Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and head to a small town where life moves at a slower and more relaxed pace. These 10 slow-paced small towns in Southern California offer just that and so much more. Whether you need a weekend getaway or you’re looking for a special SoCal spot to settle long-term, these small towns will make you feel right at home.

Make a list, a bucket list perhaps, and make it a point to visit some of the most unique towns in Southern California. You may find yourself surprised and just how much beauty this expansive and beautiful region has to offer. We’ve made a list of 10 getaway spots in Southern California, some for the outdoorsy folk hiding in us all, others for those looking to simply breathe deep and get out of the city. How many of these slow-paced smalls towns in Southern California have you visited?

Make sure you leave your own tips and tricks for a great visit in the comments below! We’re always looking to learn from other locals.

1. Oak Glen
flickr/don graham
This scenic small town with only 700 residents will make you feel like you've entered a different place and time. Known for its long country roads, acres of apple orchards, and friendly and familiar faces, Oak Glen is the kind of town you will want to return to again and again.
2. Big Bear Lake
flickr/thomas greve
For many people, Big Bear Lake is a summer or fall escape to retreat in a town where traffic and long commutes are non-existent and fresh mountain air and relaxing days are the norm. But for the many 6,000 + residents who live here year-round, it's this easygoing lifestyle that they are lucky enough to call home every day of the year.
3. South Pasadena
flickr/unofficial south pasadena
With a little over 30,000 residents, you may not think of South Pasadena as your typical small town. But in a place where block parties, street parades, and water balloon tosses are still commonplace activities, it's easy to see that it's the small-town spirit of this city that gives this community so much of its charm.
4. Ojai
yelp/david d.
This quaint city in Ventura County is a precious place to visit, but it's even more precious to those who have the honor of calling this small town home. Whether you're stopping by the local coffee shop or stocking up on fresh produce at the weekly farmers market, you can count on seeing a familiar face in this small town as you go about your day.
5. Fallbrook
tripadvisor/dcjadep2r
The town of Fallbrook has become a favorite weekend escape for residents of San Diego County looking for a change of scenery in one of the sweetest slow-paced small towns in Southern California. It's no wonder people are drawn to this small town for a peaceful getaway, as Fallbrook offers storybook charm and a leisurely pace that instantly puts you in a vacation state of mind.

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6. Solvang
flickr/prayitno
Located in Santa Barbara County, Solvang offers a slice of Denmark here in Southern California. Charming restaurants and shops line the village; people stroll through town at a much slower pace than what you find in the city. Some folks may say this is more Central CA, but here in our neck of the woods, we claim Solvang as part of the SoCal family.
7. Wrightwood
flickr/rennett stowe
It's hard not to fall in love with the town of Wrightwood. From its charming main street to its climate that experiences all four seasons (which is rare here in SoCal) to its local shops and restaurants, Wrightwood will steal your heart no matter what time of year you visit. It's a special hideaway where the pace is a lot slower and the need to rush instantly vanishes.
8. Julian
facebook/julian chamber of commerce
This old-fashioned town in San Diego County could be right out of another century. People flock to Julian for a slice of apple pie and a taste of country life. It's a great place to stroll, window shop or go on a woodsy hike. For the folks who live here year-round, they claim it's the fresh mountain air that keeps everyone smiling.
9. Idyllwild
wikimedia commons
It's no surprise that Idyllwild has been named "LA's Best Mountain Getaway" and "100 Best Art Towns in America." It's a peaceful drive from the city where you can clear your head and spend some much-needed rest and relaxation time.
10. Lake Arrowhead
flickr/rex gray
Lake Arrowhead is a scenic mountain town in the San Bernardino Mountains that is an annual destination for many SoCal residents. The serene lake, abundant wildlife, and stunning mountain setting makes this the ideal spot to spend some time in a community where nature will completely relax you.

Ready to start planning your weekend away to one of these little gems? Or perhaps you have your own favorite small town that’s not on this list. If you don’t mind sharing your favorite small-town getaways, we’d sure love to know so please share in the comments.

If you’re looking for more ways to experience the beauty of SoCal, might we recommend the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden? It’s truly a miracle of human engineering in the wild!

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More to Explore

slow-paced small towns in Southern California

Meghan Kraft | November 20, 2020

What is the scenic town in Southern California?

California is rife with natural beauty, but you don’t want to sleep on its stunning small towns either. With coastal views, darling main streets, and outdoor adventures at their front door, small-town California has a lot to offer the common traveler. Perhaps one of the most famed small towns is the upper crust Ojai, tucked away in the Topatopa Mountains. The mountain views are gorgeous, and outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and rock climbing make a repeat visit a must. We’d recommend checking out the Ojai Village as well, especially for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

What are the best beaches in Southern California?

Southern California is truly known for its beaches, the miles of coastline that stretches from one end of the region to the next. Some of the best beaches in Southern California include the famed El Matador Beach in Malibu, most commonly used for movie and photoshoots, and the Santa Monica Beach with its ever-famous pier. Zuma Beach can be found right next to Point Dume, a great surfing spot, and Coronado Beach in the San Diego area is perfect for families and young folks alike.

What are the best waterfall hikes in Southern California?

If you’re game for a good hike, then there’s a whole heap of Southern California waterfalls that you need to visit. From epic hikes into the mountains to low-key beachfront falls, there’s nothing like the region’s beautiful natural wonders. Escondido Falls is a 150-foot waterfall that’s dusted in moss and accessible way of a 3.8-mile roundtrip hike. Head to Hermit Falls for a shorter hike at 2.6 miles, and though the waterfall is smaller you’ll find that the area is less crowded. La Jolla Canyon Falls is deep in the heart of Malibu, accessible by car and a short hike into the Santa Monica Mountains.

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Featured Addresses
Oak Glen, CA 92399, USA
Big Bear Lake, CA, USA
South Pasadena, CA 91030, USA
Ojai, CA 93023, USA
Fallbrook, CA 92028, USA
Solvang, CA 93463, USA
Wrightwood, CA, USA
Julian, CA 92036, USA
Idyllwild, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549, USA
Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA