8 Best Towns In Southern California For A Two-Day Recharge
What do you need to recharge your batteries for the week ahead? Whether it’s an idyllic spa, a winery with a mountain view, or miles and miles of Pacific coastline, Southern California has something to help you reclaim your peace after a long week. You can sunbathe on a remote island in Avalon or explore a Danish village in Solvang. Southern California has what you need to unwind. When you need to recover after a long week, the slow pace and welcoming atmosphere of these towns are sure to prepare you for the week ahead.
Ojai
Surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains and Los Padres National Forest, Ojai is a stunning mountain retreat about 85 miles north of Los Angeles. Its location in the Ojai Valley creates a “Pink Moment,” a sunset when the fading sun casts pink shadows on the Topatopa Mountains, giving the area a dreamy glow as the sun sets. You can spend the day hiking the Ojai Valley Trail, which winds through the city and takes you through amazing scenery like Devil's Gulch.
Ojai may be known for its pristine trails and breathtaking sunsets, but downtown is always jumping! You can explore Bart’s Books, an open-air library, or grab a satisfying meal at the Hip Vegan. When you are ready to call it a day after exploring Ojai, The Ojai Valley Inn is so luxurious and cozy, you may never want to leave! With spa services, a pool, and an artist cottage, it’s a haven for weary travelers looking to recharge over the weekend.
Wrightwood
If you’re looking for a mountain retreat, there’s no better spot than Wrightwood, an underrated hidden gem in the San Gabriel Mountains. You can let your worries melt away hiking the quiet trails in the Angeles National Forest. Think rugged mountain peaks with views that go on for miles, and fragrant shaded trails of Ponderosa pine. If you are looking for a challenge, the trails at Circle Mountain are challenging, but well worth the sweeping view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
There are plenty of rustic cabins scattered throughout the area, but the best place to stay in Wrightwood is the Wrightwood Hideaway. It delivers cozy mountain getaway vibes while keeping you in the center of all the action in central Wrightwood. From the inn, you can walk to the Grizzly Cafe for breakfast, or the quirky Evergreen Cafe and Raccoon Saloon.
Borrego Springs
The town of Borrego Springs sits in a very isolated location, surrounded by the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. It is one of California’s largest parks, with miles of canyons, wildflower meadows, and long stretches of desert vistas. Far removed from the light pollution of California’s larger cities, Borrego Springs is an official International Dark Sky Community. So, make sure you check out the park at night to catch a rare glimpse of the Milky Way!
The natural scenery in Borrego Springs is breathtaking, but the manmade attractions are just as stunning! Borrego Springs is where you will find the Galleta Meadows Sculptures, a collection of 130 metal sculptures in the middle of the desert. There are metal dinosaurs, tigers, and a 350-foot-long serpent that appears to slither under the sand. After exploring downtown Borrego Springs, you can grab a bite to eat at Kendall's Cafe and then check in at the Borrego Springs Resort and Spa. With modern accommodations, a pool, and spa services, it’s a fantastic spot to unwind after a long week.
Julian
East of San Diego is Julian, an old mining town nestled in the Cuyamaca Mountains. It’s the type of small community that feels like stepping back in time, where you can sit down at a local diner for a slice of apple pie. Julian is famous for its pies, with places like Julian Pie Company serving up some of the best pies in the state. Travelers often flock to Julian for their pies! If you visit in the fall, a trip to the Julian Farm and Orchard is a must. You can spend the day picking apples, visiting the petting zoo, and swinging by the gift shop for tasty treats to bring back home.
If you want to take in the beautiful mountain scenery of Juilan, there’s no better place than Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. There are miles of desert trails, most notably Stonewall Peak, which provides amazing views of Lake Cuyamaca. On a clear day, you can even see the Pacific Ocean! Julian has plenty of quaint bed and breakfasts in the area, but the absolute best place to stay is Tucker Peak Lodge. It offers some of the best views of the Cuyamaca Mountains and is only a short drive to central Julian.
