7 Cutest Small Towns In Southern California For 2025
Southern California is the land of sun-kissed tranquility and every-town convenience. It boasts weather that will make you lose track of what season you are in, and that glow—yes, the actual glow—that everyone seeks out in their daydreams. And it's not just LA or San Diego. As soon as you get out of the cities, you find these cute tiny enclaves of magic that feel still real, lived-in, and personal. These seven SoCal burgs are itsy-bitsy getaways that pack more charm than some entire counties.
Ojai
Ojai is where you are headed when you want to be slowed down but still a little fancy. People come here for the vibe, but also for Bart's Books, an open-air used bookstore in which you pay on the honor system. It's just that kind of place. Begin a light coffee treat at Three Birds and then head on over to Ojai Olive Oil Co. for fairy tale tastings.
Sunset is a big deal here, of course, due to the "pink moment"—when mountains shimmer like they are watercolors painted. Crave a view to accompany dinner? The Nest accommodates. Ojai does not shriek, it hums—and if you are fed up with commotion, that is the attraction.
Idyllwild
Riding high on the San Jacinto Mountains, Idyllwild is the scented-by-pine paradise that brings nature lovers from all over to experience its beauty. Start at the Idyllwild Nature Center for hiking trails and picnic areas that the entire family can enjoy. Ferro offers wood-fired pizza and wine on a shady patio that feels like Europe got lost in the woods.
Hike up Deer Springs Trail or just find a rocking chair and let time pass. You will probably spot the town’s unofficial mayor, Max—a golden retriever wearing a tie. Yep, really. Idyllwild won't win you over—it just quietly becomes your favorite place.
Julian
Julian's the kind of place where autumn is around all year 'round in spirit, even when it's 75 and sunny. It's apple everything most famously—pumpkin pies, apple ciders, donuts—and Julian Pie Company is the holy land. Even in summer, the smell of cinnamon and crust wraps around you like a hug.
You can walk the wooden boardwalks downtown, go to The Warm Hearth of Julian for snug provisions and puzzles, or pan for gold on a guided tour of Eagle Mining Co. Julian's hill country is steeped in trails and vistas, and if something more special, book a night at the Julian Gold Rush Hotel—a charming B&B that looks frozen in time. Julian is old-fashioned in all the best ways.
Solvang
You don't expect to be strolling into Denmark two hours north of LA, but here you are. Solvang becomes totally Danish with windmills, wooden shoes, and more aebleskiver (Danish pancake balls) than you can shake a stick at. Have it with raspberry jam at Solvang Restaurant—don't inquire, just do.
Stroll down Mission Drive, stop by The Book Loft (they have an entire Hans Christian Andersen museum on the second floor), and take Solvang Trolley & Carriage Tours if you would rather ride a horse. Wine tasting? There are a dozen or so, but Lucas & Lewellen is a favorite. It's touristy, but in a way that still feels sweet and not overcooked. Solvang is a postcard come to life.
Avalon (Catalina Island)
A trip to Avalon feels like a world of its own, partially because you actually have to travel by ferry in order to arrive. The island's main town is only a square mile wide, but it packs as many square feet into that area as possible. Luau Larry's is the place for a rum-soaked lunch (yes, it has a straw hat included), and the Catalina Casino—don't let the name fool you—is a beautiful old building that has a movie theater and an art deco ballroom.
Climb up to Wrigley Memorial for panoramic views, then return down and grab Scoops, Catalina's locally crafted gelato. Avalon makes you feel like taking a vacation even when you didn't remember to plan one.
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano may be little, but it's got stories. Mission San Juan Capistrano is over 240 years old and still absolutely stunning, with arches, gardens, and bells that ring with actual weight. But things are cooking beyond the history here. Start with an Ellie's Table croissant, then take a walk down Los Rios Street, the oldest residential street in the state of California.
Visit the Los Rios Butterfly Garden or The Tea House on Los Rios, where you can drink Earl Grey like it's 1890. In the evening, visit Ramos House Café and get tapas while observing the trains rumble by. The town combines old California with new charm in a way that's lived-in, not set up.
Wrightwood
Southern Californians slip away to Wrightwood when they want mountain air without the fuss. It's tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains, just 80 miles from LA, but somehow the city feels a million miles away. The Village Grind is where everyone meets for coffee and conversation, and Mountain High Market has that nostalgic small-town general store vibe.
If you are outdoorsy, hike Big Horn Mine Trail for killer views and an abandoned gold mine at the end. For something a little different, check out Ziplines at Pacific Crest. Want to take it easy? There is live music and local beer at Wrightwood Brew Co. Wrightwood is cozy, serene, and under the radar—temporarily.
Southern California gets plenty of credit for its big beaches and bigger cities, but these small towns are where the personality lives. From Avalon's island pace to Ojai's dreamy tranquility and Idyllwild's forest freakiness, each of them has something happening. And the good news? You don't need much time or money to get to them. Whatever your mood, whether mountains, beaches, wine country, or a little bit of Europe in Solvang, SoCal's lesser-known treasures await to surprise you in 2025.
