The One Southern California Town That's So Perfectly West Coast
Danielle Schwartz
Author
If you’re hoping for a quintessential Southern California experience, make your way to gorgeous Dana Point, a sweet beachside town with an elegant charm. About an hour’s drive north of San Diego, Dana Point, California will make you feel like you’ve entered the version of our region that you’ve seen in the movies. This classic west coast town will make all your beachy dreams come true. Come along as we explore what is one of the most beautiful towns in Southern California.
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Whether you come for the beach, the hiking, or the seaside dining, there’s no better spot to get the classic SoCal experience than Dana Point. Have you gotten to visit yet? What’s your favorite thing to do here? There are lots of great things to do in Dana Point and once you visit, we’re sure you’ll agree that it is one of the many charming coastal towns in Southern California.
We’re not done yet! Take this road trip through Southern California’s most picturesque small towns for a charming experience.
If you’d like to stay a few nights in Dana Point, consider The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel.
If you’re still in the mood for more California adventures, take a look at this video about beautiful Big Sur:
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More to Explore
More to Love About Southern California
Where can we find other small towns in Southern California?
- Julian is surrounded by scenic beauty and has been designated as a California Historical Landmark.
- Forest Falls is an outdoor paradise and home to the tallest waterfall in Southern California.
- Crestline is a popular getaway featuring a beautiful lake and hiking trails.
Read on to learn more about some of the other wonderful small towns in Southern California.
Where can we find ghost towns in Southern California?
- B Calico – There were 500 mines and over 1,000 residents in its prime between 1883 and 1885 and was dubbed "California's Silver Rush Gold Town."
- allarat – Remotely located near Death Valley, in its heyday this 500-resident town had a school, a post office, a jail, and several saloons and hotels
- Darwin – Founded in 1877 and once to 3,000 people it eventually died out after a devastating fire in the mine in 1917.
Read on to learn more about some of the other ghost towns in Southern California.
Where can we find hiking trails in Southern California?
- The Mt. Woodson Trail, located in San Diego County, is a popular trail that people flock to for photos along its famous “Potato Chip Rock.”
- The Bronson Canyon Hiking Trail, located in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, features a hidden, aboveground cave.
- The Los Penasquitos Canyon Trail, located in San Diego, leads to a stunning hidden waterfall.
Read on to learn more about some of the other beautiful hiking trails in Southern California.