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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

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

There's nothing more enchanting than the magic of the Christmas season. One of the best ways to get into the spirit of the holiday is to head to some of the best Christmas towns in Southern California. These nine towns in Southern California will surround you with twinkling light displays, Christmas caroling, towering trees decorated in holiday splendor, and festive eats and drinks that will remind you why this is your favorite time of year.

1. Downtown Riverside

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flickr/don graham

The Mission Inn Festival of Lights brings a magical Christmas spirit to downtown Riverside. Carriage rides and twinkly lights galore will get you into the spirit in no time.

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2. Solvang

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flickr/solvang usa

Next up on our list of the best Christmas towns in Southern California is Solvang. Nothing says Christmas like the town of Solvang. A holiday stroll through this European village will make you believe in the magic of Christmas. Take a holiday trolley ride through town or walk through the village and visit the quaint shops and restaurants that are all dolled up for the holidays. Learn more about planning your visit to Solvang.

3. Anaheim

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flickr/goeff dude

Spending a day at Disneyland during the holiday season is like going to the most spectacular Christmas town you could possibly imagine. Festive parades, Santa on his sleigh, and fresh Christmas snow dropping from the sky will make you believe that holiday magic really exists. Put this Christmas town on your holiday list!

4. Wrightwood

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flickr/charlie essers

The small town of Wrightwood feels like Christmas all year-round. But during December things get really festive, especially when there's snow on the ground. Spend a day exploring the shops at this quaint village then end your day at the Evergreen Cafe' where the holidays come to life with colorful ornaments and a holiday display ready to greet you. Learn more about why Wrightwood might just be the most criminally overlooked town in Southern California.

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5. Coronado

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Photos by Clark/Flickr

Coronado is magical at Christmas, especially at the Hotel Del. Take a day trip to see the towering Christmas tree in the lobby and then do a little ice skating at the outdoor rink as you sip on a cup of hot cocoa. It's pure Christmas bliss! Learn more about what to expect when you visit Coronado this time of year.

6. Temecula

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yelp/mark l.

Each December, Temecula transforms into a winter wonderland during the annual Winterfest celebration that runs through the end of February. You'll be dazzled by magnificent holiday displays, a festive outdoor ice skating rink inside the town square of Old Town, and tons of festive shops to buy all your holiday presents. Learn more about what makes Temecula one of the best Christmas towns in Southern California.

7. Altadena

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flickr/karol franks

Altadena is home to some of the most delightful Christmas experiences you can find in Southern California. Until you drive through historic Christmas Tree Lane to see the spectacular holiday lights draped along the deodar cedar trees, or stroll down Mendocino Lane to experience the magnificence of the historic Balian House all aglow in thousands of holiday lights, your Christmas won't be complete. Pictured here: Balian House located at 1960 Mendocino Lane. While you're in town, be sure to check out the incredible view from this Southern California overlook.

8. Redlands

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flickr/cyclotourist

The charming town of Redlands sure knows how to capture the magic of Christmas. A memorable way to join the town festivities is at its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 3rd at 6pm along State Street and Citrus Avenue. When you're in town, be sure to stop by this little-known oasis in Southern California.

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9. Big Bear Lake

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facebook/big bear lake

There's nothing more Christmasy than a flurry of white snow all around you. Big Bear Lake is a wonderful destination when you want to get out of the SoCal sun and experience a white Christmas. Learn more about why Big Bear Lake is one of the coolest small towns in the U.S.

Anyone who says Christmas isn't magical in Southern California hasn't had the pleasure of visiting these charming towns. Do you agree that these are some of the best Christmas towns in Southern California? Which places would you add to the list? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For more holiday splendor, take a ride on the Magic Polar Express Train in SoCal.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The Remote Destination in Northern California Where the Drive Is Worth the Final Views

Explore stunning rugged bluffs, beaches, and tide pools at the remote town of Fort Bragg.

Published Oct 25, 2024

Written by 

Natasha Kayes

It is no secret to anyone who knows me (or reads my writing) that I love the California coastline. And there are honestly many spots along the magnificent West Coast that are memorable enough to make me want to return again and again, even if they take some time and effort to reach. The first time I was brought by a friend to Fort Bragg in Northern California, the dramatic beaches and rock formations made me swoon (and inspired my inner photographer!). 

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Natasha Kayes/Only In Your State

Fort Bragg is a tiny town on the Northern California coast. It is about an hour's drive from the town of Willits on Highway 101 and the closest real city is Santa Rosa, over two hours away. The drive is about four hours (give or take) from the major cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. So, wherever you are coming from, it is going to take a bit of a drive. Let me tell you, though, not only is the destination absolutely worth it, but the drive itself is beautiful whether you meander along the coast on Highway 1 or take Highway 101 and cut across on the winding road through the beautiful Jackson Demonstration State Forest. 

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Natasha Kayes/Only In Your State

Spanning almost the entire eastern edge of Fort Bragg is the 93-acre Noyo Headlands Park, one of the most stunning spots on the Mendocino Coast. It was originally part of the Georgia Pacific lumber mill and is now home to walking and biking trails, rugged cliffs, Glass Beach, and endless breathtaking views.

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Natasha Kayes/Only In Your State

All along the coastline, there are scenic vista points just off the main trail, little hidden coves to discover, and secluded beaches with massive rock formations. You’ll also find some of the most vibrant tide pools I have explored, full of colorful anemones, crabs, starfish, and brilliant green moss and sea plants.

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Natasha Kayes/Only In Your State

Though the town itself is small, you’ll find a handful of delicious ways to refuel at the end of the day (or before you get started!) including highly-rated restaurants serving everything from Mexican to pizza to sushi, and a few cool spots to grab a drink. After a day of exploring, get a good night’s sleep and wake up to a spectacular view at the oceanfront North Cliff Hotel.

Have you ever been to Fort Bragg in Northern California? It is a remote little gem that you will never forget. Do you have a favorite remote spot or hidden gem you’d like to share? Let us know by nominating it for a chance to be featured in a future article! 

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State Pride|History

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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