11 Off-The-Grid Southern California Towns To Visit In 2025

Southern California is far from underrated. For decades, the region has attracted visitors in droves with its abundant sunshine, natural beauty, and glamorous Hollywood associations. But there’s much more to this beloved vacation destination than the well-trafficked hotspots of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Santa Barbara.

Veer from the tourist trail, and you’ll find no shortage of small towns that offer everything the region is famous for without the chaos or the crowds. These 11 off-the-grid Southern California towns deserve much more love than they get.

Ojai

You don’t have to fly to Napa to experience California’s wine country. Known for its vineyards and local art scene, Ojai is practically made for a girls’ trip or a romantic getaway. Situated in a valley and surrounded on both sides by the Topatopa Mountains, Ojai offers a different kind of scenery - not white-sand beach or sprawling desert, but no less quintessentially Southern California. Oh, and all those wineries.

But there’s much more to do here than sipping wine. You can take a pottery class at Firestick Pottery Studio, go hiking in the Ojai Meadow Preserve, or explore the shops and cafés of the compact downtown area. Romantic hotels abound, but if you’re lucky enough to book a stay at the Ojai Valley Inn, don’t miss the chance to grab a poolside read from Bart’s Books, a charming open-air bookstore. The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts offers an indoor respite on warmer days. Finally, if sipping is your thing, don’t limit yourself to wine: Ojai Olive Oil and Ojai Valley Bee Farm both offer olive oil and honey tastings in town.

Joshua Tree

Were it not for the National Park that shares its name, this desert town with a population hovering around 6,500 might not be on the tourist map. As it stands, it’s still unsung: many visitors only pass through on their way into the park for hiking, camping, and bouldering. Be one of the few who digs a little deeper, and you’ll be rewarded with a delightfully offbeat destination with plenty to offer.

Joshua Tree has historically tended to attract an eccentric crowd, and you can immediately see that in the town’s many quirky art installations. Wander around town and you’re sure to find a sculpture or two. You’ll also find the so-called World Famous Crochet Museum, a one-room shrine to the art of crocheting that’s lovingly curated by a local who’s been collecting crochet artwork for years. As befits a town with such an artsy 1960s counterculture vibe, Joshua Tree is also a great place to experience a crystal bowl sound bath.

But for all its hippie-throwback allure, Joshua Tree’s flagship attraction remains the adjacent Joshua Tree National Park. Famous for bouldering, rock climbing, stargazing, and some of SoCal’s best desert scenery, it’s the purpose of many visits to this town. Even if you’re not the type to scramble over boulders in your free time, it’s worth a drive-through, a short hike or two, or an evening of stargazing.

Solvang

When you think about international cuisines that California is known for, there’s almost no chance that Danish is one of them. In most of the state, Danish food and culture don’t have much of a presence. But Solvang, a town of roughly 6,000 just northwest of Santa Barbara, is packed to the brim with all things Danish. From the old-fashioned windmills that dot the town to its many Danish bakeries, Solvang is as good an imitation of a small Danish town as you’ll find this side of the Atlantic.

No one’s denying that this ultra-cutesy SoCal town is touristy. To some, it can feel a little too precious. But let go of your cynical aversion to all things twee and you’ll find plenty to enjoy in Solvang. The townscape itself is a major attraction, done up in Scandinavian style and unusually walkable for the region. The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art has much to say about the origins and history of this unusual town, and in the summer months, the Solvang Festival Theater puts on outdoor productions in a picture-perfect setting.

For a less Danish cultural experience, visit nearby Old Mission Santa Ines. And whatever you do, you can’t leave Sovlang without trying aebleskivers - bite-sized Danish pancake puffs usually served with jam. Though the Solvang Restaurant’s version is most famous, you’ll find them at virtually every restaurant in town.

Julian

There’s no shortage of things to do in San Diego, but sometimes you still want to get away from the noise and traffic of the city. In those cases, head out to Julian. This tiny mountain town, an hour east of San Diego, was once a booming mining town, and these days it’s better known for offering a touristy but charming escape from the hectic city life.

Julian’s attractions are also surprisingly diverse for a city of roughly 5,000. Tour the now-defunct Eagle and High Peak Mine to get closer to the city’s past as a gold panning hotspot. If it’s nature that intrigues you, visit the California Wolf Center’s packs of Mexican Wolves and learn about efforts to conserve this once-widespread species. This corner of inland Southern California is also packed with wineries; you’ll have no shortage of choices if it’s wine tasting you’re after.

And finally, no visit to Julian would be complete without a taste of its true claim to fame: apple pie. Though practically every restaurant in town sells their version, visitors tend to flock to Julian Pie Company, but it’s an open secret that California Mountain Bakery makes the best pie. Our advice? Try both and see whose side you end up on.

Carpinteria

Many visitors to Southern California fall in love with the Spanish-inspired architecture and coastal scenery of Santa Barbara. In Carpinteria, you’ll find a smaller, less-discovered dose of the same. Many of the same attractions draw visitors to both: dramatic ocean scenery, relaxed but abundant outdoor activities, and proximity to the area’s wine regions. Animal lovers can visit an alpaca farm or the Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve. And that red-roofed Spanish Colonial architecture you fell in love with over in Santa Barbara? They’ve got that here, too. It’s a little more rustic and a little more focused on the outdoors, but with many of the same draws and a fraction of the tourists, Carpinteria is one of the area’s best-kept secrets.

Hermosa Beach

There’s nothing small about Los Angeles, but within the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area are countless smaller enclaves worth exploring. This coastal town is one of the best.

