It’s utterly appropriate to long for weekend getaways to coastal cities and towns in Southern California. Places that allure with their sandy beaches, hipster culture, and flavorsome food. But the question is, which cities in Southern California deserve your utmost attention.
Last updated: November 6, 2024
12 Cities You Should Visit in Southern California
Southern California is the American dream destination. It’s the area where the famous beach culture intermixes with an easy-going and posh-city lifestyle. From the resort-like feel of Laguna Beach to the laid-back culture of Los Angeles, Southern California boasts some of the most interesting coastal cities and towns in the country. Drive an hour or two to the east, and hot desert weather forces you to embrace the famed pool lifestyle of Palm Springs.
Even the food celebrates the all and everything inclusive city culture of Southern California. Acai bowls, fresh juices and smoothies, avocado toasts, cobb salads, and mouthwatering Mexican dishes – these are just a few staples you can alway count on in the southern region of the Golden State.
Add to this list some of the world-famous museums and coolest vintage shops, and you’ll start asking yourself why you haven’t visited any of the quintessential cities in Southern California before.
THE TOP-RATED CITIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
1. Los Angeles
Los Angeles is an unofficial capital of the Golden State. The largest city in California, it’s world-famous for its multifaceted culture, top entertainment, and the best shops. From the bustling Hollywood to top-notch boutiques on Rodeo Drive and a hipster vibe and best vegan meals in Silver Lake, the city is a symbol of unequaled Southern California lifestyle.
One of the biggest lures of Los Angeles is Universal City. The place spices up your Southern California vacation with endless rides, animal shows, and world-famous studio tours. Art and history lovers find solace inside abundant museums and art galleries with the Getty Museum, a center of impeccable architecture, art, and outdoor gardens, in the lead.
If you need a break from this bustling city in Southern California, go for a hike. Plenty of scenic trails, including those that lead to the iconic Hollywood Sign, can be found in Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America.
2. Malibu
The City of Malibu is the epitome of Southern California beach culture. The place is located approximately forty minutes away from Los Angeles.
Malibu is all about beaches, big, small, secluded, private, hidden. It’s a place where summer activities never end, at least for locals. While the beaches gather all kinds of visitors in the warmer months, surfers and photographers frequent the area all year round.
There are over tens of pristine coastal stretches of land to choose from. Yet if you have to be selective, be sure to explore arches and cliffs at El Matador and Leo Carrillo State Beaches.
3. Santa Barbara
Tucked away from all the hustle and bustle of the biggest cities of Southern California, Santa Barbara is a special gem on the border of the South and Central Coast of the state. With its favorable weather all year round, beach and upscale city culture, and a myriad of spectacular day trips, the city is perfect in every way.
Known as The American Riviera, Santa Barbara combines the charm and elegance of a California city with liberating waves and sounds of the ocean.
Take a walk along Stearns Wharf to dive firsthand into the exhilarating beach culture of the city. Learn about Santa Barbara’s intriguing past at Old Mission Santa Barbara and admire its magnificent architecture at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. For a short escape to nature within city limits, step into the protected realm of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.
4. Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach is a crown jewel on the Southern California Coast and one of the most irresistible cities less than two hours away from Los Angeles. The place is all you have ever dreamed of: scenic beaches, tidy streets with colorful homes and enormous murals, and the mild Mediterranean climate. You can’t help but instantly fall in love with this charming paradise.
Although Laguna Beach spans only seven miles of the coastline, the abundance of alluring hidden gems and annual festivals outperforms this meager number. From Festival of Arts to Laguna Beach Music Festival and Laguna Dance Festival, the city knows how to celebrate Southern California’s finest artists.
5. Ventura
There is no bad time for a relaxing trip to Ventura, one of the most desirable cities in Southern California to live. The place is nestled between the Ventura River and the Santa Clara River. Such a favorable location ensures lush greenery in the area most of the year.
Beaches with clean water is another reason to add Ventura to the list of the best cities to visit in Southern California. Drop by San Buenaventura State Beach to indulge in beach activities, hiking, and bicycling. Feeling hungry? Try fresh seafood in Ventura Harbor Village before going on a shopping spree in ocean-themed shops.
The significance of this Southern California’s city goes beyond its borders. Ventura is one of a few gateways to Channel Islands National Park, the only park in California that can’t be reached by car.
