to rent bikes in Ojai and ride down to Ventura for lunch. We didn't take into account the fact that we are older and in much worse shape than our brains think we are. It was a great day. We laughed a lot at our stupid selves. We had a lot of fun but decided next time we would start in Ventura and ride UP to Ojai for lunch then coast back down after.

The best way for almost anyone to enjoy this trail is going almost all downhill from Ojai to Ventura...one way (have someone drop you off in Ojai and pick you up in Ventura...near the pier). Get dropped off at San Antonio Elementary on the corner of Grand Avenue and Carne Road in Ojai. You begin in an orange grove area (beautiful in the morning). Go west down Grand Ave until you get to Shady Lane (turn left) about 1/2 mile to Ojai Ave (turn right) then turn right and go about 100 yards turn left on Bryant St. and down about a 1/4 mile and on the right you will see the beginning of the Ojai to Ventura trail (it used to be railroad tracks) It now begins to wiggle waggle thru parts of downtown Ojai. You will see Libby Bowl, the Ojai Country Club, and a lot of peoples backyards. A few cross streets so watch yourself and the kids. After you cross the street by the Vons shopping center it gets a little less tracifficy. Downhill from here thru Mira Monte . Some nice views in Oak View and also some remoteness here also but its still nice. Casitas Springs and Foster Park area is nice too. Towards Ventura the old oilfields area is sketchy but it leads to the Ventura and beach area with can be sweet if it's not too foggy or windy. I always get picked before I get to the pier because parking is better down by surfers point. Lunch at Jonnies on the avenue 176 North Ventura Avenue Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-2021 The have great Mexican food to go.....the place looks sketchy but the foods great...really Enjoy

My husband and I love to bike this trail - but we are a bit older and sort of 'cheat' as in we drive our bikes up to mid point on the trail and then enjoy the curvy scenic path as it winds down towards the ocean . . . A beautiful ride and if you are just visiting and don't have bikes you can rent them at a place at the intersection of Main Street and a block West of Ventura Ave.
Definitely a 'path less traveled' .. Smiles AC

This route mainly follows a former train right of way. So it is a very gradual climb on the way up. Coming down is gradually downhill. In afternoon, coming back to Ventura, you are usually riding into the wind, but mostly downhill.

I enjoyed my 1st ride so much that I had to do it again. We started the ride in Ventura by California street, north from that point. Went down to Main Street and along the train tracks by the water. It was wonderful. So peaceful. I expect that my family & I will do this a lot.

Eriksen Fish Co & Beach Taco are near where I got on the path and there are a parking lot & bathroom facilities nearby. After leaving that immediate area, I didn't see any other facilities.

The trail can start in Ventura or Ojai. My suggestion is to take the bus (#16 bus) to downtown Ojai and ride back to Ventura as it is mostly down hill going to Ventura. Be careful as you can meet critters on the trail. I met a bobcat and he woke up on the wrong side that morning as he hiss at me crossing the path. The ride is fun and enjoyable, away from the main road for most of it and it is quiet and peaceful. Family or solo you will be safe and have fun.

Ugh. The trail is closed when your in Ventura. You have to ride through the down town city !!! Plus the wheels fun rental bike were absolutely disgusting worn out e bikes

We had a great time following the trail from Ojai to Ventura. A long ride, but mostly flat or downhill from Ojai. The last 4 miles are kind of boring through the industrial section of Ventura, and almost completely flat. Just to note: 4 of us tried to take the #16 bus back to Ojai from Ventura and the bus can only accommodate 3 bikes on the rack. The bus only runs 1x/hr so it was not convenient to split up. My husband ended up calling an uber XL for 2 bikes and passengers while 2 of us took the bus.

Nice, fun trail with minor elevation gains, lovely views in upper areas and along the beach and easy going the entire way.

This bike path is mostly away from the road. Many pele start at Foster Park, but starting the trail near Main St and Hwy provides interesting scenery, including Brooks Institute, where there is a old town filming set where several movies 33. It's an easy ride, slight uphill going towards Ojai, downhill going to Ventura.

We love riding this trail. It seems to be for bikes only, so there is no dodging walkers or skateboards. For the most part the scenery is good. It's all uphill one way, but is an easy grade. Going back is only a touch easier as there always seems to be a head wind. But it's great exercise and not crowded the times we have gone which have not been in the summer.

