Turns out everyone in Southern California absolutely LOVES visiting the charming small towns located right here in our beautiful state. In our original list of 10 Charming Small Towns in SoCal we were blown away by all of the enthusiasm that was expressed for the gems we featured, so we thought we’d share a few more to add to your list. So here they are – 10 MORE charming small towns in Southern California that are worthy of a weekend visit. We’re covering the best small towns in SoCal, so you’ll want to read on through and see if your favorite spot made the list! Think we missed someplace beautiful? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
- Big Bear Lake
Wikimedia Commons Big Bear Lake is the perfect all-season getaway in the San Bernardino Mountains. Who can resist a small town with snow on the rooftops in the wintertime? Not me! It’s no surprise that this holiday getaway is considered one of the best small towns in SoCal. It’s a true dream!
- Ventura
flickr/Allan Bromberg Otherwise known as San Buenaventura, this charming town is a popular surfing destination that is always tops on everyone’s list. It’s one of the top places to visit in SoCal, especially for those who love beachfront water sports.
- San Clemente
flickr/Loco Steve Looking for one of the best places to live in SoCal? San Clemente is the answer! Trains along the shore…not something you see very often. But here in this small town it adds a touch of charm.
- Seal Beach
Yelp/Tomkat R. Feel the sand in your toes at this small-town beach community in Orange County with a 1.5 mile stretch of beach that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll.
- Carpinteria
Yelp/Ana M. You can expect to see a street parade or two at this quaint coastal community that might just remind you of a SoCal version of Mayberry. We’re sure that the addition of parades and local community make it one of the best small towns in SoCal.
- Redlands
flickr/Don Graham The annual Redlands Firefighter’s Car Show held in downtown Redlands keeps the small town charm alive.
- Green Valley Lake
Yelp/Shawn S. You know you’re in a small town when you bump into this darling General Store. With a population of 300 full-time residents, this town is the smallest of the small towns on the list. Green Valley Lake is perhaps one of the most charming towns in SoCal as well!
- Wrightwood
flickr/Rennett Stowe Wrightwood is the only small town on this list without a traffic light. It’s the kind of place you go to get away from it all. A destination for skiing in the winter and a scenic spot for hiking in the summer.
- Oak Glen
flickr/Don Graham A perfect destination where you can visit charming local farms and pick fresh apples at one of the many orchards you will find here. There’s no better place to live than a small town on the edge of a grand and great city.
- Claremont
flickr/Kent Kanouse Strolling through Claremont Village will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It remains one of the best small towns in SoCal for its restaurants, architecture, eductional opportunities, and community-first mentality.
Have you had the chance to visit some of the best small towns in SoCal? If there are other spots that you think we missed, let us know where they are as we always love an excuse to go do some small-town scouting.
Wikimedia Commons
Big Bear Lake is the perfect all-season getaway in the San Bernardino Mountains. Who can resist a small town with snow on the rooftops in the wintertime? Not me! It’s no surprise that this holiday getaway is considered one of the best small towns in SoCal. It’s a true dream!
flickr/Allan Bromberg
Otherwise known as San Buenaventura, this charming town is a popular surfing destination that is always tops on everyone’s list. It’s one of the top places to visit in SoCal, especially for those who love beachfront water sports.
flickr/Loco Steve
Looking for one of the best places to live in SoCal? San Clemente is the answer! Trains along the shore…not something you see very often. But here in this small town it adds a touch of charm.
Yelp/Tomkat R.
Feel the sand in your toes at this small-town beach community in Orange County with a 1.5 mile stretch of beach that’s perfect for a leisurely stroll.
Yelp/Ana M.
You can expect to see a street parade or two at this quaint coastal community that might just remind you of a SoCal version of Mayberry. We’re sure that the addition of parades and local community make it one of the best small towns in SoCal.
flickr/Don Graham
The annual Redlands Firefighter’s Car Show held in downtown Redlands keeps the small town charm alive.
Yelp/Shawn S.
You know you’re in a small town when you bump into this darling General Store. With a population of 300 full-time residents, this town is the smallest of the small towns on the list. Green Valley Lake is perhaps one of the most charming towns in SoCal as well!
flickr/Rennett Stowe
Wrightwood is the only small town on this list without a traffic light. It’s the kind of place you go to get away from it all. A destination for skiing in the winter and a scenic spot for hiking in the summer.
A perfect destination where you can visit charming local farms and pick fresh apples at one of the many orchards you will find here. There’s no better place to live than a small town on the edge of a grand and great city.
flickr/Kent Kanouse
Strolling through Claremont Village will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. It remains one of the best small towns in SoCal for its restaurants, architecture, eductional opportunities, and community-first mentality.