Idyllwild
Ready for an outdoor adventure? The small community of Idyllwild is surrounded by lush pine tree forests within the San Bernardino National Forest. If you want to spend your weekend hiking and taking in the fresh air, the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is a local favorite, and for good reasons. The trail is just under five miles, with subtle shifts in elevation that offer stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
Idyllwild may feel like an isolated retreat in the tranquility of the San Bernardino National Forest, but there’s plenty to discover downtown! There’s always a fun cafe or restaurant to discover, like the Idyllwild Brewpub, and you can't beat the views on the patio of the Peak Restaurant and Bar. If you want to stay in the heart of Idyllwild, the best place to stay for the night is the Idyllwild Inn. The accommodations feel like a remote cabin retreat, but there are still great restaurants and cafes within walking distance.
Avalon
Off the southern coast of California is the dreamlike community of Avalon on Santa Catalina Island. There are no highways, minimal traffic, and nothing but sun-kissed beaches and sleepy streets waiting to be discovered. The most popular beach in Avalon is Descanso Beach, one of California’s last private beaches that is open to the public. While you can easily spend the entire day relaxing at the seaside to recharge your batteries, downtown Avalon has plenty to see!
The Catalina Museum for Art and History details the history of the unique island of its 7,000 years of human settlement. After touring the museum, you can’t throw a stone without hitting a charming coffee shop or restaurant. One of the more popular spots in town is Bluewater Avalon, known for its great seafood dishes and deck overlooking the ocean. If you dream of walking up to views of the ocean, the Seaport Village Inn is a perfect spot to end your Avalon adventure, with cozy accommodations and its convenient location.
Solvang
If you dream of a weekend in a Danish Village but can’t afford the flight, Solvang is the next best thing! Located north of Santa Barbara, this small community oozes with Danish charm from the cobblestone streets to the towering windmills downtown. You can fill up on Danish pasties, like their famous Cream Cheese Danish and Danish Waffles at Mortensen's Danish Bakery, which is within walking distance from the Solvang Visitor Center. If you want to relax with a chilled glass of white wine in hand and take in the Danish scenery, be sure to check out Casa Cassara Winery and Vineyard!
The best time to visit Solvang and really immerse yourself in its Danish culture is during the Danish Days, held every September. It celebrates Danish culture with amazing food, costumes, family-friendly activities, and live music. Solvang has plenty of affordable hotels and bed and breakfasts, all of which keep you in the heart of central Solvang. The best place to stay while in Solvang is The Landsby, a boutique hotel with a Scandinavian aesthetic within walking distance to all the best spots in Solvang.
Carpinteria
While many weekend warriors head to Santa Barbara for those stunning coastal views, you can beat the crowds and traffic by setting your sights slightly north to Carpinteria. If your perfect weekend consists of reading under an umbrella as gentle waves sweep the shores, the Carpinteria State Beach is where you want to be. The waters are warm and calm, and it’s the ideal spot to soak up the sun on a warm day or just walk along the shore.
If you want to lace up your hiking boots, Carpinteria also has wonderful parks along the Pacific shoreline. The Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve offers stunning hiking trails with sweeping views of the shoreline atop rocky cliffs. The Tar Pits Park is also a popular spot, with rare natural asphalt lakes and trails with ocean views. If you want to pretend that you live in a sleepy beach retreat, if only for a weekend, the Carpinteria Beach Cottages will help you live your fantasy. The cottages are small and lovely, within walking distance to great restaurants and small community parks.
Two Days of Total Relaxation in Southern California
It won’t take you long to reclaim your peace in these Southern California retreats. From the shaded pine trailheads of the Angeles National Forest in Wrightwood to the windswept beaches of Carpinteria, these hidden gems have a way of convincing you to slow down, if only for a short weekend. It’s easy here to blend in with the locals along the coastline or at a hidden winery nestled in the mountains. The hardest part of these serene locations is packing your suitcase on Sunday afternoon and heading back home!
