11 Picture-Perfect Towns in California
Joan Didion once said of California that "the future always looks good in the golden land." Past the press-darling cities, the state holds towns where settlement-era architecture still anchors the present. Los Alamos runs an Old Western Main Street founded in 1876. Mendocino's Victorian downtown preserves lumber-era buildings that draw photographers across the seasons. The eleven California towns ahead each carry a visual character the headline names cannot match.
Los Alamos
Surrounded by rolling hills and ranches along California's central coast is the town of Los Alamos. It sits just north of Solvang and a few towns south of Pismo Beach. Bell Street runs through the historic district and reads as one of the most Old Western Main Streets in the state. The town was founded in 1876, and period architecture lines the corridor. The Union Hotel, built in 1880, is one of the historical fixtures and is worth a visit or a stay. The Victorian property holds six themed suites and exceptional views. Each September, the annual Los Alamos Old Days festival runs a parade, food vendors, a car show, arts and crafts, and Old Western themed cultural displays. Check out Melville Vineyards and Winery and grab a bite at Bell's, a French bistro that has held a Michelin Star.
Ferndale
One hundred miles south of the Oregon border is the town of Ferndale, located on the redwood coast. Half the fun of the visit is getting to Ferndale, as the drive features some of the most striking scenery in the state. The town itself runs an old-fashioned character that is best experienced at Golden Gait Mercantile, a general store from yesteryear that still operates as the main store for locals. The downtown delivers street after street of Victorian-style homes. Nearby Centerville Beach County Park hosts secluded beaches, and a short drive outside of town leads to Russ Park, a dense forest of redwoods and spruce that offers exceptional opportunities for birding.
Aptos
North of Carmel-by-the-Sea, on the eastern side of Monterey Bay and southwest of San Jose, is the coastal town of Aptos. The views of Monterey Bay from this beach community are exceptional. Upon arrival, the eye is met with forests, white sand beaches, and rolling hills. The town is made up of several villages including Seacliff, Cabrillo, Seascape, Rio del Mar, and Aptos Village. Despite being a college town, Aptos doesn't have an official downtown, but there are several shopping clusters to frequent. Besides typical beach activities, one unique landmark to see is the SS Palo Alto, a World War I-era concrete tanker launched in 1919 that originally served as an oil tanker until it was grounded off Seacliff in 1929. The wreckage remains viewable from the pier. Pleasant Valley Vineyards offers solid wine tasting, and Café Sparrow, located in the old Post Office and general store, serves notable cuisine.
Paso Robles
In the heart of wine country, the town of Paso Robles is surrounded by wineries and hot springs. The pedestrian-friendly downtown is full of art galleries, tasting rooms, and shops. Studios in the Park, Reminisce Village of Shops, and the General Store are not to miss. Taste in the Alley and Paso Underground offer noteworthy wines and an appealing atmosphere. Downtown City Park sits at the center of things with a green space and gazebo. Throughout the year, festivals include the Paso Robles Wine Festival, Farmer's Market, Olive Oil Festival, Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Summer Concert Series. The downtown holds period buildings from the 1800s including the Acorn Building, which was rebuilt following the December 22, 2003 San Simeon Earthquake, alongside the El Paso de Robles Hotel.
Mendocino
Just three hours north of San Francisco is the coastal town of Mendocino. The view runs west across the blue Pacific and the waves crashing on the rugged beaches, then turns east to the dense redwood forest behind the town. The downtown is an artists' base with historical landmarks and Victorian-era homes alongside unique local architecture. The 19th-century Ford House is a must-visit. Just north of town, Russian Gulch State Park holds some of the most distinctive coastline in the region, and the early 1900s Point Cabrillo Light Station is open for tours.
Avalon
Located off the coast of Los Angeles is the island of Catalina and the town of Avalon. Accessible by ferry, private boat, or helicopter, the town runs hot in summer and slows the rest of the year. The Catalina Casino is a white, Art Deco building that glistens in the sun and is the most recognizable landmark on the island. The architecture of the town can feel like landing in a European seaside village. Everywhere the eye turns is another vista across the Pacific. The scuba and snorkeling here are notable, and the former Wrigley mansion (now known as the Mt. Ada bed and breakfast) offers period architecture and is among the nicer places to stay on the island.
Ojai
Northwest of Los Angeles, Ojai sits in Ventura County and serves as an escape from the metropolitan grind. Meditation Mount is a nonprofit center for education with notable views of the valley. Ojai works year-round, but fall and winter visitors should stay for sunset to see what locals call the "pink moment." At sunset, when looking east toward the Topatopa Mountains, the peaks can be cast in a pink glow that is unique to the region. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy preserves natural areas for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Pismo Beach
Take the scenic drive up Pacific Coast Highway to the town of Pismo Beach. The town is known for its long beaches and surrounding wineries. The Pismo Pier has been recently renovated and is the most-photographed landmark in town. From October through February, the Monarch Butterfly Grove hosts overwintering monarch populations (counts have varied substantially in recent years amid broader monarch declines, though seasonal numbers can still reach the low tens of thousands during peak years). Explore Pismo's dunes via horseback or ATV. The freshwater Pismo Lake Ecological Reserve is also within reach. Price Historical Park preserves the ranch home of John Price, built in the late 1800s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Capitola
The seaside village of Capitola sits in Santa Cruz County just north of Monterey Bay. From the village, the beach and Soquel Creek open up the views of the bay. Capitola has been a resort destination since 1874, recognized as the first beach resort on the West Coast of the United States. The Hotel Capitola, built in the late 1800s, was a wood-frame Victorian hotel with design nods to the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and the Cliff House in San Francisco. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1929, but it inspired the colorful shops, restaurants, and homes that define the village today. Capitola Beach is the place to play, whether for surfing, swimming, or paddleboarding. Stop in at the Capitola Historical Museum to learn more about the town's history.
St. Helena
Among the rolling hills of the Napa Valley, the town of St. Helena is famous for its natural setting and its winery roster. Vineyards line the surrounding terrain in every direction. Notable wineries in the area include Charles Krug, V. Sattui, and Beringer. Beringer is a historic landmark and one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in Napa Valley, founded in 1876. The Rhine House, a Victorian mansion on the Beringer estate, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stroll down the tree-lined streets of the downtown area for shops and restaurants. One stop is the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, located in a historic stone building and featuring a top-rated restaurant.
Half Moon Bay
The town of Half Moon Bay is a quiet reprieve from busy urban life. Its natural setting invites visitors to ease into the simple pleasures. The downtown holds historic architecture and a walkable layout. The surrounding area runs green coastal hills, rocky seaside cliffs, and beach access, and is close to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with its winding trails and old-growth redwoods. The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, built in 1871, is a notable landmark at one of the tallest lighthouse structures on the West Coast (115 feet), offering ocean views and insight into the maritime history of the region.
Eleven California Towns Off the Press Trail
Across the central coast, the redwood north, the wine country, and Catalina Island, the eleven towns above run their own version of California life. Each preserves a piece of the state that the press-darling cities have long since traded away. The drive between them is the country, the food is local, and the pace is the kind worth taking. The eleven destinations on this list reward visitors who pick the back roads.
