11 Coolest Small Towns in Southern California for a Summer Vacation
Southern California encompasses the area underneath Fresno, with the state's best white and golden-sand beaches, the revered LA scene, and a whole lot of small, cool towns. The south of the Golden State is home to wilder parties but also remote beaches and scenic countryside. Head inland, and you will find deserts, state parks like the Joshua Tree, and even the mountainous Sierra.
Consider these small towns the concentrated scenery of SoCal's coolest parts. Choose a character that speaks to you and immerse yourself in a refreshingly scenic relaxation of your life. Join the locals on a year-round celebration of SoCal weather, nature, and history through vibrant art, festivals, and events. Choose from a beach-themed escape, a cultural one, or even a mountain getaway.
Avalon
Avalon is beautiful, romantic, and nostalgic, and one of the coolest places in the state and the entire country. The small town of endless praises is a national destination for an overall fantastic getaway for all groups and interests. Enjoy a fun escape overlooking an oceanside paradise of the state-renowned golden beaches on Santa Catalina Island, accessible by plane or boat. Immerse in tranquil vibes overviews from the pristine shores, or choose a water adventure for any level. Explore the one-of-a-kind downtown area, strewn with possibilities to see marvelous art, engage with the locals at a farmers market, or shop your way through the boutique scene.
Venture down Avalon's main Crescent Avenue through the display of architectural feats and hunt for home decor and souvenirs from local shops. Check out the Serpentine Wall and find a nook or cafe to let all your impressions sink in. You can feast on locally caught fish and fresh produce from nearly every restaurant, including sunset fine dining over the waters at places like the Avalon Grille. Stay at the beachfront Bellanca Hotel, and do not leave the town before stocking up on all possible body and shower necessities from the Island Spa Shoppe. Reminisce about the refreshingly cool scent of town when you get home.
Bonsall
Bonsall is your go-to escape into the long-desired peace unattainable anywhere to the same degree as this chill town is able to deliver. Immerse yourself in the cool vibes and relax any way you like, whether through a favorite pursuit or blissful longing at the sights. The small rural town instantly eases your mind and lets tranquility seep in, replacing the worries. Enjoy a quiet stroll along the river or easy paddling amid the local scenery, which is home to less than 5,000 residents.
Bonsall's natural scenery is as refreshing as it is varied, from hikes through the beautiful green spaces of the great outdoors to sitting amid the local plant nursery. The San Diego County town offers endless beauty without the hustle and bustle of the big city. There are so many cool vibes emanating from this scenic side of SoCal that the captivating ocean might keep you glued to the shores. Just take it as a cue for the much-needed relaxation your city-starved soul needs.
Carpenteria
Carpenteria is the extension of cool Santa Barbara, multiplied and concentrated in a small-town charm. This exquisite seascape boasts a cool vibe along the pristine beaches for the ever-so-coveted scenic relaxation and feel-good pursuits in town. Carpinteria honors the rich avocado fruit through its very own festival, which you can join in celebrating with the locals annually in October.
Visit any time to immerse yourself in the shopping scene amid local stores and boutiques throughout Linden Avenue, with endless options to dine in any style. Saunter to Carpinteria State Beach for the epic sunset and come back the next morning to keep the slumber vibes going from the gentle lull of the waves for the best rest day of your life. Finally, open your eyes and spend some chill time in zen or meditation, taking in the cool sights all around. Choose a non-traditional restaurant like Gianfranco's Trattoria or Zookers for surf and turf.
Green Valley Lake
Consider the "best-kept secret" of the San Bernadino Mountains, at 7,000 feet above sea level, uncovered here. Add this lakeside getaway to your small-town SoCal bucket list, with only 300 full-time locals. There is no competition for a scenic spot to immerse yourself in a cleansing escape from the city. Visit on a secluded day or weekend trip four miles from State Highway 18 by a "pretty" cool lake in the surrounding National Forest. Enjoy hikes, picnics, and swims in any order you like, as well as plentiful fishing and picturesque scenery everywhere.
Green Valley Lake is your ticket to imminent peace and relaxation. Fall in love with the cute beach town and return in the summer for the line-up of concerts, festivals, and events like the Fourth of July Parade or for a final hooray in August. The scenic enclave charms with local artisan events during Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and Labor Day weekends. Join a tour to see all their cool offerings, from fine photography prints to handmade jewelry and custom furniture. Visit any other day for the downtown wealth of businesses and rural SoCal vibes amid peaky views.
Hermosa Beach
This lovely, nostalgic small city is your trip back in time to the most revered 1970s along Santa Monica Bay. Relish the old-school, unpretentious vibe that other places have lost forever, and join the bright and happy locals for surfing under 200 days of sunshine a year. Check out the list of restaurants and shops along the pedestrian-only Pier Avenue for several miles along the ocean for safe and fun beach revelry. Dine Mexican at Palmilla with tequila drinks or gulp down sea treasures over beer at the Hook & Plow Tavern. The chill beach offers most of what Santa Monica or Venice beaches have but with fewer crowds.
Take an initial walk or bike ride through town, and you will quickly notice a cool theme that locals hold close to heart, namely the Peter Pan culture of Hermosa Beach. Enjoy music-filled streets and a multitude of festivals and outdoor concerts. Visit for the Fourth of July weekend's big celebration with an impressive classic parade and DIY floats. Stay longer to tackle the expansive greenbelt that connects all the way to nearby Manhattan Beach, a perfect summer day pursuit. Choose the oceanfront Beach House or the Hotel Hermosa, with a courtyard, firepits, and pool tables.
