8 Most Charming Towns In Southern California
California boasts all sorts of thrilling adventures, from the Pacific Ocean to impressive mountain ranges, and a sprinkling of charming towns in between for the best access to your desired escape. SoCal is a notoriously scenic, warm-weather destination with a devilish charm that never ceases to take your breath away, keep you glued with sights, and captivate you along the beaches.
SoCal is not one big party scene either; find these charming small towns under a relaxing vibe that induces inebriation with the sea breeze and tranquil sights. Enjoy a stroll along a scenic boardwalk with endless blue on one side and colorful attractions on the other, like a seaside dinner. Southern California is all about the sun, sand, sea, and, wait, the mountains? From the sea to the mountains, these Southern California towns will charm you on the spot.
Avalon
The charming town on the small Channel Island of Santa Catalina, off the SoCal coast, offers a piece of heavenly respite from the mainland. Avalon is absolutely stunning from every angle, and the sea air revitalizes you to the core. The largest town, with just over 3,000 people and a bison population, is a natural paradise with a waterfront flagged by sailboats, shooners, and departing ferries to take you on a spin around the island. Check out the vibrant waterfront's collection of colorful shops and restaurants, and stop by the Green Pleasure Pier for the best harbor views. Tempted to dive into this whole new world of outdoor pursuits? You can quickly access this town in 60 to 90 minutes on a boat ride from Dana Point, Newport Beach, Long Beach, and San Pedro.
With nearly 90 percent of the island upheld as a nature preserve, it is no wonder that Avalon is spoiled by natural beauty. The town on the water is home to one of the world’s healthiest marine environments and Catalina's lush preserve in the heartland. The humble town is a seafood trap, with an actual brightly colored restaurant called the Lobster Trap and just as vibrant food options, from poke bowls to succulent lobster. Every place leaves your tastebuds wanting more and your brain screaming to try something new. So try snorkeling or diving and reward yourself at Descanso Beach Club, a local favorite for al fresco dining along the beach.
Crestline
The lakeside town of Crestline is a real Southern California gem if you are seeking a beautiful place with a local vibe. It is a heavenly, discreet escape you desire for alone time in nature and small town vibes. Head to the beach, on a trail stroll, or on a downtown walkthrough with many establishments. The resort town is also your ultimate getaway to the mountains, on the way from the big cities. Enjoy sunny days at the scenic Lake Gregory in the San Bernardino Mountains, with pursuits like fishing, boating, swimming, sunbathing, and waterslides.
Check out the state-of-the-art fitness trail around the lake on a stroll or a bike ride, complete with exercise stations. Reserve a whole day for the downtown scene, including the historic Old Town area with shopping and Crestine's most atmospheric Lake Drive. Choose from a glut of dining options and a set of excellent accommodations like charming inns, lodges, and rental cabins. You can beat the heat and congestion of the city along the lakeside beaches, where sea air and the fresh breath of the mountains collide in this most charming town.
Idyllwild
Not many towns can compete with Idyllwild's claim to being the quirkiest. Idyllwild is home to idyllic views and a mayor who is a dog named Max. Find this charming town just two hours east of Los Angeles in the San Jacinto Mountains. Take a walk through the main street, North Circle Drive, and immerse yourself in the small town feel amid the art galleries, shopping, and outside cafes. Idyllwild's quirkiness, fresh mountain air, and sights have long attracted artists, who leave their own mark along the music-infused and decorated streets.
Hit the encompassing Mount San Jacinto State Park with 30 trails to explore and stop by the Idyllwild Nature Center to discover secrets behind its flora and fauna. Start your day of adventures at Town Baker with a hearty breakfast or a crave-worthy Danish and a coffee. The Red Kettle along the historic district awaits you with a filling menu of finger-licking-good options. Visit this distinct Southern California town regardless of the season or choice of pursuit. Idyllwild is calling your name with a dose of quirky to enjoy any season and style with refreshing nature that reenvigorates mind, body, and spirit.
Julian
The undulating town of Julian rests scenically at 4,325 feet above sea level, an hour from the city, overlooking San Diego County, and 2.5 hours southeast of Los Angeles. The charming town, a California Historical Landmark in its entirety, is an idyllic year-round vacation spot or a SoCal getaway like no other. During summer, you can hike amid alpine vistas that turn all colors in the fall, something nearly unheard of in this part of the state. Enjoy tranquil strolls with fresh mountain air and beautiful old buildings. Head to the countryside to relish in the old California vibe over local activities like fruit picking and try some home-baked apple pie.
