15 Slow-Paced Small Towns in Northern California Where Life Is Still Simple
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Jill S.
Author
Aside from the natural beauty, Northern California’s greatest asset is the people and communities that make it tick. You can find the charm and authenticity of small-town America here in this region, and whether you prefer farming communities, coastal towns, or the Sierra foothills, here are some of our favorite places in the entire region. Here are some slow-paced small towns in rural Northern California where life is still nice and quiet:
Downieville, CA 95936, USA
This small gold rush town is surrounded by the Yuba River District of the Tahoe National Forest and is extremely popular for mountain bikers. It's also a great place for fishing, hiking, and escaping the rush of city life. Downieville is on the North Fork of the Yuba River, at an elevation of 2,966 feet, in Sierra County. Read more about this adorable little town!
Little River, CA, USA
Little River is a charming little coastal town. It is home to several hundred people and takes its name from nearby Little River. The town center sits on a scenic bluff overlooking the mouth of Little River and hosts a grocery store, two gas pumps, a post office, and a restaurant within a single structure. The population is less than 500 residents. If you visit, consider staying at this delightful oceanside inn.
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Chester, CA 96020, USA
Located in Plumas County, this small town has a lot of spirit. The primary industries in Chester are lumber production and tourism. Chester serves as the retail center for the Lake Almanor region of California, and derives a significant portion of its economy from the tourist trade, and to a lesser degree from construction to new residents and businesses.
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Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
A wonderful blending of new and old, Nevada City is known for its historical character and fine dining options. It's located in Nevada County and is roughly the same size as it was in the year 1900. When it comes to slow-paced small towns in Northern California, this is one of the best! Read more about Nevada City in this article.
Camino, CA, USA
The location of the beloved Apple Hill area, as well as pumpkin patches, Christmas Tree farms, and an up and coming wine scene, Camino is an amazing place to retreat into the countryside.
McCloud, CA 96057, USA
Located in the Shasta Cascade area of Northern California, McCloud sees many visitors. The town is a home base for folks who come to engage in nationally recognized trout fishing in the nearby McCloud, Sacramento and Klamath Rivers, or come to see and climb Mount Shasta, Castle Crags or the Trinity Alps. Read more about the overlooked town of McCloud in this article.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437, USA
Home of the world famous Glass Beach, Fort Bragg is known for its scenic coastal views. It was originally a fishing port and then of course, a military garrison. Now it's a popular tourist destination. Read more about this adorable little town!
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Truckee, CA 96161, USA
The popular mountain town gets crowded on the weekends, but for good reason. It offers unparalleled access to skiing, hiking, and other outdoor recreation. It is also the home of several amazing restaurants that offer everything from great burgers to gourmet meals. Check out this article for more info about all the awesome things there is to do in the charming town of Truckee.
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Loyalton, CA 96118, USA
This remote Sierra County town has a population of less than 1000. Many of the population are ranchers, loggers, former loggers, or suburbanites escaping from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and the growing Reno-Tahoe area. Read more about Loyalton in this article.
Grass Valley, CA, USA
Another Gold Rush town, Grass Valley was home to the Empire Mine and the North Star Mine, two of the richest mines of the 1800s. A lot of the miners who settled here were of Cornish heritage. They were originally tin miners from Cornwall, England. The area is still heavily influenced by this culture.
Ferndale, CA 95536, USA
This quaint little city contains dozens of well-preserved Victorian storefronts and homes. Ferndale is the northern gateway to California's Lost Coast and the city, which is sited on the edge of a wide plain near the mouth of the Eel River, is also located near the extensive preserves of Coast Redwood forests. Check out this article to learn more about Ferndale!
Placerville, CA 95667, USA
Seen by many as the heart of the mother lode, Placerville is a quirky community with a walkable downtown. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to peruse here. It's also known as Old Hangtown thanks to its rough and rowdy wild west past. You'll enjoy this article to learn more about Placerville.
Gualala, CA 95445, USA
Gualala was once a logging town, but tourism is now its central economic activity. The tradition of tourism here is an old one, however. By about 1861, tourists began coming to Gualala to hunt and fish and get away from the crowded cities. Around that same time a hotel, a saloon and a ferry were built here, as well as a Post Office (which was also the stage stop), the Wells Fargo Express and the Western Union. By the end of the 1800s Gualala had become a major commercial hub for the entire area. Learn more about the unique town of Gualala in this article.
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Trinidad, CO 81082, USA
Located in Humboldt County north of the Arcata- Eureka area, this small city has under 400 residents. The area has a tumultuous past involving it's logging history, but now it is just a spectacular small town to visit while exploring the North Coast. Learn more about the town of Trinidad.
Dunsmuir, CA, USA
This railroad town is proud of the industry that put it on the map and is still a large part of its culture. The official city slogan is "Home of the best water on Earth". Dunsmuir is currently a hub for tourism in Northern California, with Interstate 5 in California passing through it. Visitors enjoy fishing, skiing, climbing, or sight-seeing. During the steam locomotive railroad era, it was notable for being the site of an important Central Pacific (and later Southern Pacific) railroad yard, where extra steam locomotives were added to assist trains on the grade to the north. Check out this article to read more about the adorable town of Dunsmuir.
Did your favorite small town make the list? What are your favorite slow-paced small towns in Northern California? Share your ideas and stories with us on Facebook, and if you are interested in reading more about NoCal culture, check out The 11 Charming River Towns in Northern California To Visit This Spring.
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More to Explore
Slow-Paced Small Towns in Northern California
What are some fun day trips in Northern California to take?
Northern California is a breathtakingly beautiful place. People are incredibly lucky to live somewhere with such an astonishing amount of natural beauty all around us. NorCal is great for day trips, such as:
- Scenic drives and state parks. In this section of the state alone, there are 21 state parks, two national parks, 10 national wildlife refuges, and so much more.
- Go on any number of amazing hikes.
- Check out any of the theme and amusement parks.
- Spend a whole afternoon at a winery.
- Check out a list of ghost towns.
- Hop from ice cream shop to ice cream shop and sample them all.
Northern California basically has anything your heart desires – it just depends on how much time and gas you feel like putting forth for it! Here is a great list of NorCal day trip ideas – one for every month of the year.
What are some amazing places to visit in Northern California?
Goodness, where to begin! Northern California is, as mentioned above, ridiculously beautiful. It’s filled with adventure and amazing, must-see places, such as:
- Sequoia National Park, where you can see trees that are truly larger than life (and thousands of years old) and learn their amazing histories.
- Hiking Half Dome is a once-in-a-lifetime hike with amazing views you’ll never forget.
- Check out McArthur-Barney Falls, which has been called the “8th Wonder of the World” by President Teddy Roosevelt.
- Visiting Napa – and all of California’s wine country – is also a must-see for anyone who’s never been before.
You’re going to love Northern California, so get out and explore! There’s almost TOO much to do.