As one year ends and another begins, everyone seems to be looking ahead to new adventures – new things to do, places to discover, and people to meet. If a few little getaways to some charming towns in Southern California sound good to you, we have a list of some of the best, one for each month of the new year. Choose one or plan for them all. Either way, we think you will agree that these places are worth a visit.
- January - Lake Arrowhead, CA
GreatTraveltime/TripAdvisor Lake Arrowhead has been crowned “the Alps of Southern California” and offers a perfect mix of quiet solitude and fun activities. With a fresh layer of winter snow, the town is a delightful getaway, whether you want to relax and drink hot cocoa all day or hit the slopes for some snowboarding and skiing. Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA
- February - Avalon, CA
Natasha Kayes Avalon is another one those small-town destinations that is worth a visit any time of the year, with each month and season bringing a different experience. Just an hour by ferry and you arrive at your island getaway. While summer is good for water activities, the off-season enjoys mild temperatures, sunny days, and fewer tourists. The waterfront downtown area has lots of shops and cafes to check out. There are a variety of tours of the island available year-round, including a self-guided tour by rented golf cart. Driving along the rim of the rugged hills surrounding the town, and stopping along the way to admire the view, is an experience you won’t forget. Santa Catalina Island, California 90704, USA
- March - Ojai, CA
MoMaBi/Flickr Springtime is wonderful in this hidden gem of a town. Citrus groves scent the air in Ojai and inspire a variety of events, dishes, and activities. Hiking, cycling, and driving through the hills and trails in Ojai is particularly sensational with new growths of bright green grasses, mustard, and wildflowers, and the creeks and waterfalls are at their most full. Ojai, CA 93023, USA
- April - Carlsbad, CA
Carlos Campos/Google Local Although a little bigger than what is considered a small town, Carlsbad has a charming, laid-back environment. Known mostly for its beaches, this is an incredible place to come in the spring and see The Flower Fields. Wander through almost 50 acres of vibrantly-colored Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers in full bloom. The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
- May - San Juan Capistrano, CA
Jasperdo/Flickr San Juan Capistrano is not only a unique and interesting town to discover but is an important piece of California’s early history. We recommend visiting before the mid-summer heat and crowds so you can really enjoy exploring the ruins of the old Mission, stone church, and adobe buildings, as well as the pretty gardens. You can extend the history lesson with a meal at El Adobe de Captistrano, an iconic restaurant built in 1797. San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA
- June - Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA
Cobber99/Flickr Early summer brings the most enjoyable balance of warm - but not too warm - temps and moderate humidity to this sweet desert town. Since it is not yet the high season for tourists, it is a great time for exploring Idyllwild-Pine Cove, and nearby Fern Valley, at your own pace. The Idyllwild Nature Center is a perfect starting point with a natural history museum and plenty of nature and hiking trails. Picturesque Lake Fulmor is an idyllic setting for a summer picnic or canoe ride. Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA, USA
- La Jolla, CA
Matthew Micah Wright/The Image Bank via Getty Images Get ready for a dreamy summer getaway in La Jolla By The Sea, an oceanside village also lauded as “the jewel of San Diego.” Take a kayak tour of the spectacular sea caves, then stroll through the upscale shopping village and enjoy fine dining with an ocean view. This is Southern California living at its finest. La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
- August - Carpinteria
DavidMSchrader/iStock via Getty Images Plus In a season that floods SoCal beaches with sunbathers, families with children, and surfers, this quaint beach town just south of Santa Barbara manages to maintain its small-town feel. Aside from the lovely shore, Carpinteria has much to offer including beach camping, a seal preserve, unique boutiques, coffee shops, and botanical gardens.
- September - Coronado, CA
Photos By Clark/Flickr Coronado Island, just off the coast of San Diego, is a dream getaway with a long sandy beach that literally sparkles, stunning beach homes, quaint but diverse eateries, and the legendary Hotel Del Coronado. The end of summer means fewer crowds and lower prices, but warm beach-worthy weather. What could be a better combination for an iconic SoCal getaway?
- October - Oak Glen, CA
Don Graham/Flickr Oak Glen is one of the best places in Southern California to enjoy colorful fall foliage. This adorable town truly makes the most of the fall season with apple and pumpkin picking, a cider mill, and an old-fashioned theme park with incredible BBQ and activities for the whole family.
- November - Julian, CA
Pert Raivio/Flickr Another quintessential fall town is Julian, an old gold-rush era community with a warm, inviting vibe. Visit the Julian Pie Company to enjoy what many call the best pie in California, then have some old-fashioned family fun with the Julian Town Hall Scavenger Hunt. You can also step back in time with a tour of the old gold mine.
