11 Serene Southern California Towns For A Weekend Retreat
The Golden State is made up of snowy mountains, vast deserts, and cozy coastlines, all filled with small towns great for a two-day getaway. Stretching along the Pacific Ocean, California's diverse landscapes have called to travelers of all kinds for hundreds of years. The southern region of this vast state is known for the adventures it offers, but there is also so much serenity within its wooden pathways beside rolling waves and its cliffsides (one even has a heart-shaped cutout). Keep reading to discover more of the most serene sections of Southern California for an adventurous yet restful weekend retreat, whether that means stargazing under the Anza-Borrego desert skies or flipping through rare books at an open-air bookstore in Ojai.
Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is the only town in California surrounded by a state park—Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, to be exact. Six hundred thousand acres of desert terrain create this park, where you can explore the badlands, slot canyons, and a variety of cacti. After witnessing the magic of the desert, frolic through a fantasy within Borrego Valley, and find Galleta Meadows Sculptures. One hundred thirty meticulously metal sculptures of elephants, dragons, tigers, and mustangs dot the landscape, turning it into an industrial dreamscape.
More wonders await above you. Borrego Springs is recognized as California's first International Dark Sky Community. This means that the town has low light pollution, making the constellations bright and more visible here than anywhere else in the state. After admiring the stars, have a cozy night’s sleep at La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort & Spa. The wellness center creates an atmosphere of intentional relaxation, and the dining within the resort ranges from casual to elegant.
Cambria
Between forests and cliffs on the sea, Cambria welcomes visitors with a peaceful atmosphere. Start the weekend at Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, where a 1.5-mile-long wooded path stretches along the rocky coast. Hear the sea beat against the rocks and look out for the whales and dolphins that live beneath the waves. To remain close to Moonstone Beach all weekend, stay at Sand Pebbles Inn.
Those who want to delve deeper into the town’s roots can head to the Cambria Historical Museum. This house-turned-museum provides a cozy space for a piece of California’s culture to come to life. The house is filled with photographs, articles, and displays that share the history of Cambria and its residents. Playful and colorful animal sculptures also line the property, adding a fun twist to Cambria’s agriculture.
End your getaway with the ultimate serenity by watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean at Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, where over 140 types of native plants bloom at your feet and rare bird species fly above your head. The ranch is also home to one of only five Monterey pine forests left in the world, making this a rare opportunity for travelers.
Ojai
Ojai is within the valley of the Topatopa Mountains, making gorgeous mountain views inescapable. To taste the product of this stunning nature, try the local olive oil at Ojai Olive Oil Company. The hundred-year-old olive grove is sprinkled with hammocks and picnic tables, creating comforting spaces to relax in the sunshine. Leave with a bottle of olive oil made on their farmlands, some infused with other farm-grown fruits like lemon and rosemary.
Afterwards, browse through novels at Bart’s Books, the world's largest outdoor bookstore. Their collection holds over 130,000 old and new books to look through. You can find rare out-of-print books, cult classics, or a new novel to take with you to read in the sun at a local grove. Finally, explore the coastal wilderness at Los Padres National Forest. The various trails here lead to waterfalls, mountain summits, and more. Hike through the canyons, where water spills through gorgeous ancient rock formations. Stay at Ojai Valley Inn, a luxurious space that mixes Mediterranean and Spanish design.
Idyllwild
Idyllwild sits below Tahquitz Peak, a mountain that towers over this small town like a protective titan. Hike the mountain on trails like Devil's Slide, which leads to the summit. After hiking back down, book a room at Strawberry Creek Inn, an accommodation that truly lives up to its cute name. The rural mountain landscape surrounding the inn is speckled with hammocks and benches, creating a serene vibe for weary travelers.
See more of the town's local flora by visiting the Idyllwild Nature Center. Though just one mile outside of this small town, the center celebrates flora and fauna found in Idyllwild’s gorgeous landscapes. The museum also displays taxidermied animals to show local wildlife, as well as Native American displays to teach Cahuilla Native culture. Finally, luxuriate in wine tasting at Middle Ridge Winery. Expect a conversation with locals alongside your award-winning wine at this local winery. The tagline for the winery speaks for itself: “ ... when the conversation is as important as the wine.”
Solvang
Spend the weekend in a town that feels like it burst from the pages of a Scandinavian fairytale. Explore Solvang’s fascinating lore at The Elverhøj Museum of History and Art, which documents the town's history and preserves the Danish culture that locals are so proud of. The museum hosts workshops and film screenings as well as displays and artistic exhibits. For more history, visit Old Mission Santa Inés, the 19th mission built in California. This spiritually significant structure is a beautiful sight, offering stunning views of the Santa Ynez River Valley.
Literature fans in Solvang should go to Book Loft Bookstore. The first level of the bookstore is made for exploring authors and novels, while its upper level is dedicated to one specific author, Hans Christian Andersen. Known as the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, this space allows visitors to dive into the imagination of the Danish author, as well as his life and private collections. If you visit during the author's birthday (April 2), expect a slice of birthday cake upon arrival. Remain immersed in the traditional Scandinavian aesthetic that the town prides itself on at The Landsby, a hotel full of blonde wood and brass rooms.
Wrightwood
Start your weekend adventure under ancient pine trees at Grand Pine Cabins, which rest along the Pacific Crest Trail. The cabins offer family rooms, studios, and picnic tables on the grounds where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding forest. Learn more about the history of this town at the Wrightwood Historical Society and Museum. The museum occasionally hosts art exhibits, where visitors can find work created by local artists displayed in the windows.
