The 14 Most Beautiful, Charming Small Towns In All Of Northern California
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Kate Freeman
Author
Northern California really has all the scenery you could ever want. We have Gold Rush towns, high Sierra towns, swanky beach towns, casual, quiet beach towns, sleepy towns along the Delta, towns shrouded by redwood forests, and so much more! We’ve compiled a list of beautiful small towns in Northern California. We took into account first the picturesqueness of the small town and two, activities, things to do and see. Check out our list:
Ferndale, CA 95536, USA
It’s easy to see why this charming town is loved by photographers. Ferndale’s downtown is lined with well-preserved, colorful Victorian homes. The town is nestled in a small valley next to the ocean and a short drive to the redwoods. Main Street is lined with restaurants, a couple coffee shops, a bakery, plus some unique stores like Golden Gait Mercantile.
Dunsmuir, CA, USA
This small Pacific Northwest town located in the Trinity Mountains off of Interstate 5, is a hidden gem in Northern California. Check out the downtown where you’ll find the Siskiyou Arts Museum, several boutiques, and Dunsmuir Brewery Works. Drive to the north side of town to check out Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens followed by the beautiful Mossbrae Falls.
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McCloud, CA 96057, USA
McCloud is famous as a world class fly-fishing destination. It has all the outdoor activities you’d expect in a place like Idaho or Montana. From hunting to horseback riding to skiing– McCloud is an outdoor-lover's dream.
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Quincy, CA 95971, USA
Quincy is a beautiful town that often gets overlooked. Located in Plumas County, Quincy is about a two hour and 50 minute drive from Sacramento and two-and-a-half hours from Redding. Visit the Plumas County Museum to see artifacts from the Native Maidu people, as well as exhibits that tell the story of the area's Gold Rush. If you’re a live music fan, plan your trip for late June to attend the High Sierra Music Festival, a multi-day event with many bands and tons of activities.
Willits, CA 95490, USA
This little city in Mendocino County is called the "Gateway to the redwoods". There is plenty to see and do in this small town. Visit the Mendocino County Museum, have lunch at 101 Drive-In burgers right downtown, and then hitch a ride on the Skunk Train.
Mendocino, CA, USA
This small oceanfront town is famous for its cliffside trails with breathtaking views. With all its scenic landscapes, it is also a popular place to get married. You’ll find some world-class resorts here as well as some small boutique hotels. Visit Mendocino Headlands State Park for some photo-worthy scenery and ocean breezes. After exploring the beach and the small town, dine at one of the highly-rated restaurants downtown.
Bolinas, CA 94924, USA
This sleepy ocean-side town feels far away from San Francisco even though it’s just north of the city. There are some great farm stands along the 27 mile road to the small community. Once you find a place to park, take a walk around the town, grab a snack, and check out Bolinas Museum. Bring a blanket to relax on Bolinas Beach and watch the surfers.
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Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
Perhaps the most beautiful Christmas town in all of California, Nevada City is a not-so-secret spot to visit during the winter months. This well-preserved Gold Rush town gets decked out for Christmas! And it’s at a high enough elevation to get snow, which really makes it look like a Christmas postcard.
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Grass Valley, CA, USA
Located in what was once the richest gold mining county in the state, Grass Valley has a rich history. In addition to some popular restaurants and coffee shops in the downtown area is Empire Mine State Historic Park– home of California’s oldest gold mine.
Placerville, CA 95667, USA
Not only is the well-preserved Victorian architecture in Placerville something to marvel at, the town also has a ton of great stores and restaurants. Also known as Hangtown, Placerville sprang-up during– you guessed it!– the California Gold Rush. The downtown continues to attract crowds year-round. Visit the nearby Apple Hill to buy seasonal produce and other farm-made goods.
Sutter Creek, CA, USA
Another well-preserved Gold Rush town, we love Sutter Creek for its beauty and the many things to do and see. You can shop the day away in Sutter Creek’s many boutiques, and have some amazing meals at the local restaurants– all located within the picturesque downtown area.
Murphys, CA, USA
Located between the Sierra Foothills and Yosemite, Murphys is a charming town. It began as a gold miner’s camp and quickly became a tourist destination. Today visitors flock to tour the nearby Mercer Caverns, and visit Ironstone Vineyards to taste wine and view the world’s largest crystalline gold leaf. From the town of Murphys you can visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park to view the giant sequoia trees. Murphy’s is a wine producing area, so there are more than a dozen tasting rooms on main street.
Volcano, CA 95689, USA
This entire town is a California Historical Landmark. You can walk around the downtown area in about 10 minutes– it’s very small but its pretty buildings are worth a visit. Check out the Volcano Theatre Company building. Constructed in 1856 as a tobacco and cigar shop, today the building hosts the area’s award-winning theater company. Down the road, book a tour of the Black Chasm Cavern National Natural Landmark.
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Sonora, CA 95370, USA
This beautiful town in the southern area of Northern California’s Gold Country is close to Yosemite National Park. Check out the town’s museum where you can learn more about Gold Rush history. Window shop in the historic downtown that has sporting good stores, cafes, and an antique store.
Which of these towns have you visited? Are there any small towns we missed? Tell us in the comments.
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