Posted in USA
January 23, 2017
Here Are 22 Of The Most Charming Small Towns In All Of California
There’s something irresistible about California’s small towns and, from Coronado to Tiburon, the Golden State has no shortage of enchanting places to explore. We’ve divided this list up by region to present some of our favorites. Enjoy.
SoCal:
An island town is perhaps the best of the best when it comes to charming small towns in Southern California. Imagine sipping your morning coffee with this kind of view. What an inspiring experience!
Take an awe-inspiring stroll through the streets of downtown Avalon:
Take an awe-inspiring stroll through the streets of downtown Avalon:
Avalon, CA 90704, USA
Walking through Solvang is like stepping into a magical European village. This darling town is tucked away in the Central mountains, and it's truly one of the most beautiful towns in Southern California. Make sure to try the aebleskivers for us!
Solvang, CA 93463, USA
A popular mountain and lake getaway scattered with cozy cabins, gingerbread houses, and woodsy hikes. Lake Arrowhead is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting and one of my all-time fave small towns to visit for a weekend away.
Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA
Continuing along with our list of charming small towns in Southern California ... just look at those trees! San Juan Capistrano is best explored on foot. There is so much history and stunning architecture at every turn that it's worthy of a nice, long stroll.
San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA
It doesn't get much better than an outdoor patio filled with books. This charming bookstore (Bart's Books) is one of the many reasons Ojai is tops on my list for the best small town. It's considered one of the best getaway spots in Southern California.
Check out this jaw-dropping walkthrough of downtown Ojai in 4k:
Check out this jaw-dropping walkthrough of downtown Ojai in 4k:
Ojai, CA 93023, USA
How about a small town where you can stroll on the beach in your backyard? Malibu is known for its wildly expensive real estate and celebrity locals, but it's also a great place to go for a visit.
Pay a visit to Malibu's beautiful Zuma Beach right from your couch:
Pay a visit to Malibu's beautiful Zuma Beach right from your couch:
Malibu, CA, USA
Just one of the many cute shops scattered around Julian that adds charm galore to this small town. Oh, and it's also the best place for stargazing in Southern California.
Julian, CA 92036, USA
A bustling commercial strip in Old Town Temecula captures the old-time feel of this charming wine country to the south.
Temecula, CA, USA
This popular mountain resort is the perfect choice for a small-town getaway. Fresh air, grand views, and a thriving arts scene add to the appeal of this place. Truly one of the most charming small towns in Southern California.
Idyllwild, Irvine, CA 92602, USA
The tree-lined streets in Coronado look like the perfect spot for a bike ride. Coronado
Coronado, CA, USA
NorCal:
Disney characters Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Daisy Duck, and most of their supporting cast live in the fictional city of Duckburg, first mentioned in Walt Disney's Comics and Stories #49 in 1944, created by Carl Barks. It's believed this city "Duckburg" was named after the city of Eureka. For more about this lovely little town, check out this previous article!
Located on the western shore of beautiful Clear Lake, Lakeport was first settled by Native Americans several thousand years ago. Need more about Lakeport? Check out this article for all the details!
St. Helena considers itself the "Main Street" of the Napa Valley. It's known for its small-town charm with big experiences in culinary delights and world-renowned wines. Take a look at this previous article for more about St. Helena and it's quaint beauty.
Charm abounds here. Visiting Sutter Creek is like stepping back into the gold rush era...but with much better food. And air conditioning. For more about this lovely Northern California town, visit its official website.
Murphys is tucked away in Calaveras County and considers itself to be the Queen of the Sierra Foothills. We agree! For previous coverage of this adorable town, check out this previous article!
This town was founded in 1850 as a logging community, and was originally named "Meiggsville" after Henry Meiggs. No offense, Mr. Meiggs, but we're glad that one didn't stick. For more details about the awe-inspiring beauty of Mendocino, check out this previous article!
Jackson is he county seat of Amador County. Once upon a time, settlers were drawn to the gold in them thar hills. The town was founded in 1848 and named after an attorney that miners liked. Take a look at the city of Jackson's official website for more about this little place.
The Spanish word for Tiburon is "shark" and was probably inspired by the native leopard sharks in the surrounding waters. Don't let them fool you; Tiburon is lovely! Interested in hiking to downtown Tiburon and soaking up all the sights while getting outdoors? Take a look at this article about the world-famous Tiburon Historical Trail.
Fortuna is the Spanish for the word "fortune." It was chosen by settlers who felt fortunate to live in such a glorious place surrounded by the forests, the Eel river, and the Pacific Ocean. 20,000 people tend to fill the town during Fortuna's annual Redwood AutoXpo. For more about this lovely little town, check out its official website.
If you enjoy fishing, skiing, climbing, or sight-seeing, then you'll understand why Dunsmuir is a popular hub for visitors. There's so much room for activities! Want to know more? Check out this previous article!
Population: 115. Volcano was named when gold rush settlers believed the bowl-shaped valley to be created by a volcano. No such luck. This tiny town is known for a lot of firsts in California: first circulating library, first private school, first law school, and... first hanging. Well. Guess three out of four isn't bad. For some particularly interesting Civil War history (right here in Volcano), check this story out.
Sausalito (sauzalito) is Spanish, meaning "small willow grove." Pre World War II, it was known for its ship-making finesse. Now it's become an artistic houseboat community of over 400 boats. Groovy. For more about this lovely little town, check out this previous article!
With so many magical small towns throughout California, it’s impossible to name them all. Which towns would you add to this list? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
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