7 Most Charming River Towns to Visit in California

California’s rivers cut through the landscape and build fantastic towns. The Russian River’s slow bends turned redwood country into a summer playground, while the American River’s rapids fueled rafting outfitters and Gold Rush history in the same stretch of water. Farther north, the Sacramento River runs cold and clear out of Mount Shasta, drawing anglers and hikers long before it reaches the valley farms.

In these small towns, the river is the main street’s backdrop and the weekend itinerary in one: beaches and swimming holes, shaded trails, bridge walks, and patios made for lingering. Follow the current and you’ll find places where the scenery feels close enough to touch!

Healdsburg

Healdsburg is one of Sonoma County’s most polished small towns, set along a bend in the Russian River with just over 11,000 residents. Its central plaza is ringed by tasting rooms pouring wines from the surrounding Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys, along with boutiques, galleries, and destination restaurants.

This small town is a serious food-and-wine stop. Standouts include plant-based Little Saint, the multi-level restaurant and rooftop bar at The Matheson, and the luxury Montage Healdsburg resort with vineyard views, an infinity pool, and full-service spa. More than two dozen galleries and the Healdsburg Museum and Historical Society add a cultural layer, while backroads in every direction lead through rolling hills and vineyard scenery.

Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir, on the upper Sacramento River, leans into its slogan, “Home of the best water on Earth.” This small Siskiyou County town is a year-round base for fishing, riverfront walks, and nearby skiing and climbing. Mossbrae Falls, a wide, fairytale-like cascade, is one of the area’s most photographed spots, especially at peak spring flow. Downtown, a compact historic district and absence of traffic lights give the town a slow, old-railroad feel on the edge of Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Castle Crags State Park.

The Pacific Crest Trail passes nearby, making Dunsmuir a popular resupply and rest stop for long-distance hikers. Outdoor options include hiking and biking on the forested slopes of 14,000-foot Mount Shasta, short walks to Hedge Creek Falls, and swimming or paddling at Lake Siskiyou. The town’s riverside park features a small botanical garden with Shasta lilies and other native plants, and each summer the Tribute to the Trees solstice concert brings live music and locals to the riverbank.

Jenner

Jenner overlooks the spot where the Russian River meets the Pacific, giving this tiny village outsized coastal views. It acts as a gateway to the Sonoma Coast, with long sandy beaches tucked below rugged bluffs and easy pullouts along Highway 1. From Jenner, shoreline stretches roughly 15 miles south toward Bodega Head and 4 miles north toward the Vista Trail, drawing beachcombers, anglers, and photographers.

Morning fog and afternoon sun create dramatic conditions for hikes and picnics beneath the cliffs. Nearby Goat Rock State Beach, within Sonoma Coast State Park, is known for its broad beach, offshore sea stacks, and a protected harbor seal pupping area at the river mouth. Farther north, Salt Point State Park adds 6,000 acres of coastline, tide pools, and an underwater reserve popular with divers, along with trails through second-growth redwood and mixed forest. Inland, Fort Ross State Historic Park preserves a reconstructed 1812 Russian fort and a visitor center that interprets both Russian colonial and Native California history.

Monte Rio

Monte Rio, four miles west of Guerneville along Hwy 116, is a laid-back river town known for its broad public beach and nostalgic summer vibe. The “Welcome to Monte Rio, Vacation Wonderland” sign recalls the mid-20th century, when large resorts lined the river. The area is also famous for nearby Bohemian Grove, a private redwood retreat that has hosted politicians and business leaders for generations.

Today, Monte Rio offers a slower pace with a few well-loved attractions: the Quonset Hut Theatre for movies and live shows, a classic wine-and-cheese shop, casual restaurants, and a small plant nursery. Vacation rentals cluster near Northwood, where cabins sit between the river and the scenic Northwood Golf Course. The public beach, bordered by meadow and eateries, rents boats and includes a dog-friendly area. Across the historic Monte Rio Bridge, River Boulevard leads past historic inns, river-view bars, and more rentals. The old Pink Elephant tavern is now closed but remains a neon-lit landmark, while the former Village Inn—now Boho Manor—operates as a Jazz Age-style riverfront hotel and event venue.

Nevada City

Nevada City sits along a tributary of the Yuba River at the base of the Sierra Nevada, and it looks much like a preserved Gold Rush set. Founded in the 1850s, it still centers on the Victorian National Exchange Hotel, surrounded by historic saloons, restaurants, and shops. Visitors build itineraries around swimming holes on the Yuba, a stroll across the river suspension bridge, and day trips to Crystal Hermitage Gardens and Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.

With just over 2,500 residents, Nevada City has easy access to Tahoe National Forest, more than 100 miles of singletrack, and skiing at Sugar Bowl about 45 minutes away. The South Fork of the Yuba offers trout fishing and challenging whitewater, framed by granite gorges that attract climbers and photographers. Downtown, the Nevada Theatre—California’s oldest existing theatre building—still hosts regular performances and once welcomed Mark Twain. The town’s calendar is busy, with events like the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, a Mardi Gras parade, and summer street fairs where vendors sell local wine, cheese, and produce right in the closed-off streets.

Coloma

Coloma is ground zero for whitewater rafting on the South Fork of the American River and sits about 30 miles from Sacramento. The river corridor draws more than 100,000 paddlers a year to run its Class II-III rapids, making the town a natural base for day trips and weekend escapes. Coloma is also part of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, where James Marshall’s 1848 find at Sutter’s Mill triggered the California Gold Rush.

The village itself is small, around 600 residents, but busy in summer. Rafting outfitters line the river and often bundle guided trips with on-site camping. Simple campgrounds, cabins, and nearby inns in Auburn and Placerville round out lodging options, while upscale stays and spa treatments at nearby Eden Vale Inn offer a softer landing after a day on the water.

Guerneville

Guerneville sits between Santa Rosa/Hwy 101 and Hwy 1, the main hub of the lower Russian River. With fewer than 5,000 residents, it packs in river beaches, casual outdoor fun, and an easygoing downtown. Walk the historic pin-truss Guerneville Bridge, then head to nearby Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve for shaded hikes through old-growth coast redwoods. The compact downtown plaza offers indie shops, taverns, and sidewalk chess tables, plus a lively but low-key mix of bars, restaurants, and long-established LGBTQ+ resorts.

The town is ringed by steep, forested hills, with a few flat riverfront neighborhoods tucked along the banks. In summer, locals and visitors spread out on the gravel bars of the clear Russian River to swim, paddle, and fish. A seasonal dam at Vacation Beach creates a temporary bridge between River Road and Neeley Road, shortening the drive from the south bank. Johnson's Beach is the main gathering spot, with chair and boat rentals, casual food and drinks, a boat launch, restrooms, changing rooms, and a shallow roped-off area that works well for kids.

The Golden State’s river towns combine access to trails, historic sites, and vineyards with relaxed main streets and easy scenery. Each of these communities delivers classic California landscapes plus plenty of ways to enjoy them, from paddling and hiking to wine tasting and small-town exploring.