9 Overlooked Towns In Southern California Worth Visiting
Travelers in the U.S. tend to move one of two ways. Those who live in warm climates want to visit cooler places while on vacation. Those who find themselves snowed in during winter often drive many miles just to find some sunshine for a couple of days. Southern California is a wonderful destination for anyone looking for mild but still sunny weather, a laid-back visit, and the opportunity to explore both mountains and Pacific beaches. Some of the best places to enjoy such visits in SoCal are its small, underrated towns. Idyllwild, for example, offers you a serene, dog-friendly mountain escape. Or, if you need a place to meditate and enjoy a couple of days of yoga, Ojai is the perfect destination for both. In fact, all the towns below are worth visiting in 2026, each for different reasons.
Ojai
Ojai is a small town located in the Topatopa Mountains on the way to Santa Barbara and Malibu. Because it takes a bit of effort to get there, many people pass it by on their way to the bigger towns and cities. But if you decide to make the two-hour trip from Los Angeles or the one-hour trip from Santa Barbara, you will find plenty of sights and activities here to make up for the one-way highway. Not to mention, there are no corporate chains in sight in Ojai, so you can support local small businesses during your visit.
If you are just coming off a busy week at work or have gone through a stressful time, your first stop in Ojai should be Meditation Mount. You need to register your visit on the retreat’s website, so be sure to do that before you drive there. You can sign up for a Full Moon Meditation or a Sunset Sound Meditation, which is bound to leave you feeling more relaxed than you have in a long time. If you happen to drive into Ojai when the sun sets, be sure to look to the mountains to see their walls turn a vibrant red-pink just after sundown. Known as the ‘pink moment’, it is one of those experiences that cannot be captured on video or in a photograph. When you feel relaxed enough to go strolling around Ojai, stop by the Ojai Valley Museum of History and Art to discover how the valley region evolved. If you want to enjoy some of the views, you can rent a bike and explore the stunning Ojai Valley Bike Trail.
Solvang
Solvang is a historic town with a strong Danish flavor, located in the Santa Ynez Valley. To taste some of this Danish flavor literally, stop by Paula’s Pancake House for traditional Danish pancakes that come with cinnamon apples. This treat will put you in just the right mood to explore the rest of this beautiful Danish village. There are six windmills to see throughout Solvang, including the Sorensen Windmill, Wulff’s Windmill, and Solvang Windmill. You can pass by all of them in a day or two.
If you are a classic fairytale enthusiast, you simply must make some time to visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in The Book Loft bookstore. Aside from the many displays centered around Andersen’s life, there are also shoemaking tools to see, a model of his childhood home, and several early and first editions of his work. There is more Danish culture and tradition on display during the annual Danish heritage festival, Solvang Danish Days, which takes place in September. Some of the events include axe-throwing, live concerts, Danish-style beer drinking, and an artisanal crafts marketplace.
Cambria
Cambria offers you the best of both worlds, namely forest retreats and stunning ocean views from where it sits in San Luis Obispo County on the Central Coast. The first place you want to visit in this underrated small town is Moonstone Beach. It is one of the most pristine and serene beaches in California, featuring intricate rock formations and vast tide pools filled with fascinating marine life. You can also take Moonstone Beach Drive to see the rugged coastline from a different perspective. This loop road allows you to look out at the Pacific and see the pine forests at the same time. There are several viewpoints you can stop at to see if you can spot a whale in the water or to watch the sunset.
You can keep an eye out for more wildlife at the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, which stretches 437 acres along the coastline. Animals that inhabit this area include harbor seals, elephant seals, and pretty seabirds. This is also a great place for a peaceful walk in nature. If you want to take your dog with you on your Cambria visit, they are more than welcome at Shamel Park, where they can roam on the beach. There are plenty of picnic tables and views to make for a fun day.
Idyllwild
With a name like Idyllwild, you would be right to expect an idyllic town. And Idyllwild, situated in the San Jacinto Mountains, delivers on this expectation in every way. There are lots of hiking trails to explore, including the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail, a day hike that takes you up 830 feet. This trail sits in Humber Park, and you will find it before entering Idyllwild. In town itself, you can try shorter hikes at the Idyllwild Nature Center. This is a pet-friendly place for dogs and popular with families who do not want to hike challenging trails.
In downtown Idyllwild, you can take selfies in front of the town monument named Harmony. This 25-foot-tall structure is meticulously carved from wood and features several life-size replicas of local animals. These animals include a coyote, a condor, a bear, and a mountain lion. If you make your way to the Indian Vista Scenic Overlook on the Pines Scenic Byway, you can see some of these animals in real life, as well as deer, bobcats, and coyotes.