The Ojai Valley Trail, from Foster Park to downtown Ojai, is one of the best, part of the nationwide Rails to Trails Conservancy, which buys up train tracks no longer in use and converts then into in bike trails.
We have enjoyed this trail three times now and look forward to the next time. I would like to bike it at least once every season to see the changes in the flowers and trees. The first time we started in downtown Ventura on the Ventura River Trail but the next two times we started at Foster Park where the Ojai Valley Trail begins. At this point the bike trail is lovely, gently up hill and through all kinds of parks, backyards, views and vistas. It ends in Ojai, where you can park your bike, walk around and enjoy the stores and restaurants. Don't miss Bart's Books of Ojai, the outdoor book shop at 302 W Matilija St. You can take your bikes into the courtyard.
The round trip mileage from Foster Park to Ojai is about 18 miles.

For those of us who are not great bike riders, I took 13 middle-school-girls on this 15+ mile bike ride. If you begin at Libby Park in Ojai, you can ride all the way to the beach in Ventura and it is almost downhill the entire way. Makes you feel great with the minimum of pedaling! And, of course, the views are fun and interesting along the way.

Safe way to bike ride and enjoyed it so much that I rode it 2 times Ventura to Ojai and back. Having lunch in Ojai was good at Ojai Beverage Co. And also at Las Fuentes, coffee at Ojai Roasting Co.

Great ride. Uphill to Ojai, but great downhill back. Must stop at the pizza place in downtown Ojai. It's the only one.

This is an awesome biking trail. Parts of it are nice and easy, but there are some big hills, too! My friend's husband does this trail every weekend because it's so beautiful and a great workout.

I purchased a new bike and what better way to break it in than on this bike path! I have ridden the path before, mostly in Ojai, but this time I made it all the way down to Oak Creek Road, quite a feat for me. The path winds through a lovely shaded residential area in Ojai and then runs along route 33 to Oak Creek. Here, the bike path is close to the road, which when busy is quite noisy. After Oak View, the path veers away from the road and is quieter and more pleasant. Note that the path is relatively flat in Ojai but descends as it goes toward Ventura. So obviously going down is quite easy but coming back is a bit of a challenge.

Very nice walk along the ocean. Fun place to watch the surfers. Made especially for bicycles. Lots of dog walkers.

Hubby and I spent about 4.5 hours total riding from The Bike Depot to downtown Ojai, eating lunch and doing a short amount of shopping and then riding back. Total according to my app: 30 miles.

I workout several times a week and I have bird legs. I don't bike often. The trip to Ojai was a huge chore for me and I am fit! Hubby has strong legs so it was very simple for him. The trip back would have been easier if we didn't have wind fighting us but we made it back with sore butts and a great sense of accomplishment.

Food: ate at Jim and Bob's Grill. Delicious, fresh, huge portions. Also had an iced coffee at Full of Beans along the trail. They have coffee ice cubes, a nice patio and peaceful guitar player that day!
Parked bikes: at the park that is connected to the bike path near the store Rains downtown Ojai.
Rented bikes: half day for $24 each from Bike Depot in Ventura. Great service, not the best quality bikes or comfortable seats but they get the job done.
Scenery: lots of graffiti, some ugly areas, some homeless people, some pretty tree and hill views.
Bike path: can be a bit rough at times because tree roots have made it uneven sometimes, but mostly just a slight incline all the way to Ojai and slight decline back. Not busy for us on our Saturday in April.

I used to live in Ojai.You can ride your bike from Ojai to Santa Barbara. It is a beautiful ride along the coast.Ojai is above the ocean so takes a bit of energy to get back up after a smooth ride down.So well worth all efforts.

Ojai to Ventura Paved Bike Path is amazing! Entirely separate from the road, except where cross major street. Shaded in many spots. Possible to ride down to the beach 16 miles from Ojai. The ride back is well graded with lots of spots to take a breather if needed. If one rides to the Beach and then does not wish to ride back, it is possible to take the City Bus back to Ojai. And yes they have bike rack on the bus -- though check the bus line's web site to be sure and for fare info. A scenic bike trail suitable for cyclists of ALL levels. You will see families, serious cyclists, and solo riders. There are great picnic spots too. Thank you!

We started our ride from the Marriott Ventura and rode 37 miles roundtrip. The path is fun and relaxing because you don't have to worry about too many interactions with cars. It's an easy ride with a slight slope going to Ojai and easy pace and speeding on the way back. We rode on a Sunday and there were many others using the trail. I used my bike bell and horn to let people know I was passing. There are no restrooms but hundreds of bushes and trees.

