8 Adorable Small Towns in Southern California to Visit in 2026
In 2026, "small-town Southern California" is less a single vibe than a set of microclimates and microcultures packed into a few hours' drive.
Coastal enclaves like Laguna Beach and Coronado combine walkable beaches with serious arts and performance venues. Inland, favorites shift the scenery fast: Solvang's Danish heritage, Ojai's creative energy, and Julian's Gold Rush story are a must visit in the region. Add to that a stunning desert town and a relaxing mountain escape, and you have yourself the perfect SoCal adventure list. The eight adorable towns below make it easy to plan weekends around what you actually want to do, not just where to stay.
Solvang
Tucked into California's Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang feels like a slice of Denmark, thanks to the Danish immigrant descendants who still call this little town home. Their influence shows up everywhere you look, from the half-timbered facades and windmills to the cozy streets of the compact downtown. A handy place to begin is the Solvang Visitor Center, which doubles as a classic example of the town's Danish-style architecture and a convenient spot to grab maps and ideas for your day.
As you wander, you can duck into the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, where archives and artifacts trace the area's European roots and help explain how this unique community came to be. Food is just as much a part of the story. Traditional Danish dishes and freshly baked pastries are a big draw, and many visitors make a point of stopping at Olsen's Danish Village Bakery, a longtime favorite for sweets and treats. When you're ready for a break from town, it's a short drive to Nojoqui Falls Park. This quiet, green hideaway offers an easy walk through the trees that ends at a beautiful 80-foot waterfall, a nice contrast to Solvang's storybook streets.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach wraps all the classic coastal-daydream elements into one place: soft white sand, clear turquoise water, and a chain of coves and beaches that seem made for slowing down. It's the kind of town where you quickly slip into vacation mode, whether you're lounging on Treasure Island Beach, watching the waves roll in, or heading over to nearby Table Rock Beach for another stretch of sand and big-sky ocean views.
But the town's appeal isn't limited to the shoreline. Laguna Beach is also one of Southern California's leading arts and culture hubs, drawing visitors who come as much for the galleries and performances as for the beach towels and sunscreen. At the heart of that scene is the Laguna Art Museum, home to more than 3,500 works of California art and recognized as one of the oldest cultural institutions in Orange County. And if you're in the mood for live theater, you can end the day at the cozy Laguna Playhouse, settling into a seat to catch a show just a short stroll from the coast.
Ojai
Cradled in the foothills of the Topatopa Mountains, Ojai feels like a small, creative hideaway wrapped in beautiful scenery. The town has long attracted artists, makers, and wine lovers, and its thriving winery scene and relaxed pace give it a distinctly laid-back, imaginative feel.
You'll see the community's welcoming side at the Ojai Certified Farmers Market, where locals fill their booths with just-picked produce and one-of-a-kind handmade goods. To dig into Ojai's backstory, step into the Ojai Valley Museum, set inside a repurposed historic Catholic church; its archives and artifacts do a great job of tracing the town's history and culture.
That artistic spirit really shines at the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, a favorite gathering place for people from across the region who come for standout exhibitions and intimate live performances. And before you leave, plan a stop at the Ojai Vineyard Tasting Room to try its award-winning craft wines, it's one of the most enjoyable ways to get a real taste of Ojai.
Borrego Springs
Set out in the desert of San Diego County, Borrego Springs mixes wide-open, picturesque landscapes with a distinctly artsy personality. It's the kind of place where you can spend the morning soaking up creativity and the afternoon wandering through raw desert scenery.
Art fans tend to start at the Borrego Art Institute, which showcases an impressive range of work, from pottery and paintings to photography and even garden art. The artistic streak continues out in the desert at Galleta Meadows, a privately owned estate turned open-air gallery. Here, more than 100 large metal sculptures are scattered across the Borrego Springs area, creating a surreal backdrop of art against sand and sky.
All of this sits within the broader embrace of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which surrounds the community. The park's secluded trails lead you through stark, dramatic desert landscapes, with plenty of chances to spot hardy desert plants like cacti and seasonal wildflowers along the way.
