Blink And You'll Miss These 7 Teeny Tiny Towns In Southern California
By Natasha Kayes|Published January 18, 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.
There is something intriguing about small towns, whether it is their unique history, their picturesque downtown areas, their charming vibe, or their friendly people. Many of us seek out small towns for weekend getaways or make it a point to stop at them on a road trip. That being said some of the tiniest towns in Southern California are so small that you may not even know they exist.
With about 150 permanent residents, Slab City is located near the eastern shore of the Salton Sea, in the desert northeast of San Diego. The community is known by locals as "the last free place in America" - and as a "Squatters’ Paradise" by others - where people can go who want to escape mainstream civilization, live off the grid, and essentially disappear. The town gets its name from the concrete slabs that were left in the area following the demolition of the World War II Marine Corps Camp Dunlap.
Close to the border of Mexico in Imperial County, Ocotillo has a population of just over 200 residents. It is located in an area originally occupied by a tribe of indigenous peoples known as the Kumeyaay. Along with a handful of community buildings, the community is home to the Imperial Valley Desert Museum which highlights the nature and history of the area.
Boulevard is another border town at the southeastern edge of San Diego County. According to locals, this tiny town was formerly a stagecoach stop on the route coming from Arizona. Now it is the headquarters of the Manzanita Band of Diegueno Mission Indians. It is also known, especially by locals who grew up in San Diego County, as the home of Wisteria Candy Cottage.
Ballard is part of Santa Barbara County and was founded in 1880 at the site of an original Wells Fargo stagecoach station. It is the oldest and tiniest community in the Santa Ynez Valley, known primarily for its wine country. Two beautifully-preserved buildings from the 1880s still remain in the town, one of which is the 1883 Ballard School building. There are only two commercial establishments that operate currently, The Ballard Inn and a bakery.
Founded in the 1930s in Kern County, Derby acres has a population of approximately 300 and is made up of just over three and a half square miles of land.
The town of Keene, situated along the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains, has less than 500 residents. It is mainly known as the headquarters of the United Farm Workers (UFW) organization. Cesar Chavez, who led the UFW, spent his last years and is buried in the National Chavez Center on the campus of the organization’s headquarters.
About 300 residents live in El Nido, which means "The nest" in Spanish, and it was founded in the early 1900s. Currently, the town - which is comprised of just over 3 square miles - has a post office and general store, a volunteer fire department, a tavern, and a school for students up to the 8th Grade.
Did you know about these itty bitty towns in Southern California? Have you ever seen them for yourself? Tell us about the tiniest towns you have ever visited in the comments. Speaking of small towns, check out 12 SoCal towns worth visiting this year.
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