I have never done this path. How's that for a review. My wife loves this path. She and several of her girlfriends have often taken this path to Ojai to have lunch. It is an easy trip and a great getaway for the day. It is not a hard core trip and a pleasant way to spend the day.

Would be easy to moderate ride if no high winds, unseasonable rain, mudslides or uncontrolled fire nearby.

The bike path is a great way to get some exercise and experience the different areas that the path winds its way through.

The first section is through an industrial area of town. We much prefer the walks after Foster Park, and recommend parking there and proceeding toward Ojai.

Because we have been located at the head of this trail since it was built, I have a ton of valuable feedback. It's a destination for many who come from miles away, plus locals alike. Get your bike water bottle filled for free with Kangen Alkaline ionized water. Enagic SD501 water ionizer is hooked up at our store. Open 9-6 daily

I wish we had this kind of place at home...good that we have local friends who lent us bikes...a different kind of experience...we just opted to use bikes to go to donut store..will do it again on next visit...

I've ridden this path literally hundreds of times in the past 20 years. It's a safer alternative to riding on the roads, though it does cross several roads and you have to watch for drivers not paying attention to the bike path traffic. There are a few spots that need to be repaved due to tree roots undermining the path. The path runs between highway 33 and the Ventura River. There are some beautiful views that you wouldn't see from the road.

A bucket list to do since first learning of it. It was so much fun if not humbling. I am an older back of the pack athlete but felt confident going in since elevation isn't too high(approx 800 ft). We set off on our bikes two miles west of Ojai and it was all fun and games going to Ventura as we rode through beautiful oak canopies, flew up and mostly down past meadows of mustard flowers and CA poppies; petroleum fields; beautiful home gardens; steel framed wooden bridges; and sections of Highway 33. A wonderfully cloudy day made it so much more enjoyable. We got off at Main Street only to realize I had punctured my tire so we walked our bikes over to the pedestrian promenade in Downtown Ventura to look for a bite to eat and locate a repair shop. Once we enjoyed our wonderful breakfast at Immigrant Son Cafe we walked our bikes with the idea of going to Bicycle Hub to unexpectedly findi Shigy's Bike who replaced my destroyed tire in 5min($54)! We were back in action now, fed, caffeinated and sporting a brand new front tire. We rode past amazing murals to head back toward Ojai. That coffee and carb loading prepped me well but it couldn't spare me the effort it took me to go up those small inclines and the slope of the Ojai Valley. I raced against my fitness and the clock as I tried to get us to Oak Creek Winery before last pour(4:30), but my body couldn't pull off this miracle plus I later learned there isn't bike-friendly access to this winery from the trail as I originally thought( hint hint). A must try for biking enthusiasts of all levels (I saw many e-bikes on trail even though signage states no motorized bikes should be on it).

Love this one, but as an older Sr. Citizen. I prefer the downhill form Ojai to Ventura route.. We sometimes leave a car at the bottom, ride down of bikes, and drive back up to pick up the other car afterwards. This way, it is a very easy, fun, and safe ride. There are only a few street crossings with a nice paved path all the way.... kinda follows the Ventura River bed off the pretty well traveled Highway #33. Some good places to see or eat (try Bonnie Lu's in downtown Ojai) in Ojai before or after.

This is a great trail that runs from Ojai all the way to the ocean. Great for walking, jogging or bike riding. Many spots to get on or off along the way.

This is a long, beautiful bike path for almost the entirety of the ride. The path is wide and paved, most areas offer shade, and a majority of the trail is very scenic. If you’re going with kids, plan a full day for this excursion, as it’s a long ride. In addition, there aren’t amenities such as bathrooms and water fountains along the trail so be prepared to veer off to an eatery or gas station (there’s a fair amount close to the trail) to access these amenities. While my family has always felt very safe on this trail, I wouldn’t recommend riding it in the evening, or solo.

It follow Route 33 with a tarmac path of reasonable width - picket fences in places and lots of shady trees

This bike trip is about 2.5 hours for the average biker one way and about 1.5 to 2 hours back. the trail is uphill to the Ojai Bike Depot. The trail varies in condition, but no serious issues. I suggest you ride a bike with gears, take water and plan on a picnic or eat at one of the neat places in Ojai. Pizza is a favorite. Plan your trip and use the guide maps as it will save you time looking for places upon your arrival. We are in out late 60's and enjoyed the trip using mountain bikes with smooth tires.

