5 recommended small city travel destinations in SOCAL that will make you look like an expert!
Hello, I'm Shushi, the president of SOCALIZATION, the organization that turns Japan into Southern California!
In today's article, we'll introduce 5 small cities in SOCAL that are a must-see for those who have already been to LA and SD many times, or who currently live in SOCAL and want to explore more unique and cute small cities !
If you are planning a trip to Southern California, be sure to make plans to stop by.
1. La Cañada Flintridge
Known locally as simply La Cañada, this town is located in the Verdugo Mountains of Los Angeles County. It's a scenic town with a lot to discover.
If you want to enjoy La Cañada's natural beauty, we also recommend Descanso Gardens ( @descansogardens ), Mount Wilson Observatory ( @mtwilsonobservatory ), and Cherry Canyon Park .
If you're interested in old-time American architecture and history, you should visit the Lanterman House. This Craftsman-style home was built in 1915 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . The museum tells the fascinating story of the people who settled in the area.
Also worth a visit is the LA County Public Library, one of the largest in the United States .
La Cañada is about 30 minutes by car from LAX and is a tourist spot close to Hollywood.
Recommended nearby hotels:
Embassy Suites Los Angeles - GlendaleHilton Los Angeles North/Glendale
2. Laguna Beach
This charming beach town is an artist's paradise, filled with natural beauty and fun activities.
Enjoy water sports, relaxing sunbathing, and beach walks. Laguna Beach is considered one of the best beaches in California, with a seven-mile bay and a spectacular canyon. The climate is warm and mild all year round, making it perfect for outdoor activities.
The town is also known for its world-class festivals. The Sawdust Art & Craft Festival features food, entertainment, and booths where local artists display their amazing work. There are two periods, Summer Fantasy and Winter Fantasy, so be sure to check when it is held. See the official promotional video here .
Pageant of the Masters is a world-famous event with over 90 years of history. It is an art event called tableau vivant, where artists pose to create picturesque scenes . You may understand it better if you watch this introductory video.
It's an art form somewhere between a painting and a stage play. It comes with narration, so if you can understand English, you'll enjoy it even more.
For foodies out there, here's a restaurant recommendation. Nick's is my favorite restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious, fresh seafood and a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.
Recommended hotels in the area:
Montage Laguna Beach
Capri Laguna on the Beach
3. San Clemente
Known as "Spanish Village by the Sea," San Clemente is the southernmost city in Orange County (about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego) and is located across from Marine Corps Camp Pendleton with the Pacific Ocean on one side.
San Clemente was once the home of U.S. President Richard Nixon, whose 15,000-square-foot Spanish-style mansion overlooked the Pacific Ocean and was dubbed the "Western White House" by the media.
It has a laid back beach town vibe, but it's a charming city with plenty to see and do!
San Clemente Pier ( Map ) is a popular pier where you can enjoy up-close ocean views, and the state beach offers water sports like surfing, fishing, and jet skiing.
If you don't want to get in the water, head to the Surfing Heritage and Cultural Centre, where you can browse walls of surfboards from across the years and learn about the evolution of surfing.
The San Clemente Coastal Trail allows you to walk along the railroad tracks, along the water and explore nature, and the nearby Farmers Market allows you to find fresh produce, including local honey, fruits and vegetables.
San Clemente is also home to Pizza Port , a craft beer brewery that is also sold at SOCALIZATION, so be sure to stop by. ( Map )
Recommended nearby hotels:
Casablanca Inn
4. Ojai
Located near beautiful Santa Barbara, the rural town of Ojai has long been a favorite spot among the artistic community, where local painters, woodworkers, ceramists and sculptors show their work at local galleries such as Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts , Firestick Pottery and Dan Schultz Fine Art Gallery and Studio.
The town is also known for its festivals, including the Ojai Music Festival, Wine Festival, 4th of July Parade, Taste of Ojai, and Holiday Home Tour and Marketplace. The Ojai Valley Museum shares the town's art, history, and culture.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the Ojai Meadows Preserve and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy , or explore Ojai on horseback with the Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company .
And don't forget wine! Ojai is a small city that also produces wine, and I recommend Ojai Vineyard. They also sell wine at SOCALIZATION , so be sure to check it out.
Recommended nearby hotels:
5. Fallbrook
Fallbrook , little known even to Southern California residents, is located inland from Oceanside in San Diego County on the 76 Freeway. Temecula, SOCALIZATION's top wine region, is also about 20 minutes away.
This small, cute city, full of good old Americana charm , is known as the "avocado capital of the world," boasting 60% of California's avocado production .
This town has a population of about 30,000, but apparently 70,000 people gather every year for the Fallbrook Avocado Festival held in April, so avocado lovers should definitely check it out.
If you are interested in growing avocados, check out my blog post "How to grow avocados from seeds using supermarket avocados - The Demogorgon's growth story."
Stay tuned for a status update article coming soon.
We also have a guacamole recipe blog!
Recommended nearby hotels:
Charming Fallbrook Home w/ Garden & Gazebo 
summary
So, I have introduced 5 recommended small cities in SOCAL that will make you look like an expert when you visit them. I hope you enjoyed reading this.
SOCALIZATION sells alcohol produced in Southern California, so if you want to experience Southern California while in Japan, be sure to check out our product lineup .
That's all for today, SOCALIZE & SOCIALIZE!
