Christmas In These 7 Northern California Towns Looks Like Something From A Hallmark Movie

We love this little out-of-the-way town! Dunsmuir is in Siskiyou County, north of Redding. The town has several museums, a botanical garden, and a beautiful downtown to explore. Dunsmuir is located next to the northern part of the Sacramento River, and is near a lot of beautiful nature. Explore the downtown and dine at one of the many restaurants in the town.

For longtime California residents, Truckee is a must-see snowy destination to visit each winter. In the summer, locals raft the Truckee River. Downtown Truckee is super cute! Built along the river in the 1830s, this town has expanded quite a bit since 2020. There are restaurants and shops, as well as a great farmers market. Truckee gets a lot of snow! There are several world-class ski resorts nearby. But even if you don’t ski, Truckee is a great place to take a day trip. There are many restaurants, coffee shops, and high-end boutiques to visit.

If you’ve read a lot of our Christmas content, you’ll know that we love Nevada City. This Gold Rush town is a must-see place in Northern California. And at Christmas time it simply can’t be beat. The Gold Rush town looks like a postcard from every angle. Nevada City gets a good amount of snow, too, which will add to its Christmas appeal.

Located in the Sierra foothills, this unique downtown is built on small hills making it very fun to explore on foot. There is plenty of parking near the downtown area. Many of the small local shops sell some of the cutest Christmas decor you won’t see anywhere else. After shopping, enjoy lunch at Auburn Alehouse, a lively bistro with local brews. Be sure to check out the Historic Auburn Courthouse and the statue of Claude Chana, who settled in Auburn after finding gold.

This Gold Rush town off of Highway 50 has kept a lot of its 1800s charm. Many old buildings and storefronts line the downtown streets. Today those charming buildings are restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, and museums. Stop to notice the many plaques throughout the downtown, which tell of historic events in California’s history. At nearly 2,000 feet elevation, it can sometimes snow in Placerville, which makes it look even more cozy at the holidays. Even if it doesn’t snow, Placerville is chilly. So put on your most cozy Hallmark movie outfit (we’re thinking a puffer coat, warm mittens and a beanie), and wander around downtown– you can window shop or just enjoy the Christmas ambiance.

This small northern Sierra town is a popular destination for mountain bikers. Families also love it for all the many nearby outdoor activities. With the snow covered buildings and the Downie River running through the center of town, this place is super picturesque!

This hidden little town in Northern California has many beautiful Victorian buildings that look amazing during Christmastime. This Gold Rush town has a pretty main street and during the month of December the town holds several holiday events.