If you’re looking for that classic SoCal beach experience without the Venice Beach crowds, Hermosa Beach offers much of the same. It has all the classic landmarks: an iconic boardwalk; a long stretch of flat white-sand beach perfect for strolling, lounging, and bodysurfing; a farmers market; places to rent bikes and ride along the coast - you won’t be wanting for that Los Angeles beach vibe in this underrated coastal suburb. And if you’re still not convinced, a stroll along the Surfers’ Walk of Fame ought to tell you everything you need to know about what kind of place Hermosa Beach is.

Hermosa Beach may not often be ranked among the iconic Southern California surfing towns, but it deserves to be. And if you’re looking for a day at the beach without the jam-packed parking lots of LA proper, look no further.

Idyllwild

Southern California isn’t known for its abundant snow, but winter in the mountains brings quite a bit of powder to the region. Many snow-seeking SoCal residents flock to Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains for winter recreation, and while it’s not exactly a ski destination, it’ll sate your hunger for true winter weather in this notoriously un-wintery area.

That said, Idyllwild is a fabulous outdoor destination year-round. Mount San Jacinto State Park offers excellent hiking, rock climbing, and camping opportunities. (It’s also a huge area, extending to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway a ways inland.) Idyllwild also boasts several art galleries that are wildly disproportionate to its tiny population, so if you’re not keen on the outdoors, the town’s art scene offers plenty of indoor options.

Idyllwild is also located along the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail; if you’d like to hike a local section of the trail without committing to the months-long trek, there are a handful of options for experienced backcountry hikers. If you’re curious about the natural world of Idyllwild after returning from your hike, check out the Idyllwild Nature Center for interpretive exhibits.

Agoura Hills

Thanks to cultural influences as diverse as Barbie and Baywatch, we’ve all heard of Malibu. The stunning coastal scenery of this richest-of-the-rich stretch of Los Angeles is in so many films and television shows that it’s easy to forget they don’t exist in a vacuum. But the neighboring town of Agoura Hills is an excellent reminder that there’s more to this beautiful region than plunging cliffs and celebrity homes: half the magic lies inland.

Agoura Hills offers several historical sights. The Reyes Adobe Historical Site offers a glimpse into the area’s pre-Hollywood past. And if you’re a movie buff, you absolutely must visit the Paramount Ranch: it’s one of the most prolific film sets in California, hosting productions from Westworld to American Sniper. (Though damaged in a 2018 fire, it’s in the process of rebuilding - several restored structures reopened in 2024.) Agoura Hills is also a great access point to the hiking trails in the Malibu Creek State Park and Cheeseboro Canyon. And if that cliffside scenery is calling to you, it’s ever so easy to hop over to Malibu. You’re here, after all - why not?

Morro Bay

It may be a little bit of a geographic stretch to place Morro Bay in Southern California. At the junction of SoCal and the Central Coast, a little under two hours north of Santa Barbara, it has more in common with the rugged coasts of Monterey and Big Sur than with the white-sand beaches of Orange County. That works in its favor: this outdoorsy coastal town is a cooler, sleepier stopover than most of its SoCal cousins.

Morro Bay’s star attraction is the eponymous Morro Bay State Park. Morro Rock, a volcanic rock formation rising from the seabed just offshore, is an iconic symbol of the town. It’s also one of the best places on the West Coast to spot endangered southern sea otters, which can often be seen chilling out in the harbor. Both land and sea provide opportunities for outdoor adventure: kayaking and hiking are some of the most popular local activities.

But Morro Bay isn’t just about its natural beauty. If the arts are more your speed, check out the street art at Morro Bay Mural Mile. And local history is abundant on this stretch of coastline, with Hearst Castle, the opulent San Simeon mansion of newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, only a half-hour drive up the coast.

Mammoth Lakes

If you’re willing to trek further north and further inland than most visitors to Southern California, you’ll be rewarded with some of the state’s best powder. That’s right - Mammoth Lakes is one of California’s premier ski towns. Most of the town’s winter visitors come in search of snow, but there’s much more to this outdoorsy town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains than just the ski slopes.

In the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The town’s namesake lake also offers watersports, and fishing opportunities are abundant in the area. Horseback riding is another outdoor activity available to those who want something a little more unusual, and if that’s not your thing, take a gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain for unbeatable views without breaking a sweat.

Avalon

Avalon is the only town on this list that isn’t accessible by road, but don’t let that scare you off: there’s nothing rustic about this laid-back island town. Located a little over an hour from Newport Beach by ferry, Avalon is the largest town on Catalina Island, and getting there isn’t as rough as it sounds. Still, that isolation from the mainland is enough to ensure that Avalon, while touristy, never gets overrun with people.

Once you’re on the island, Avalon has a solid mix of land and water activities to offer. The pristine waters of the Santa Barbara Channel boast some of the best snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and glass-bottom boating in the state, and wildlife is abundant. Whale and dolphin watching are also popular in the area. But if it’s culture that interests you, the retro Catalina Island Casino and Avalon Theater might be more your speed. Though its natural beauty is undeniable, Avalon’s true charm lies in its meshing of a laid-back island vibe and a glamorous Art Deco aesthetic.

Conclusion

If you’re craving the sunshine, relaxed culture, and natural beauty of Southern California but you don’t look forward to sitting in traffic for hours, think about adding these small towns to your itinerary. Desert, mountains, beach - there’s a California town for just about every taste, and a place to do just about anything you love to do on vacation. Whether you’re looking for a day trip from the city or a place to base your relaxing getaway, there’s a place out there that’ll fit like a glove. After all, SoCal isn’t an iconic vacation spot for nothing.