7 Southern California Towns Where Time Stands Still
Needles
Needles is a small town located in eastern California on the Arizona border with just under 5,000 residents. It embodies the idea of a town where time stands still, but in a good way. One of the most famous roads in America is Route 66, and Needles is the first stop in California while heading west on the route. You can check out stenciled "shields" of the Route 66 logo on the asphalt and vintage Route 66 murals on buildings all over town.
Because Needles is located in the desert, it lends itself as a spot where time moves slower, and one place you can experience that is at the Needles Regional Museum while learning about Route 66's history through Needles, artifacts from around the area, the town's most famous former resident, Peanuts creator Charles Schulz, and is conveniently located across the street from the El Garces train depot.
Barstow
Barstow is a small Southern California town that embraces its history more than most. While this town is much smaller than the larger cities closer to the Pacific, it still has around 25,000 residents who call it home. One of the trademark attractions that show how time can stand still in Barstow is Peggy Sue's 50's Diner heading northeast out of town. This is a vintage 50's classic American diner that will take you back in time with old school movie and TV memorabilia and old-fashioned ice cream malts, floats, and deli sandwiches.
Plenty of visitors will stop at Peggy Sue's on their way back from Calico Ghost Tours, an old mining town that may still have haunted sightings and history to learn while you're there. This accommodating tour is appropriate for all ages and even dogs, too. If you're interested in history and space, the Desert Discovery Center on Barstow Rd has desert trails and the Old Woman Meteorite, the second largest space rock ever found in the country, on display.
Julian
Tucked in the Cuyamaca Mountains, this old gold mining town will bring you back in time when participating in the Eagle Mining Co.'s tour of an original 1870s gold mine, where you can view the tools, machinery, and history of the operation in this area.
A great way to combine fun and activities that make you feel time stand still is at Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures, just north of town. Here, you can participate in ancient activities like tomahawk throwing, archery, hayrides, hoedowns, and even overnight camping. Finally, spend some time getting to know Julian's past at the Julian Pioneer Museum and gaze at old pioneer photos, get up close to Victorian-era clothing or a Julian buggy and sleigh for old school transportation.
Ojai
Set in the Topatopa Mountains, east of Santa Barbara, is where you'll find Ojai, an artsy mountain town where you'll always find something that catches your eye. Ojai leans on its spectacular geography as a cornerstone for why people visit, along with a reputation as one of the friendliest small towns in Southern California. One timeless activity you can experience in Ojai is horseback riding through the Los Padres National Forest and enjoying the sights and sounds of the Ventura River with the Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company.
Feel free to explore downtown Ojai, which feels more like a village from a time gone by than a town in Southern California. There are many art galleries and classes you can take part in, or, depending on the time of year, you can experience the Ojai Storytelling Festival in Libbey Park and admire the arts while outdoors, like so many have before.
San Juan Capistrano
Time definitely looks like it stands still throughout the streets of San Juan Capistrano, especially thanks to one of the most charming town squares in Southern California. A centerpiece of time standing still is the Mission San Juan Capistrano museum and historical landmark. Walk the grounds and admire a chapel that's over 200 years old, where masses have been led by Saint Serra.
You can visit the Arley Leck House, built in 1918. This original Craftsman house sports original carpentry, an antique piano with WWII music sheets, and history about the area. Finally, spend time walking the Los Rios Historic District, which showcases some of the oldest neighborhoods in the state, including three very well-preserved adobe structures, highlighting the unique architecture.
Los Alamos
Experiencing Los Alamos is like stepping into an "Old West" town, as this former stagecoach stop, founded in 1876, offers visitors a chance to step back into a simpler way of life. While history is a part of every stop in Los Alamos, it's the food and wine that also attract visitors from all over. Bell Street, the "main street" of Los Alamos, features old-west decor and architecture, while the local watering hole, The Depot Bar, is housed in the old Pacific Coast Railway freight depot.
Part of the Santa Ynez Valley, Los Alamos is surrounded by impeccable wineries, making it the perfect place to test your wine-tasting expertise at locales such as Los Alamos Vineyard or Shokrian Vineyard.
Wrightwood
Sitting a little over an hour north of Los Angeles is Wrightwood, a small mountain town with just under 5,000 residents and tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains. Outdoor activities are a cornerstone of this quiet town, and with so many mountain trails, including the Pacific Crest Trail in the area, there is no shortage of things to do.
If you decide to visit during the winter, there is Mountain High, one of Southern California's best spots for skiing and tubing. During the summer, you can experience the natural beauty of the mountains. If you're around in August, the Wrightwood Mountain Classic Car Show will bring you back to classic cars from the 30s through the 70s.
As you can see, Southern California is an area of the country that loves to showcase its past. These seven towns blend the state's unique geography seamlessly with the quintessentially classic California way of life. So, make a note of them and plan to visit them on your next vacation to Southern California.
