5 Hidden Gems Outside of Los Angeles
Move over, Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. While they are undoubtedly beautiful and the perfect spots for A-listers, most others can’t afford the hefty price tags that accompany the real estate and vacation homes in those zip codes. Fortunately, you don’t need to live in Los Angeles to enjoy the perks of living in Southern California.
If you’re looking to co-buy, you may want to consider one of these five hidden gems located outside of Los Angeles.
Taft, CA
Median occupancy rate: 71.5%
Median night rate: $75
Overview
Have you ever seen or been to Taft, California? You may think the answer is no, but you may be more familiar with it than you think. If you have seen Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Amazing Spider-Man, Mask, The Brady Bunch Movie or a number of other movies, you’ve seen bits and pieces of Taft. You just didn’t know it.
Taft is in the center of the largest oilfield in the lower 48 states, but it brings the small-town charms. With a population of 10,000 people, it is a place where everyone knows each other, and it’s the perfect oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Attractions
The West Kern Oil Museum is a treasure trove of information about the city history and documentation of the petroleum industry. After the museum, be sure to stop by the craft brewery, Black Gold Brewing Company, in the historic downtown on Center Street. You can also find plenty of other mom and pop small businesses.
Distance from Los Angeles
2 hours
118 miles
Listings
Kernville, CA
Median Occupancy Rate: 41%
Median Night Rate: $209
Overview
Kernville is an easily accessible, charming and picturesque town located in Kern County in California’s southern Sierra Nevada. The downtown area maintains the area’s gold rush and Old West roots, which attracts thousands of visitors along with the area’s natural scenery and outdoor activities. A town of only 1,400 people, each summer draws an influx of tourists.
Attractions
If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll love Kernville. During the day, enjoy white water rafting down the Kern River, windsurfing at Lake Isabella or hiking the Whiskey Flat Trail. Once you’re ready to relax for the day, you can do so at the stunning Riverside Park. Or, choose to take in the town’s historical sites and relax in a local brewpub. Every President’s Day weekend, the crows turn out for the annual Whiskey Flat Days activities.
Distance from Los Angeles
3 hours
164 miles
Listings
Ridgecrest, CA
Median Occupancy Rate: 62%
Median Night Rate: $116
Overview
Ridgecrest is a one-of-a-kind California town located in the Mojave Desert, west of Death Valley National Park. Located within 1.5 hours of Ridgecrest is both the highest and lowest point in the continental United States, the town is known for its stunning sunsets and warm, sunny days. It is the perfect place to step away from the crowds of Los Angeles and explore places where you’ll feel no one has ever been before.
Attractions
Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, your tastes will be satisfied. This is because Ridgecrest is surrounded by four mountain ranges: the Sierra Nevada on the west, the Cosos on the north, the Argus Range on the east, and the El Paso Mountains on the south. Adventure seekers will enjoy the endless hiking trails, biking routes and scenic vistas. Nature lovers will enjoy Death Valley and Red Rock Canyon, both nearby.
Distance from Los Angeles
3 hours
154 miles
Listings
Porterville, CA
Median Occupancy Rate: 65.5%
Median Night Rate: $166
Overview
Porterville serves as the gateway to Sequoia National Forest and the Great Western Divide Highway. Nestled up against the Sierra Nevada, you’ll find magnificent giant sequoias, creeks, rivers, a lake, forests with the biggest trees in the world, world-class rock climbing, places to camp and hike, hunt and fish, and lots more. Adventure truly awaits.
The town’s charming downtown area offers several attractions such as unique boutique-style retailers, restaurants, antique stores, a multicultural art center and beautiful historic downtown murals. Main Street also hosts numerous special events each year, such as the uber-popular Iris Festival each April.
Attractions
In addition to all of the attractions above, golfers can take in the sun at the city golf course in town, or at River Island Country Club above Success Lake, one of the premier golf courses in the Central Valley. There is surely an activity for every palette.
Distance from Los Angeles
3 hours
161 miles
Listings
Palomar Mountain, CA
Median Occupancy Rate: 52%
Median Night Rate: $182
Overview
Are you hoping to see forests, mountains, sunsets and night skies away from urban lighting and the noise of Southern California? Then heading to Palomar Mountain is the perfect solution. Palomar Mountain is a mountain range in the Peninsular Ranges in northern San Diego County. Some of its famed attractions include Palomar Observatory and the Hale Telescope, the 200-inch telescope which was the world’s largest and most important telescope from 1949 to 1992.
The area is also home to Palomar Mountain State Park, which averages 70,000 visitors annually.
Attractions
Palomar Mountain is notable because it is one of the highest peaks in San Diego County at 6,140 feet. It has been described as "Sierra-like" and has dense pine and big cone Douglas fir forest as well as lush ferny meadows, which is a wonderful contrast with the surrounding arid landscape. Enjoy the wildflowers in the springtime and abundant wildlife year-round.
Distance from Los Angeles
2.5 hours
118 miles
Listings
When it comes to finding and co-buying a vacation home in Southern California, there is much more than the usual suspects of Los Angeles. Located just an hour or two outside of the hustle and bustle, you can find some low-profile and much more affordable homes in equally as beautiful surroundings.
Data from Mashvisor
Nestment, Inc. does not guarantee and is in no way responsible for the accuracy of information provided in this blog post. All information is provided “AS IS” and with all faults. Data presented here may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. While the information on this site is about legal and tax issues, it is not intended as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for the particularized advice of your own attorney and tax professional.
