These 7 Towns in Southern California Have Bustling Main Streets
The third largest state in the United States, California, is famous for rolling waves, the Hollywood Sign, and rich outdoor opportunities. Towns and cities in California seem to possess an effortlessly cool energy that draws tourists to the area every year. While big cities in the Golden State, like Los Angeles, get most of California's spotlight, the smaller towns have an unparalleled charm. While they are quieter than the big city, California's small towns have everything from beautiful beaches to bustling main streets. Julian is a small southern Californian town with a main street full of historic buildings and charming shops. This is only one of Southern California's charming small towns. Her,e we will explore seven Southern California towns with bustling Main streets.
Solvang
Solvang's main street, Alisal Road, has cute shops and beautiful old Dutch architecture. The town is sometimes referred to as "Little Denmark." Downtown, the Danish village is full of everything from high-end boutiques and European imports to art galleries and museums. Some interesting museums to visit downtown include the California Nature Museum, the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, and the Solvang Viking Museum. Walk around town and stop at some of the boutiques on the main strip, like The Copenhagen House, a beautiful jewelry store; Kahunas, a unique clothing boutique; the Swedish Candy Factory; and Mystic Merchant. Solvang celebrates its Danish heritage with the Danish Heritage Festival. The festival takes place over three days in early fall. At night, check out Solvang's Scandinavian Style Lobby Bar, The Landsby. The bar serves traditional and craft cocktails, “shrubs,” beer, along with locally produced wines.
Solana Beach
Solana Beach is home to one of the most vibrant and bustling downtown strips. The Cedros Avenue Design District is lively, with over 85 local shops and restaurants. This is a hip and trendy block with boutiques in Quonset huts from the 1940s. There are other historic buildings on this strip, including a 1924 cottage that now houses Bixby and Ball interior furnishings. Make sure to stop at the legendary music venue Belly Up while you are in the area. In the past, the music venue has hosted famed musicians, including B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Maroon5 and Ludacris. Every Sunday morning, the Cedros Design District hosts a farmers market. This is a great place to grab some local veggies and fresh flowers. Outside the bustling downtown, check out Solana Beach’s segment of the Coastal Rail Trail. The 1.7-mile meandering path is full of art and natural beauty. Some of the art you can expect to see include sea creature mosaics and poetry-etched moon-shaped tiles.
San Luis Obispo
The main street in San Luis Obispo is bustling with cute shops and eateries. Stop at the local eateries for lunch to enjoy the fresh flavors of the region. Check out High Street Market and Deli or Urbane Café for a sandwich. For a modern restaurant, stop in Mistura or Ox+ Anchor. After trying the local cuisine, admire the historic buildings in San Luis Obispo's downtown. Stop in at the historic Fermont Theater for a show. The Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is another must-see historic building. Built in 1772, the church is still an active part of the community today. For many people, Bubblegum Allery is a must-see in San Luis Obispo. The entire alleyway walls are coated in bubblegum. This is a great photo-opt spot. Those who would rather look at art should visit the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art or the Just Looking Gallery.
Julian
A charming mountain town, Julian is another Californian town with a bustling main street. The downtown has shops and cute eateries. Julian's 19th-century roots are evident in the downtown's architecture. Admire the charm of Julian's post office and library while walking through downtown. Stop at Mom's Pie Shop on the main street to try the town's famous apple pie. Outside the downtown core, stop at the Antique Barn. The vintage shop has everything from old-world charm to Emus. Discover the town's past by visiting an old gold mine. Julian was built on the Gold Rush in the 1870s. Today, you can tour the old Gold Mines on a guided tour. Eagle Mining Co is a popular Gold Mine tour, just off the bustling Main Street. Stroll back even further in history by visiting Julian's Pioneer Museum.
Seal Beach
Seal Beach is one of California's lesser-known beach towns. Downtown Main Street is charming, with unique antique stores, eateries, and art shops. Seals are popularly seen in shop windows as a mascot of the town. Check out Alamitos Antiques for some unique vintage finds. Seashell collectors will admire the California Seashell Company shop, a store dedicated to all things seashell. One of the best ways to explore Seal Beach is by renting a bike and cruising around. From Central Drive, you can bike down Marina Drive to Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. Here, you will find a plethora of bike and hiking trails to enjoy. Main Street Cyclery is a place downtown where you can rent a bike. Art lovers will enjoy stopping in Seal Beach's cute galleries. Art Images and Old Seal Beach Gallery are some of the town's popular art galleries.
Ojai
Ojai, California, is a small town known for restaurants with farm-to-table freshness and breathtaking hiking trails. The main street in Ojai is full of cute eateries such as the Duchess. The all-day bakery, café & Burmese restaurant features delicious coffee and house-made nut milk. Walk around the downtown and check out local galleries and unique shops. Every year, Ojai has the Ojai Studio Artists Tour, where local artists open their studios to the public. Check out the Ojai Art Center to see the work of local artists. A unique shop in Ojai is Bart's. It is a completely outdoor bookstore. To escape the downtown and enjoy some serene scenery, check out Meditation Mount. Established as a nonprofit in 1971, the educational center offers retreats or the chance to enjoy peaceful views and hikes. A reservation is needed to enjoy the area. The Los Padres National Forest and the Ojai Valley Trail are other great places to hike in Ojai.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is best known for its beautiful beaches and scenic views. However, the town also has a bustling downtown strip. The Main Street is full of cute shops and boutiques. Throughout the town, there are also many cute galleries, including the Laguna Beach Art Museum. The City Hall also has a free exhibition of local artists' work. Visit Laguna Beach during the Laguna Art-A-Fair and see the downtown come to life with art. The fair features over 115 international artists, and during the fair, you can browse their work. Drive down Laguna Canyon Road to see larger-than-life murals. Beyond Laguna Beach's art, make sure to stop at one of the town's beaches. Main Beach or Treasure Island are good spots to see tide pools; these are spots teeming with sea life.
In these seven small towns, there is something for everyone. Art lovers will love the collection of art studios and museums in Laguna Beach and Ojai. San Luis Obispo's bustling main street is the place for foodies looking to try unique local cuisine. Experience the charm of a mountain town in Julian with historic buildings and a romantic main street. No matter the town you visit, the combination of art, culture, and beautiful scenery in these towns will make for a great vacation.