- December - Wrightwood
sabi0james/TripAdvisor Truthfully, with its close proximity to Los Angeles and its huge range of recreational activities, Wrightwood is an excellent small-town getaway any time of year. But it is particularly cool in winter as it is the most accessible white winter-land in Southern California. From skiing and tubing to cozy restaurants and shops, you can’t go wrong with a winter trip to this mountain town.
Whether you visit one, two, or all of these charming towns in Southern California this year, we think you will love them. So, are you ready to start planning your getaways? Which of these awesome little towns would you like to visit? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
GreatTraveltime/TripAdvisor
Lake Arrowhead has been crowned “the Alps of Southern California” and offers a perfect mix of quiet solitude and fun activities. With a fresh layer of winter snow, the town is a delightful getaway, whether you want to relax and drink hot cocoa all day or hit the slopes for some snowboarding and skiing.
Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA
Natasha Kayes
Avalon is another one those small-town destinations that is worth a visit any time of the year, with each month and season bringing a different experience. Just an hour by ferry and you arrive at your island getaway. While summer is good for water activities, the off-season enjoys mild temperatures, sunny days, and fewer tourists. The waterfront downtown area has lots of shops and cafes to check out. There are a variety of tours of the island available year-round, including a self-guided tour by rented golf cart. Driving along the rim of the rugged hills surrounding the town, and stopping along the way to admire the view, is an experience you won’t forget.
Santa Catalina Island, California 90704, USA
MoMaBi/Flickr
Springtime is wonderful in this hidden gem of a town. Citrus groves scent the air in Ojai and inspire a variety of events, dishes, and activities. Hiking, cycling, and driving through the hills and trails in Ojai is particularly sensational with new growths of bright green grasses, mustard, and wildflowers, and the creeks and waterfalls are at their most full.
Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Carlos Campos/Google Local
Although a little bigger than what is considered a small town, Carlsbad has a charming, laid-back environment. Known mostly for its beaches, this is an incredible place to come in the spring and see The Flower Fields. Wander through almost 50 acres of vibrantly-colored Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers in full bloom.
The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
San Juan Capistrano is not only a unique and interesting town to discover but is an important piece of California’s early history. We recommend visiting before the mid-summer heat and crowds so you can really enjoy exploring the ruins of the old Mission, stone church, and adobe buildings, as well as the pretty gardens. You can extend the history lesson with a meal at El Adobe de Captistrano, an iconic restaurant built in 1797.
San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA
Cobber99/Flickr
Early summer brings the most enjoyable balance of warm - but not too warm - temps and moderate humidity to this sweet desert town. Since it is not yet the high season for tourists, it is a great time for exploring Idyllwild-Pine Cove, and nearby Fern Valley, at your own pace. The Idyllwild Nature Center is a perfect starting point with a natural history museum and plenty of nature and hiking trails. Picturesque Lake Fulmor is an idyllic setting for a summer picnic or canoe ride.
Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA, USA
Matthew Micah Wright/The Image Bank via Getty Images
Get ready for a dreamy summer getaway in La Jolla By The Sea, an oceanside village also lauded as “the jewel of San Diego.” Take a kayak tour of the spectacular sea caves, then stroll through the upscale shopping village and enjoy fine dining with an ocean view. This is Southern California living at its finest.
La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA
DavidMSchrader/iStock via Getty Images Plus
In a season that floods SoCal beaches with sunbathers, families with children, and surfers, this quaint beach town just south of Santa Barbara manages to maintain its small-town feel. Aside from the lovely shore, Carpinteria has much to offer including beach camping, a seal preserve, unique boutiques, coffee shops, and botanical gardens.
Photos By Clark/Flickr
Coronado Island, just off the coast of San Diego, is a dream getaway with a long sandy beach that literally sparkles, stunning beach homes, quaint but diverse eateries, and the legendary Hotel Del Coronado. The end of summer means fewer crowds and lower prices, but warm beach-worthy weather. What could be a better combination for an iconic SoCal getaway?
Don Graham/Flickr
Oak Glen is one of the best places in Southern California to enjoy colorful fall foliage. This adorable town truly makes the most of the fall season with apple and pumpkin picking, a cider mill, and an old-fashioned theme park with incredible BBQ and activities for the whole family.
Pert Raivio/Flickr
Another quintessential fall town is Julian, an old gold-rush era community with a warm, inviting vibe. Visit the Julian Pie Company to enjoy what many call the best pie in California, then have some old-fashioned family fun with the Julian Town Hall Scavenger Hunt. You can also step back in time with a tour of the old gold mine.
sabi0james/TripAdvisor
Truthfully, with its close proximity to Los Angeles and its huge range of recreational activities, Wrightwood is an excellent small-town getaway any time of year. But it is particularly cool in winter as it is the most accessible white winter-land in Southern California. From skiing and tubing to cozy restaurants and shops, you can’t go wrong with a winter trip to this mountain town.
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