Mountains 2 beach Marathon . Ran this path from Ojai down. great bike/running path. The top part is very nice, not so much near the bottom until you get to the beach path

This was a beautiful area to run, walk or bike. Paved asphalt and tree lined in most areas. During the Marathon it will be crowded.

The best section of this smooth and separate path is from Foster Park to Ojai. An old rail line, there are few steep parts, but it is a steady climb to Ojai, which means its a an easy ride back. A scenic bridge has been added at San Antonio creek. I also walk/ride along the promenade and the beach in Ventura at least once a week along with numerous other regulars.

The path is safe and away from traffic. The only part I didn't like was that in two or three places, you have to cross a city street. There are stop lights, so I feel that it is safe. We took the whole family, including pulling a 4 year old behind one of the bikes. When we got to town (Ojai) everyone was ready for an ice cream! Downhill all the way back to Ventura, so that's the easy part.

I rode this in 2011 as it was on my bucket list. It was a wonderful ride, with just one steep grade on the way up to Ojai. I rode from Ventura to Ojai and back, but the nicest part of the ride is from Foster Park to Ojai.

a must do for locals, visit ojai and enjoy lunch or coffee. its up hill on the way to Ojai and down hill back to Ventura

It's amazing place 1st time i was there goes back to 1995 & since then i've been there at least once a year & still same joy as the 1st time

Fun time on paved path from Ventura Beach to Ojai and back. Easy with not much elevation changes. Take water with you.

Took two kids, 8 and 5. Trail is safe and fun for the family! We would ride again. Loved seeing the horses along the path.

This is a wonderful path that provides miles of jogging, walking or biking pleasure. At the beginning in Ventura it is quite close to the freeway(s), but stick with it and the road veers off. The path remains close to the water and some very beautiful shoreline. It's nice and wide with plenty of space for dogs, runners, bikes. Good people watching too.

This bike path is so calming to go down. The scenery is beautiful at spots. There are some inclines and declines, but not difficult.

This was a fun and scenic ride from top to bottom. After spending the night in Ojai, we locked our bikes at Libbey Park earlyish in the morning, drove down to Ojai and parked our car at Main and Ventura, then took the Gold Coast Bus 16 back up to Ojai - convoluted but it worked for us! We then had a great bike ride downhill all the way. Took about 1 1/2 hours with a couple stops for photos. It's partially along the highway, but always separated by at least 10 feet. The fun parts were going through neighborhoods and quiet canyons, over bridges and being "all alone" where it is off the highway. The last 5 miles, though not at scenic or downhill were still interesting. We hit a pretty strong headwind which we expected, but we figured since we had coasted or pedaled easily for the first 10 miles, it gave us more exercise and it really wasn't too hard. We got back to our car and hit the beach, and loved the whole day.

My wife and I love to ride this paved path to Ojai. It's a great ride separated from the the all car traffic!

Trail was part of the Mountains2Beach Half Marathon we were running the next day and we had brought our bikes to check it out. We only went up and back the first 10 miles of the trail to save ourselves for the race. Part of the national Rail to Trails network that has bike trails on former railroad beds, the first 5 miles were easy, the next 5 were moderate to easy but we run and ride bikes for exercise. Some street crossings, most had stop signs for cross traffic but not all so be careful. If you want to cut the distance some, skip the lower level in downtown Ventura and start from the state park adjacent to the trail. We are planning to do the full distance the next time when we do not have a race.

This is a part of the Rails to Trails network that was a great concept and very successful. The Ventura to Ojai trail actually extends through Ojai for a mile or so. While it does not require an expert to ride, it is not for the timid. It is about 13 miles long and has a significant rise in elevation -- which is great for the return ride, of course. If you ride to eat, try the Emporium on Montgomery Street, about 1/4 mile north of the bike trail.

Technically, this is 2 trails: the newer Ventura River Trail from Ventura to Foster Park, and the older Ojai Valley Trail from Foster Park to Ojai.

Between Ventura and Foster Park, the trail is completely flat passing the back yards of residences and quasi industria areas and even what looks like a derelict oil refinery or chemical plant.

Once past Foster Park it begins a gentle climb through very nice wooded scenery until the trail finds suburbia and then runs along side franchise alley.

