11 Coolest Towns in California for a Summer Vacation in 2024
With endless sunshine, gorgeous beaches, and one-of-a-kind accommodations, people come to California in the summertime with high expectations for a reason. And while cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Palm Springs feel like the obvious choice of destination when visiting the Golden State, you may want to consider something a bit more lowkey and a bit less well-known. For some of the coolest and trendiest sights and attractions in the state, you will have to try out the towns in between these bustling cities. Whether you rent a fairytale cottage or pitch a tent on a cliffside overlooking the sea, the accommodations will capture your heart but the attractions are what will make your next vacation one you will never forget. From thrilling whale-watching tours to peaceful island beaches, here are 11 of the coolest towns in California where you can experience an unforgettable vacation in 2024.
Laguna Beach
From coastal canyons to cove-dotted beaches, the town of Laguna Beach knows how to enthrall summer guests who have a love for the outdoors. Shores like Treasure Island Beach offer the best of both, with towering bluffs to the south and a serene little inlet to the north with crystal clear waters for snorkeling. Over at Crystal Cove State Park, an additional 3.2 miles of beachfront can be savored. Its rocky reefs, described as an “underwater park,” are adored by scuba divers and swimmers while the smooth waves make it a popular surfing spot. Beyond the beaches, the park boasts 2,400 acres of beautiful backcountry wilderness as well, with vast wooded canyons for hiking and mountain biking. Over in the park's Crystal Cove Historic District, visitors can even extend their stay in one of the vintage coastal cottages. Originally a seaside colony in the 1930s and 40s, these cozy structures are the perfect way to get the most out of your time in Laguna Beach.
Capitola
While Laguna Beach is an ideal family destination, solo travelers, couples, and adult-only groups may prefer a place more like Capitola. Situated on the northern shores of Monterey Bay, this quaint seaside town is popular with travelers looking to slow down and enjoy an easygoing beach lifestyle. Capitola Beach is the town’s most popular shore by far. Known for its views of the bay and the bright pastel Capitola Venetian Hotel built right on the sand, this shore offers a truly postcard-perfect scene.
Originally built as condos, the Mediterranean-style Venetian Hotel grants the perfect one-stop vacation spot, with the beach just steps away from your door. Tons of fabulous restaurants and shops are also within a short walking distance, like the Paradise Beach Grille, Zelda's Coffee Bar, and the Mercantile Capitola shopping mall. On the beach itself, the eastern side gets bigger waves that are perfect for surfing, and the remainder is great for sunbathing and swimming. In the summertime, the beach’s Esplanade bandstand also hosts Capitola Twilight Concerts every Wednesday, beginning June 12th, 2024.
Carpinteria
Over on California’s Central Coast, Carpinteria is another charming beach town that comes alive in the summertime. A great intro to your visit is strolling Linden Avenue, the town’s bustling main street. The street is known for its resort vibe, with swaying palm trees and chic restaurants and shops like Little Dom's Seafood, Rori's Artisanal Creamery, and Murphy's Vinyl Shack. But what Carpinteria is by far the most known for, is the “World’s Safest Beach” at the end of Linden. You will find this landmark-shore lives up to its reputation, with gentle waves and an absence of riptides. With such mellow waters, swimming here is an absolute dream.
Heading south, you will discover the town’s second treasured shore. Carpinteria State Park Beach is known for its impressive dunes, miles of shoreline, and epic tidepools. Exploring these pools offers the chance to spot sea anemones, starfish, crabs, and even the occasional octopus. Keep an eye on the ocean as well though, since you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins or even a gray whale. For even better views of the Pacific, you can extend your adventure with a hike along the park’s Coastal Vista Trail. And for those who enjoy a more rare and unusual landscape, the Carpinteria Tar Pits are a fun next stop. This rare natural asphalt lake is one of only five in the entire world, and can be enjoyed alongside ocean views. And with so much more to see and do, you may just want to set up camp at one of the park’s 4 campground loops.
