The Snowiest Region In Southern California Is Perfect For A Magical Winter Getaway
By Natasha Kayes|Published December 08, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
Yes, Southern California is best known for beaches and sunshine, but believe it or not, we have some delightfully snowy places where you can enjoy a true winter wonderland. There are several popular ski towns and resorts that offer great winter adventures, but if you are looking for more of an off-the-beaten path experience, you may want to consider a trip to the San Jacinto Mountains. This snowy region in Southern California makes for an especially enchanting getaway.
The snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains are a pristine winter landscape - quite simply picture-perfect and amazing to explore - and less than a 2-hour drive from either Los Angeles or San Diego.
With over 13,000 acres, Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness offers incredible opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the winter season. Enjoy stately trees, creeks, waterfalls, boulders and scenic overlooks.
There are multiple ways to access and enjoy this gorgeous natural area, depending on where you want to stay and what type of winter activities you enjoy.
One way to quickly reach the mountain is by means of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway which takes you from the desert floor to the snowy peaks in a matter of minutes. This also means that you can enjoy a day in the snow, then head back down and stay the night where temps are a little warmer.
At Mountain Station, a perfect starting point for incredible hiking adventures in Mount San Jacinto State Park, you will find a unique visitor center, restaurant, unbelievable views, and more.
You can also base your snowy getaway in the charming little mountain town of Idyllwild-Pine Cove, where you can find many of the trailheads, great restaurants, and friendly people.
In Idyllwild, we recommend booking a stay at one of the many adorable cabins in town, like this highly-rated mountain cabin that is walking distance to both the downtown village and the state park.
You do generally have to travel a little way from the city to find snow in Southern California, but there have been a few crazy winters when even Los Angeles was covered in snow! Have you explored Mount San Jacinto State Park? Do you have another favorite snowy destination in SoCal? We would love to hear from you!
