Chino Hills, California

This relatively calm Southern California city is adjacent to the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles. What started as a home to ranchers and farmers is now a growing family-oriented city that has maintained a laid-back attitude.

As expected, homes are on the pricier end (the average home price clocked in at $648,371 in 2018), but there's still a high percentage of homeowners (76.6%) in the city. Residents are drawn to the strong school system, and there's also a high rate of diversity.

While Chino Hills might be an escape from the busy city, it's still easily accessible to a wide variety of attractions. Chino Hills State Park is a lovely recreational area with trails nestled against the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains and the Puente-Chino Hills. Disneyland in Anaheim is 25 miles away, and various beaches, like Huntington Beach, are only an hour away.

Multiple national forests and parks — Angeles National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, Joshua Tree National Park — are all within driving distance, and quaint city parks like Rincon and English Springs Park are available for a closer trek outside. A modern outdoor shopping mall, The Shoppes at Chino Hills is also close by if you don't want to travel all the way into downtown Los Angeles. — Chloe Wilt