READ MORE: Day Trip to Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands NP (from Ventura)
6. Palm Springs
A city of stylish hotels and fun parties, Palm Springs is one of the most alluring cities in Southern California for all seasons, but the summer. Its famous pool parties are not just a magnet that draws young travelers, but a necessary activity when the temperatures rise over 100°F.
Set in the Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs endures the scorching heat almost all year round. Thus, numerous indoor attractions, such as galleries, museums, shops, and spas, come in handy here.
Shopping district along Palm Canyon Drive also offers a pleasant escape from Palm Springs’s heat. The place is famous for its vintage boutiques, interior design shops, and a plethora of restaurants.
Nature lovers often seek refuge in Mount San Jacinto State Park, one of the most beautiful state parks in California. Located high up in the mountains, the mountain offers numerous hiking and biking trails. The easiest way to reach the park is via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, nestled about 6 miles west of the city.
Best Time to Visit: In the winter and spring, the temperatures linger in the 70s and 80s. So it’s an ideal time to enjoy the city, including the famous Coachella Valley, one of the most popular destinations in Southern California for music fans.
7. San Diego
Unlike Palm Springs, San Diego enjoys the pleasant coastal weather all year round. It’s one of the most incredible cities in Southern California to hit the beach during any season.
Besides enjoyable weather conditions, San Diego boasts a myriad of incredible destinations. From La Jolla to Seaport Village and stunning Balboa Park, the city showcases the best of Southern California.
Even seals and sea lions find San Diego irresistible. The adorable mammals are especially fond of the Children’s Pool area, where they like to soak up the sun in pods.
8. Solvang
Some cities in Southern California bring you closer to, well, Europe. Founded in the early 1900s, Solvang is known for its devotion to Danish culture, traditional Scandinavian farm-style architecture, and windmills. So it’s of little surprise that the city is regarded as The Danish Capital of America.
This tiny piece of Europe in Southern California, it’s beautiful and eventful all year round. September, however, enhances the city visit with Danish Heritage Festival filled with parades, Danish folk dances, and musical performances.
READ MORE: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Solvang, California
9. Newport Beach
Many cities in Southern California have some common traits: sandy beaches, good surfing opportunities, ocean views, and large harbors. In fact, the latter is what draws visitors to the coastal city of Newport Beach.
Newport Harbor is the largest recreational harbor on the West Coast. It caters for people from all walks of life and offers such activities as boat rides, paddleboarding, and wildlife watching.
Balboa Peninsula with its two piers, Newport Beach Pier and Balboa Pier, serves best for leisurely strolls during sunset. Visitors with kids will love the Balboa Fun Zone, an old-school amusement park with a Ferris wheel.
10. Ojai
There is no better place than Ojai to escape the hustle and bustle of the tourist cities in Southern California. Nestled in the Ojai Valley, surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains, the area has a rustic feel about it.
You won’t find big supermarket chains or popular shops here. Yet local shops and restaurants are abundant. Apart from it, the city is famous as a hub of meditation, relaxation, spas, and the finest vineyards.
11. Santa Monica and Venice
The closest neighbors of Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Venice share similar beach culture that you can find in many other coastal cities in Southern California.
Visitors and locals, however, regard both cities as the coolest and most vibrant neighborhoods of LA. And it’s easy to see why. Santa Monica and Venice boast sandy beaches, long piers, and oceanside parks with paved jogging and cycling paths just a short drive from the capital of Hollywood.
- Santa Monica. Great restaurants, shopping, and street performances on the Third Street Promenade forever make Santa Monica one of the most enticing cities in Southern California.
- Venice. Venice adds some extravagance and a hipster vibe to your city escape. From the beautiful Venice Canals to every bodybuilder’s dream destination, Muscle Beach, the city is unlike any other. Yet the best place to capture the spirit of Venice is the Venice Beach Boardwalk. Lined with small oceanside restaurants, it represents the bohemian lifestyle of the city at its best.
12. Anaheim
Anaheim is one of the most enchanting cities in Southern California where even adults feel a little bit like kids. Home to the Disneyland Resort, the city brings the favorite fairy-tale characters to life. It’s the only place in Southern California where you can sip tea with Minnie after spinning yourself at Mad Tea Party Teacups.
The Happiest Place on Earth becomes especially joyful during daily parades that feature classic and new Disney characters.
