12 Most Beautiful Small Towns In California's Sierra Nevada You Should Visit
Granite peaks. Glacial lakes that hold the colors of the sky. Some of the oldest trees on Earth. The Sierra Nevada delivers a different kind of beauty in every season and the small towns folded into its valleys are a steady part of that. The twelve below each find their own way into the range. Pick one and a slow weekend will sort itself out.
Twain Harte
Twain Harte is a small Tuolumne County mountain town in California, named for two California writers, Mark Twain and Bret Harte. Twain Harte Lake is the centerpiece of summer life, with boating, fishing, and other water sports. The Twain Harte Miniature Golf Course, an 18-hole layout, is a quick crowd-pleaser for groups and families. Eproson Park sits just off downtown with surrounding greenery and the Streamside Trails for an easy hike. The park also holds bocce ball courts, a community garden, and a playground that hosts summer concerts. For a final stop, Gold Country Karaoke is a local favorite for late nights.
Markleeville
Markleeville is a small Alpine County town with a pull built around its surroundings. Grover Hot Springs State Park sits on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, with natural hot springs feeding the park's pool complex, a campground, hiking trails, and a picnic area. The Hangman's Bridge offers access to scenic views and energetic hikes along the East Fork of the Carson River. The Markleeville Art & Soul Gallery and the Markleeville General Store carry the antique-and-art side of the local scene.
Groveland
Groveland is an off-the-beaten-path town on the highway to Yosemite, with a deep agricultural past and a heritage as one of the country's Gold Rush towns. Mining gave way to farming, and the area later served as the headquarters of the Hetch Hetchy Water Project. The Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum is a strong stop for the area's story. Carlon Falls Trail, a moderate route off Evergreen Road in Stanislaus National Forest, leads about a mile and a half through the forest to a year-round waterfall on the South Fork Tuolumne River. Round out a stay with golf at Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course and a stop at Mary Laveroni Community Park for some downtime outdoors.
Angels Camp
This town has gone by many names over the years, including the City of Angels, Angels, Angel's Camp, and Angels City. The town is best known as the setting Mark Twain popularized in his short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." That heritage shows up at the Angels Camp Museum & Carriage House, with an extensive collection of carriages and wagons reflecting the Gold Rush past. New Melones Lake just outside town offers pet-friendly camping, miles of hiking, and protected wildlife habitat. The Frog Hop of Fame contest, featuring professional frog jumpers, is the strangest and most enduring event on the calendar.
Tahoe City
Tahoe City is a scenic town on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, with a collection of pretty spots that make it hard to pick a favorite. The 64-mile Tahoe Rim Trail passes just above town, and the paved Truckee River Bike Trail runs flat from downtown along the river toward Squaw Valley. D.L. Bliss State Park, a short drive south along the western shore, preserves clear coves, old-growth forest, and hiking trails. Local history sits at the Gatekeeper's Museum and the Western SkiSport Museum, which holds artifacts from the early days of California skiing through the 1960 Winter Olympics era.
Mammoth Lakes
This is one of those Sierra Nevada towns packed with natural attractions that make it almost unreal. Waterfalls run in every direction near Mammoth Lakes. Twin Falls and Rainbow Falls are popular stops. Wildflowers line the paths of Mammoth Creek Park for biking and walking. The Agnew Meadows trailhead opens onto a wildflower meadow loaded with white yarrow, purple larkspur, and lupine in summer, with steady deer and marmot sightings along the way. Lakes with mountain views include Convict Lake, Lake Mary, and Crystal Lake. While in the area, check out the geological standouts: Hot Creek, Devils Postpile National Monument, and Minaret Vista.
Truckee
Truckee is a Nevada County town in the High Sierra with picks for nearly every traveler. For history buffs, Donner Memorial State Park and the Emigrant Trail Museum walk through the Emigrant experience with artifacts, campsites, and picnic areas. For adventure travelers, options include a scenic drive over Donner Pass, hiking around Donner Lake, skiing and snowboarding in winter at Northstar California Resort, kayaking in the Truckee River, and fishing for trout in Donner Lake or the Little Truckee River. To do it all, plan a few days at the Donner Lake Inn Bed and Breakfast or the Truckee Donner Lodge.
Bishop
The underrated town of Bishop is the largest community in Inyo County, near the northern end of Owens Valley and named after Bishop Creek. Local history shows up at the Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site and the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center, both with strong stories to tell. Outdoor stops include Bishop Creek Canyon, with alpine lakes, wildflowers, and granite peaks. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest holds Methuselah, an almost 5,000-year-old tree that ranks among the oldest non-clonal trees on Earth. For a workout, hike the Little Lakes Valley Trail, the Bishop Pass Trail, or the North Lake area. Refuel with a meal at Amigo's Mexican Restaurant or pastries at Great Basin Bakery.
Sierra City
Sierra City was settled in 1850 by miners chasing gold from the Sierra Buttes. The Sierra County town now centers its identity on its mining past, anchored by the Kentucky Mine Museum, with its mining heritage exhibits, and historic buildings like the Wells Fargo Company building and the Old Sierra City Hotel. Beyond its rusty history, Sierra City delivers natural drama with Gold Lake set into the surrounding peaks and the 8,587-foot Sierra Buttes nearby in Tahoe National Forest. For the closest views, the Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout sits atop the highest peak with a fun hiking trail leading to it, plus a final climb up several flights of metal stairs.
Mineral King
Mineral King sits in the southern part of Sequoia National Park. The Mineral King Road climbs through a historic corridor and reflects the deep history of the Sierra Nevada and the valley's first inhabitants, the Yokuts tribe. The valley features a cirque of peaks rising more than 11,000 feet above the floor, with trails leading to alpine lakes and meadows. The small community has preserved generations of mining history. The valley is well known to backpackers and hikers, with classic routes like the Sawtooth Pass Trail toward the Monarch Lakes, plus Timber Gap and White Chief trails.
June Lake
June Lake looks like something out of an art print, with clear water, big views, and a beautiful drive along the June Lake Loop. June Lake itself is one of the largest in the area at 320 acres, with strong fishing and boating. The June Lake sandy beach offers a swimming area with views of the surrounding peaks. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding at June Mountain. Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake handle the swimming, paddling, and boating in summer. The Rush Creek Trailhead leads through the Ansel Adams Wilderness toward Yosemite National Park. Camps run from the Gull Lake Campground to the rustic cabins at Silver Lake Resort.
Sonora
Mexican miners founded the small town of Sonora during the California Gold Rush, and the name still nods to the Mexican state. Local history sits at the Sonora Fire Museum and the Tuolumne County Museum, with exhibits, artifacts, and vintage equipment. The town's parks make a strong stop with kids, including Coffill Park, Woods Creek Rotary Park, and Grigsby Park. The Dragoon Gulch Trail offers lush trees and refreshing air for a hike. Year-round events like the Spring Festival and the Annual Celtic Faire, plus markets like the Mother Lode Fair and the Sonora Farmer's Market, keep downtown busy.
The Beauty That Earns the Trip
The Sierra Nevada delivers some of the country's most striking scenery, and the twelve towns above are the doorways into it. Mineral King is the pick for a quiet camping base, with hikes that lead to Monarch Lakes and beyond. Groveland offers Gold Rush history and a smooth path into Yosemite. Mammoth Lakes and Twain Harte deliver the trails. Markleeville opens up the East Fork of the Carson River and its hot springs. Each town tells a different version of the same story, and that's the case for stringing several together on one trip.
