6 Best Towns To Visit in Southern California
Southern California, home to famous cities and hidden gems, enters our lists as a highly anticipated destination in the popular state, offering new adventures and enticing attractions for both new and returning visitors. Experience the best of the state this year in one of these SoCal towns, whether for an unforgettable weekend escape, a summer vacation, or a long-planned visit to Avalon or Del Mar, two towns known for their high standards.
With its year-round beach weather and diverse landscapes, Southern California, especially the rugged sea cliffs in Laguna Beach, offers thrilling experiences. The skiing season in full swing, Big Bear Lake, at an altitude of 6,759 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains, features the famed Big Bear Mountain Resort, home to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, with 748 acres of skiable terrain for every level.
Avalon
One of the two small towns on the largely unspoiled Catalina Island, Avalon is the only incorporated town. Hugging the beautiful Avalon Bay on the southeast end of the island, now is the time to see this popular destination, over a century in the making and more magnificent than ever! This unique island off the Southern California coast feels like a world apart, where you can enjoy scuba diving, paragliding, jet skiing, kayaking, and hiking to scenic overlooks of the bay. Luring film stars and presidents, the historic seaside town has enticements for all under its timeless charm, with nautical vibes wrapped in nature. Accessible from the mainland via high-speed ferry, it's a short stroll from the Cabrillo Mole boat landing to the main part of town, including the Pavilion Hotel, Hotel Atwater, and Crescent Avenue, also known as Front Street.
Jutting out into the harbor, the Green Pier offers a picturesque view of the town from the tip, a sunset stroll, or a launch point for ocean tours like the Glass Bottom Boat, Discover Two Harbors, and seasonal Flying Fish Voyage. The Tour Plaza is a jet-set for the Bison Expedition, Journey to the Sky, and Ridgetop Eco Adventure, among others. With a golf course and a downtown area overlooking the spectacular bay, there are a variety of recreational activities for any group. From hotels and restaurants of every style and budget to shopping, beaches, and spa experiences, visitors can enjoy them as a relaxing retreat or an outlet to unwind after all the wet and dry adventures readily available. The two towns on the island, each with its unique personality, are definitely worth experiencing in one getaway. Consider it a bonus to visit Two Harbors in the west via an hour-long boat ride or helicopter, where the famed Catalina Island bison roam along the isolated 62 miles of beaches.
Big Bear Lake
There's no better place to enjoy snow SoCal style than Big Bear, the charming lakeside village just two hours from Los Angeles. With its cool atmosphere and a seven-mile alpine lake, this pine-scented year-round escape at an altitude of 6,759 feet (2,060 meters) in the San Bernardino Mountains is a hub for recreation with ski resorts, a swimmable lake, and golfing with mountain views. The famed Big Bear Mountain Resort, home to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, offers 62 runs and 748 acres of skiable terrain, from easy groomers to the challenging Grizzly Bowl! Lifts take families and thrill-seekers to enjoy sledding or tubing runs at Big Bear Snow Play and Grizzly Ridge Tube Park. Tumble down the slope, build snow sculptures, and make snow angels, both daytime and nighttime!
After the snow melts, Snow Summit’s Scenic Sky Chair offers visitors a mile-long ride to panoramic views from 8,200 feet. The cleared terrain unveils trails for biking and hiking, ranging from 2-mile walks to 15-mile loops with stunning lake vistas. Guests can choose from numerous camping options to access Big Bear Lake immediately, where various watercraft and rentals allow them to cruise over the water, surrounded by towering peaks and Ponderosa pine forests. Experience a bird's-eye view of the alpine town, mountain lakes, and the Mojave Desert via helicopter tour, or zip through the mountain air on Action Zipline Tours at 85 feet above snowy scenery below. Year-round events include bird sightings of wintering eagles, fishing tournaments, fireworks, and the Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest at the Bear Discovery Center.
Carpinteria
Carpinteria, which translates to 'The Carpentry Shop,' boasts a prime location along the coast, just twelve miles southeast of the more touristy Santa Barbara. Accessible via Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner at the Carpinteria station, this seaside paradise with warm locals and a genuine atmosphere hosts the state's largest free musical festival, the California Avocado Festival! The vibrant downtown, evoking tropical vibes today, owes its name to Explorer Gaspar de Portolá, who named the village in 1769 after observing the native Chumash building canoes.
Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere along the town's beaches as the waves crash in, whether you're sunbathing, reading in the shade, or swimming at Rincon Point State Beach for all-day water activities. Carpinteria State Beach offers stunning scenery and is perfect year-round for outdoor activities in SoCal's sunny climate, such as camping and picnics. Adventure seekers can explore the public trail and take a selfie from the pedestrian bridge overlooking the ecologically important Carpinteria Salt Marsh. Watch windsurfers in action and dine at spots like Teddy’s by the Sea or Giannfranco's Trattoria. The little ones will love meeting friendly alpacas at nearby Canzelle Alpacas!
