8 Secluded Towns In Southern California

Southern California’s small towns are often overshadowed by its larger cities, like San Diego and Los Angeles. While these cities offer plenty of entertainment, some of the region’s richest cultural and recreational experiences await travelers willing to venture into Southern California’s small, and often remote towns. Nestled between mountains, deserts, and quiet coastlines, these eight secluded towns are anything but dull, offering attractions that range from Danish culture and desert oases to wine valleys and seaside boardwalks.

Borrego Springs

Residing in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs is a small desert town of just 3,400 residents and the only town in the state to be encompassed by a state park. The state park features 600,000 acres of desert terrain, complemented by palm oases, badlands, winding canyons, and cactus-filled landscapes. The town is also part of the International Dark Sky Community, meaning that the night sky is protected from light pollution, resulting in beautiful starry skies for nights of stargazing.

Borrego Springs also has a strong art community, hosting important annual art events such as The Circle Show in the spring. Visitors can also take a pottery or watercolor class through the Borrego Art Institute, a nonprofit organization.

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake has a population of roughly 5,000 residents and is well worth the two hour drive from Los Angeles, offering all kinds of outdoor recreational activities. Visitors can go skiing at the Snow Valley Mountain Resort or hike to the summit of the Sugarloaf or San Gorgonio Mountains. The San Bernadino National Forest is also just to the south, with plenty of places to hike, bike, waterfall hunt, or snowshoe in the colder months.

Additionally, the town is conveniently situated along the giant freshwater lake, notably known for rainbow trout fishing, as well as catfish and bass fishing. The Village district in Big Bear Lake is ideal for shopping and dining, with Stella Luna offering delicious farm-to-table meals.

Julian

Julian is a mountain town about an hour northeast of San Diego, home to just 1,400 residents. With a gold rush history dating back to the 1870s, the town is rich in gold mines that travelers can visit, such as Eagle Mining Co., which offers tours of the facilities and demonstrates the old milling and extraction processes.

The Cleveland National Forest is also worth the drive, as the state’s southernmost forest, with shrub and tree covered mountains, with places to camp, hike, horseback ride, picnic, and mountain bike. Around the holidays, the residents of Julian host a variety of events, including a Christmas Market, Christmas Tree Lighting, and a Santa Visit.

Los Olivos

Los Olivos, with a population of 1,000 residents, is in the heart of Santa Barbara’s wine country, promising a laid-back and scenic trip complemented by some of the state’s best wines. Wine enthusiasts can stop by the Coquelicot Estate Vineyard’s tasting room or enjoy a glass of Cabernet Franc from E11even Wines in downtown Los Olivos.

In addition to its wine, Los Olivos has a lively art scene with numerous galleries throughout town, including Gallery Los Olivos, which showcases diverse media from around 50 local artists. After a day of wine tasting and art browsing, hungry travelers can enjoy a meal at one of Los Olivos' unique dining spots, like the Los Olivos Wine Merchant Café, which serves artisan cheeses, fresh salads, fine wines, and delicious entrées—often paired with live music.

Ojai

Home to roughly 7,500 residents, Ojai is a small, southwestern-style town between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, known for its abundance in hiking trails. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, near downtown, has dozens of hiking trails to explore, as well as the nearby Los Padres National Forest, where travelers can hike, climb, swim, fish, and camp.

Golfers will love the Soule Park Golf Course, framed by views of the Topa Topa Mountains. Ojai may be a small town, but it is not lacking in shops. In its downtown village, visitors can browse bookstores, gift shops, art galleries, toy shops, clothing boutiques, and more.

Cambria

Cambria, a coastal town along the Pacific, has a population of about 5,800 and is the perfect destination for those wanting to avoid the crowds of large-city beaches. Upon arriving, visitors can stroll along the Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, taking in the relaxing sounds of seagulls and crashing waves.

For lunch, visitors have plenty of cozy cafes and restaurants to choose from, such as Linn’s Easy as Pie Café, where they can enjoy a bowl of hearty soup and a slice of their famous pie on the garden patio. For history and architecture, visitors can tour Hearst Castle, just a 15-minute drive away, featuring 165 rooms and around 125 acres of gardens, terraces, and pools.

Solvang

Solvang, known as 'The Danish Capital of America,' has around 6,000 residents and offers visitors a taste of Denmark right in the US. Traditional Danish cuisine is abundant and available in restaurants such as Red Viking Restaurant or Bit O’Denmark.

While strolling through town, visitors can also appreciate elements of Danish architecture, exemplified in landmarks such as the King Christian Tower Building, Bethania Lutheran Church, and, of course, its renowned wooden windmills. The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is another essential stop. It explores the life of the Danish fairytale author famous for his works like “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling.”

Lake Isabella

Lake Isabella, home to 3,500, sits between mountains and traditional Western-style towns, perfect for adventurers and architecture fanatics. Hiking the Isabella Peak - Coso Mine Loop Trail is certainly rewarding. At the top, visitors can expect a panoramic view of Lake Isabella and nearby small towns. Whiskey Flat Trail is another popular hiking option, more accessible for lower level hikers.

Just on the outskirts of Lake Isabella, travelers can also visit Silver City Ghost town, which is an open museum home to over twenty historic buildings, including a post office, general store, and abandoned miner cabins. About a 20-minute drive north, visitors can unwind at Kern River Brewing to enjoy an IPA or blonde ale.

Final Thoughts

For those looking to venture beyond Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego, these eight towns offer exciting alternatives well off the beaten path. Additionally, with smaller populations and more remote locations, these towns tend to attract fewer tourist crowds, offering a more quiet and authentic experience of the region. So, whether you’re a hiker, wine lover, golfer, or architecture enthusiast, don’t miss the chance to explore these hidden gems!