Southern California has no shortage of fun, unique, and interesting things to see and do, but some of our favorites are places you may not even know exist. So, this year, why not think off the beaten path and make it a goal to visit these hidden gems in Southern California?
- January: Painted Cave - Santa Barbara, CA
Tom Llewellyn/Google Local The Painted Cave is a small but fascinating piece of Chumash history found just off Highway 154 in Santa Barbara. The rock art is thought to date back as far as 1600 years ago. Chumash Highway, CA-154, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- February: Bart’s books - Ojai, CA
Bryce Schaefer/Google Local Tucked away among the residential streets of charming Ojai, California, is the very unique Bart’s Books, a mostly-outdoor book store with a warm, inviting vibe. Browse the open-air bookshelf-lined nooks, the vintage art book room, and the kitchen full of cookbooks and food-related materials, or sit and read in the quaint little courtyard. 302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, USA
- March: Bennett’s Honey Farm - Fillmore, CA
Tim McCoy/Google Local At Bennett’s Honey Farm, you can sample a variety of honeys. Learn about the farm’s process of producing raw, unfiltered, gravity-strained honey and see live bees in action in the shop’s working hive. 3176 Honey Ln, Fillmore, CA 93015, USA
- April: The Japanese Garden - Van Nuys, CA
PANDORA & PROMETTO/GOOGLE LOCAL The very epitome of a hidden gem, the authentic Japanese Garden is actually on the site of a water reclamation plant in the suburban San Fernando Valley. This oasis is a series of three distinct gardens designed to stroll through - a Zen meditation garden featuring Tortoise Island, a “wet” garden with waterfalls and streams, and a tea garden complete with an authentic teahouse. 6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA
- May: Seaside Gardens - Carpinteria, CA
Seaside Gardens Stroll through the varied landscapes, such as the Australian, Tropical, South African, Mediterranean, Grassland, and other gardens at Seaside Gardens. Meandering paths, benches, ponds, and fountains add to the relaxing environment. 3700 Via Real #3050, Carpinteria, CA 93013, USA
- June: King Richard’s Antique Vintage Center - Whittier, CA
Wong Jane/Google Local King Richard’s is California’s largest antique and vintage center boasting 57,000 square feet of shopping area inside a historic 1903 citrus packing house. With four floors and 302 dealer spaces, you might need the whole day to explore this one-of-a-kind shop. 12301 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90602, USA
- July: The Oasis Camel Dairy Farm - Ramona, CA
Zachary Chapin/Google Local The Oasis Camel Dairy is located in San Diego County and is a truly unique attraction. At this family farm, you can meet the camels - even ride one - and discover all sorts of camel milk products, including soaps, bath bombs, skin care, lip balms and tints, and camel milk chocolate. 26757 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
- August: Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave - La Jolla, CA
Maria Healey/Google Local Step inside The Cave Store in La Jolla to find the only one of the area’s sea caves that can be accessed by land. You will reach the opening of Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave by descending 145 stairs through an old tunnel believed to have been used by bootleggers to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition. 1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- September: Getty Villa - Pacific Palisades, CA
Getty Villa Museum In the hills above the Malibu coastline, you will find a stunning recreated Roman mansion known as the Getty Villa Museum. Enjoy ancient Greek and Roman art, serene gardens, classical sculptures, striking architecture, and the gorgeous central courtyard with its grand columns, long reflecting pool, panoramic views, and ocean breezes. 17985 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA
- October: Pioneertown - Joshua Tree, CA
Visit Pioneertown If you have always wanted to experience the Old West of the 1800s, or to be in a Western movie, take a little trip to Pioneertown, a real living desert town that is also a perfectly picturesque movie set. Belly up to the bar at the saloon, visit the tiny town jail, or spend some time in the film museum. You can even spend the night at the Pioneertown Motel. Pioneertown, CA, USA
- November: Oak Tree Mountain - Oak Glen, CA
Dino Chen/Google Local Oak Tree Mountain is a good old-fashioned theme park in the tiny mountain town of Oak Glen, known for its colorful fall foliage and apple country. This 14-acre theme park and family-owned farm is a fantastic place for families to take a step back to a slower time and enjoy a day of fun activities like a petting zoo, mountain slide, axe throwing, gold and gem panning, and giant games. Be sure to try the mile-high apple pie at Apple Annie’s Bakery. 38480 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
- December: Enchanted Forest of Light - La Canada Flintridge, CA
Natasha Kayes For a limited time each winter, the already beautiful Descanso Gardens is transformed into an immersive wonderland of light and color. The Enchanted Forest of Light features mesmerizing displays of light, movement, and music. 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, USA
We think every one of these hidden gems in Southern California is worth a visit. Have you had the chance to visit any of them? Do you know of any other well-kept secrets in SoCal? Tell us about them in the comments. You may also want to check out these 12 charming small towns to visit.
