7 Southern California Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life

Southern California spans across two metropolitan regions centered on two major cities, Los Angeles and San Diego. As a result, SoCal is usually seen as a vast expanse of urban neighborhoods and suburban sprawl at the southwestern corner of the continental United States. However, Southern California also has some uniquely hidden gems offering a slower pace of life and much more relaxing vibes. Think dazzling alpine lakes, funky artist villages, old towns as old as the United States, and laid-back beach towns perched by the Pacific Ocean.

Whether you aim to surf some big waves, sample some small-batch wines, or simply kick back at a lovely resort pool that feels just right, you might want to slow down to take another look at these seven Southern California towns with a slower pace of life.

Montecito

Just east of Santa Barbara lies the well-heeled coastal village of Montecito, a town made famous by a laundry list of past and present celebrity residents, from “Old Hollywood” legends like Clark Gable and Greta Garbo to contemporary superstars like Oprah Winfrey and Ariana Grande. Yet unlike the Hollywood scene, Montecito exudes quiet luxury, which you can instantly sense on the town’s main street of Coast Village Road. A few blocks north of Coast Village, tour the Casa del Herrero and experience the magic of this shrine to vintage 1920s Spanish Colonial Revival design.

To better appreciate the natural beauty that attracts so many rich and famous tourists and residents, head north to Hot Springs Canyon to venture into the mountains and discover the local hot springs, then go south to chill at the delightful shores of Butterfly Beach. Finally, check into the Rosewood Miramar Beach resort for a splendidly luxurious retreat complete with Michelin star dining, sumptuous spa treatments, and lavish guest rooms and suites.

Ojai

Nestled in the Ojai Valley of Ventura County, the town of Ojai offers plenty of California-style farm-fresh goodness. If you’re spending the weekend in town, stop at the Ojai Certified Farmers Market on Sunday to peruse their selection of local produce, meats, seafood, and specialty goods (like olive oils and handmade soaps). Whenever you’re here, you can stop at Highly Likely and enjoy this cozy cafe that showcases the freshest locally sourced ingredients, or try some of Ojai's other exciting restaurants.

After feasting on Ojai’s amazing food, head downtown and stop at the tasting room for The Ojai Vineyard. For even more local hospitality and delectable flavors, make your way to Ojai Valley Inn for exquisite fine dining, world-class PGA golf, the award-winning Spa Ojai, and tastefully cozy rooms and suites.

Calabasas

While TV shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Ray Donovan have raised awareness of Calabasas as a celebrity enclave, locals know there’s much more to this town (about 30 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles) beyond the view of paparazzi cameras. Since the town abuts the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s an abundance of great hiking trails, from the scenic steps of the Hidden Stairs to the rugged beauty of Red Rock Canyon Park and the lush wilderness along the Fritz and Alma Loop. In addition, you can head north to the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve for many more hiking, biking, and even equestrian trails.

For a fun and funky blend of natural scenery and Tinseltown glamour, head out to the old Paramount Ranch to take in the lovely mountain views and tour the former lot where a number of movies and TV shows were filmed, including Gunsmoke, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and Westworld. Once you’re done poking around town, settle down for a restful evening at the Cambria Hotel Calabasas.

Big Bear Lake

High up the San Bernardino Mountains of the Inland Empire, Big Bear Lake lets you embark on all sorts of high-altitude adventures within easy reach of Los Angeles and Orange County. Speaking of such adventures, Big Bear Mountain Resort opens its Summit Bike Park, the region’s premier lift-served, gravity-fed mountain bike park at Snow Summit, for the summer season. Beyond the bike tracks, Big Bear Mountain Resort also has a nine-hole golf course, scenic sky chair rides, and an extensive network of hiking trails sporting panoramic mountain and lake views.

Heading down to the lake, Big Bear Lake has multiple public launch ramps that make it easy to kick off aquatic excursions on kayaks, paddleboards, and motorboats. In addition, the lake is Southern California’s best spot for freshwater fishing with robust supplies of rainbow trout, bass, catfish, and carp. Finally, make your way to Lagonita Lodge to enjoy comfy condo-style accommodations right by the lake and close to the main village.

Rancho Mirage

Situated in Riverside County’s Coachella Valley, about 10 miles southeast of Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage is a refreshing and refined oasis in the Colorado Desert. When you’re ready for some quality tee time, book an outing at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas golf course. If you prefer a deeper exploration of local nature, head south to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument for a network of hiking and biking trails, along with opportunities to spot native wildlife like chuckwallas, roadrunners, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.

If you want to poke around some local history, pop over to the Sunnylands Estate to tour this unique mid-century modern home that’s hosted eight U.S. presidents, several world leaders, numerous celebrities, and a variety of artistic and academic events. And for maximum rest and relaxation, try a stay at Sensei Porcupine Creek for a phenomenal boutique spa resort experience with world-class golf and tennis facilities, a fantastic array of spa treatments and other wellness activities, and extravagant estate rooms and villas.

Dana Point

Located about 30 miles south of Santa Ana, and roughly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, Dana Point may be the quintessential Southern California beach town with golden sands, epic waves, and completely cool vibes. At the north end of town, Salt Creek Beach is a locals’ favorite for its top-tier surfing waves and lovely tidepools by the shore. Or, if you aim to go out to sea, head to Dana Point Harbor to start your whale watching or sportfishing excursions with Dana Wharf.

Staying near the harbor, Dana Point also has some tasty hidden gem restaurants worth trying, including Station Craft's excellent craft beer and pub cuisine. And for classic Orange County coastal luxury, book a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, a legendary resort perched on a bluff right by the stunning shores of Salt Creek.

Del Mar

Only about 21 miles north of Downtown San Diego, Del Mar is a tiny town full of fantastic beaches, gorgeous parklands, and so much more. Right next to town is Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, a beloved local park that functions as a sanctuary for one of the United States’ rarest trees, Pinus torreyana or the Torrey pine. Hike the upland trails to appreciate the beauty of these trees, the nearby sandstone rock formations, and the lagoon below that provides refuge to migrating birds. Then, head down to Torrey Pines State Beach for swimming, surf fishing, and laid-back tidepooling and beachcombing.

Back in town, Powerhouse Park is Del Mar’s main gateway to the Pacific Ocean, and the beach here is ideal for swimming, surfing, and seaside picnics. Staying in the neighborhood, there’s L’Auberge Del Mar, an inviting resort with casually elegant rooms and suites, the full-service Spa L’Auberge, and a posh take on sustainable seafood at their Adelaide restaurant.

Slow Down and Enjoy the Good Life at These Southern California Towns

Southern California may be best known for vibrant cities like Los Angeles and San Diego. Yet, this region also has plenty of smaller towns offering a slower, simpler, and surprisingly relaxing pace of life. Head up to Big Bear Lake to embark on exciting excursions high up the mountains, and go down to Rancho Mirage for a stylish yet soothing low desert resort town with world-class spas and golf courses. Feast on the farm-fresh bounty of Ojai, and catch some great waves at the shores of Dana Point. With such a fun variety of towns across the region, it’s always a good idea to slow down and take advantage of all that Southern California has to offer.