In general, small towns hold a certain kind of charm. However, if you’ve spent any time exploring Northern California, then you know small towns in the Golden State are something special. It’s impossible to list all of the great little communities you should consider visiting across your NorCal adventures, but these seven make for a pretty great place to start. From their lively downtown areas to their proximity to nature, you’ll want to plan on making a trip to one of the best Northern California towns sometime soon!

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Have you visited any of these fantastic small towns in Northern California? What’s your favorite small-town destination in NorCal? Let us know in the comments section!

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Best Northern California Towns

What are some of the best Northern California towns to visit?  

There are plenty of amazing small towns in Northern California to go around – so many, in fact, that it might feel a little overwhelming when trying to decide which ones to visit. We do have a handful of favorite Northern California small towns, like the little gem known as Sausalito. It’s a small town that’s so pretty it ought to be its own postcard, and best of all, you can even get a houseboat on the water! Another amazing small town in Northern California is Mariposa, which is excellent for those who love the natural wonders of Northern California but don’t want to meander too far away to experience them.  

Where are the Northern California towns with cute shopping areas?  

With small towns comes another perk: delightful shops and eateries! We have some Northern California towns with cute shopping areas galore, and it’s almost impossible to name them all in one short paragraph. Among our favorite places to go shopping in Northern California are towns like Mendocino, Grass Valley, Tahoe City, and even Fort Bragg! No matter what you’re looking for, you’re likely to find it in just a day or two of browsing the excellent shops and stores in Northern California. It turns out there are also some top-notch antique shops in Northern California, and you cannot pass up an opportunity to check out some of the best flea markets in Northern California while you’re at it. 

What are the best small towns in Northern California? 

Ah, the list of amazing small towns in Northern California does indeed go on. Petaluma is an astonishingly beautiful place with picturesque surroundings; we also love places like Dunsmuir, which is the northernmost town in NorCal before you enter southern Oregon. We’re also huge fans of places like Bodega Bay and Nevada City. Life in Northern California is nothing short of thrilling, and our small towns make that obvious.