Small-town Charm in Cali
California is most known for its big city life, but The Golden State also boasts several hidden gems along its diverse 1,254-mile coast.
Here are 18 hidden gems that give California a bit of that small-town charm.
Ojai
Ojai has been a long time favorite for artists and free spirits.
Located about 80 miles northwest of LA, this small town is tucked in a valley among the stunning Topatopa Mountains.
Ojai: Tranquility
Ojai’s tranquil setting is ideal for a mix of outdoor and wellness activities, from horseback riding to award-winning spa treatments at the renowned Ojai Valley Inn.
Avalon
The small town of Avalon is located on Catalina Island, and it is most known for its lack of transportation. In fact, there is a waitlist to have a car on the island.
Elena.laps, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Avalon: Serenity
The island is only three-square miles and can be completely seen on foot. Aside from the quiet streets, the town is known for its stunning snorkeling destinations, and the white sandy beaches, making it the ultimate hidden gem for serenity.
Elena.laps, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sausalito
Just off the northern side of the Golden Gate Bridge, you’ll find Sausalito—one of the best small towns in California.
Sausalito: Charm
This stunning bayfront location boasts picturesque architecture and breathtaking views of the bay and San Francisco.
The little town is filled with quaint little shops and restaurants, giving it that small town charm.
Solvang
Solvang is a postcard-perfect small town in the Santa Ynez Valley and boasts an entirely Danish style and architecture.
Dan Lindsay, Wikimedia Commons
Solvang: Danish Delight
Danish flags hang from street lamps in the town's center, which replicates a Scandinavian village. Charming little shops sell genuine wooden clogs, and restaurants offer Danish-style food like ebleskiver (similar to doughnut holes).
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small town in Monterey County, located on the central coast of California. It is known for its romantic feel of the picturesque downtown area.
Carmel-by-the-Sea: Enchanting
The town has an enchanting presence of gardens and storybook cottages. The village used to be a boho artist colony, and it's still home to over 100 art galleries.
Visitors can enjoy wine-tasting, shopping at high-end boutiques, and ocean side diners.
St. Helena
St. Helena is a small town with big charm, located about 20 miles north of the city of Napa. Its downtown features a half-mile of boutiques, California cuisine restaurants, and wine-tasting rooms.
St. Helena: Historic Charm
Many of the businesses in St. Helena are housed inside historic stone and brick buildings. In fact, a three-block portion of downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places—making a trip to this little town even more interesting.
Calistoga
Calistoga is known as a “chill” town in Napa Valley. It may have a Four Seasons resort, but it continues to be known for its small-town charm where visitors go to seek relaxation.
Calistoga: Nature’s Beauty
The area is best known for its natural hot springs and mud baths. One of the best attractions in this small town is Old Faithful, a geyser throws about ten thousand gallons of water and steam up to one hundred seventy feet in the air.
Sonoma
Sonoma is located about 45 miles north of San Francisco, and it is commonly known for its wine country on a budget. In fact, it was more wineries and appellations than Napa Valley and is considerably less expensive.
Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Sonoma: Colonial Architecture
The quaint little town is also known for its colonial architecture, fascinating statehood history, and a picturesque downtown.
The Sonoma Overlook Trail offers breathtaking views and relaxing hikes.
Pismo Beach
Pismo Beach is a charming central coast town and it is home to one of the best beaches in California—with a pier that stretched 1,200 feet into the Pacific Ocean.
DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Pismo Beach: Sand and Surf
Aside from its beauty, Pismo Beach is known for its dozens of surf stores and beach cafes, as well as the Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve which allows horseback riding on the beach and ATV tours through the dunes.
Tahoe City
Tahoe City provides a different scene from California’s usual sandy beaches—which is proof of the state’s diverse landscapes. It’s all about lake life in the summer and downhill skiing in the winter.
Bohao Zhao, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tahoe City: Lake Life
Lake Boulevard, the city’s epicenter, offers towering pine trees, beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, and several local shops and restaurants.
MyName (Finetooth), CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Trinidad
Trinidad is located in Humboldt County, and is one of the least populated towns in California. Its dramatic coastline boasts 10 beautiful beaches with rocky ledges.
