11 Best Places To Call Home In Southern California In 2025
Southern California is nationally revered for its Mediterranean-like weather, stunning coastline, and vibrant cultural atmosphere. While many aspire to live in the fast-paced urban sprawl of Los Angeles, the reality often includes sky-high living costs, heavy traffic, and crowded neighborhoods. For those seeking a more peaceful and affordable lifestyle, small towns across the SoCal region offer a welcome alternative, with lower costs, a slower pace, and strong community ties.
From beachside enclaves to artsy desert towns, these hidden gems provide the perfect mix of charm, convenience, and livability. Whether you're a retiree, a remote worker, or simply looking to escape the hustle of city life, here are the best places to call home in Southern California in 2025.
Julian
Julian is a low-key municipality in San Diego County, known for its apple growing, gold mining history, and boundless outdoor opportunities. The town was designated a California Historical Landmark, thanks to its rare gold rush history, which is extensively documented at the Julian Museum and Pioneer County Park. Julian is also known for its apples and wines, guaranteeing residents a lifetime supply of fine wines from local establishments like Menghini Winery.
A vast wilderness surrounds Julian, providing room for unlimited recreational activities. Residents can choose between Volcan Mountain County Preserve and William Heise County Park for their hiking trips, camping excursions, and other fun adventures. Ready healthcare access at the Julian Medical Center, and a median home listing price of $797,000 make Julian a choice destination for movers.
Laguna Woods
Laguna Woods is a relaxed community in Orange County with a family-friendly vibe and proximity to the California coast. Its local attractions encourage social bonding, with townsfolk often making time for fun swimming classes, pool parties, infant lessons, and other events at Goldfish Swim School. The Laguna Woods Golf Club comes in handy for outdoor recreation. The 27-hole championship course challenges amateur golfers and seasoned players, while providing stunning nature views at every turn.
Laguna Woods is also just six minutes outside the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, which presents a 7,000-acre recreational playground for mountain biking, hiking, camping, sightseeing, and more. The sick in Laguna Woods can find medical attention from MemorialCare Medical Group, whose median home listing price of $429,900 is below the California average of $906,500.
Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake is a scenic waterfront town in Riverside County, set along a 500-acre reservoir of the same name. It enjoys a close-knit sense of community, especially when residents come together to trade fresh produce, crafts, and other merchandise at the Canyon Lake Certified Farmers Market. The Canyon Lake Golf & Country Club serves as an important recreational facility in Canyon Lake. Set on a 6,000-yard property, it features an 18-hole course where golfing enthusiasts can engage in a friendly game during their free time.
Meanwhile, East Port Park provides ample space for outdoor lovers, with access to the calm shores of Canyon Lake. You will often find residents walking, picnicking, and nature viewing in the area. The Canyon Lake Senior Center is one of the many vital social amenities in the town, while its median home listing price is $839,000.
Idyllwild
Idyllwild lies at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains, enveloped by an extensive wilderness of dense forests and open fields. This makes it an excellent destination for nature enthusiasts, allowing residents to get their daily workout along the isolated Deer Springs Trailhead. Furthermore, Mount San Jacinto State Park harbors a 14,000-acre playground with over 50 miles of trails and stunning overlooks that allow ultimate outdoor immersion.
The Idyllwild Area Historical Society is responsible for preserving and sharing the region's history, beckoning newcomers to get in touch with the community's heritage. Meanwhile, townsfolk find time for friendly interactions at the Idyllwild Community Center to enhance a sense of belonging. Also, the town's median home listing price is $500,000.
Wrightwood
This small town in the San Gabriel Mountains and bordering the Angeles National Forest, promises unlimited adventures in the great outdoors. The Hollis M. Stewart Children's Park is a popular gathering spot for families in Wrightwood. It provides a vibrant playground with picnic pavilions, walking paths, and playground equipment for recreation and relaxation. Fresh residents can learn about the town's colorful past at the Wrightwood Historical Society and Museum, which collects, preserves, and interprets history through interactive exhibits.
Meanwhile, the Wrightwood Arts Center enables the townspeople to connect with their creative side by showcasing original works by local artists and running related programs. Also, sustained interactions among locals at the Wrightwood Community Center contribute to a high sense of belonging, whereas the median home listing price is $495,000.
Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is an artistic community in the heart of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, providing a nice escape from the chaos in the city. The surrounding desert is a leeway for outdoor adventure, with multiple trails leading into the untamed wilderness. This includes Hellhole Canyon Trail, which provides a 6-mile hiking challenge with beautiful desert landscape views. Borrego Springs' artsy nature is evident at Galleta Meadows. This open-air gallery stuns with larger-than-life metal sculptures of different animals.
