Given our current cultural fascination about everything wellness-related, it’s no surprise that it’s extending to our travel plans, too: Wellness tourism is on the up — and it’s expected to grow in the years to come, too. While everyone has a different image of what a wellness escape might look like, the main components focus on physical, mental, and sometimes emotional or spiritual well-being.
Surrounded by the beauty of the Topatopa Mountains and just 90 minutes from Los Angeles, Ojai makes for the ideal wellness getaway with its offerings of retreat centers, spas, and plenty of hiking and biking trails. Plus, beaches and the Pacific Ocean are only a 15-minute drive away.
The best part of a wellness vacation? There’s no pressure to do too much or too little — and in a place like Ojai, you have plenty of options without anything being overwhelming.
The only thing left for you to do is pack, and we’re even keeping the stress out of that. We’ve rounded up nine essential items to bring with you on your wellness trip, from versatile all-day footwear to a great swimsuit and coverup set for the retreat pool.
All-day flats
Franco Sarto Women’s Haylee Loafer Flat – Amazon
These comfortable and smartly designed Franco Sarto Haylee Loafers work with any any look, from your farmers market outfit to a dressy dinner.
A go-anywhere crossbody
Radley London Liverpool Street 2.0 Flapover Crossbody – Amazon
Bring Radley London’s medium-sized Liverpool bag on your getaway as a chic accessory. Made of leather with feminine stitch detailing and an adjustable strap, this is the perfect crossbody to carry your essentials and more.
Easy breezy trousers
Stretch Woven Wide-Leg Cropped Pant – lululemon
The last thing you want when you’re trying to relax and de-stress during a wellness vacation is a pant waistband digging into you. These lululemon trousers are perfect for morning to evening, thanks to their elevated cut, comfy elastic waist, and neutral tones.
Electrolytes for mid-hike hydration
TB12 Electrolyte Supplement – Amazon
Keep dehydration at bay after traveling or hiking with TB12 Electrolytes. Full of minerals to facilitate recovery and offer hydration, these come in tasty natural flavors like lemon and peach.
A swimsuit that’s actually for swimming
Summersalt Sidestroke One-Piece Swimsuit – Amazon
This bestselling one-piece suit from fit-focused Summersalt looks great poolside, but it’s designed for keeping you comfortable and covered lap after lap, too.
A practical (and stylish) straw hat
Hat Attack Women’s Crochet Bucket Hat – Amazon
Hat Attack’s straw bucket hat, made of raffia, is a great way to cover up from the sun and stay cool while looking your best.
A capacious weekender bag
Large Luka Duffel – CALPAK
The brand-new CALPAK Large Luka Duffel is big enough to hold all the outfit changes required of weekend getaways that bounce between in-town activities and studio classes. We love the organizational pockets and separate shoe compartment — plus the bright colors it comes in.
Groovy sunglasses
Farrah Sunglasses in Ginko – Paradigm Eyewear
paradigmeyewear.com
$188.00
Whether you’re strolling through Ojai’s farmer market or just lounging poolside, a cool pair of sunglasses is key for this Californian escape. Paradigm’s sunglasses are constructed with 40% recycled plastic and 60% biobased content from renewable resources, and this Seventies-inspired pair comes in three colors: golden hour, ginkgo and rose.
A journal with prompts
Maniscripting Journal: 90-day journal with guided prompts – Amazon
The Maniscripting Journal
amazon.com
$60.00
What’s a wellness retreat without a bit of journaling? The practice can provide relief from stress and allow thoughts to flow and creativity to shine. For those of us who need a bit of prompting, however, this Maniscripting Journal helps: The pages are full of guided tips for reflection and manifesting to help you along on your journey.
