Everyone knows about Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs but what about all the cool little towns hiding in between?
We’re talking tiny places with epic hikes, gorgeous main streets, giant metal dragons, haunted hotels, and the best pie you’ve ever tasted.
Some are in the mountains, some are by the beach, and a few are way out in the desert, but they’ve all got something fun or totally unexpected going on.
If you’re tired of crowded spots and want to explore somewhere new, this list is packed with hidden gems that most people just drive right past.
You’re definitely gonna want to add a few of these to your weekend getaway list.
1. Los Alamos
Los Alamos is a tiny town along Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County, about an hour northwest of Santa Barbara.
It’s main street is packed with cool spots like Bob’s Well Bread Bakery and the cool wine bar Bodega Los Alamos.
It’s known for its Old West vibes, antique shops, and being a foodie stop with serious small-town charm—think 1800s-style buildings turned into wine tasting rooms, art galleries, and farm-to-table restaurants.
If you’re into unusual places with history, check out the 1880 Union Hotel (yep, it’s haunted!)
2. Ojai
About an hour and a half southeast of Los Alamos, Ojai is a chill little town tucked into a valley surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains.
It’s famous for its “pink moment” sunsets that light up the sky like cotton candy.
This spot is all about good vibes and creativity, with cool places like Bart’s Books (an outdoor bookstore!), the Ojai Art Center, and loads of indie shops and yoga studios.
If you’re into hiking, hit the 3.5-mile Shelf Road Trail for awesome valley views, then swing by the Ojai Olive Oil Company for free tastings in an actual working grove.
3. Fillmore
Keep heading east from Ojai and you’ll hit Fillmore, a small town in Ventura County that feels like it hit pause somewhere around 1955.
Main Street is packed with retro charm, from the 1914 city hall building to classic diners and soda fountains, and there’s also a railroad museum if you’re into train history.
You can also head to Bennett’s Honey Farm just outside town to taste raw, local honey straight from the source and snag some fun gifts like honey sticks.
On weekends, check out the local farmers market or grab a picnic and chill at Shiell Park, where there’s plenty of shade and space to stretch out.
4. Lytle Creek
Located in the San Gabriel Mountains about 30 minutes northwest of San Bernardino, Lytle Creek is where you go when you want fresh mountain air and zero city noise.
This spot’s a dream for hiking and waterfall-chasing, with trails like the 2-mile Bonita Falls Trail that leads to a 100-foot waterfall hidden in the canyon.
There’s no downtown scene here—just cabins, campgrounds, and epic picnic spots by the creek, so bring snacks, hiking shoes, and get ready to unplug.
5. Redlands
Next up, we have Redlands, a historic town in the Inland Empire that’s got major small-city charm with a bit of college town energy thrown in.
It’s packed with gorgeous old buildings like the 1898 A.K. Smiley Public Library, a calendar full of events at the Redlands Bowl (free summer concerts, anyone?), and tons of local coffee shops and breweries.
If you’re into citrus, don’t miss a drive down San Timoteo Canyon Road—this area used to be the heart of SoCal’s orange empire, and you can still smell it in the air.
6. Seal Beach
Seal Beach is a laid-back surf town in Orange County that feels like SoCal before it got super crowded.
The wooden pier here is one of the longest in California, stretching 1,835 feet into the Pacific so is perfect for a sunset stroll or some casual fishing.
Main Street is packed with mom-and-pop shops, ice cream spots, and cozy cafes, and if you’re into surfing, hit the waves at “Seal Beach Jetty,” a local favorite not far from the pier.
7. San Juan Capistrano
Just down the coast from Seal Beach, San Juan Capistrano is where California’s old-school mission history shows off.
The big draw here is Mission San Juan Capistrano, founded in 1776, with crumbling adobe walls, giant bell towers, and those famous cliff swallows that show up every spring.
Wander the Los Rios Historic District, which is California’s oldest neighborhood, to see cute cafes, tiny museums, and historic homes that look straight out of the 1800s.
8. Idyllwild-Pine Cove
Swap palm trees for pine trees and head up to Idyllwild-Pine Cove, a cozy mountain town in the San Jacinto Mountains that feels like a woodsy getaway without the fuss.
This place is big on hiking, with trails like the 5-mile Devil’s Slide Trail offering forest views, granite cliffs, and a solid leg workout with 1,700 feet of elevation gain.
After your hike, cruise through town for live music at Café Aroma, handmade gifts at local art shops, and maybe even a sighting of the town’s “mayor”—a golden retriever named Max.
9. La Quinta
Head into the desert, where La Quinta sits at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains with sunshine pretty much guaranteed as they get 348 days of sunshine each year.
It’s got a fancy side with world-class golf courses and resorts, but the real magic is in places like the La Quinta Cove, where you can hike the 6.6-mile Cove to Lake Trail through desert canyons with mountain views that’ll make your jaw drop.
The Old Town area is full of Spanish-style buildings, cute boutiques, and outdoor patios perfect for sipping iced coffee while pretending you’re not low-key melting in the heat.
10. Borrego Springs
Next up is Borrego Springs, a tiny desert town completely surrounded by the massive 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
This place is famous for its giant metal sculptures scattered across the sand, including a 350-foot-long serpent, dinosaurs, and a scorpion taller than your car.
If you’re here in spring, don’t miss the wildflower super bloom, and after sunset, look up as Borrego Springs is a certified Dark Sky Community, so the stargazing is absolutely next level.
11. Julian
After soaking up the desert sun, head up into the hills to Julian, a gold rush-era town in the Cuyamaca Mountains that’s all about apples, pie, and old-timey charm.
Main Street looks straight out of the 1800s, with wooden storefronts, horse-drawn carriages, and shops selling everything from homemade fudge to antiques.
Grab a slice of warm apple pie at Mom’s Pie House and then take a hike up Volcan Mountain Trail for panoramic views of the entire valley below.
12. Imperial Beach
Imperial Beach is SoCal’s southernmost beach town, sitting just five miles from the Mexico border with a super chill, no-frills vibe.
The star here is the wide, sandy beach and the 1,491-foot Imperial Beach Pier, where you can fish, watch surfers, or catch a stunning sunset with a taco in hand.
Keep an eye out for public art all over town, like surfboard benches and colorful murals, and don’t miss the Tijuana Estuary for easy walking trails and tons of birdwatching.
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