If you’re looking for more fun ways to experience the beauty of Southern California, then check out these 10 incredible hikes under 5 miles!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Big Bear Lake, CA, USAAddress: Ventura, CA, USAAddress: San Clemente, CA, USAAddress: Seal Beach, CA, USAAddress: Carpinteria, CA, USAAddress: Redlands, CA, USAAddress: Green Valley Lake, CA 92341, USAAddress: Wrightwood, CA, USAAddress: Oak Glen, CA 92399, USAAddress: Claremont, CA, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best small towns in SoCal June 05, 2020 Meghan Kraft Where is the best place to live in Southern California? Southern California remains one of the best regions to live in the world, both for its weather but it’s “cool factor.” Here you’ll find a burgeoning economy and all sorts of natural experiences in the surrounding areas. Choosing a place to live really depends on what you’re looking for. San Diego is considered one of the top spots to live in California, both for its proximity to the beach and the beauty of the surrounding hills. There are also plenty of job opportunities in the city and the towns surrounding this beachfront hot spot. Irvine, in the Inland Empire, is also highly sought after as one of the wealthiest and safest cities in Orange County. Manhattan Beach is also a top spot, though the tiny coastal city is wildly expensive. What is the safest place to live in Southern California? Orange County tends to top the list when it comes to safe places to live in Southern California, with Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Murrieta rounding out the list. According to FBI crime reporting data relayed in 2020, each of these cities had less than two serious violent crimes for every thousand people. What is the most unique town in Southern California? Pioneertown is located in southern California and once operated as an Old West movie set. It’s located near the famed Mount San Jacinto in the desert of SoCal. You can find this fascinating town, boasting 1880s architecture including stables, saloons, and jails. The famed Pioneertown Motel boasts an outdoor bar and firepits, and even the La Copine, a beautiful eatery that’s known for its delicious fare and hip décor. Mane Street will take you to art galleries and coffee shops, and you can take a trek just down the road to the beautiful Yucca Valley. The small town is highly popular as a stop for Coachella and Stagecoach attendees.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best small towns in SoCal
June 05, 2020
Meghan Kraft
Where is the best place to live in Southern California? Southern California remains one of the best regions to live in the world, both for its weather but it’s “cool factor.” Here you’ll find a burgeoning economy and all sorts of natural experiences in the surrounding areas. Choosing a place to live really depends on what you’re looking for. San Diego is considered one of the top spots to live in California, both for its proximity to the beach and the beauty of the surrounding hills. There are also plenty of job opportunities in the city and the towns surrounding this beachfront hot spot. Irvine, in the Inland Empire, is also highly sought after as one of the wealthiest and safest cities in Orange County. Manhattan Beach is also a top spot, though the tiny coastal city is wildly expensive. What is the safest place to live in Southern California? Orange County tends to top the list when it comes to safe places to live in Southern California, with Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Murrieta rounding out the list. According to FBI crime reporting data relayed in 2020, each of these cities had less than two serious violent crimes for every thousand people. What is the most unique town in Southern California? Pioneertown is located in southern California and once operated as an Old West movie set. It’s located near the famed Mount San Jacinto in the desert of SoCal. You can find this fascinating town, boasting 1880s architecture including stables, saloons, and jails. The famed Pioneertown Motel boasts an outdoor bar and firepits, and even the La Copine, a beautiful eatery that’s known for its delicious fare and hip décor. Mane Street will take you to art galleries and coffee shops, and you can take a trek just down the road to the beautiful Yucca Valley. The small town is highly popular as a stop for Coachella and Stagecoach attendees.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Southern California remains one of the best regions to live in the world, both for its weather but it’s “cool factor.” Here you’ll find a burgeoning economy and all sorts of natural experiences in the surrounding areas. Choosing a place to live really depends on what you’re looking for. San Diego is considered one of the top spots to live in California, both for its proximity to the beach and the beauty of the surrounding hills. There are also plenty of job opportunities in the city and the towns surrounding this beachfront hot spot. Irvine, in the Inland Empire, is also highly sought after as one of the wealthiest and safest cities in Orange County. Manhattan Beach is also a top spot, though the tiny coastal city is wildly expensive.
What is the safest place to live in Southern California?
Orange County tends to top the list when it comes to safe places to live in Southern California, with Irvine, Rancho Santa Margarita, and Murrieta rounding out the list. According to FBI crime reporting data relayed in 2020, each of these cities had less than two serious violent crimes for every thousand people.
What is the most unique town in Southern California?
Pioneertown is located in southern California and once operated as an Old West movie set. It’s located near the famed Mount San Jacinto in the desert of SoCal. You can find this fascinating town, boasting 1880s architecture including stables, saloons, and jails. The famed Pioneertown Motel boasts an outdoor bar and firepits, and even the La Copine, a beautiful eatery that’s known for its delicious fare and hip décor. Mane Street will take you to art galleries and coffee shops, and you can take a trek just down the road to the beautiful Yucca Valley. The small town is highly popular as a stop for Coachella and Stagecoach attendees.
