Updated Oct 20, 2022

Here Are The 9 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Southern California

Discover seven charming Christmas towns in Southern California that offer unique holiday experiences from sunny beaches to snowy retreats.

Updated Oct 20, 2022

Written by

Angela

State Pride|History

Published Sep 24, 2024

The Desert Community in Southern California That Has Long Become Abandoned

Desert Center was once a bustling town and rest stop thriving in the harsh Southern California desert.

Published Sep 24, 2024

Written by

Natasha Kayes

Driving through the remains of a lifeless ghost town is strange and almost surreal as we try to imagine the community and activity that once thrived among the now-silent streets and buildings. The stories behind these places surely add to the fascination we feel. One such locale in Southern California is the isolated town known as Desert Center, a hidden gem in the desolate Colorado Desert with a rich history.

If you love creepy content, Only In Your State’s Vacant series – which partners with talented photographer Johnny Joo – explores a dozen other fascinating abandoned places just waiting to be discovered.

Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.

alt — Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

This abandoned town lies right along Interstate 10, between Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Angeles. The humble beginnings of Desert Center take us back to the early 1900s and an intrepid man named Stephen A. Ragsdale, who came to be affectionately known as “Desert Steve.” Wanting to create a community here in the vast and wild desert - truly the middle of nowhere - Desert Steve and his family began a harrowing journey in 1915. Starting with an adobe-style cafe and a small store, they laid the groundwork for a desert settlement.

alt — Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

Soon, a well was drilled to provide the town with a consistent source of water, and a service station was built, turning Desert Center into a vital stopover for travelers through the Colorado Desert. These same facilities drew actual settlers as well, and the tiny community began to grow. This growth exploded and the economy boomed with the discovery of gold in the nearby mountains during the 1930s and 40s.

alt — Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

With the bustling activity and a promising future, residents of Desert Center were more ambitious than ever, planting agricultural fields right here in the harsh desert environment. Between that and the development of a new iron mining town, Eagle Mountain, nearby, population increased and even more development took place. There were new schools, medical facilities, recreation centers, and roads connecting to the town. Desert Center seemed to be a symbol of hope, resilience, innovation, and prosperity. But, sadly, it wouldn’t last.

alt — Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

In 1983, the Eagle Mountain Mine was closed, jobs disappeared, and people began to leave in search of new opportunities. It didn’t take long for silence to settle on the little town of Desert Center. Today, the town’s buildings that once welcomed weary travelers and hopeful settlers sit abandoned, frozen in time against the backdrop of the tranquil desert.

alt — Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

It’s as if everything closed for the night and the town disappeared before the sun came up the next day. The cafe - which reportedly stayed open 24 hours a day because the keys had been lost - did finally close once and for all. Chairs, tables, and even cups and coffee pots seem to wait silently for customers to return.

alt — Johnny Joo/Odd World Studio, Contributed Photo

A handful of residents and a lone post office are all that remains of a community that once thrived against all odds in this unforgiving landscape. Did you know about the town of Desert Center? Have you ever stopped to check it out on your way through the desert? Share your experience with us in the comments! The Southern California desert is actually home to several abandoned towns. Check another nearby ghost town with an interesting history - Bombay Beach.

Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. To discover more creepy and abandoned places, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.

Trip Ideas|Small Towns

Published Sep 13, 2024

Plan the Perfect Fall Getaway in the Small Southern California Town of Oak Glen

Book an Oak Glen getaway full of fall color and fun activities with your ideal home away from home.

Published Sep 13, 2024

Written by

Natasha Kayes

There are a few special places in Southern California where the fall season hits just right and envelopes you in coziness and color. One of those places is the little town of Oak Glen, known for its tranquil and picturesque farms and orchards. It makes for an idyllic fall getaway and I’ve discovered a gorgeous property where you can plan the perfect stay, whether it’s a romantic trip for two or a fall family reunion!

Less than 90 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, you can find yourself in the quiet of the country where Oak Glen goes all out for fall. The trees show off magnificent colors and the town offers tons of seasonal fun. Visit local orchards for apple picking, pumpkin patches, cider and wine tasting (you can even press your own cider!), apple cider donuts, and more. Toward the end of the season, you can even attend a historic apple butter festival.

There are beautiful trails to explore at Oak Glen Preserve, from easy to challenging. Or, for a fun change of pace, head to the 14-acre Oak Tree Mountain theme park to enjoy old-fashioned shops, pig races and pony rides, a petting zoo, a huge mountain tubing slide, and loads of food, candy, ice cream, and pie - like Apple Annie’s 5-pound Mile High Home-Made Apple Pie!

alt — Pine Cone Cottage in Oak Glen/Airbnb

After a long day of fall fun, settle into one of the beautiful Airbnb rentals at Oak Hollow, each offering plenty of space and privacy, comfy furnishings, and a great location right near the orchards and amusement park. No matter how many you’re bringing along for the weekend, you’ll find a perfect home away from home, starting with the cozy Pine Cone Cottage, with a queen bed, kitchenette, and fireplace, just right for two.

For up to four guests, the Hill View Apartment offers more space nestled among the trees. Like each of the homes at Oak Hollow, you’ll enjoy plenty of amenities for a comfortable stay and access to the scenic grounds including a huge oak tree with swings.

alt — Hill View Apartment in Oak Glen/Airbnb

The gorgeous Garden House has three bedrooms - including two queen beds and two single beds - to accommodate up to six, excellent for families visiting town. The wide porch has benches to sit and immerse yourself in the serene sights and sounds of nature - when you're not exploring the town, of course.

alt — The Garden House in Oak Glen/Airbnb

Last, but clearly not least, is the spacious Manor House which sleeps up to nine guests. This is country living at its finest with a large kitchen and living area, five bedrooms, and four bathrooms - plenty of room for a group to relax and enjoy themselves. If you are planning or attending an event and have an even larger group, you can choose to book the Oak Hollow Retreat which includes the Pine Cottage, Garden House, and Manor House!

alt — The Manor House in Oak Glen/Airbnb

With so many options and so much to do, there is hardly a reason not to plan a memorable getaway to Oak Glen this fall. So, what do you think? Will you be planning your escape to the country in one of these Oak Hollow Airbnbs as your home away from home? If you're looking for even more seasonal inspiration, we've got you covered - check out more awesome things to do in SoCal this fall.

All Stories

Stays

Hotels & Resorts

I Enjoyed a Perfect Coastal Retreat at This Mid-Century Hotel and San Diego’s Newest Restaurant

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Nature

Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

Explore One of Alaska’s Deepest, Cleanest Lakes Near Two National Parks

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Dine for Less Than $10 a Person at This Iconic Hot Dog Joint in South Carolina

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The Iconic Trail in Hawaii Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

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by Andrea Verschuyl

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Here Are The 9 Most Enchanting, Magical Christmas Towns In Southern California

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The Desert Community in Southern California That Has Long Become Abandoned

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Plan the Perfect Fall Getaway in the Small Southern California Town of Oak Glen

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All Stories

I Enjoyed a Perfect Coastal Retreat at This Mid-Century Hotel and San Diego’s Newest Restaurant

Explore One of Alaska’s Deepest, Cleanest Lakes Near Two National Parks

The Globally Important Bird Area in Virginia Where You Can See Hundreds of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

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