Deer Lodge

Weaving the rich heritage of an historic restaurant and tavern into a refreshed brand that has roots in the past, but lives in the present.

Established in 1932, the Deer Lodge is a longtime favorite watering hole nestled in the mountains of Ojai, California on Scenic Highway 33. We were asked to share its story and give it a new, but timeless look.

We researched the Deer Lodge's history and found a simple through line that brought it all together: "home away from home."

Over the years, people have been called to Ojai for a variety of reasons. Some came seeking peace or prosperity, soaking in the mineral-rich natural hot springs, or mining for gold in the hills. Others came to Ojai in search of a mystical utopia, through its association with the Theosophical Society, its native Chumash lore, or inspired by its depiction as the fabled Shangri-La in the film Lost Horizon.

As the oldest restaurant and tavern in Ojai, the Deer Lodge has long served as a meeting place where people from all walks of life come together to fill their bellies and lift their spirits. Today, we are proud to be the newest caretakers of this home away from home for both travelers and locals alike. And even though times have changed, the spirit has stayed the same.

There's a little somethin' for everyone here at the Deer Lodge. In keeping with our backwoods heritage, we offer classic Californian cuisine, along with a wide selection of craft beers and spirits from up and down the West Coast. We have vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a large dog-friendly patio and a game room with a pool table and lounge area. With live music and smokey barbecue on the weekends, this is a place where you can bring the whole family during the day, or dance with your friends into the night. This is where memories are made, where the blacktop ends and paradise begins. This is where time stands still.

The Deer Lodge has an ecclectic clientele of locals and tourists, families, bikers, artists, ranchers, hippies, and everything in between, but they're all brought together by great food.

We kept the deer motif, but reimagined it to feel more dynamic and inviting. The deer is framed in a traditional dinner triangle, a fixture of ranch houses on the frontier since the 1800's. A striker was used to ring the triangle and call the family in for a warm meal. This iconic symbol evokes a sense of home, community, and the anticipation of delicious food.

The Deer Lodge is surrounded by trees, hills, and mountains that turn a pinkish hue at golden hour. Like Ojai at sunset, the palette mixes chaparral earth tones with a flash of color.

We designed a website that highlights the Deer Lodge's story, food, entertainment, and private event offerings.