Joshua Tree
This small town, often overshadowed by its namesake national park, is your ultimate gateway to the awe-inspiring Joshua Tree National Park. The most revered destination among hikers, climbers, sightseers, and those looking to relax in a serene environment is just over two hours from LA, around San Bernadino Forest.
Relax on a weekend escape or treat yourself to a full-blown vacation along the most dreamy landscape. You can meander endlessly amid numerous beautiful trees to finally plop down with a picnic under the prettiest one. Choose from the hundreds of gorgeous glamping spots or an adorable cabin for an epic overnight experience of Southern California's nature. You will never run out of options to see or do with a whole town waiting with shops, restaurants, and even cool sound baths.
Morro Bay
The coastal town north of San Luis Obispo boasts a cool weekend escape vibe for all active types. From water pursuits like kayaking, fishing, and surfing to biking and hikes, you will find your niche in Morro Bay. Enjoy a scenic trek to the Morro Rock landmark, which peaks 581 feet into the sky. The plenty of peregrine falcons atop the rock is a pretty cool scene that delights bird watchers. Cool off in the ocean amid otters, sea lions, and even dolphins frolicking nearby.
You can sunbathe in the glaring Southern California sunshine at the unobscured views along the pretty empty beach before finally making it to the heart of town. Relish the relaxed beachy vibe and local grub that deserves a lot of praise but speaks for itself to your tastebuds. Try the happening Frankie and Lola’s Front Street Cafe, or feast on marine treasures at the lovely Galley Seafood Grill. Learn a cool new skill with a rented board from the Wavelengths Surf Shop and hold a wave before that scenic sunset tumbles you over.
Ojai
The small town of Ojai is one cool animal, with everything you can ask for and more on a unique weekend escape. Start at the charming downtown and end with cotton-candy sunset views, with fresh air pursuits like golf, tennis, cycling, fishing, and hiking in between. You can camp out under the glories of the sky, including a gazillion stars, or choose from the wealth of upscale resorts for a divine rest.
Try offroading tours in open jeeps with Cloud Climber Jeep Tours, with tailored sightseeing opportunities for all interests like dirt trails, country roads, and always gorgeous views. The luxurious Ojai Valley Inn is a whole family experience in itself, with cool pastimes for everyone, like rejuvenating massages, a farmhouse, golf, tennis, and pools to gather together and discuss the impressions.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs sits under consistently warm weather and sunny skies, even in the winter. Many come just for strolls along the artsy streets to absorb the one and only "in Palm Springs" vibe. Immerse yourself in culture, and you will see how it is possible to have the best weekend getaway while still relaxing and to return feeling zen and with a truckful of bright memories. Springtime offers less humidity, fewer scorching temperatures, and a cool breeze for incredible outdoor adventures.
Spend some time chilling out in sparkling pools and cabanas while enjoying a chef-crafted cocktail. There are over 100 golf courses, tennis courts where players became legends, and spa experiences. Explore the desert and check out the Living Desert Zoo and Garden. You can also visit museums, watch classic films at first-class theaters, or go on a horseback ride with the historic theme across palm tree oases in the Indian Canyons. Explore Palm Springs on a bike, with its art festivals, annual events, and delectable food scene.
Solvang
The cool Danish village sits wrapped in the warm vibes of country scenery like tulips, windmills, and warm pastries amid modern attractions. The small town was founded in 1911 by a group of clever Danes from Ohio who moved from the Midwest to set up this brainchild. The immersive time warp of today is appealing, a little bizarre, and a little bit like Disneyland; it is the coolest escape for all. Kids love to pet ostriches in Ostrichland, which is also home to 50 emus.
Solvang is also a gastronomical heaven with aebleskiver, decadent Danish sweet balls, and Danish meatballs, available in their authentic version at Solvang Restaurant. Mad & Vin, inside a Scandinavian-inspired boutique hotel, serves locally sourced fare like duck-fat fries. Stay at the Royal Copenhagen Inn, a doppelganger of a scenic street in Copenhagen. Visit for cool sights without crowds in spring or immerse yourself in culture during the Danish Days on the third weekend of September. Summertime in the surrounding Santa Ynez Valley and its five wine-country towns is a great time to visit for the lovely weather, vineyard strolls, and tastings.
Wrightwood
This underrated SoCal small town is only mistakenly overlooked. Wrightwood sits close to Los Angeles but is hidden within the majestic San Gabriel Mountains. Angelenos escape to sightsee and relax high and mighty above the rest, and to play in the snow. Winter sports enthusiasts love to get away for their favorite pastime, which is unheard of on this side of the state, south of Fresno.
The quiet and calm town on the inside knows it's worth maintaining a cool, collected atmosphere and a chill vibe until June. Visit in the summer through November to experience the buzzing side of Wrightwood. Join in vibrant events like the Mountain Classic Car Show, the Chili Cook-Off, and the Salsa Contest; to each their own. Feel the adrenaline pumping high with Ziplines to Pacific Crest; they boast the two most thrilling zipline courses in the entire nation for a cool experience.
These small towns offer all the cool that makes Southern California such a revered destination but without the crowds or the city hustle. Relax in the beachy vibes along the shore that extends onto the streets laden with arts, vibrant events, and summer festivals. From surfing with locals back in the 1970s to strolling through Copenhagen and your favorite winter pursuits in the snow, you are in for one cool weekend escape or anytime vacation of a lifetime.