Wrightwood
Wrightwood is one of the most overlooked towns in SoCal, despite being only an hour and a half away from Los Angeles. Wrightwood turns bright gold and fiery red during the fall, with the gorgeous foliage lighting up the San Gabriel Mountains that surround it. If you prefer to visit during winter, you can go skiing and inner tubing at Mountain High, a cozy mountain winter resort. While there may not be a lake in Wrightwood itself to enjoy during the summer, Jackson Lake is only ten minutes away. The lake is the perfect place for a swim or a couple of hours of fishing.
Still, winter is the best time to visit this charming town. You can visit Wrightwood Village and grab a hot chocolate from one of the local restaurants. Or, you can stop by the Wrightwood Farmers Market on a Friday to peruse fresh goods. If you prefer to stay indoors for a bit to get out of the cold, you can spend some time at the Wrightwood Historical Society and Museum.
Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is a small, underrated town that is often overlooked in favor of Joshua Tree or Palm Springs. If you drive past Borrego Springs without stopping, you are missing out on an incredible dragon metal sculpture and some of the most dramatic desert landscapes on this side of the U.S. That said, you will want to visit during winter or late winter to escape the heat, as it can get very hot, especially if you want to hike. One of the best hikes near town is the Hike Slot Canyon. Some of the canyon walls are taller than 40 feet, and there are very narrow spaces along the hiking trail, so only attempt it if you are a confident and experienced hiker.
If you want a less challenging option, you can hike the Palm Canyon Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. There are several metal sculptures in the park, including an elephant, a grasshopper, a scorpion, and the aforementioned sea dragon. Borrego Springs is also an official International Dark Sky Community, making it ideal for stargazing. There is simply nothing more beautiful than looking at the twinkling stars in a dusky desert landscape.
Julian
Julian is a tourist town, so it can get crowded at certain times of the year, especially when nearby big cities like San Diego are also crowded. But, most of the time, especially during weekdays, Julian lies hidden away in the Cuyamaca Mountains. The town is just forty minutes away from Borrego Springs, so you might be able to visit both during a long weekend break. When you get to Julian, you can immediately hike the trail in Inaja Memorial Park to enjoy panoramic views of the landscape. The trail is only half a mile and loops, so it is great for beginners. If you want something a bit more challenging, you can hike some of the trails in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve.
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Julian is visiting the California Wolf Center. This sanctuary was established to protect wolves and offers tours that bring you up close to these gorgeous animals. Downtown Julian is an experience on its own, especially if you stroll down Main Street in search of apple pies. Known as the “Apple Capital of Southern California’, you will find these pies just about everywhere, including at the Julian Café and Bakery.
Lone Pine
The unique town of Lone Pine is located in the Owens Valley in Inyo County in the Eastern Sierra region of SoCal. It is situated at an elevation of around 3,700 feet in the northernmost edge of the Mojave Desert. It is also a gateway to the Alabama Hills, which lie on BLM public lands. There are several massive, eroded, arched rocks here that formed long ago from ancient magma. You can take the Mobius Arch Trail here to go around the Mobius Arch. Lone Pine is also the place where you can hit the road to Whitney Peak. The peak is the highest point in the Continental U.S. and rises for 13 miles.
If you prefer to stay in town and explore, stop by the Museum of Western Film History, which features exhibits on western film culture. Many other films and shows have been shot in the Alabama Hills over the years, including blockbusters like Man of Steel and Iron Man. And, if you are a history enthusiast, head to the Manzanar National Historic Site to learn more about how the attack on Pearl Harbor affected the area.
Avalon
You might not think that a small town on a stunning island can be overlooked, but this is the case with the only incorporated town on Santa Catalina Island, called Avalon. Its somewhat isolated location on the island means that not everyone wants to detour there. However, it is one of those bucket-list experiences that serious travelers should tick off their travel lists. For instance, you can go on a glass-bottom boat tour to see the sea life in the crystal clear water of the Gulf of Santa Catalina. After your boat trip, you can walk the pier boardwalk, known as Green Pleasure Pier, buy some snacks, and enjoy the view over the water.
If you happen to visit on a rainy day, you can explore the Catalina Museum for Art and History or watch a movie at the Avalon Theater. And, for a glitzy adventure, you can stop by the Catalina Island Casino, an Art Deco building that stands twelve stories tall and offers views across the sea. The ballroom inside the building is the largest circular room in the world that does not need supporting pillars. It also holds a local record for the largest number of dancers ever in the casino, a staggering 6,200 people all dancing to Kay Kyser at the same time on May 8, 1940.
Have A Big Travel Experience In Small Town SoCal
SoCal is simply filled with small, underrated towns that deliver big when it comes to memorable travel experiences. Mountain towns, desert getaways, and coastal destinations alike, like Ojai, Solvang, Cambria, and Borrego Springs, all offer their own kind of charm and a variety of things to see and do. These include anything from quiet beaches, great museums, desert canyons, and forested mountain trails. If you are long overdue for a break and do not want 2026 to go by without hitting the road, consider these overlooked towns as your ultimate bucket-list destinations.
