A Guide to California’s Most Charming Small Towns

From seaside villages fit for a storybook to burgeoning wine hubs.

California is distinguished by many unique traits – its year-round sunshine, rolling hillsides, sparkling coastlines, and unparalleled agriculture. It’s a destination where you can begin your day hiking a mountain range and end it catching salty waves at the beach. And while the state has lively cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco that attract residents and visitors alike, it’s equally replete with charming small towns that showcase California through a slower, calmer lens.

This year, skip the fast-paced locations in the sunshine state and dive into our roundup of some of its best small towns. From seaside villages fit for a storybook, to burgeoning wine hubs that still feel like a slice of what California used to be like over a century ago, the seven towns ahead are the epitome of charm.

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Cambria

Situated halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles sits Cambria, a rural seaside village where you can spend your days tasting wines, spotting wildlife, shopping locally-made crafts, and strolling through art galleries. Enjoy this scenic small town’s rocky cliffs and beaches with a visit to their popular tide pools where sea anemones and snails roam about, or head for nearby Hearst Castle for the afternoon to discover this historic wonder. Book a room at the Cambria Beach Lodge for its bright, airy interiors that look out over iconic Moonstone Beach and order the crusted calamari and salmon bisque at Robin’s, a local restaurant since the ‘80s.

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Malibu

Despite being known for its expensive homes and celebrity residents, Malibu is still at its heart a small town. Stretched 21 miles up and down the coastline of the Pacific in Southern California, this surf haven boasts several beaches that visitors can splash around in, from the popular Topanga Beach and Point Dume to the quieter Malibu Beach and Las Flores. Stay at the recently-renovated Hotel June, which has been open since the ‘40s (then known as Malibu Riviera Hotel) or head for Malibu Beach Inn for unobstructed views of the ocean (not to mention beachfront access and walking proximity to the famous Malibu Pier). For fresh bites, Duke’s Malibu can’t be beat; or you can drive north on PCH to Malibu Seafood for a low-key basket of fish and chips beside the sea.

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Los Olivos and Los Alamos

Located less than a 15-minute drive from each other, Los Olivos and Los Alamos are two small California towns that should be on your radar. The former is perfect for oenophiles and foodies thanks to its abundance of tasting rooms and restaurants. Pinot Noir is a highlight grape here, so be sure to sip down the Pinot Noir Trail, which makes pit stops at favourites like Stolpman and Alexander & Wayne. The opening of The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern is among the more talked-about of 2023, so make this your home base for the weekend.. Los Alamos is also a wine destination; this small town is surrounded by ranches, farms, and vineyards and despite only being seven blocks long, it has a lot to offer. Its Old West heritage is reflected in the town’s architectural ambience, and visitors can immerse deeper with a day of gallery hopping, wine tasting, a meal at popular Bell’s, and antique shopping.

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Cayucos

If a small, tranquil beach town is what you’re after, head up north to Cayucos in San Luis Obispo county – the latest census counts just over 2,000 residents. Activities here are nature-forward with hiking, fishing, and the beach being the star pursuits. Check in to the newly-opened Pacific Motel, a restored motel with design that speaks to modern-meets-retro surf sensibilities (think: pine wood and white wall interiors with nostalgic patterns and unique light fixtures). If you're keen to add more to your itinerary, grab a brew from Cayucos Coffee and check out the nearby elephant seals.

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Ojai

Though it has grown in popularity in recent years, Ojai still retains its distinct small town charm. Located inland from Highway 101 in Ventura county, this unique city sits in the centre of a valley with the Topatopa Mountains surrounding it. Of course, outdoor enthusiasts will find much to do here with hiking, biking, and horseback riding readily available. There’s also a noteworthy cultural scene here, with several downtown art galleries open for guests to pop into and annual events like the Lavender Festival, Ojai Storytelling Fest, and the Ojai Music Festival (coming up in June). For accommodation, Capri Hotel is a worthy pick for design lovers. This 1963 mid-century modern roadside retreat was renovated and reopened in 2020 and features work by several creatives such as Manola Studios for architecture and design, Mattea Perrotta for artwork, and Any Lee Parker for lighting.

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Idyllwild

Trade in the smell of car exhaust for sweet cedar trees in the breathtaking town of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto mountains in Riverside County. While here, immerse yourself in nature with mountain biking excursions, hiking trails, and even backpacking for the particularly rugged type. If you’re feeling peckish, make a stop at Grandpa’s Jerky and be sure to get your caffeine fix at the locals' favourite spot, Higher Grounds. For accommodations, book a room at The Grand Idyllwild Lodge that combines California Craftsman Style architecture of the early 1900s with modern finishes. And if you’re looking for a souvenir to take with you, rest assured that everything here is locally-owned, from the general stores to the ever charming Jute Mercantile.

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Avalon

Up for an unexpected adventure? Hop on the one-hour ferry to Catalina Island to visit the charming town of Avalon (it’s the only incorporated city in all of the state’s scenic Channel Islands). Activities on the island run the gamut from zip lining and cycling to scuba diving and open-air Jeep tours. You can hitch a tent in one of their many striking campsites or take it up a notch with a suite at Mt. Ada, an inn originally built by William and Ada Wrigley as their home (yes, that Wrigley). And if you enjoy wildlife spotting, be on the lookout for the Catalina fox and bison (the latter are descendants of bison that were brought to the island for a film in the ‘20s and left to roam and reproduce).