6 California Towns That Rival Europe's Best

The US is adorned with charming Germantowns and Nordic motifs, with a handful in the heart of California. From Portugal to Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, see which towns mimic your favorite destinations with history, architecture, and cuisine.

Temptation is everywhere in some of the state's most unique towns. Those edging the Pacific are reminiscent of the cities across the Atlantic along the Mediterranean Sea coast. Between the two burgs and "the Bu," you'll find a hefty dose of European vibes we too often long for.

Avalon

Dating back 8,000 years of human settlement, Catalina Island is enchanting with its mountains and turquoise harbors indenting the "Caribbean of California." Avalon, the historic and only incorporated city on the eastern edge, exudes Santorini vibes with buildings etched into the hills. The elevated downtown overlooks the rocky Avalon Bay coastline, wrapping the gorgeous and protected harbor with calm, sparkling waters and dig-your-toes soft sand beaches for swimming and sunbathing.

Take the looping Chimes Tower Rd. to the Spanish-style 1925 Catalina Chimes Tower, ringing a melody every 15 minutes over Crescent Avenue's tiki bars and restos. In addition to seabound tours and shuttles around the island, the point-to-point, backpacking Trans-Catalina Trail passes Two Harbors to the serene side. Whether you're after the pier or snorkeling at Lover's Cove, rent a golf cart or a bike, or hike to Buena Vista Point for sweeping white sails in the emerald harbor.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel's cobblestone lanes, whimsical cottages, and shops evoke a tempting slice of Europe in approximately one square mile of high fashion and artful treasures. From Carmel Plaza to Ocean Avenue, you can find a serene courtyard or a local haunt. Check out the venerable, circa-1771 Carmel Mission Basilica with a museum, tours, and a serene courtyard at the park entrance. The nature preserve on a former estate offers five miles of trails through pine and redwood.

Stretch your legs from Frank Lloyd Wright's Clinton Walker House to the sandy crescent backed by cypress trees, a popular dog-friendly beach for surfing and sunset strolls. Relatively, Carmel River State Beach is one mile of serenity just south, with bird watching and scuba diving entry. Lone Cypress is an unmissable photo op along the 17 Mile Drive to Monterey. The landmark single cypress tree overlooking the Pacific is a historic symbol and pure wonderment of what keeps it growing.

Healdsburg

This sleepy yet vibrant Sonoma County town lives on "Italian time," along the rushing Russian River with views of the golden vineyards and the rolling countryside. The soil, almost identical to Tuscany, produces Italian-inspired, world-class wine grapes and ingredients for the fresh-from-California farm-to-table, flavorful cuisine. Some 15 miles north of Santa Rosa, it is an alluring blend of the manic Bay Area, starting at Healdsburg's former library with rotating exhibits and historic artifacts.

Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach is clean and BBQ-equipped, with a swimming area offering kayak and canoe launches and rentals across the street. After a morning spent exploring the trails and beauty pockets in the river bends with your furry friend, perhaps to the Russian River Overlook, it is time to embrace your "dolce far niente" vibes, from central plaza shopping to Alexander Valley wineries, with highlights like Soda Rock Winery, a rustic 1867 building, and barn-style tastings.

Kingsburg

Welcome to "Little Sweden," halfway between Los Angeles and Sacramento at the heart of the San Joaquin Valley on the Kings River. Established in 1873 as a railroad stop, Kingsburg's Swedish population was up to 94% by 1921. Just 21 miles from Fresno, travelers enjoy the city's Norse motif in architecture, cultural events, and a historic shopping district. Originally built in 1911 across from the historic train depot, the focal Swedish Coffee Pot Water Tower remembers Swedish founders.

Transformed into the coffee pot design in 1985, the beautifully painted water tower within a public park sets a world record with a 60,000-gallon capacity. If wine is more your cup of tea, the friendly Ramos Torrey Winery invites quaint times with jazz, distinct decor, and a spacious outdoor patio to soak in a summer evening. Drop by Svensk Butik on Taber Street for gifts, browsing, or just a friendly chat, featuring an array of homemade Swedish crafts, food, and unfiltered honey from local hives.

Malibu

Mediterranean climate and coastal ranges are a few of the many similarities that make the Portuguese coast the "California of Europe." Braced by 21 miles of ruggedly diverse coastline, the Malibu area's beaches, rolling hills, and wine country evoke coastal cities like Lisbon or Sintra. The resemblance is uncanny to the naked eye at Point Dume, backed by steep cliffs, trails, and rocky coves, with blufftop views of Santa Catalina Island and long stairs to a secluded sandy beach, popular for surfing.

Just east, the cliff-foot El Matador State Beach offers blufftop parking along the highway. Soak in the oceanscape down the long wooden staircase to the beach, with dramatic haystacks, sea caves, and sunsets, inviting exploration and unobtrusive photoshoots with few souls on a given weekday. Beyond the beaches, Malibu is surrounded by rugged parkland, characterized by high desert terrain of canyons, peaks, and rocky hillsides, with trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Solvang

Just two hours from LA, this charming wine country village plucks you into Europe, at the heart of Santa Ynez Valley, with Scandinavian-inspired buildings, bakeries, and tasting rooms. The iconic Solvang Windmill is a showstopper in a lively square to try local treats and take pictures. Shoot down the highway to an 85-acre county park with a play and picnic area and an accessible 80-foot cascade via a short, shaded trail, slightly uphill, to enjoy a peaceful backdrop and ambience of rushing water.

Back in "Little Denmark," the Book Loft bookstore is an authentic building, housing a bookshop and exhibits at the tiny upstairs Hans Christian Andersen Museum. The nearby park honors the literary giant who was born in Denmark with a shady loop trail, unique flora, and structures to soak in the sunny valley on a picnic right in town. In addition to trolley and carriage rides, the intimate California Nature Art Museum flaunts ever-changing exhibits of nature-centric paintings and photography.

Final thoughts on European-style California towns

Have a destination in mind that requires costly flight connections? For now, these six have a unique edge over every other and can rival Europe's best for romantic escapes, shopping, and architecture. The veritable Golden State indeed resonates with European vibes through unique towns.

Find your delectable slice of Europe scattered around the wine country, along the Pacific coastline, and beyond. From Healdsburg wines to Carmel's cobblestoned lanes, windmills, and teapots, you can swoon in the romantic atmosphere of the old continent.