Coolcaesar, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Trinidad: Ocean Vistas
The quaint town of Trinidad is known for its vibrant coastal scenery and abundance of outdoor activities, making it the perfect spot for adventurers looking for an escape from the bustling city life.
TrinidadMike, Wikimedia Commons
Borrego Springs
Borrego Springs is refreshingly quiet. The tiny town has no traffic lights, which is perfect the night sky views.
Borrego Springs: Wildflowers
Borrego Springs is also known for its 935-mile State Park which is popular for its spectacular spring wildflower blooms and a collection of 130 massive metal sculptures.
Los Olivos
Los Olivos is In the Santa Ynez Valley, north of Santa Barbara. It’s a tiny walkable town is known for its 27 wine-tasting rooms, cafes, and art galleries.
Damian Gadal, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Los Olivos: Victorian-Style Views
Los Olivos’s Victorian-style inns draws visitors from all over, including the beautiful Global Gardens, where visitors can get a private olive oil tour and tasting.
Moss Landing
Moss Landing is home to only about 240 residents. It’s a small fishing village in northern Monterey County, and is a favorite among nature lovers.
Moss Landing: Wildlife Wonders
The town sits at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve, a tidal salt marsh that is home to 340 species of resident and migratory birds including heron, egrets, and pelicans.
You’ll also catch a glimpse of over 100 southern sea otters while kayaking, whale-watching, or hiking.
NOAA's National Ocean Service, Flickr
Guerneville
Guerneville is located along the Russian River in Sonoma County, and it is known for combining the best of all worlds: rafting, river floats, hiking, and more.
Guerneville: LGBTQ+ Friendly
The best known part of Guerneville’s small town charm is that it is completely LGBTQ+ friendly. In fact, in 1978 Guerneville’s first gay resort was opened, two years after California revoked its anti-gay laws.
Since then it has become a relaxing place where all are welcome.
MARELBU, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Guerneville: Food and Fires
Guerneville is also widely known for its spectacular food scene, which includes roasted broccolini with black garlic and Moroccan chicken with preserved lemon and smoked yogurt at Boon eat + drink.
The Dawn Ranch Resort supplies guests with acoustic guitars to play around the property’s many firepits.
MARELBU, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mammoth Lakes
Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevadas, Mammoth Lakes has a much larger population, but still boasts that small town country charm. It’s a popular destination for winter skiing, and summer fly-fishing.
Nandaro, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mammoth Lakes: Heavenly Hikes
Mammoth Lakes is full of scenic hiking routes, including the easy 2.5-mile loop around crystal clear Convict Lake that offers an impeccable view of Mount Morrison—which towers 12,241 feet.
Mammoth Lakes: Rainbow Waterfall
To add to the already glorious views of the surrounding landscape, Mammoth Lake also features a 101-foot waterfall called Rainbow Falls. It is a steady up-hill climb that offers a view from the top like no other.
Three Rivers
Three Rivers is located near the Sierra Nevada foothills, and it is the perfect spot for a rugged adventure up north in the stunning giant redwoods.
Three Rivers: Adventure Awaits
Known for amazing outdoor adventures, in Three Rivers you can take the family whitewater rafting, cave exploring, and hiking (to various gorgeous waterfalls).
The charming country town offers a local brewery, local shops with handmade goods, and even an old-school candy shop.
Patrick Pelster, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cambria
Cambria is a low-key, small beach town that is ideal for a getaway from the city life. Not only is it close to wine country and various little antique shops, there is an incredible amount of wildlife there as well.
Cambria: Wildlife
Cambria is home to Elephant Seal Rookery, where you can spot over 20,000 elephant seals, along with various bird species.
Bureau of Land Management California, Flickr
Cambria: Artistic Atmosphere
Cambria also boasts a huge artistic atmosphere, which includes The Vault Gallery—an art gallery with contemporary works from Billy Zane, and dozens of plein air paintings (art pieces completed within the landscape that is being drawn).
San Luis Obispo County Visitors & Conventions Bureau, Wikimedia Commons
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