Two Harbors
For the introverted beachgoer and outdoor adventurer, the island village of Two Harbors offers a more secluded vacation away from the stresses of everyday life. This rustic Santa Catalina Island community has less than 300 locals, meaning there is plenty of beach and island to go around. You will find its main shore right next to the town’s Isthmus Pier and Two Harbors Visitor Services, your gateway to local expertise on the town’s best hidden secrets. Here, you can snag a map with some of the best island hiking trails (many not featured online) including paths like the Upper Ballast Point hike, which takes you up a ridge for phenomenal views of the island.
If you would prefer to spend your days on the beach, you can rent lounge chairs and cabanas for pure relaxation. For fun in the water, you can also rent gear from the Two Harbors Dive Shop right next to Visitor Services, which offers everything from snorkel gear to kayaks. The waters of the Isthmus Cove are crystal-clear and invite exploration, so snorkeling is highly recommended. Visitors can then unwind in the evenings with a sunset view from Two Harbors Campground, located on a palm-tree covered bluff overlooking the Pacific.
Avalon
On the western end of Santa Catalina, you will discover the less secluded island town of Avalon. Wrapped around the scenic Avalon Bay, this resort community has welcomed tourists for over a century, and is definitely Santa Catalina’s central hub. Rustic campsites are replaced with stylish hotels, such as the Seaport Village Inn, the Catalina Island Inn, and the Zane Grey Pueblo Hotel. Contrasting Two Harbors’ rustic fishing pier, the more tourist-friendly Pleasure Pier is a bright attraction, located right across from the Avalon Grille. Grab a handcrafted cocktail or coastal cuisine at the bayside restaurant before enjoying the delights of the teal-colored pier, including the Catalina Divers Supply, to book a scuba class or rent some gear. The pier is also where you will depart for some of Avalon’s thrilling excursions, like the Glass Bottom Boat tour or the Undersea Sub Expedition. But if you would prefer to enjoy Avalon from land, right next door, Avalon’s South Beach and Middle Beach beckon with gorgeous ocean views.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
For an enchanting vacation this 2024, Carmel-by-the-Sea has some of the state’s most magical sights and experiences. Located on California’s Monterey Peninsula, the town itself has a fairytale feel, largely thanks to Hugh Comstock. Inspired by the creativity of his doll-maker wife, Comstock built several of the community’s whimsical storybook cottages in the early 1900s, stone chimneys and all. You can behold the cottages in all their glory on a self-guided walking tour of the Comstock Historical Hill District, or even experience the magic firsthand by booking a stay in the aptly named “Storybook Cottage,” located 2 blocks from Carmel’s downtown.
But the magic extends outside town as well, to Carmel’s jaw-dropping nature. Highlights like the Point Lobos State Natural Reserve are hailed as “The crown jewel of the California State Park System.” Adored by divers, the park is known for its Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a gorgeous underwater habitat with unique rock formations and rare marine flora. Back on land, China Cove is another popular park feature, best explored via the Bird Island Trail for mesmerizing views of the ethereal blue-green waters in the sheltered cove.
Solvang
Founded by 3 Danish immigrants in 1911, vacationers who come to present-day Solvang will find themselves transported to old-world Denmark. Often described as "The Danish Capital of America,” this thriving heritage is visible throughout the town, which is why over 1 million people visit throughout the year. Summertime is an especially popular season to enjoy the old-world architecture, visible in the thatched roofs and half-timbered facades. Wine Valley Inn & Cottages is one of the best examples of this, and also makes for the perfect place to rest your head for an overnight stay.
In downtown Solvang, you can spot 4 traditional wooden windmills, the most popular of them being the postcard-worthy Solvang Windmill on Alisal Road. Downtown is also the best part of Solvang to find authentic and delectable Danish restaurants and bakeries, like the Copenhagen Sausage Garden and Danish Mill Bakery. To learn more about Danish-American culture, a visit to the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art is another must. Elsewhere in town, you can shop for souvenirs or general treasures at stores like Only In Solvang and Solvang Antiques. All in all, your time in Solvang may not be a typical California vacation, but it will definitely be unforgettable.
Monterey
Facing the wide, open waters of Monterey Bay, the town of Monterey is one of California’s prettiest coastal towns and one of the best places for wildlife viewing. As part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a visit to Monterey in the summertime pretty much guarantees marine animal sightings, from floating sea otters to sunbathing sea lions, and so much more. The Monterey Coastal Recreation Trail and Asilomar Coast Trail are some of the best trails for wildlife spotting and breathing in the ocean views.
