Los Angeles is an incredible and exciting city. However, sometimes peace and quiet are needed. Small towns and villages near Los Angeles will help you feel harmony with nature, relax and recharge, so that you can return to the city and conquer it. Los Angeles Name shares a list of such towns and villages.
Ojai
This special place combines interesting architecture in the missionary style with various resorts, including those for health. The small town is hidden among the TopaTopa Mountains. Ojai is an oasis of natural beauty and tranquility, which is exactly what people from Los Angeles are looking for. The journey will take approximately 1.5 hours by car.
The town in Ventura County is considered a tourist destination because it has all the opportunities for quality recreation. There are hiking tours, farmers markets with organic products, health activities, horseback riding and spa treatments here. It is great to watch the sunset outdoors.
After visiting the town, guests are left with only pleasant impressions. Most of them note that communication with nature and fabulous landscapes helps to fill up with energy. Residents of Los Angeles and other large cities flee from city life for this.
Sausalito
This is one of the best small towns in California. Los Angeles residents only need to ride a bike or drive to the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge. One is going to fall in love with Sausalito at first glance due to its location on the shore of the bay. Walking around this place is fascinating. There is time to admire not only the architecture of the place but also to see San Francisco.
This picturesque seaside town is easy to confuse with a Mediterranean fishing village. The atmosphere of a European resort is felt due to the presence of picturesque embankments and yachts, quaint boutiques and high-class art galleries. Locals feel that Sausalito is a place to escape from the hustle and bustle of a big city.
Interesting facts
- Visitors can see elegant houses perched on wooded hillsides in the town. A ferry ride reveals a magnificent view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
- This ride is short but one of the most beautiful in the world.
- The seaside town is usually a few degrees warmer than San Francisco because Sausalito is protected by the Marin Headlands.
- Travelers choose Sausalito for its beauty, incredible scenery and the opportunity to unite with nature.
Avalon
This town is part of a resort community. Avalon is located on Santa Catalina Island, accessible only by ferry or plane. Interestingly, the ferry ride is free on your birthday.
Once in this fabulous town, you can go scuba diving (a favorite pastime of tourists), enjoy the sea breeze and relax on the white sand. Hiking or biking along the Trans-Catalina Trail will also add vivid impressions.
The world-famous sport fishing The Lobster Trap takes place in the town. Thus, it is also an opportunity to visit an unusual event and feel the spirit of a fishing battle.
Avalon resembles the Mediterranean Sea because here you can see lush vegetation, houses on the slopes of the hills, as well as clear water.
Morro Bay
It is a seaside town located north of San Luis Obispo. What to do here? The following interesting options will help you achieve harmony with nature:
- kayaking
- hiking in the area, especially around Morro Bay State Park
- bicycle races with rest stops
- climbing the rock that rises majestically above the bay. You only need to have a climbing permit. It is one of the best places for photo shoots
- a trip to an open-air restaurant along the embankment
- rowing on a quiet and sheltered bay.
The number of options and various natural conditions is amazing. Therefore, you can visit the town and enjoy your vacation here all year round.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
This place is called the unspoiled pearl of the California coast. Visitors have always appreciated Carmel-by-the-Sea for its breathtaking natural beauty. The founders of the city took several steps to preserve natural integrity:
- the installation of street lights was prohibited
- street vendors were refused
- the opening of fast food establishments was prohibited.
Later, the tradition continued and this town became the first in California to ban Styrofoam. Modern townspeople are still doing everything possible to ensure that the seaside village remains one of the untouchable pearls and the best place for ecological recreation.
What is there to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea?
- It is a place of silence and rest, so visitors can walk a lot, feeling the taste of salty air. You’ll be amazed by the stunning views of Point Lobos and a natural bird-watching Wetland Preserve.
- Bike trips through sloped streets will help you explore a larger area. Furthermore, one can stop to get a better look at the architecture of the famous Comstock and Frank Lloyd Wright houses. Gardens and groves will serve as an excuse to distract yourself from everyday life.
- Carmel Beach is considered the most popular among the townspeople. It is famous for its snow-white sand and the views of Point Lobos Bay, Monterey. This is a special kind of pleasure. Thus, on Carmel Beach, you can sunbathe and build sandcastles. Extreme lovers will find a chance for active recreation and can go surfing.
Tahoe City
This is a small town that embodies the diverse landscapes of California. For instance, in the summer you can experience living on the lake here, while in the winter visitors enjoy downhill skiing in Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows.
In calm Tahoe City, there are tall pine trees, as well as wonderful views of Lake Tahoe. All this represents peace and helps to feel harmony.
To see much more of the beauty of this town, you should rent a bike. Take the Truckee River Bike Path. Tahoe City visitors can use one of the stops as an opportunity to dive into the lake from the pier.
Tahoe City is also a great option for camping. Residents of Los Angeles and other large cities often come here to spend time in silence, surrounded by nature and innocent beauty.
Santa Ynez
This cowboy town completes the list of places where you can enjoy an ecological vacation and feel unity with nature. Here’s what to do in Santa Ynez Valley.
- Walk along the picturesque central coast of California. The diverse landscape of the hills, as well as the presence of numerous vineyards in the region, will add interest.
- A huge number of wineries gives a perfect opportunity to taste wines.
- In Santa Ynez, many options for tours will help you get to know and understand the beauty of this region better.
- Lovers of active recreation will appreciate horseback riding, cycling, boating and golf. There are many options, so you just need to give preference to what brings you pleasure.
What to choose?
This list will be useful to all those who don’t know where to spend a long weekend or just want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, this list can be continued because there are numerous options. Rural life definitely has its own romance that will not get boring in a few days.
Citizens can easily choose one of the villages and small towns near Los Angeles to feel harmony with nature and recharge. Life doesn’t always mean movement. Sometimes it is extremely important to stop and give yourself time to rest.