The nostalgia-inducing town with smells wafting through the streets will make you feel at home and keep you longing for another slice with a cup of coffee long after you leave. Check out the galleries and bring back a piece of Julian with you from a local boutique. Stop by the Julian Pioneer Museum with its vintage clothing collection, Native American artifacts, and more. Visit the charming Calico Ranch Orchard, the region's apple producer for nearly a century, where you can also pick pears and try their cider.
Laguna Beach
The charming town with acres of protected natural land and gorgeous ocean views is a real SoCal dreamscape with plenty of options for places to stay on vacation, like Ocean View Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach has been an artists enclave since the 1800s, with jaw-dropping views for 360 degrees around. Plein air painters find their scenic respite in town on a getaway from mundane city sights and cluster underneath the seven-mile beach stretch under the coastal cliffs with coves.
Enjoy 20,000 acres of protected natural land around you with biking, hiking, and sunny day picnics over a wine bottle. Stroll along the shopping district, one of the state's loveliest, and choose a room at the Montage Laguna Beach with sundowner cocktails by the fire outside and Studio for a fancy dinner. Laguna Beach is a more intimate and low-key getaway in SoCal away from the rowdy scene, with chic Mediterranean vibes meeting mid-century modern style. Stay at the boutique Hotel Joaquin, with a garden pool and your own pied-à-terre.
Oceanside
Formerly overlooked, this town by the ocean with an attractive name is a hub for foodies and surfers, with the same charming low-key vibe as in the past. Try surfing here, especially if you are a beginner, at sister properties The Seabird and Mission Pacific, and reward yourself at the Michelin-starred Wrench & Roden, an excellent seafood pub.
The tiny coastal community proudly displays its surfing memorabilia at the California Surf Museum and gathers with tourists at the Super Girl Surf Pro, the largest surf event in the world and a music festival all in one, during the fall. Check out the flagship Valle by Chef Roberto Alcocer from Baja, with mouthwatering seafood and some stunning Pacific views. The next-door Charlie’s Dessert Bar is an entire house of sweets in the charming Victorian Graves House, the setting of Top Gun.
Redondo Beach
Come to charming Redondo Beach for a small town vibe and linger for the lively pier, great shopping, and dining by the sea. Choose from great stays like The Redondo Sway, Burnham Beach Cottages, or Portofino Hotel & Marina, and scout around on a bike ride along the beach. The bustling pier is a literal hotbed where people stroll amid the sea lions, which you can see basking daily under the sun.
Are you still not completely charmed just yet? The coastal town with a decidedly east side vibe that combines the best of the city and the sea is the final destination of "The Cannonball Run," a car race from New York to Los Angeles and a featured film in 1971. Check out the cool Baleen Kitchen for brunch and head to the pier for serene views of white rafts along the sparkling blue waters.
Solvang
This town amid the immensely scenic and giving Santa Ynez Valley nears the central stage of the state, some 3 hours north of Los Angeles, 4.5 hours south of San Francisco, and about 45 minutes from Santa Barbara. Still a SoCal town, Solvang is one of the state's most charming and unique cities in the nation. It was founded as a Danish American community in 1911 and has a number of museums, bakeries, restaurants, shops, and wine-tasting rooms, all reminiscent of its great heritage. Enjoy shopping at one-of-a-kind stores like the Book Loft with Scandinavian literature and Solvang Shoe Store with Danish clogs.
Solvang's famous pastries are must-tries, like aebleskiver, flodeboller, and stroopwafels at Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery. Start your morning with an almond paste kringle or a fruit-filled pastry over a cup of coffee at the popular Birkholm’s Bakery and Cafe, then hop on a fun ride on the Solvang Trolley, a horse-drawn carriage, along Scandinavian streets with spectacular architecture. Check out the Wilding Museum of Art and Nature on the importance of the natural heritage and the Elverhoj Museum in a historic, handcrafted home, and feel the presence of the great Hans Christian Andersen himself at his museum in his honor.
The southwest coast state is sprinkled with renowned cities like Los Angeles and San Diego, attractions like Hollywood, and many enchanting towns that are destinations on their own with attractions for everyday travelers for year-round pursuits. SoCal is an eclectic and diverse part of the state, which makes for the most memorable getaway or vacation along the golden coastline.
Immerse yourself in the local vibes of these towns with historic centers and sights for miles into the countryside and the seascape. Choose from diverse nature like the seacoast, the heartland's nature preserves, lakeside beaches, the mountains, or the renowned Santa Ynez Valley. You can't beat these towns with all kinds of charm, from scenic nature to local hospitality and history, and a quick access to the mountains, beachscapes, and wine country.
