12 Magnificent Hidden Gems To Discover In Southern California This Year
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Natasha Kayes
Author
Southern California has no shortage of fun, unique, and interesting things to see and do, but some of our favorites are hidden getaways in Southern California 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?
Chumash Highway, CA-154, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
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.
Get an in-depth look at Painted Cave:
Get an in-depth look at Painted Cave:
302 W Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Tucked away among the residential streets of charming Ojai, California, is the very unique Bart’s Books, a mostly outdoor bookstore 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.
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3176 Honey Ln, Fillmore, CA 93015, USA
At Bennett’s Honey Farm, you can sample a variety of types of honey. 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.
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6100 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406, USA
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.
Take a virtual stroll through this beautiful garden:
Take a virtual stroll through this beautiful garden:
3700 Via Real #3050, Carpinteria, CA 93013, USA
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.
12301 Whittier Blvd, Whittier, CA 90602, USA
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.
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26757 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065, USA
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, skincare products, lip balms and tints, and camel milk chocolate.
Get a closer look at this unique farm:
Get a closer look at this unique farm:
1325 Coast Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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.
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17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA
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.
Pioneertown, CA, USA
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.
38480 Oak Glen Rd, Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
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.
1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011, USA
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.
We think every one of these hidden gems in Southern California is worth a visit. Have you had the chance to get off the beaten path in Southern California to visit any of them? Do you know of any other well-kept secret spots in SoCal? Tell us about them in the comments. You may also want to take a road trip to check out these 12 charming small towns to visit.
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More to Explore
Nature’s Beauty in Southern California
What are the most incredible natural wonders in Southern California?
The most incredible natural wonders in Southern California include:
- La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. Thousands of plant and animal fossils have been found in this ancient tar pit.
- Arroyo Tapiado Carrizo Badlands Mud Caves. This is the largest cave system in America and is located in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
- The Trona Pinnacles. These rock spires look like something you might find on the surface of Mars.
- Joshua Tree National Park. This is one of the most famous natural wonders in the state and is known for its unique tree species.
Discover more about the most incredible natural wonders in Southern California.
What are some bucket list natural attractions in Southern California?
Bucket list natural attractions in Southern California include:
- Shaw's Cove at Laguna Beach. The rocky seashore here is full of tidepools filled with tiny ocean life and the views are gorgeous.
- Vasquez Rocks Natural Area. The 25-million-year-old rocks jut diagonally out of the Earth in this amazing place.
- Franklin Canyon Park in Beverly Hills. This is a quiet little spot where locals go to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Trail Canyon Falls in Tujunga Canyon. Take a 6-mile hike to some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state.
Learn more about bucket list natural attractions in Southern California.
What are some natural wonders in Southern California that are free to visit?
Natural wonders in Southern California that are free to visit include:
- Amboy Crater. This is a volcanic cinder crater that rises 250 feet above the surrounding Mojave Desert.
- Thousand Steps Beach Cave in Laguna Beach. There are only 223 steps, however, visiting this place when the tide is low is a mesmerizing experience.
- Kelso Dunes. This vast expanse of sand dunes resembles the Sahara Desert and when the Sands shift they create a deep, booming sound.
- Bioluminescent Waves. During late summer and early fall, algae create an eerie glow at beaches in L.A., Orange County, and San Diego County.
Find out more about natural wonders in Southern California that are free to visit.