10 Best Downtowns In Northern California
Northern California is known for its diverse landscapes, Gold Rush heritage, and world-class winemaking. While big cities like Sacramento and San Francisco draw millions annually with their lively downtown districts, the region also houses smaller yet delightful towns that offer equally vibrant experiences. However, what makes them special is that they have more walkable streets with thinner crowds, making it easier for them to explore and experience the interaction between history, culture, and commerce in their urban cores.
From coastal enclaves to historic settlements, these lively corridors showcase the best of Northern California’s unique blend of past and present. Whether discovering mining history in Nevada City or savoring sumptuous seafood in Sausalito, here are some of the best downtowns in Northern California.
Sonoma
Sonoma's thriving wine-making culture, historical heritage, and vibrant art scene collide in its rustic downtown district. The famous Sonoma Plaza serves as the focal point of the community, dotted with 19th-century structures housing a mix of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and other local businesses. The Arts Guild of Sonoma exhibits creative works by dozens of professional artists from the area, including sculptures, paintings, and prints. You can also enjoy a taste of Sonoma's tasty wines at the Buena Vista Winery, one of the town's oldest establishments.
Sonoma's rich origins can be traced to the Sonoma State Historic Park, which preserves an early 1800s Catholic mission around which the community grew. Finally, those visiting with young ones can take them to Sonoma TrainTown Railroad for a fun miniature train ride around a 10-acre amusement park.
Mendocino
Mendocino is a sleepy coastal community with a well-preserved downtown region that promises tourists an eye-opening journey through time. This is thanks to a collection of Victorian homes that provide a window into the old days, including the Ford House Museum and Visitor Center. Completed in 1854, this was the first home built in the area and showcases a library of archives documenting local history. The Kelley House Museum is another prominent landmark in the neighborhood and welcomes guests to guided tours exploring its 19th-century furnishings and artifacts.
Downtown Mendocino also offers a taste of the arts at the Mendocino Art Center, which hosts exhibitions, events, and performances to inform, educate, and entertain the townspeople. When you need a break from wandering the streets of downtown, you can have it while enjoying a cappuccino at GoodLife Cafe & Bakery.
Danville
Set against the scenic backdrop of Mount Diablo, Danville hosts a bustling down with an eclectic blend of galleries, restaurants, museums, and diverse homegrown businesses. Guests can easily confine their itinerary within the neighborhood and discover interesting facts about the town's history at the Museum of San Ramon Valley. This restored 19th-century train depot exhibits several artifacts from the past. Meanwhile, the Village Theatre & Art Gallery welcomes visitors to watch entertaining comedies, musicals, and plays performed by regional talent.
Every Saturday, downtown Danville explodes into life as local vendors come out in numbers to sell their diverse wares at the Danville Farmers' Market. However, guests can opt for a more contemporary shopping experience by visiting Blackhawk Plaza, home to many nationally recognized retail stores.
Eureka
This port community in Northern California seems frozen in time, thanks to a well-maintained Old Town district riddled with elaborate old-world mansions and historic homes dating back to the Victorian era. The Carson Mansion is a prime example of opulence during the period. It was built by a lumber magnate and sports a unique Queen-Anne design. Also, the Clarke Historical Museum stores a library of archives chronicling the culture and heritage of the California North Coast region, featuring Gold Rush memorabilia and Indian crafts.
The Broadway Cinema is where residents head for indoor entertainment, screening the latest blockbusters inside an intimate venue. Also, those who appreciate social interactions can mingle with local patrons over a cocktail at The Speakeasy.
Arcata
Arcata is a bubbly college town whose youthful exuberance shows an infectious atmosphere throughout its downtown area. This lively square delivers a wholesome experience for all visitors, with historians enjoying a trip down memory lane at the Phillips House Museum. This Greek Revival mansion is the town's oldest home and paints a picture of the formative years. Arcata also harbors an active arts community that constantly captivates audiences with dance, plays, dramas, and other live performances at the Arcata Playhouse.
