The median home price in Joshua Tree is $196,000. 1. While this part of the country is notoriously pricey, that doesn’t mean it's impossible to find affordable places to live in the greater Los Angeles area and other parts of Southern California. From art galleries to nature hikes and quaint eateries to beachside bars, Laguna Beach truly has it all. Thank you! 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Courtesy of CaptSpaulding under a CC 4.0 license. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! A community in San Luis Obispo County, Avila Beach is a great California getaway for … For a real beach town treat, check out the Cave Store in La Jolla and take a land tour of one of the sea caves. Through proprietary research studies, engaging articles and original photography and video, we examine topics related to community amenities, education, sustainability, transportation, housing and the economy. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Yes, there are many more beach towns to explore in SoCal, but these 8 coastal communities are a great place to start. Brown Rice (Steamed) 3. And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: This casual beachside community in San Diego county is a charming destination for anyone looking for a beach getaway. GI: 53. If you're looking for a beach town with award-winning restaurants, you're in the right spot. With walkable neighborhood streets lined with the most gorgeous beach cottages you can imagine, Manhattan Beach is a destination perfect for strolling and daydreaming. If you love the beach, but also love art and nature, Laguna Beach is paradise. BAKERSFIELD. Bakersfield is probably one of the most affordable places to live in California that is … With a population under 100,000, Redlands is a growing city that offers residents a high quality of life. Environmental restoration opens major lakefront acreage for attractive development. Livability explores what makes small-to-medium sized cities great places to live. It’s a place that’s proud of its history, and there’s a yearly celebration called Whiskey Flat Days to commemorate Kernville’s place in Wild West history. This place is heavenly! Spend the day swimming at the beach, then take a leisurely stroll through town for pure weekend bliss. The median cost of a home in Kernville is just $270,832. This growing city offers residents more than just affordability: here you'll find a tight-knit community, great job opportunities, and a shared passion for sustainability and environmentalism that is inspiring. A Joshua Tree Art Walk is held monthly, and the area has several art galleries open year-round. We then leverage that expertise to develop city rankings for a range of topics including small towns, college towns and our annual Top 100 Best Places to Live. Solana Beach may not be a secret anymore, but if you have a chance to visit you'll feel like you have stumbled on a hidden hideaway. Perhaps the most beloved coastal community in all of SoCal is Avalon in Catalina Island. Joshua Tree is on the small side, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in scenery. Its 70-acre Henry T. Oxnard Historic District is included in the National Register of Historic Places. These Small Cities in Southern California Are Actually Affordable, Livability's 2019 Top 100 Best Places to Live list, A post shared by Kernville Chamber Of Commerce (@explorekernville), Meridian, ID Offers Great Values at a Great Value, Transforming Waterfronts Along the Muskegon Lakeshore, See What a Budget of $300,000 or Less Will Get You in 10 Cities Across the Country. If you want to explore more of Southern California’s coastal beauty, check out these beautiful boardwalks in SoCal –they are perfect for an afternoon stroll. From seaside towns to quirky inland communities, affordability can look different here than it does in other parts of the U.S. And while Southern California might have a reputation for being home to free spirits and wanderers, it’s actually a great place to lay down roots. Oxnard, CA. See which of these small cities might be a fit for you: Located just north of L.A., Lancaster boasts a median home price under $300,000, which is nearly unheard of in this area (not to mention less than half the median home price in L.A.). San Simeon is a prime destination for coastal living thanks to its sandy shores and endless outdoor activities. Smiley Library and the Barton School House. With over 20 miles of beautiful coastline, you'll find good surfing spots here, and the gorgeous sand dunes have appeared in numerous films. Quinoa. You just have to know where to look. Conveniently located between Los Angeles and San Diego, it's a short drive for anyone looking for a rejuvenating getaway. Here’s a look at the charming coastal communities that can be found along the coast of SoCal that deserve just as much attention. This ideal coastal city is small enough to feel remote and secluded while still offering all the amenities needed to satisfy all your shopping and dining cravings. 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