10 Undisturbed Towns To Visit In California
California is filled with towns that suit a slower pace and an eye for natural beauty. From Solvang’s storybook streets to the windswept bluffs of Mendocino Headlands State Park and hidden gems in the heart of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, these destinations reward curious travelers with one-of-a-kind experiences off the beaten path. Carmel-By-The-Sea boasts glowing sunsets beside cottage-lined lanes, while Avalon pairs pristine island views with the historic opulence of the Catalina Casino. Each town on this list offers its own memorable blend of culture, scenery, and local tradition, and a glimpse of California's softer side.
Solvang
Solvang glimmers in the Santa Ynez Valley. Reputed for its Danish-inspired architecture, visitors can learn all about the region's heritage and traditions at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art. The building itself is handcrafted and hosts monthly book clubs and seasonal events throughout the year. Likewise, Solvang’s Danish culture is on full display during the annual Danish Days in September, where attendees are invited to “live like Vikings” at an axe-throwing arena and can even sample delicious Danish goodies along the way.
Fans of Hans Christian Andersen may either want to explore the eponymous park, which is filled with scenic picnic areas and fairytale-themed play structures, or visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum above the Book Loft, which features books and exhibits about the cherished author. Solvang is also home to the quirky Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, with displays that showcase dozens of vintage racing motorcycles manufactured in the US, Europe, and even Japan.
Healdsburg
In the heart of Sonoma County, California’s Wine Country, Healdsburg boasts verdant valleys and undulating landscapes in idyllic places like the Del Rio Woods Regional Park, with access to the Russian River for paddling, swimming, and fishing. Naturally, you can also savor some of the region's award-winning wines at hot spots such as Mauritson Wines, which has been growing and producing wine for more than 150 years in the Dry Creek Valley, and Wilson Winery, another family-owned estate with a tasting room where guests can sip a glass of Zinfandel on a patio overlooking the vineyard.
Meanwhile, the nearby Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve is home to some of the biggest redwood trees in California, and its short, easy hiking trails wind past the oldest and tallest trees in the park. Healdsburg is also renowned as an artistic hotspot, so a trip to the Healdsburg Center for the Arts is a must. This interactive hub leads workshops and classes, and hosts a range of exhibits and presentations that highlight the region's creative spirit.
Carmel-By-The-Sea
At the edge of the Pacific Ocean, and just a few miles from Monterey, Carmel-By-The-Sea captures the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to walk its beaches and picture-perfect streetscapes. Fairytale architecture characterizes the town, including around 20 cottages designed by Hugh Comstock in the 1920s and referred to by names such as Hansel and Gretel, as well as the Village of Fae, a miniature fairy garden tucked between 8th and 9th Avenues. In and amongst these unique destinations are artists' studios and galleries, such as the Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, home to rotating exhibits featuring local and international artists and an intimate 50-seat theater. Of course, the main appeal of Carmel-By-The-Sea is the beach, where visitors and residents alike flock for excellent surf and even better sunsets, steps from the boutiques and cafes along Ocean Avenue.
Avalon
The small town of Avalon is a breathtaking home base from which to explore the beauty of Santa Catalina Island. The island the town is situated on is part of California’s Channel Islands. Perhaps the most iconic landmark on the entire island is the Catalina Casino. There's no gambling here, however. The venue was once a popular event space, with a ballroom and one of the first movie theaters in the country built for "talkies" after the silent era. Today, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Art Deco masterpiece and even catch a flick in the historic Avalon Theater on the ground floor.
Travelers will also find pristine spots for photography and sightseeing from ideal vantage points like the Buena Vista Point Scenic Overlook, easily accessible by golf cart, which are available for rent at a number of spots in town close to the ferry terminal. The settlement of Avalon is actually much older than many people realize, and visitors can learn of its complex history thanks to the exhibits and artifacts housed in the Catalina Museum For Art & History. A short walk from downtown leads to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden, which emphasizes and protects some of the Channel Islands’ endemic plant life. There are six plant species that only grow on Catalina Island, all of which can be found in the Memorial Garden, including the rare Catalina Ironwood.