Furthermore, the Borrego Art Institute inspires and enriches the local arts community through an array of fun programs, including intimate exhibitions. The town also houses the Borrego Medical Clinic to cater to any healthcare needs, and its median home listing price is $385,000, making it one of the cheapest places to call home in Southern California in 2025.
Bell
Bell is a warm and friendly city in Los Angeles County, ideal for young families looking for a fresh start in life. It hosts a string of tiny local businesses and plenty of nature spaces for outdoor recreation, including Camp Little Bear Park and Lodge. The space adopts a playful theme that sparks exploration and imagination in young children. A tour of the James George Bell House reminds locals of the early days in Bell. This Victorian farmhouse was built by the town's founder in 1876 and provides a rare glimpse into the past.
There are plenty of options for whenever you feel like eating outside, including the trendy Nina's Cafe & Bar, serving American favorites in a romantic outdoor seating area. The Bell Convalescent Hospital provides vital nursing services to retirees in their old age. Bell's median home listing price is $705,000, which is lower than the California average.
San Fernando
San Fernando offers the slow pace of a quintessential small town with access to the premier urban conveniences in Los Angeles. Its quiet town square remains true to the past while embracing the present, and locals visit the Lopez Adobe to see their origins. This rustic complex features the oldest private residences in the town, built by early settlers in the 1880s. On the other hand, San Fernando Brewing Company is one of the after-hours gathering hubs, where patrons enjoy tasty crafts while catching up with friends.
San Fernando offers enough natural areas to cater to its residents' recreational needs. Families and individuals alike often gather at Las Palmas Park to take advantage of ball fields, a splash pad, and other amenities. Patients in the town benefit from prompt medical care from San Fernando Community Health Center, while the area's median listing home price is $799,000.
Duarte
Duarte is a simple town along historic Route 66 and provides an array of outdoor opportunities for residents who appreciate the outdoors. Incoming residents can get a feel for the early days at the Duarte Historical Museum, which highlights the community's history using a collection of interactive exhibits. The Duarte Recreational Trail is perfect for morning and evening walks to stay fit. It stretches about 3 miles and accommodates hikers, walkers, bikers, and horseback riders.
Meanwhile, everybody gathers at Royal Oaks Park when it's time to head outside. This quaint little park offers numerous amenities, from a walking path and tennis courts to a kids' playground. Older adults also feel prioritized thanks to curated programs by the Duarte Senior Center, and the town's median home listing price is $893,500.
Imperial
Safety and affordability are some of the reasons Imperial attracts movers in Southern California. Imperial has a median home listing price of $435,900, which is cheaper than the national average of around $462,000. The Pioneers’ Museum depicts life in Imperial County from the formative years and its development to what it has become, using old photographs, documents, and stories. Residents enjoy multiple entertainment centers, such as Movies Imperial, which showcase the latest movies at reduced ticket prices.
Imperial also maintains a strong sense of community through a lineup of annual festivals, highlighted by the Ca Midwinter Fair & Fiesta. This is an excellent time for the young and the old to mingle in a festive atmosphere, celebrating local heritage.
Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead is one of the most stunning destinations in Southern California, blending splendid natural scenery, a small-town feel, and unlimited outdoor recreation. It is surrounded by the Lake Arrowhead Reservoir and the San Bernardino National Forest, encouraging residents to explore the outdoors. The Arrowhead Queen Tour Boat provides mellow-paced sightseeing tours exploring the beauty of the region. Families often visit Wildhaven Ranch for exquisite interactions with lovely wildlife species.
Meanwhile, over 50 shops, specialty stores, and restaurants at the Lake Arrowhead Village ensure residents enjoy a modern shopping and dining experience, with access to a range of goods and merchandise. Furthermore, there is ready medical access courtesy of Mountains Community Hospital, and Lake Arrowhead's median home listing price is $662,500.
Final Thought
While there is no shortage of fine places to call home in Southern California in 2025, the above destinations leave a lasting impression with their unique blend of lifestyle, amenities, and natural beauty. Whether you're drawn to coastal charm, suburban comfort, or the vibrant culture, each community offers its own appeal for families, professionals, and retirees alike in the United States. As the region continues to evolve, these standout cities and neighborhoods remain top choices for those seeking a balance of opportunity, recreation, and a high quality of life in the heart of SoCal.