Other than Foster Park there are only one or two benches the whole way. I'm beginning to think sitting is illegal in California.

This is great for walking, running, biking or strolling, which is more my style! The Ventura end is a bit industrial in nature, but that changes as you ascend.

This path is used by bikers wanting a safe place to ride to the ocean....the trail/path is also used by walkers, runners, and roller blades. There are beautiful parts on the the path as well as some industrial parts. Watch out as there are several places the path crosses street.

Wonderful ride from Ventura to Ojai (and back).
Easy ride, relatively flat, watch out for "veteran riders", with little beanies and skin-tight riding outfits, they have no regards for anyone else on path.

I took the 16 bus to Ojai and rod the trail downhill back to Ventura. I'm not in great shape and the uphill journey to Ojai was some thing I didn't feel I could do. Beautiful ride most of the way down, through parkland and undeveloped areas. Passéd a number of other travelers in both directions, and felt very safe, as a solo woman biker.

We rented e-bikes form Bike Depot in Ventura and had a lovely ride to Ojai. Took a side trip on back roads through orange groves with mountain views to Ojai olive Oil showroom. The electric asset wasn't necessary, but allowed us to go further with the time we had. The bike path is a rails to trails path with a gradual incline.

I actually ran this path as part of the Ventura Marathon - it offers recreation on a beautiful trail with drop-dead gorgeous scenery!

Well paved bike path with room for walkers and bikes. If you start in Ojai it is a beatiful ride all down hill

I love this bike trail. Do you like nature? I've seen turtles, steelhead trout, egrets and herons. There are cool ocean breezes in Ventura. Further along you'll likely see riders practicing with their horses. Much of the trail is along the Ventura river. Other sections take you along the back yards where some residents have installed art, and others just store junk. So much variety. There is some gain in elevation, but nothing that my 8 year old grandson complained about. Land in Ojai and there are many delicious options for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You don't have to ride the whole trail. Pick a section to enjoy, then come another day for a different ride.
The whole trail is smoothly paved and well maintained. It's wide enough to safely pass when you want to. Go! I think you'll enjoy it.

Found out about this bike path last week on Facebook, so had to give it a try. Sounded like you are supposed to park in Foster Park, which a) I had trouble finding, then b) had a locked gate at the entrance at 7:00am (not sure if it ever opened) and c) would have cost $4 if it was open. Anyway I parked under the 33 bridge opposite, which rather concerned me as I was the only vehicle there and was rather nervous leaving it there.
Off on the ride north towards Ojai. Saw a dear and a kamikaze squirrel that ran in front of me. Heading north is a very steady incline, but to be honest I didn't realize until the return journey which was very easy on the legs.
You really do pass though every imaginable surroundings, from rundown hillbilly trailers, industrial areas, fantastic scenery of hills and fields, to rather expensive homes. I wasn't really sure where it all ended as the signs with maps didn't indicate where you actually were, all I knew was it was about 8 miles long, which seemed to coincide with hitting the Vons store parking lot and no visible continuation of the trail, so that is where I turned around. I found out when I got home that it actually continues on a few miles more after crossing the 33 and following the150.
Very quiet at that time of day, but could see it was getting busier by the time I got back to my vehicle, which had been joined by 6 or 7 other cars.
Path is great, a few bumps and landslides, and no lane markings (doesn't really need them). You do have to cross a few roads as you get closer to Ojai, I just played these safe and was very cautious crossing.
Only downer was I lost my cycle computer... looked down to see how many miles I had done and it was gone. My iPhone App said I did 18.2 miles, which included a few detours checking out Foster Park (using the restroom) and looking around at Vons for a continuation of the trail. As I said the return ride is easy - almost freewheeling!
Next time I wont to try going south to Ventura, although that looks very "industrial".

Here is my experience:
We are not pro rider and that was our first over 10+ miles cycling experience.
Left at 12.00 pm from start point in Ventura and did ride our bikes from ther eto Ojai (14.9 miles) took us 1 hour 30 mins with little breaks.
We spent 30-40 minutes to find bike parking in Ojai and saw many folks like us trying to find bike parking, we were very surprised that City of Ojai didnt think of having bike parking in Downtown Ojai.
We left Ojai at 4PM and boy our mistake, weather got extremely cold and we both got sick next day, make sure you leave Ojai earlier or have jacket or something on you.