Saint Helena
Much like the Sonoma Valley, the Napa Valley is best known for its world-class wineries, and Saint Helena is home to a wealth of them. There are several dozen vineyards in the immediate vicinity, many of which have satellite tasting rooms up and down Main Street. The bold Orin Swift Tasting Room offers four distinct experiences, listed as Rock, Paper, Scissors, and The Vault, while the Clif Family Winery has a more laid-back approach with a focus on sustainable growing practices and organic products in a cozy, farm-style setting. If the choice is too daunting, The Saint is a wine bar and cocktail lounge that features a wide selection of local and international labels, as well as flights for sampling and tasty bites to complement the wine. Outside of town, and aside from all the wineries, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park is a serene natural oasis with 25 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding across 2,700 acres, and also an observatory for stargazing.
Sausalito
Travelers heading north from San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge will pass through the town of Sausalito, which is a destination in its own right and well worth a stopover. In Richardson Bay, 400 houseboats make up a floating bohemian village that has been around since its start as a thriving artists' colony in the 1960s. To better appreciate the manmade marvels and engineering feats that formed Sausalito, the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Bay Model Visitor Center includes a functioning 3D hydraulic model of the Bay Area as well as exhibits about the various waterways. For a more natural perspective, Kirby Cove in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area offers excellent picnic and camping sites with undisturbed views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline.
Mammoth Lakes
High in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the small town of Mammoth Lakes sits at the base of Mammoth Mountain, where outdoor enthusiasts take advantage of some of the best skiing and snowboarding in California at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The mountain also opens its trails and lifts to mountain bikers in the summer, making it a year-round destination for adventure seekers. Additionally, Mammoth Lakes is also close to the Devils Postpile National Monument, which is accessible via shuttle from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center, where unique formations of basalt columns and the nearby Rainbow Falls make for magnificent backdrops. Best of all, however, Yosemite National Park is just about 45 minutes away, with some of the world's most iconic climbing routes, hiking trails, and legendary natural landmarks, like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls.
South Lake Tahoe
South Lake Tahoe is a beloved premier resort destination neighboring Nevada at the southernmost region of its namesake, Lake Tahoe. Here, lakeside beaches go toe to toe with their coastal counterparts, such as Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach, with shallow waters and a playground, and El Dorado Beach, which has a public boat launch and food concessions. To the west of town, Emerald Bay State Park is famous for its glacier-carved granite formations and wooded landscapes, as well as Vikingsholm, a 38-room, Scandinavian-style manse from 1929 that is open from Memorial Day through late September.
Timing is everything when planning a trip to Lake Tahoe. Winter brings skiing and other snow sports in the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, while summer sees popular events like the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship in July, where spectators can watch around 80 professional athletes and celebrities competing at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.
Ojai
Around 30 miles from Santa Barbara, the lovely town of Ojai beckons with a bevy of attractions near the Topatopa Mountains. Boasting a wide range of cultural events, the Ojai Music Festival showcases the musical talents of classical and contemporary artists each June in beautiful Libbey Park. In October, the Ojai Storytelling Festival features literary and theatrical performances, hosted by the Ojai Art Center, and throughout the year, the Ojai Valley Museum exhibits and preserves the history of this town and region. On the third Friday of every month, admission is free and accompanied by snacks and sips, making for a festive event. Meanwhile, beyond the town’s literary and artistic allure lie natural wonders like Lake Casitas, where boating, swimming, fishing, and camping are always in season.
Mendocino
In Mendocino, the Pacific Coast is the star of the show. At Mendocino Headlands State Park, dramatic cliffs give way to sandy dunes and secluded beaches where the Big River meets the sea. In town, art galleries such as the Mendocino Art Center treat visitors to creative and expressive works inspired by the beauty of Mendocino and beyond. Those keen for more outdoor adventures will want to venture north towards Russian Gulch State Park, where waterfalls, woodlands, and photogenic tide pools await. Even further north, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens include seasonal rhododendrons and other colorful flora across 47 acres.
Drink Wine And Explore The Outdoors In California's Undisturbed Towns
These undisturbed towns invite travelers to savor places that shine through their atmosphere and character, rather than flashy urban attractions. Sip local vintages near Healdsburg before wandering beneath towering trees in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, or linger along Ocean Avenue after a beach stroll in Carmel-By-The-Sea. From Ojai’s festival-filled calendar to Mendocino’s coastal trails, each destination proves that meaningful travel often unfolds in small towns with room to breathe.
