Northern Californians are well aware that, contrary to popular belief, our state does get a good amount of snow during winter. Snow is actually pretty easy to find in NorCal – if you know where to look. There’s really nothing more enchanting than a town completely surrounded by wilderness and covered in inches upon inches of snow. If you’re looking for a sweet winter escape, you’re going to want to check out these eight towns that look like a scene straight out of a snow globe.
Truckee truly is a quintessential winter town. With an average of 204 inches of snow annually, Truckee is actually one of the country's snowiest cities. The town resides right next to the Truckee River, which looks pretty magical flowing through the white landscape.
Kirkwood technically isn't a town but a "census designated places" with a tiny population of just 158 people. Accessible by State Route 88, the town resides within the Eldorado National Forest. The alpine forest setting is pure enchantment during the winter time. The highlight of this small community is Kirkwood Mountain Resort which offers world-class skiing and snowboarding slopes.
Soda Springs is most well known for containing the longest running ski resort in the country. However, the tiny community at the foot of the resort is one of the most divine places during winter. Soda Springs characteristically experiences very cold and very snowy winters every year. First established during the 1880s, this little town looks frozen in time, both literally and figuratively.
Quincy is the county seat of Plumas County which is situated in the far northern end of the Sierra Nevada Range. This area turns into a lovely snow covered wonderland during the winter months. Even the town itself looks like an old-fashioned Victorian town, reminiscent of something out of a Charles Dickens story.
Mount Shasta is a popular destination for those who are itching to experience some snow and it's easy to see why. The area on average gets an annual snowfall of around 103 inches which is pretty impressive considering the low elevation of the town. With the epic Mount Shasta looming in the distance, this place is an absolutely stunning winter retreat.
South Lake Tahoe is the most populous destination in the Sierra Nevada. Although the area is a popular summer destination, the town takes on an incredible feeling during the winter time. Snowfall is described as extremely heavy here, coming in at over 140 inches per year. Tourists flock to the town every winter to experience Tahoe's amazing ski resorts.
This small town in Siskiyou County is absolutely enchanting during the snowy time of year. With Castle Crags and the Trinity Alps located nearby, it's easy to see why McCloud sees a lot of visitors in the winter months despite being a small community of only 1,000 people. This place really embodies a perfect snow globe scene.
Susanville can be found right along the Susan River in the southern portion of Lassen County. A former mining and logging town, Susanville is absolutely captivating during winter. The town's rural atmosphere makes it the perfect gateway into recreational areas such as the Lassen National Forest.
