These Towns in Southern California Come Alive in Winter

While most people choose to confine themselves indoors from the chill of the winter season, this presents an excellent opportunity for travelers to take advantage of reduced flight rates and realize their travel aspirations. Southern California boasts several towns that burst with seasonal festivities, celebrations, and outdoor activities tailored for the winter. Contrary to frigid climates up North SoCal winters are milder and tolerable, allowing you to explore the outdoors. Furthermore, select communities in the region transform into a winter wonderland with exciting cultural events, holiday parades, and scenic natural wonders.

This article highlights top destinations where exploring lively town squares, indulging in culinary delights, and joining festive gatherings let visitors escape any winter dullness. From mountain villages to coastal hamlets, these locations invite tapping into winter's rich offerings through reduced travel costs and vibrant atmospheres perfect for embracing milder temperatures. If you are planning a tour of the Golden State during the off-season, these lovely towns in Southern California should be part of your itinerary.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs has been a go-to winter vacation spot for snowbirds and Hollywood elites like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley for years. Unlike the frigid winters up north, Palm Springs experiences milder conditions, welcoming droves of tourists to experience a winter wonderland. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a favorite of many visitors to the town, taking them on a wild ride almost 6,000 feet to the San Jacinto Mountains, where breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscapes await. The temperate weather is perfect for exploring the picturesque desert landscape around Palm Springs and inviting guests for hiking excursions in the Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon.

The Living Desert Zoo and Botanical Gardens, less than half an hour’s drive from the town center, presents a rare opportunity for up-close interactions with over 150 exotic species from around the globe. The venue also hosts the WildLights Holiday Festival at the Living Deserts, which has thousands of holiday lights, animal lanterns, and carousel rides lit up to celebrate a long-held tradition.

Big Bear Lake

While Southern California generally gets mild winters, Big Bear Lake delights travelers as the snowiest town in the region, delivering the setting for a cozy winter getaway. The presence of multiple ski resorts brings the town to life as skiers, snowboarders, and snowtubers descend upon it to take advantage of the powdery slopes at Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resorts. The snow-covered Alpine Pedal Path Trail and Pine Knot Trail turn into the perfect cross-country skiing and snowshoeing routes, allowing adventurers to explore the serene wilderness of pine trees.

Additionally, animal lovers take the opportunity to show some TLC by visiting the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, one of only two alpine zoos in the country. This remarkable sanctuary hosts different animal residents, representing almost 80 species, including bears, mountain lions, and wolves.

Solvang

Affectionately nicknamed the “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang leaves a lasting impression on visitors, a credit to its small-town charm and amazing Danish heritage. This is apparent in the unique Danish architecture that decorates the town’s skyline and several cultural centers. The Elverhoj Museum of History & Art is the perfect spot to explore Solvang’s deep European roots. It displays a collection of artifacts, crafts, and documents chronicling local history from the settler days. An immersive historical experience beckons visitors to tour the Old Mission Santa Ines. Tracing its history to the early 1800s, it is California’s oldest surviving building, offering an intimate look into the state's formative years.

While Solvang charms tourists all year round, the winter season particularly stands out due to the Solvang Julefest. This month-long extravaganza brings the best out of the quaint community through live music, bright lights, good food, and other celebratory events, helping to spread the holiday cheer.

Wrightwood

There are not many snow towns in Southern California, and Wrightwood is one of the few destinations that surprise winter travelers with the coveted white powder. Perched 6,000 feet above sea level, in the San Gabriel Mountains, Wrightwood draws droves of winter sports enthusiasts to the slopes of Mountain High Resort, a hub for snowboarding, tubing, skiing, and other forms of snow play. Elsewhere, the frozen surface of Jackson Lake, which is a short drive from town, presents a prime spot for ice skating and ice fishing.

Wrightwood hosts some fun winter events, but nothing creates more buzz than the King of the Hills Annual Winter Festival. This long-running extravaganza happens at Mountain High, calling on tourists and locals alike to enjoy snow games, sample BBQs, and sip on cocktails for an unforgettable winter celebration.

Acton

Sandwiched between the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, Acton is surrounded by a vast wilderness, perfect for exploration in the mild winter temperatures. Adventurers can choose among multiple nature spots to explore the open spaces, including Acton Community Park, which features a few short trails for walking and jogging and benches for relaxing and watching the scenery. The Shambala Preserve is an excellent venue for animal lovers, allowing harmonious interactions between man and exotic feline species like tigers and leopards.

Exploring Downtown Acton exposes you to a cluster of historic structures, some built in the 19th century. The corridor also hosts several family-friendly hangouts where you can spend quality time with loved ones. The Pizza Place has a serene atmosphere that welcomes guests to savor hot gourmet pizzas, perfect for shaking off the winter chill.

Julian

Julian stands out as probably the only town in Southern California with a Gold Rush heritage. This tiny San Diego County village is listed as a California Historic Landmark because of its vital role during the gold frenzy. This history is well preserved and documented at the Julian Pioneer Museum for those interested in the town’s past. But Julian entices as a winter destination due to its sprawling spaces, setting the precedence for wild adventures outdoors. These include the 2,900-acre Volcan Mountain County Preserve, home to miles of hiking trails and several camping spots. The same goes for William Heise County Park, which invites enthusiasts to discover the magic of the Laguna Mountain Range.

Julian’s bustling wine scene is handy during the winter season as visitors look for ways to keep the chill at bay. A glass of wine or two is the perfect way to activate the body and several wineries in town allow you to do just that. Volcan Mountain Winery is among the top establishments in town; besides its refreshing craft wines, it offers stunning views of the surrounding Volcan Mountain.

Idyllwild

Idyllwild sits at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, and being one of the few Southern California towns that experience snowfall, it is a lovely destination for winter travelers. The town’s open spaces present isolated trails and routes that are perfect for snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Mount San Jacinto State Park houses a dense network of forests and granite peaks that turn into a dramatic winter wonderland when covered in snow. Explorers can also hike the Deer Springs Trailhead to access San Jacinto Peak, which spoils you with exquisite vistas of the vast Sonoran Desert.

The Idyllwild Regional Park lets tourists fully immerse in the outdoors, thanks to its mix of lush forests, hiking trails, and open fields. For those yearning for world-class winter opportunities, Idyllwild is about an hour away from the renowned Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.

Running Springs

About 17 miles west of Big Bear Lake is the quaint alpine town of Running Springs, sandwiched between the San Bernardino National Forest and Angeles National Forest. A mix of mountainous landscapes and the presence of snow result in the ideal conditions for remarkable winter fun. Running Springs has several ski resorts to show for this, including the Snow Valley Mountain Resort and the Rim Nordic XC Ski Area & Mountain Bike Park. The latter is home to well-groomed trails that allow adventurers to snowshoe, cross-country ski, and winter hike through the magical scenery of the San Bernardino National Forest.

If you visit with kids, remember to sign them up with Pali Adventures for thrilling activities tailored for kids between eight and 16. The local outfitter plans diverse outdoor programs that promise to excite the children, ranging from overnight camps to boating excursions.

Southern California may not be renowned as a cold-season destination, but the region has a few wintry surprises up its sleeves, best embodied by the above small towns. From exciting adventures down snowy slopes and fun excursions into the wilderness to unforgettable winter traditions and festivals, they prove you can have an unforgettable winter vacation in the SoCal territory. So, if you plan to explore the Golden State during the snow season, remember to include these charming towns in Southern California in your travel itinerary.