Julian
High in the backcountry of Southern California, Julian wears its history proudly as one of the region's best-known gold-mining towns and an official California Historical Landmark. If you want to dig into that past, the Julian Pioneer Museum is the place to start. Its collection of artifacts traces local life from the earliest pioneer days through the Gold Rush boom and into the present, giving context to the town's old-time feel.
These days, Julian is just as famous for what's on the table as what's in the history books. Visitors flock here for freshly baked apple pies at the Julian Pie Company and linger over glasses of local wine at Volcan Mountain Winery, sampling the area's homegrown flavors.
Step just beyond town and you're quickly in rugged mountain country, with plenty of ways to get outside. William Heise County Park offers hiking trails, campsites, and picnic areas tucked among the trees. Nearby, the roughly 2,900-acre Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve opens up even more space to wander, making it easy to fully immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
Big Bear Lake
Big Bear Lake is a small mountain village with big scenery, towering peaks, sparkling water, and enough fresh air to instantly shift you into vacation mode. Perched on the shore of the lake that shares its name, it's often counted among Southern California's most beautiful towns and makes an easy pick for an outdoor-focused getaway.
Once you're there, it's all about getting outside. Boulder Bay Park is a relaxing place to start, with a lakeside setting that's perfect for picnics, gentle hikes, and a bit of fishing in a calm, wooded atmosphere. For wildlife lovers, Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve offers a different kind of experience, where patient visitors may spot bald eagles, osprey, and a variety of waterfowl.
Animal enthusiasts can also head to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in Big Bear Lake, which specializes in alpine and mountain species and gives you the chance to see animals like snow leopards, mountain lions, and grizzly bears up close. And if you're visiting with kids, or just feel like being a kid again, the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain delivers pure, uncomplicated fun.
Palm Springs
Palm Springs is all about indulgent desert escapes, pairing its famous healing hot springs with luxurious resorts and plush golf courses that make it feel like a ready-made holiday. Set in the Sonoran Desert, the city has a lively personality and a strong sense of its own history, much of which is preserved in its local museums.
Art lovers gravitate toward the Palm Springs Art Museum, a world-class space for visual and performing arts that showcases the creative side of the city. A different slice of history waits at the Palm Springs Air Museum, where exhibits spotlight aviation's role in America and visitors can get an up-close look at a wide range of vintage aircraft.
Beyond the museums and resort pools, the surrounding desert invites you outside. Hikers can head into Tahquitz Canyon, where the trail promises sightings of elusive desert wildlife and leads to a stunning 60-foot waterfall tucked into the rocky landscape.
Coronado
Set on San Diego Bay, Coronado has the easygoing feel of a true resort town, where pristine beaches and a laid-back vibe pull visitors in year-round. Sun-seekers make a beeline for Silver Strand State Beach, a long sweep of sand popular with both locals and travelers for picnicking, camping by the shore, swimming, and casting a line in the surf.
When you're ready for a break from the beach, you can wander inland to Spreckels Park, a green pocket in the middle of town with a broad lawn, a gazebo, and plenty of picnic tables, perfect for a slower, shaded pause. Coronado isn't just about the outdoors, either. Those in the mood for a night out can catch a performance at Lamb's Players Theatre, often named among the county's top spots for live theater. And if you want to go all in on the resort experience, check into the iconic Hotel del Coronado, where an overnight stay feels every bit as luxurious as its grand Victorian façade suggests.
The Takeaway
These small Southern California towns only scratch the surface of what the region has to offer, but they're more than enough to build a truly memorable getaway around. Whether you're drawn to mountain-backed main streets or coastal communities overlooking the Pacific, each place wraps you in its own mix of beauty, charm, and unrushed, small-town rhythms.
They're just as appealing for a quick weekend escape as they are for a longer stay, giving you time to wander historic downtowns, soak in the surrounding landscapes, dip into local arts and culture, and meet the people who give these towns their warmth. However long you stay, you're likely to head home with the kind of easy, happy memories that tend to linger.