Those who love to shop can carry their spare change to the Arcata Plaza Farmers' Market and sort through thrifty local produce, crafts, and other items sold by area vendors. Lastly, don't miss out on the electric nightlife in Arcata and a chance to mingle with colorful characters at Dead Reckoning Tavern.
Placerville
An enduring mining heritage collides with a longstanding wine-making tradition in this tiny town in El Dorado County, with everything coming to the fore across the live downtown region. Placerville traces its formative years to the mid-1800s, and the Fountain & Tallman Museum is a vivid window into the past. This rugged soda factory was built in 1852 and displays a range of period furniture, photographs, and memorabilia. Meanwhile, the El Dorado County Historical Museum takes a broad look into the region's past, documenting the town's development throughout its lumbering, ranching, and mining phases.
Homegrown artists showcase their works at the Placerville Art Gallery, inviting tourists to examine the talent and promote them with a purchase. Also, downtown Placerville guarantees remarkable wine tastings at establishments like Toogood Cellars, conveniently located along Main Street.
Nevada City
Nevada City boasts one of the most picturesque downtowns in Northern California and is an excellent stop for anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the state's Gold Rush heritage. The area is dotted with historical markers that transport guests back to the heydays, starting with the Firehouse No. 1 Museum. This old firehouse from 1861 documents firefighting heritage in Nevada City between the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also, the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum reveals the critical role of the railways during the mining days using a selection of old train cars and related relics.
Nevada City is also home to the longest operating theater venue on the West Coast. Boasting a legacy dating back to the 1800s, the Nevada Theatre continues to engage residents with plays and dramas. When you need something to eat, stop by Crazy Horse Saloon & Grill for chicken wings and tacos.
Sausalito
Sausalito's charming downtown district boasts a walkable waterfront with unprecedented views of the San Francisco Bay. One of the major gathering spots in the neighborhood is the Sausalito Boardwalk, where guests come to admire the San Francisco skyline and dine at the different restaurants strewn along the corridor. If you have a soft spot for delicious seafood, you can pop into Salito's Crab House & Prime Rib to taste local flavors. Sausalito is also famous for its historic floating homes, which tourists will enjoy witnessing at Waldo Point Harbor.
Another intriguing point of interest in the area is the Bay Model Visitor Center. This family-friendly facility features a 3D hydraulic model reenacting the San Francisco Bay and delta and demonstrating how it works.
Auburn
Designated a California Historical Landmark, Auburn has a rich Gold Rush heritage that comes to life through the many landmarks dotting its Old Town district. A stroll through the area feels like a trip back in time, offering visitors a chance to explore interactive relics and memorabilia from the mining heydays at the Gold Rush Museum. Meanwhile, the Placer County Museum offers a more comprehensive view of the region's history. Housed inside the grandiose Placer County Courthouse, its vast collection features artifacts from the Native Indian and Gold Rush days.
Auburn has a vibrant artistic side that newcomers can experience at the Auburn State Theatre. This historic venue hosts music shows, movie screenings, concerts, and other events throughout the year. At the end of a tedious day, those who want to unwind head to Knee Deep Brewing Company for a pint or two in a relaxing environment.
Grass Valley
Grass Valley is another historic town in Northern California that reminds travelers of the rich heritage associated with California's Gold Rush. This unassuming community once hosted the state's richest and deepest gold mine, which first-timers can learn about at Empire Mine State Historic Site. Rare artifacts and relics at the venue tell a fascinating story of the peak mining period in the community. More archives await inside the Northstar Mining Museum, harboring a library of mining-era photographs and memorabilia.
Beyond the history, tourists can catch live music performances at the Center for the Arts, the local cultural hub and a popular gathering spot for the townsfolk. Alternatively, they can take advantage of beer tasting opportunities at the Grass Valley Brewing Company to sample innovative local crafts.
Final Thought
Northern California is home to some of the state's most vibrant and charming downtowns in the United States. From the historic streets of Grass Valley to the coastal beauty of Mendocino, each of these downtowns in Northern California has a unique character and attractions. Whether you're looking for arts, dining, nature, or history, there is enough to go around regardless of your preferences. Exploring them is the perfect way to discover the heart and soul of the Golden State away from the urban hubs.
