While Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego are the known tourism hot spots in California, they’re just that — known. Those who’ve lived in California know there there are dozens upon dozens of smaller spots that are perfect for a weekend getaway.
World Atlas assembled a list of the 11 “cutest” small towns around California that would make a great day trip or a quick stay for a weekend. Seven of those 11 were in Southern California. They include:
Avalon
One city that’s often forgotten about when it comes to Southern California tourism destinations is Avalon, located on the shore of Catalina Island in L.A. County. Sure, it’s only accessible by boat or aircraft but that journey is easily worth it.
Equipped with a varied assortment of shops and restaurants on the water front, you can enjoy a meal or lounge on the sand with a backdrop of Italian-inspired architecture and sailboats. What’s not to love?
Idyllwild
More of a mountain person than a beach goer? This is Southern California, after all, you can have it all here. One great option is Idyllwild, tucked in the San Jacinto mountains of Riverside County.
There’s hiking, rock climbing and plenty of food and drink to be had. Be careful for summertime trips, however, as it can get quite hot.
La Jolla
Want the San Diego charm without the San Diego crowds? There are lots of great options around the coast, but La Jolla may top that list.
Though technically a part of the city of San Diego, La Jolla is one of the most affluent towns in the U.S. and it’s easy to see why. You can walk the streets to find high-end shops, fancy and delicious restaurants and go take a look at the sea lions on the beautiful beaches. No wonder the sea lions want the shore all to themselves.
San Clemente
Noticing a trend? Yet another beach town made the cut on this list and San Clemente is more than worthy.
If an out-of-stater wants to experience real California surf culture, it’s hard to argue against San Clemente being the place to see. The pier is lively, the waves are big and the people are friendly. Surf culture stands out in this one.
Laguna Beach
A town famous for its impressive art collections, Laguna Beach has the aforementioned beaches alongside some of the Orange County prestige.
There are countless places to take a walk and look at the ocean and some cliffside restaurants to eat at. Laguna is a great spot for a Friday night date night.
Ventura
Similar to San Clemente, Ventura is a town that just feels like surf and skate culture. Known for its laid-back, relaxing attitude, Ventura has a famous pier with a tight main street and a downtown area that screams SoCal.
Culture oozes out of Ventura, and it’s a great spot for an out-of-towner to experience what can only be felt in Southern California.
Carpinteria
Though it could be considered along the central coast, Carpinteria is another great example of a town that shows of California’s diversity. Located in Santa Barbara County, Carpineria is along the shoreline but also has some nice greenery and hiking spots.
The self-proclaimed “World’s Safest Beach” is a fantastic candidate for a quick trip for those looking for a lesser-known gem in Southern California.
That’s all for the Southern California selections on this list. The other four “cutest small towns” in California according to World Atlas are:
- Mendocino
- Ferndale
- Santa Cruz
- Monterey