Del Mar
In light of recent world events, travel trends show a preference for traditional and previously overlooked escapes, once deemed too glamorous for the average person. Its the kind of iconic place you usually only see on screen. A retreat for celebrities since the Golden Age, this small town with idyllic, dreamy SoCal vibes is finally in the spotlight as your weekend escape to experience the sights that have captivated icons. Del Mar offers a cultural 'slow travel' experience and a wellness getaway, providing authentic, unhurried cultural experiences away from overcrowded tourist spots, in addition to world-class restaurants and equestrian experiences that elevate your vacation.
From horseback riding and lessons to thoroughbred racing, you can unwind at numerous spas, salons, and wellness centers, or practice meditation and yoga on the beach. As a peaceful retreat within busy San Diego County, Del Mar embraces the emerging 'bleisure' travel trend, offering opportunities to enjoy relaxation right outside your temporary workspace, whether it’s a hotel, conference venue, or other location. This charming town, once seemingly out of reach, becomes more accessible as you enjoy reflective walks through its parks and nature preserves or indulge in a luxurious weekend of pampering at one of Del Mar’s highly Instagrammable hotels.
Laguna Beach
A long-standing cultural and artistic destination, Laguna Beach gained popularity in the early 20th century, its sea cliffs featured prominently in the silent film era of Hollywood. Today, the flamboyant town boasts destination galleries like Kush Fine Art and Virga Gallery downtown, perfect for artistic souls to visit, nestled between diligent beachgoing along the six-mile, scalloped coastline with soft sands, romantic sea coves, and untouched seaside cliffs. In addition to the art-laden streets, don't miss the murals at The Hive in the Arts District and the many Instagram-worthy sights downtown, like the glassy Laguna Art Museum with evocative exhibits by statewide artists. The Top of the World hike at Alta Laguna Park offers a chance to spot giant blue, finback, and minke whales, while the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the first of its kind in California since the 1970s, provides free entry and focuses on rehabilitating injured seals and sea lions.
Summer visitors can enjoy the Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, showcasing local art in various forms like photography, jewelry, surf art, and hand-blown glass, complemented by live music, food, and drinks. The Festival of the Arts, a juried fine arts show, features impressive artwork, demonstrations, and live music, while concurrently, the Pageant of the Masters stages live outdoor performances of tableaux vivants—actors posing as famous masterpieces. Mingle and lounge at Main Beach, steps away from the center near the statue of The Greeter, and stick around for a Thursday night art walk with over 40 participating galleries and free evening trolley rides. From the incredible staircase at Thousand Steps Beach to the seaside cliff hikes at Crystal Cove State Park, don’t miss La Tour, the castle-like pirate tower on Victoria Beach.
San Luis Obispo
Nestled against the Edna Valley wine region, San Luis Obispo, a larger college town with under 50,000 people, boasts a vibrant culture that extends from its rich heritage roots and is centered around a modern-day student lifestyle. Home to California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo combines the appeal of a wine country with a small-town feel and rich cultural offerings, gorgeous open hiking spaces, and a stone's throw to mountain biking trails. This illustrious town on the Central Coast, often dubbed 'the happiest city in the country,' is a must-visit to chase away the winter and fall blues or to be a highlight of your summer vacation in SoCal! San Luis Obispo's exciting downtown features blocks of historic buildings ranging from Spanish Colonial to Victorian.
The fifth mission site in California, Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, was established in 1772 and constructed in the 1790s. The surrounding city links visitors to its Spanish heritage through daily mass services, guided tours, and tranquil gardens perfect for walking and reflection, featuring historic devotional art. Modern art installations are scattered from the mission to the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art downtown, making for a vibrant day of exploring art. 'SLO' offers a refreshing escape from the ordinary, with year-round sunny beaches and quirky spots like Bubblegum Alley, where you can add your own piece of gum to the wall. This tradition immerses you in the city’s evolving culture, alongside excellent restaurants and bars nestled along picturesque, tree-lined streets.
The Takeaway
As one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, the Golden State boasts endless miles of pristine Pacific coastline. While its bigger cities have plenty of drawing power, it's the small towns that are set to tug at your heartstrings the strongest, after all the recent global events. In this state known for its diversity and beautiful beaches, these towns offer a range of scenarios for a laid-back and relaxed getaway, each turning your visit into a unique and unforgettable experience.
So seize the day with sights that have captivated iconic stars, mixing business and leisure ('bleisure'), equestrianism, tradition, nature preserves, and Instagram-worthy hotels in this epic, sun-drenched slice of SoCal!
