the shuttle to ojai
By PaceKit Team · Updated April 2026
Mountains 2 Beach is a point-to-point course from Ojai to Ventura, which means you finish 26.2 miles from where you started. Getting to the start line requires a shuttle bus, and the logistics of that bus are worth understanding before race morning.
The shuttle. School buses depart from multiple pickup points in downtown Ventura starting as early as 4:30 AM for the 6:00 AM start. The ride to Ojai takes about 30 to 40 minutes, winding through dark mountain roads. You'll arrive in downtown Ojai well before the start, which means standing around in the cold (high 40s to low 50s) for 30 to 60 minutes before the gun.
What your bib says. Your bib has a shuttle time printed on it. The race info packet states that you can only board the bus assigned to your time and that if you miss your shuttle, you miss the race. In practice, runners report that nobody has actually checked shuttle times on bibs. But don't test this. Book an early shuttle if you want extra time for porta-potty lines and warm-up.
Where to wait. The start area in downtown Ojai has limited indoor facilities. Runners recommend the Ojai Post Office as a warm place to wait before the start. Other buildings near the start may also be open. Bring a throwaway layer (old long-sleeve, cheap fleece, garbage bag) for warmth while waiting. You'll discard it within the first 2 to 3 miles.
Driving to Ojai. If you're staying in Ojai (several nice hotels and resorts are within 2 miles of the start), you can walk or get dropped off, which eliminates the shuttle entirely. This is worth considering if you hate early bus rides. The Ojai Valley Inn is a popular choice for race-weekend stays.
After the race. You finish in Ventura near the Pier. Your car (if you drove) is wherever you parked it in Ventura before boarding the shuttle. The race does not provide return transportation to Ojai. If you drove to Ojai, you'll need someone to pick you up from Ventura or take a cab/rideshare back to your car. Most runners stay in Ventura and this isn't an issue.
Bag drop. There's a bag drop at the start line using race-supplied clear bags. Your bag will be transported to the finish area. Mark it with your name and bib number. Don't put anything irreplaceable in it.
The short version. Take an early shuttle. Dress warm for the wait. Bring a throwaway layer. Stay in Ventura (or Ojai if you want to skip the bus). And bring your own pre-race fuel, because the start area is a small-town park at 5:00 AM, not a full-service expo.