9 Southern California Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
Southern California is known for its fine year-round weather and Pacific Ocean beaches, which help make the Golden State one of the most popular destinations in the country. While Los Angeles is the most recognized tourist hub in the SoCal region, its chaotic downtown scene proves to be overwhelming for some vacationers. Luckily, there are several alternatives in the rural side of the state, where the streets are walkable and the people are inviting.
Strolling through the town square offers an opportunity to discover significant historical landmarks, noteworthy cultural centers, and trendy shopping and dining venues, resulting in an all-around experience. From tasting sumptuous Danish fare in Solvang to admiring a world-class art scene in Laguna Beach, here are Southern California towns with unforgettable main streets.
Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach might charm tourists with its pristine beaches and luxurious waterfront resorts, but it also harbors a lovely downtown area. This activity hub houses an eclectic blend of local businesses that allow visitors to discover high-quality art and cuisine. Cliff Drive, one of the major streets, is home to the Laguna Art Museum, which houses a vast collection of at least 3,000 works by numerous artists. Also, the nearby Laguna Playhouse treats guests to thought-provoking and entertaining stage performances, ranging from musicals to concerts to kids' shows.
Downtown Laguna Beach turns into a multi-day party every time the Sawdust Art Festival comes to town, drawing at least 200 talented artists from around the region. The town's famous resorts, including Surf and Sand Resort on Main Street, guarantee tourists an accommodation experience fit for a king.
Palm Springs
This fabulous oasis in the heart of the Sonoran Desert has everything from world-class golf courses and luxurious spas to healing hot springs. Its Main Street is named Palm Canyon Drive and forms the core of the downtown region. It hosts numerous restaurants, museums, and galleries, including the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. This showcases exhibits and antiques about the Agua Caliente Indians in a 10,000-square-foot gallery. Meanwhile, the Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center presents useful programs about the wonderful world of architecture.
Historians will be interested in exploring the town's colorful past at the Palm Springs Historical Society. This nostalgic venue features two 19th-century structures with historical artifacts and archives chronicling the earlier years.
Solvang
Solvang is a popular destination in the Santa Ynez Valley of Southern California, celebrated for its charming Danish culture and down-to-earth residents. The pedestrian-friendly main thoroughfare offers an abundance of attractions, including the California Nature Art Museum. Inside the facility, an intimate collection of nature-centric art, including paintings and photos, is displayed. Further along, you will come across the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, home to a delectable library of archives highlighting the life and times of the iconic Danish author.
You can not miss the Old Mission Santa Ines, which provides an idea of how the community started. This 18th-century church was founded by the Spanish in 1804 and provides guests with tours exploring its captivating backstory.
Ojai
Downtown Ojai is a stunning corridor with walkable streets dotted with restaurants, galleries, museums, wine shops, and Mom' n Pop shops. The Main Street, Ojai Avenue, forms the district's commercial center, housing notable sites like the Arcade Plaza. This Mission Revival-style mall offers eclectic shopping and dining options inside a historic structure from the 1910s. It is also home to the Ojai Valley Museum, a restored Catholic church that currently serves as an art center, exhibiting historical and modern artworks.
Ojai also boasts a respectable craft winery scene and invites oenophiles to sample it at Majestic Oak Vineyard. This quaint tasting room serves sweet-tasting homegrown wines in a family-owned facility.
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is a pleasant town in Orange County, steeped in historical heritage. The Spanish founded it in the 1770s as a mission, around which the community grew. Today, you can visit Mission San Juan Capistrano for a unique perspective of the formative years in the county. The main avenue cuts through the historic district, which stands out for its awesome cluster of antique buildings. A stroll through the Los Rios Street Historic District feels like a trip back in time, exposing preserved structures dating back to the 18th century.
If you appreciate the arts, be sure to pass by the Coach House Concert Hall for a riveting stage performance by aspiring and established artists. Also, consider buying a cute souvenir at the Old Barn Antique Mall to add to your collection.
Claremont
One of the Southern California towns with unforgettable main streets, this suburban community in the Pomona Valley region charms visitors with its rich arts culture. Its lively downtown hosts a fair share of world-class museums and art venues, such as the Claremont Lewis Museum of Art. It displays an impressive library of paintings, sculptures, and other art forms by local artists. Additionally, the Benton Museum of Art boasts almost 19,000 items in a permanent collection of innovative art by American and European creatives.
Suppose you don't mind a casual shopping experience. In that case, you can stop at the Claremont Farmers & Artisans Market to check out the display of fresh groceries and handcrafts by regional vendors. Finally, A glass of margarita alongside friends is an excellent way to wind up the day in downtown Claremont.
Julian
Julian is an interesting community in San Diego County, designated a California Historical Landmark for its rare Gold Rush heritage in the SoCal region. It has a rustic downtown district with plenty of landmarks that hint at its storied history. The Julian Town Hall & Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your visit; it has all the information about what you'd want to do in the city. Main Street Julian is home to the Julian Gold Rush Hotel, the longest continuously operating hotel in the region, and a great location to seek accommodation.
Julian is also known for its craft beer scene, with several establishments producing award-winning alcoholic drinks. The Julian Beer Co. offers great-tasting handcrafted beers, and the Julian Cider Mill offers fresh-pressed apple ciders.
Carpinteria
Carpinteria is a tiny seaside town in Santa Barbara County with a laid-back atmosphere that complements its vibrant downtown area. The main thoroughfare houses several notable points of interest that keep it busy all the time, including the Carpinteria Arts Center. This popular cultural hub attracts performances, exhibitions, gatherings, and meetings about the arts. Seafood is a big deal in local cuisine, and walking along Main Street, you can pop into Little Dom's Seafood to indulge in tasty Italian flavors.
The avenue also hosts the weekly Carpinteria Farmers Market, which offers visitors a chance to shop for fresh groceries and interact with the welcoming vendors. Meanwhile, the region's vibrancy comes to the fore during the annual California Avocado Festival, which brings in more than 80,000 attendees.
Monrovia
This historic town at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains mixes the new and the old in its historic town square, which is always a beehive of activity. Exploring Old Town Monrovia exposes visitors to noteworthy landmarks, such as the Upton Sinclair House. This Main Street treasure was built in 1923 and housed the renowned American novelist Upton Sinclair. The area is also home to the Monrovia Public Library, which invites book lovers to explore a sea of information in a peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, LOOK Dine-in Cinemas Monrovia delivers a unique viewing experience in a state-of-the-art venue. Guests watch the latest Box Office films while munching on their favorite meals or sipping refreshing craft cocktails.
Final Thoughts
California's diversity is apparent not only in its natural landscapes but also in its downtown areas. From vibrant cities to quiet towns, these hubs provide an idea of the community's culture, history, and character. These United States Southern California towns with unforgettable main streets allow you to base your whole itinerary around the town square and never lack something to see or do, whether enjoying a thought-provoking art show in Claremont or exploring Gold Rush heritage in Julian.