Whale watching is also one of Monterey’s greatest features, since whales can be spotted in the bay year-round. There are tons of whale watching tour agencies to choose from, like Monterey Bay Whale Watch, Princess Monterey Whale Watching, and Discovery Whale Watch, which foresees summertime as the perfect season to view fin whales, blue whales, killer whales, and dolphins. As a land-based follow-up, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is the town’s top attraction and is well worth the hype. The aquarium is home to over 80,000 plants and animals, including countless jellyfish species, African penguins, and a massive kelp forest.
San Luis Obispo
Returning to California's Central Coast, San Luis Obispo (SLO) is adored for its year-round Mediterranean climate and expansive wine region. With an average temperature of 70°F, SLO experiences mild summers, making it an ideal destination for those seeking sunny weather without extreme heat. Surrounded by pastoral hills, SLO is also a prime location for vineyards, with the San Luis Obispo Wine Country just a 15-minute drive from downtown. Boasting 30 world-class vineyards such as the Claiborne & Churchill Winery, here visitors can enjoy Sips and Songs, a tasting event accompanied by live music every Friday during the summertime.
Additionally, the nearby Atascadero Lake Park hosts the annual Atascadero Lakeside Wine Festival, set to take place this year on June 22nd, 2024. This lakeside extravaganza will showcase 100 wines from over 50 wineries, numerous vendors, and live music. In between wine tastings and vineyard tours, visitors can explore attractions like the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, Sunset Drive-In Theatre, and downtown SLO. Downtown is a charming area to explore, featuring a Thursday night Farmers’ Market and the quirky Bubblegum Alley, a gum-covered alleyway that has since become an unusual (albeit popular) tourist attraction. Matching the energy of this quirky landmark, unique accommodations like the vibrant pink Madonna Inn offer a perfect retreat after a day of exploring the town and sampling the region’s wineries.
Ferndale
Ferndale may not have your typical California attractions, but this offbeat town will enchant anyone looking to travel back in time. Located in a rural valley on the state’s Lost Coast, Ferndale is proclaimed as “The Victorian Village,” with over 200 original Victorian structures spread through the town. This fabulous historic preservation is the town’s main claim to fame, and if you head to Main Street, this is where you will find the largest concentration of buildings. From 19th-century Gothic Revival-style businesses to Queen Anne-style homes, there are countless modern attractions concealed behind these Victorian storefronts, like the Palace Saloon, a great place for cocktails and live music. Over on Ocean Ave, you can even book a room in the town’s famed Victorian Inn. Built in 1890, the bright blue structure commands the eye with its intricate bay windows bracketed in the Italianate style. Other notable town sites include the Ferndale historic cemetery, the Ferndale Museum, and the Fernbridge Historic Bridge.
Bishop
Looking for an outdoor adventure for your 2024 summer vacation? Bishop, nestled in the Eastern Sierra region of California, offers one of the best outdoor playgrounds in the state. Situated between the iconic White Mountains to the east and the Sierra Nevada to the west, this valley town is a literal middle ground between two majestic landscapes, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. And with the summertime drawing many visitors, the town offers a wide range of accommodation options. Travelers on a budget can opt for more affordable choices like the trendy adult-only Hostel California, while others may want to splurge on a creek-side retreat at the luxurious Wayfinder Bishop hotel. When it comes to the outdoor attractions, Bishop serves as a gateway to popular hiking sites such as Bishop Creek Canyon, scenic kayaking spots like the Owens River, and stunning alpine waters like Sabrina Lake. But this is just the beginning of what this outdoor haven has to offer.
Final Thoughts
California’s largest cities are popular tourist destinations for good reason. But with attractions this unique and exciting, these cool California towns are on their way to becoming some of the state’s top-rated adventures. From Capitola’s waterfront Venetian Hotel to San Luis Obispo’s fabulous wine region, these underrated towns may not be underrated forever. But the one permanent feature connecting each of these towns is the memories you will make vacationing here.
