Trips & Routes

Trips & Routes

The 7 Best Outdoorsy Towns to Explore in California

Check out the most outdoorsy towns in California, from hiking and surfing destinations to charming communities surrounded by natural beauty.

by Courtnie Erickson
on Jun 11
A couple runs across a sandy beach toward the ocean while holding surfboards in California.
Trips & Routes

One of Southern California’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

by Courtnie Erickson
on May 29
Looking toward a unique art display with a statue of legs sticking out of a barrel at an outdoor art museum in Joshua Tree, California.
Trips & Routes

One of Northern California’s Quirkiest Towns Is Still Flying Under the Radar

by Charlie Boyle
on May 7
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com//trip-ideas/texas/quirkiest-town-flying-under-radar-tx
Trips & Routes

This Little-Known Waterfront Town Is One of the Most Charming in Northern California

by Courtnie Erickson
on Apr 30
An aerial view of Tiburon, California, and the San Francisco Bay area on a cloudy day.
Trips & Routes

This Little-Known Waterfront Town Is One of the Most Charming in Southern California

by Megan Todaro
on Apr 28
A peaceful view of Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, California, showing several white sailboats and yachts docked in the calm blue water.

Latest Trips & Routes

Trips & Routes

6 Places in Southern California That Feel Like a Caribbean Paradise in the Summer

From the turquoise coves of Laguna Beach to the crystal-clear harbor of Santa Catalina Island, these Southern California destinations, plus nearby escapes like Lake Havasu, deliver bright blue water, sunny skies, and laid-back energy that feel surprisingly close to a Caribbean getaway.

by Kate Orlando
on Mar 28
A distant sailboat in calm blue water on a sunny summer afternoon. A SoCal city is visible in the background.
Trips & Routes

Why Travelers Are Falling for This Small Historic Town in Southern California

Discover why travelers are falling for Pioneertown, California—a historic desert town with Old West charm, unique shops, live music, and stunning Mojave scenery.

by Kate Orlando
on Mar 22
A sign welcomes visitors to historic Pioneertown in Southern California.
Trips & Routes

Why Travelers Are Falling for This Small Historic Town in Northern California

Jamestown is a small historic town in Northern California where Gold Rush history is alive and well.

by Katie Lawrence
on Mar 18
The historic National Hotel along Main Street in Jamestown, California, with balcony and American flags.
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

Locals Hope This Small Beach Town in Northern California Stays off Tourists’ Radar

Locals adore Davenport, a tiny Northern California coastal town with stunning ocean views, scenic beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere.

by Charlie Boyle
on Mar 14
A dark turquoise ocean meets tall, sandy cliffs with hills of greenery and a long highway beyond.
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

Hidden Beach Town in Southern California You Need to Visit

Avila Beach is a hidden beach town in Southern California where sandy shores, historic piers, and relaxing hot springs create the perfect coastal escape.

by Katie Lawrence
on Jun 16
Turquoise waves roll toward Harford Pier in Avila Beach, California, with surfers nearby.
Trips & Routes

The 7 Most Colorful Places You Can Find in Southern California

From rainbow ranunculus fields to the neon glow of the Santa Monica Pier, Southern California bursts with vivid coastal color, wildflower-covered hills, and sunset-drenched landscapes that feel almost surreal in every season.

by Kate Orlando
on Feb 21
Colorful wildflower blooms at Diamond Valley Lake in Riverside County, one of the best places to see California wildflowers.
Trips & Routes

The 4 Most Colorful Places You Can Find in Northern California

Whether you’re chasing wildflower superblooms or otherworldly volcanic landscapes, these destinations deliver bold, unforgettable scenery.

by Katie Lawrence
on Feb 20
Swirling red, gray, and cream hills color the Painted Dunes in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Trips & Routes
Road Trips

Driving Home: Experiencing The Route 66 Centennial in Southern California

The Southern California stretch of Route 66 pairs desert scenery, historic city streets, and coastal landmarks, brought to life through the curated stops and stories of the Drive Home Event.

by Kate Orlando
on Feb 5
End of Route 66 at Santa Monica Pier.
byThe Route 66 Centennial

The Ultimate Guide to Route 66: California

From Santa Monica to the Arizona border, Route 66 in California delivers classic diners, desert drives, and iconic American road trip history.

by Courtnie Erickson
on Jan 27
A brown Historic Route 66 road sign with palm trees in the background.
Trips & Routes

I Don’t Ski, but the Snow Tubing in Southern California Is Incredible

From the snowy slopes of Big Bear to the San Bernardino Mountains, Southern California’s snow tubing parks deliver pure winter fun with groomed lanes, mountain views, and zero skiing required.

by Kate Orlando
on Jan 19
A woman in a red winter coat sits in a snow tube, looking down a hill covered in groomed snow tubing lanes.
Trips & Routes

I Don’t Ski, but the Snow Tubing in Northern California Is Incredible

With the highest amount of snowfall in the Tahoe Basin, Adventure Mountain Lake Tahoe offers the best snow tubing in Northern California. Soar down the powdery slopes for a winter adventure the whole family can enjoy.

by Katie Lawrence
on Jan 5
Two women laugh as they ride side-by-side on blue inflatable tubes down a groomed snow tubing track under a clear winter sky.
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

Discover the Americana Town in Northern California So Charming You’ll Want to Keep It a Secret

This small town in Northern California is peak coastal Americana.

by Charlie Boyle
on Nov 4
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Trips & Routes
Small Towns

This Southern California Coastal Town Feels Like Sayulita, Mexico, and It’s Pure Bliss

Discover this laid-back coastal town with colorful murals, craft breweries, vineyards, and bohemian charm that rivals Sayulita, Mexico.

by Kate Orlando
on Oct 24
Teens skipping in Lompoc, CA
Trips & Routes

This Northern California Town Feels Like Épernay in the Fall and It’s Pure Slow Luxury

This Napa Valley town boasts golden vineyards, Michelin-star dining, and slow luxury that rivals the charm of Épernay, France.

by Kate Orlando
on Oct 17
Sunset over a Napa Valley vineyard.
Trips & Routes
Small Towns

This Small Town in Northern California Feels Like It’s Straight Out of ‘Twilight’

Are you a "Twilight" fan? This small town in Northern California feels eerily like Forks.

by Charlie Boyle
on Apr 3
A paved path curves through a forest of thick redwood trees.