2025's Most Underrated Towns In Northern California

Known for its redwood forests, wild coastline, and rolling vineyards, Northern California is bursting with incredible places to explore. But with all that beauty comes plenty of visitors. So, where do you go if you are in the mood for something a little more low-key? These seven underrated towns offer a more relaxed rhythm, whether you are wine tasting, whitewater rafting, or spending the afternoon museum hopping. If you are looking for a trip with fewer crowds but just as much pizzazz, these seven underrated Northern California towns are sure to give you a great vacation in 2025.

Healdsburg

Healdsburg lies near three major wine valleys: the Russian River Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Alexander Valley, promising the perfect weekend of wine tasting. To start off your wine-filled weekend, visit Bella Vineyards & Wine Caves, which offers tastings in its rustic-style wine cave or on the Bella Lawn, which looks out over the Dry Creek Valley. Seghesio Family Vineyards is another beloved vineyard to visit, with a history dating back to 1895 and various tour and tasting options.

Visitors hoping to learn about the vineyard’s production processes can tour the facilities on a Cellar Explorations tour, followed by a wine flight sampling. After wine tasting, travelers can head over to the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve to appreciate the area’s natural beauty. This 155-acre preserve exhibits a variety of ecosystems, including oak woodlands, wetlands, and open grasslands.

Murphys

Nicknamed the “Queen of the Sierra,” Murphys is rich in mountain biking trails and gold rush history. Just a 20-minute drive from town, visitors can reach Calaveras Big Trees State Park, home to two groves of sequoias, ancient volcanic formations, and the Stanislaus River, which travelers can explore via hiking and biking trails. Several caverns are nearby, such as Mercer Caverns, which feature beautiful rock formations like flowstone cascades and stalagmites.

Travelers interested in learning more about the town’s gold rush history can stop by the Murphys Old Timers Museum, which shares information about the gold rush period through mining artifacts, period clothing, documents, and photographs.

Arcata

The small community of Arcata is hidden among the redwoods of northern California and is filled with opportunities for outdoor recreation. Travelers wanting to go hiking can explore the Arcata Community Forest, located on the eastern side of town, with an extensive network of walking and hiking trails. For a beach walk or picnic, spend the afternoon at Mad River County Park, known for its coastal dunes and grasses, and popular for beachcombing and fishing.

At the end of the day, travelers can unwind at the Front Porch Inn, a cozy boutique lodge with an outdoor spa that includes private outdoor soaking tubs.

Ferndale

Ferndale is a truly unique village in California, featuring Victorian-era buildings and a lively art scene. Travelers interested in Victorian architecture can spend the night at the Gingerbread Mansion, a Victorian-style home that dates back to the 19th century, now operating as a four-diamond bed and breakfast. If you want to continue exploring the town’s history, stop by the Ferndale Museum, which features exhibits like a working seismograph, Victorian room settings, natural history exhibits, and farming equipment.

The Ferndale Arts Gallery is a great place to grab a souvenir, offering photography, jewelry, ceramics, fiber art, and fine paintings from 22 regional artists.

Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta is one of the region’s fastest-growing vacation spots, offering great opportunities for hiking, white water rafting, and other extreme sports. Travelers hoping to spend a weekend on the trails can head east to Panther Meadows, a popular hike that provides beautiful views of Mount Shasta.

To see stunning waterfalls, consider the McCloud River Falls Trail, which winds past three waterfalls before ending at a green meadow. To add adrenaline to your weekend, Living Waters Recreation offers white water rafting trips down the Klamath River and the Upper Sacramento River.

Nevada City

Not only is Nevada City a gateway to the Tahoe National Forest, but it also has an impressive art and music scene. Each summer, the town hosts the Nevada City Film Festival, which showcases films from emerging and independent filmmakers on a 32-foot screen under the open sky. Year-round, you can visit the Crazy Horse Saloon, a legendary grill and bar that often features live music in the evenings, along with occasional trivia nights.

If you are hoping to explore the area’s outdoors, the Tahoe National Forest is the place to be. This forest, covering 850,000 acres of public and 350,000 acres of private land, is filled with waterfalls, canyons, meadows, rivers, and lakes. Typical activities in the forest include hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and rock climbing.

St. Helena

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, St. Helena has a wonderful wine and culinary scene. Travelers hoping to try some of the region’s prized wines can spend a few hours at Hall Wines, which offers a variety of tasting experiences. Some of the tastings include a tour of the grounds, diving into the vineyard’s winemaking and farming practices. After visiting some of the area’s vineyards, take time to explore its agricultural side with a stop at a local farm. Long Meadow Ranch is a great choice, spanning 650 acres and featuring a popular farmhouse restaurant where guests can enjoy fresh dishes like crab rolls, grass-fed burgers, and wood-grilled heritage pork chops.

For a souvenir, there are plenty of charming boutiques to browse. Lolo’s Consignment is great for those who love thrifting, selling a variety of consigned clothing, name-brand bags, furniture, and other well-maintained merchandise.

When prime vacation season arrives, don’t get caught in the Northern California crowds. These seven towns are a great alternative for travelers looking for adventures in a calmer setting. Towns like Ferndale mix Victorian history with local art, while places like Healdsburg and St. Helena are filled with relaxing wine tasting opportunities. This year, let yourself stray from the usual route and see what these underrated towns have in store.