We stayed at Ojai Valley Inn as guests of Preferred Hotels. All opinions are our own.

If a dog-friendly luxury resort isn’t already on your bucket list, it will be by the end of this post.

Ojai Valley Inn is an award-winning property nestled at the base of the Topatopa Mountains, just 90 minutes outside of Los Angeles. It’s the kind of place that has everything — stunning grounds, multiple pool areas, an award-winning spa, a premier golf course, and dining that lives up to its setting. And as part of the Preferred Hotels Preferred Pups Program, it’s also a thoughtful dog-friendly property.

We visited as guests of Preferred Hotels and came away with two things: a love of Ojai, and a very content Ruby.

The Property

Ojai Valley Inn is set on 220 acres at the foot of the Topatopa Mountains, with the kind of architecture and grounds that feel like they’ve been there forever — because much of it has. The property has a long history as a destination resort, and that legacy shows in the details: hand-laid stone pathways, mature oaks, a working olive orchard, and a design language that feels rooted in the California landscape rather than imported from somewhere else.

Walking the grounds with Ruby was one of the highlights of the trip. The outdoor spaces are expansive and beautiful in a way that rewards slowing down — which is fitting for Ojai generally, but particularly true here.

The Rooms

We stayed in two room types during our visit: a Fireside King Terrace room and a Luxury Suite.

The Fireside King Terrace is our top recommendation if you’re visiting with a dog. A spacious private patio, mountain views, a central location on the property that makes morning walks easy, and a layout that feels residential rather than just hotel-y. The terrace gives your dog somewhere to be outside without having to leash up and head somewhere specific — Ruby spent a lot of time just sitting on the patio watching the mountains change color through the day.

The Luxury Suite offers more interior space and a quieter, more private setting on the property. Worth considering if you’re extending the stay or want the extra room — particularly good for larger dogs who need more floor space or reactive dogs that need a quieter environment.

As part of the Preferred Pups Program, Ruby had dog amenities waiting in the room when we arrived. It’s a small thing but it signals something larger: this property is set up for traveling with a pet, not just tolerating it.

Dog Policy

A few things worth knowing before you book:

Pet fee: $150/stay
Size limit: No weight or breed restrictions

Where dogs are not permitted:

• All pool areas ❌
• Golf course ❌
• Spa Village ❌
• Olivella Restaurant ❌

Dogs must be leashed at all times on the property and cannot be left unattended in rooms. If you’re planning spa or pool time, plan around it — you’ll need someone with your pup at all times.

Dining

The F&B program here is excellent and the outdoor options are all dog-welcoming.

The Oak is the Inn’s primary dinner restaurant with a beautiful outdoor terrace. Worth a reservation even if you just want to experience the property at its best — the setting in the evening, with the mountains in the background and the outdoor lights coming on, is extraordinary. They even has a dog menu – and it’s one of the most high end ones I’ve seen!

Libbey’s Market is the all-day casual option — open earlier than the other outlets, good for breakfast and easy mid-day meals. Dogs welcome on the patio.

Wallace Neff Heritage Bar — the outdoor courtyard bar is a great late afternoon spot. One of the most beautiful outdoor spaces on the property and perfectly positioned for catching the Ojai pink moment if the timing works.

Jimmy’s Pub is the casual go-to for an easy on-property meal. A lively sports pub with outdoor patio tables facing the golf course and mountains — and the most relaxed atmosphere of any dining option on the property. Dogs are welcome at all outdoor tables. Menu covers pub classics — smash burgers, Baja fish tacos, pepperoni pizza, vegetarian nachos, avocado hummus. 

The Preferred Pups Program

Ojai Valley Inn is part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Preferred Pups Program, which means the dog-friendly experience is built into the property’s brand standards rather than offered as an afterthought. Dog amenities waiting on arrival, staff who are visibly comfortable with dogs, and an outdoor dining culture that makes eating with your pup feel completely normal rather than like a special exception.

If you’re building a Southern California trip around dog-friendly luxury stays, Ojai Valley Inn belongs near the top of the list — alongside Rosewood Miramar and San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito as the strongest options in the region.

Getting There

From LA: 90 minutes via US-101 N to CA-33 N — one of the cleanest drives from the city. We flew JSX from Concord to Burbank and drove from there (~75 minutes).

Parking: Valet is included with the Preferred Hotels rate. Self-parking is also available.

From Santa Barbara / Montecito: 45 minutes via CA-150 E — a natural two-stop trip. See our Dog-Friendly Guide to Montecito & Summerland for the full breakdown.

Planning Tips

Book the Fireside King Terrace if you’re visiting with a dog. The private patio is the single best feature for pet owners and worth prioritizing over other room types.

Plan around pool and spa time. Dogs can’t be left alone in rooms, so if you’re doing a spa afternoon, coordinate in advance.

Download the Ojai Valley Inn app — it makes room service, dining reservations, and spa bookings easy without having to call the front desk.

Combine with downtown Ojai. The property is a 5-minute drive and the Ojai Valley Trail connects you on foot — great for a morning walk straight into town. See our Dog-Friendly Ojai Guide for the full breakdown on what to do in town.

Have questions about the Ojai Valley Inn dog-friendly experience? Drop them in the comments — we’re happy to help.