For snowy mountain serenity, go to Mountain High Resort to ski, snowboard, or slide down powdery slopes in a tube. The chairlift that transports visitors to the top of the mountain reaches 8,200 feet, making it an experience in itself with beautiful views of surrounding islands, deserts, and mountain ranges. For a more relaxing option, enjoy an outdoor picnic after picking up some locally grown produce, sweet treats, artwork, and personal care products at Wrightwood Farmers Market. The thriving market also hosts musical performances, adding to the atmosphere of fun and warmth that the community works together to create.
Crestline
For a weekend tucked away in the rural mountains of Crestline, stay at Sleepy Hollow Cabins. The wooden rooms twist transitional cabin style with a retro twist without losing their ultra-cozy feel. Step out of the cabin and into a cedar and pine forest where you’ll find Lake Gregory Regional Park. Take to the lake on a canoe, kayak, paddle boat, or row boat, all available to rent at the park. If you’d rather walk through the trees than float atop the lake, take a walk through the 2.3-mile-long nature loop trail.
For outdoor fun that feels like a fantasy, hike Heart Rock Falls. A two-mile hike through the San Bernardino Mountains will lead you to a surreal sight, beautiful enough to come from the pages of a fairytale. A stunning 25-foot waterfall erupts over stone. Beside the cascading water is a perfect cutout of a heart in the boulders. Complete the weekend getaway with a small piece of Crestline at The Goods, an antique shop full of antique goods.
Julian
What makes Southern California so special is its desert lands, mountain ranges, and coastline. Julian offers fantastic views of the state’s diverse landscape at the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve. The five-mile out-and-back trail to the summit is considered moderately difficult because of its steep incline. After exploring the mountains, dive below them at a restored gold mine. The Julian Gold Rush Hotel is one of the oldest operating hotels in Southern California, giving it the historic romanticism that makes it unique.
The grounds are surrounded by apple orchards and wineries from which to choose. Taste one of Julian’s most delicious treats at Mom's Pie House. Apple Pie is what Mom makes best, but the menu also includes boysenberry crumble, cherry flaky, and peach crumble. Returning to the historic theme that makes Julian so fascinating and timeless, explore an old-fashioned gold mine at Eagle Mining Company, where visitors can explore gold mining paths and equipment.
Sierra Madre
Tucked peacefully within the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, staying in Sierra Madre is an excellent option for those who want to hide away in the hills. Spend the weekend in a Modern Rustic Studio (Airbnb) in the upper canyon of Sierra Madre. This space feels more like a treehouse and sets the perfect tone of adventure for the weekend. Being right outside the Angeles National Forest, explore the exotic terrain through hiking paths such as the Mount Wilson Trail. This trail is relatively challenging, passing waterfalls and eventually leading to the summit of Mt Wilson.
To sit after sightseeing, visit the Sierra Madre Playhouse. Built in 1910, the theater has gone through many reincarnations but has kept its signature vintage marquee and the warm feel that keeps it at the heart of the community. Even those with the most diverse tastes will find a pleasing performance here, as the theater hosts various genres from silent films to Indian Classical Concerts. For a final dose of Sierra Madre serenity, head downtown to Sierra Madre Memorial Park, a peaceful place that honors the town's veterans.
Lake Arrowhead
To enjoy all Lake Arrowhead’s waterfront has to offer, go to Lake Arrowhead Village. Here, over 50 shops have entertained tourists and locals for the past 100 years. For more shopping, wander the boutiques on Little Bear Creek, then cruise the waters on the Lake Arrowhead Queen Tour Boat. The narrated cruise has more than splendid views; it also provides narration of local history.
Visitors can also explore Southern California’s rich biodiversity at Heaps Peak Arboretum, which is made up of wilderness trails, gardens, and more. Walk the one-mile Sequoia Trail to see the largest grove of Giant Sequoias in the San Bernardino Mountains. Or, venture through the garden, which holds 30 species of identified and named plants. Like everything else in this town, Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa has so much to offer. Each day here is a new opportunity to relax on the resort’s private beach, soak in their hot tub, or luxuriate in their wellness center.
Avalon
Avalon, a little harbor town on Santa Catalina Island, is best known for its beautiful scenery. You can enjoy incredible beach views all weekend if you book a room at Mt Ada, where guests can have dinner on a wraparound terrace overlooking the sea. Start the weekend with glamorous entertainment and community at Catalina Casino. The Casino embraces the Italian translation of the word, which means “gathering place” rather than gambling. The 12-story building has ballrooms, a stage for performers, and much more.
Explore all Avalon has to offer by walking from downtown to Avalon Canyon, where The Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden greets visitors with many plants that only grow on Catalina Island. Even more local botanical wonders await beneath the sea. Snorkel in one of the most biodiverse environments in Southern California, at Lover’s Cove, a marine protected area away from heavy waves and surfers.
A Weekend In Southern California
A weekend spent at any of the places on this list will relax the mind and awaken the spirit. From starry dark sky deserts to olive groves and apple orchards, Southern California is full of towns so serene that they border on fantasy. Whether you stay at a rustic cabin in Crestline or a luxurious Scandinavian hotel in Solvang, your weekend getaway’s serenity will be matched only by its quirkiness, intrigue, and opportunity to delight the senses through local food, music, and art.