Tom Llewellyn/Google Local
The Painted Cave is a small but fascinating piece of Chumash history found just off Highway 154 in Santa Barbara. The rock art is thought to date back as far as 1600 years ago.
Chumash Highway, CA-154, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Bryce Schaefer/Google Local
Tucked away among the residential streets of charming Ojai, California, is the very unique Bart’s Books, a mostly-outdoor book store with a warm, inviting vibe. Browse the open-air bookshelf-lined nooks, the vintage art book room, and the kitchen full of cookbooks and food-related materials, or sit and read in the quaint little courtyard.
302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Tim McCoy/Google Local
At Bennett’s Honey Farm, you can sample a variety of honeys. Learn about the farm’s process of producing raw, unfiltered, gravity-strained honey and see live bees in action in the shop’s working hive.
3176 Honey Ln, Fillmore, CA 93015, USA
PANDORA & PROMETTO/GOOGLE LOCAL
The very epitome of a hidden gem, the authentic Japanese Garden is actually on the site of a water reclamation plant in the suburban San Fernando Valley. This oasis is a series of three distinct gardens designed to stroll through - a Zen meditation garden featuring Tortoise Island, a “wet” garden with waterfalls and streams, and a tea garden complete with an authentic teahouse.
6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA
Seaside Gardens
Stroll through the varied landscapes, such as the Australian, Tropical, South African, Mediterranean, Grassland, and other gardens at Seaside Gardens. Meandering paths, benches, ponds, and fountains add to the relaxing environment.
3700 Via Real #3050, Carpinteria, CA 93013, USA
Wong Jane/Google Local
King Richard’s is California’s largest antique and vintage center boasting 57,000 square feet of shopping area inside a historic 1903 citrus packing house. With four floors and 302 dealer spaces, you might need the whole day to explore this one-of-a-kind shop.
12301 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90602, USA
Zachary Chapin/Google Local
The Oasis Camel Dairy is located in San Diego County and is a truly unique attraction. At this family farm, you can meet the camels - even ride one - and discover all sorts of camel milk products, including soaps, bath bombs, skin care, lip balms and tints, and camel milk chocolate.
26757 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
Maria Healey/Google Local
Step inside The Cave Store in La Jolla to find the only one of the area’s sea caves that can be accessed by land. You will reach the opening of Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave by descending 145 stairs through an old tunnel believed to have been used by bootleggers to smuggle alcohol during Prohibition.
1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Getty Villa Museum
In the hills above the Malibu coastline, you will find a stunning recreated Roman mansion known as the Getty Villa Museum. Enjoy ancient Greek and Roman art, serene gardens, classical sculptures, striking architecture, and the gorgeous central courtyard with its grand columns, long reflecting pool, panoramic views, and ocean breezes.
17985 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA
Visit Pioneertown
If you have always wanted to experience the Old West of the 1800s, or to be in a Western movie, take a little trip to Pioneertown, a real living desert town that is also a perfectly picturesque movie set. Belly up to the bar at the saloon, visit the tiny town jail, or spend some time in the film museum. You can even spend the night at the Pioneertown Motel.
Pioneertown, CA, USA
Dino Chen/Google Local
Oak Tree Mountain is a good old-fashioned theme park in the tiny mountain town of Oak Glen, known for its colorful fall foliage and apple country. This 14-acre theme park and family-owned farm is a fantastic place for families to take a step back to a slower time and enjoy a day of fun activities like a petting zoo, mountain slide, axe throwing, gold and gem panning, and giant games. Be sure to try the mile-high apple pie at Apple Annie’s Bakery.
38480 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
Natasha Kayes
For a limited time each winter, the already beautiful Descanso Gardens is transformed into an immersive wonderland of light and color. The Enchanted Forest of Light features mesmerizing displays of light, movement, and music.
1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, USA
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