The 7 Best Outdoorsy Towns to Explore in California

If you wish to explore the great outdoors, there’s no place better than California. Not only is this beautiful state home to exceptional national parks, thousands of hiking trails, and a breathtaking coast for tide pooling, surfing, and swimming, but it’s also home to charming small towns with delightful downtowns, friendly locals, and countless places that connect you to nature. Whether you are an in-state traveler, a weekend road tripper, or even someone new to the Golden State, the following outdoorsy towns in California are perfect for anyone who wants to spend time in the fresh air and sunshine.

1. Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg is one of the best Northern California towns for nature lovers, and is known for Glass Beach, home to the highest concentration of sea glass in the world. It’s also a popular place for whale watching and tide pooling. I recommend you spend some time at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, an oceanfront botanical garden home to all types of coastal plant life. And if you want to put on your hiking shoes and explore the area, there are several scenic trails like the easy Ka Kahleh Trail or the Glass Beach and Pudding Creek Trail, which are perfect for afternoon adventures.

2. Mammoth Lakes

Located in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes, California, is the ultimate year-round mountain town. During the winter months, you can spend your days at Mammoth Mountain, California’s four-season resort with up to 3,500 skiable acres and 33 feet of annual snowfall. In the summer, this town is surrounded by more than 100 alpine lakes to hike to, kayak in, and try your luck at fishing. And, of course, due to this town’s location, in the spring you can search for wildflowers and in the autumn, you’ll be mesmerized by the vibrant fall foliage.

3. Truckee

Truckee is another California mountain town that will leave you busy all year long. This historic Sierra Nevada town is just minutes from Lake Tahoe’s North Shore, making it the perfect adventure for time on the water, in the forests, or even on the ski slopes. Truckee averages approximately 300 days of sunshine each year, so it’s easy to spend a day paddling on Donner Lake or the Truckee River, or even hiking and mountain biking along the Truckee River Legacy Trail.

4. Santa Cruz

Yes, Santa Cruz is certainly much larger than many other destinations on our list, but I couldn’t leave it off. It doesn’t matter if you want to spend your time at the ocean or surrounded by redwood forests, Santa Cruz is the ultimate outdoor playground. This outdoorsy California town is known as one of California’s “surf cities,” offering world-class surfing. If you want to spend time at the beach but not in the water, explore the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, home to a delightful oceanfront amusement park. There’s also Natural Bridges State Beach, which is best known for its incredible rock arch and monarch butterfly migrations.

I particularly love to spend time in the forest, and just minutes from Santa Cruz, you can explore coastal redwoods at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. And less than 10 miles outside of Santa Cruz, you can hop aboard the Roaring Camp Railroad, a historic train that takes you right in the heart of enchanting redwood groves, over trestle bridges, and through the mountains.

5. Big Sur

If you are searching for an outdoorsy town in California with dramatic coastal views, it’s hard to beat Big Sur. This small town is best known for its gorgeous views along Highway 1, including places like Bixby Creek Bridge. But for outdoor lovers, it is easy to get out of the car and experience these scenes firsthand. Visit places like McWay Falls, a gorgeous 80-foot waterfall that tumbles onto the beach, explore Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to hike through breathtaking coastal redwood groves, and then be mesmerized by Pfeiffer Beach, known for its purple sand and rock formations. If you want to observe wildlife, Big Sur is one of the best places to spot California Condors, migrating whales, and even southern sea otters.

6. Kernville

In the southern Sierra Nevada is the small town of Kernville, which is an outdoorsy California town that's best for those seeking heart-racing adventures. Kernville is home to the designated National Wild and Scenic Kern River, one of the best places for river rafting in California. Here, you’ll also find incredible scenic hikes including the popular Trail of 100 Giants, a family-friendly journey through a giant sequoia grove that will make you stand mesmerized at Mother Nature’s creations. The Kernville River is also an excellent spot for fishing, and if you love history, you’ll love the Gold Rush stories and the Old West vibe of this California town.

7. Idyllwild

Tucked up in the San Jacinto Mountains is the popular town of Idyllwild. While this small town may be popular with tourists, there is so much to do outdoors that it’s easy to escape the crowds here. Hiking is an extremely popular activity in the area with many trailheads located right in the middle of town. Idyllwild is also a paradise for rock climbers and is known as the birthplace of rock climbing in Southern California, with popular climbing destinations like Tahquitz Peak and Suicide Rock.

Yes, many adventure towns in California aren't on this list, but the above destinations stand out for their natural beauty, countless outdoor activities, and charm. If you are ready to keep exploring the Golden State, check out these mountain towns in Northern California and these charming Southern California towns that are always worth a visit. And if you want to explore even more, make sure to check out these incredible travel destinations across the U.S. that outdoor enthusiasts are sure to love.