8 Quietest Small Towns Near Sacramento
Getaways offer the essential change in pace and scenery to avoid spiraling into a burnout. Luckily, Sacramento offers unbeatable access to the most unique Northern California corners for a curated retreat, with wine, wildlife, and water sports. Just beyond the capital's bustle lie small towns, pulsing with local charm along historic facades, shopping lanes, and walkable streetscapes that are near nature.
Whether you're escaping the stress of daily life or indulging in a weekend trip, look no further than these eight for a peaceful retreat from the urban havoc. Wrapped in unique scenery and layers of heritage, exploring a new place on foot is a rare indulgence, and there's no better place to start than the first Yolo County town with elevated wining and waterfront dining, because you only live once.
Colfax
Boasting deep roots in the 1849 Gold Rush and the First Transcontinental Railroad, Colfax is an outdoor-centric escape at 2,400 feet in the Sierra Nevada foothills, with doorstep access to hiking, MTB, and river adventures, including the nearby Bear River Fishing Access. The Colfax Motor Lodge offers local vibes and access to amenities like the friendly Colfax Heritage Museum, while the Mineral Bar Campgrounds glean popularity among the outdoorsy across the river to the east.
Some 50 miles northeast of the city, travelers enjoy scenic mountain views and access to the North Fork American River. In addition to the nearby scenic Bear River Historic Bridge, the nearby Rollins Reservoir is a summertime bucket list item. Take the Stevens Trail, a rewarding seven-mile loop with gorge views down the canyon to the rushing waters, where you'll encounter wildflowers, birds, and butterflies. This vast and swimmable lake to the north offers campgrounds, kayak ramps, and wildlife.
Locke
Just 30 minutes south of Sacramento, the US's only town built by three Chinese merchants was founded in 1912, with a store and saloon, a gambling hall, and a hotel/restaurant built along the Sacramento River. Soon, hundreds of Chinese families found a safe bubble, working at local farms and canneries, in a time of burgeoning discrimination against the Chinese and state laws prohibiting them from owning land. The culturally thriving town remains unpretentious and inviting to visitors.
Stay next door in Walnut Grove, or make Locke a culturally immersive day trip with scenic river vistas and many of the original buildings that earned Locke a National Historic Landmark designation in 1990. At the Locke Boarding House Museum State Park, built by Chinese Americans in 1909, you can step into the early Chinese immigrants' lives. Check out the gambling hall at the Dai Loy Museum and Al's Place, a legendary tavern serving steak and pasta in decorated digs since 1934.
Clarksburg
Home to under 500, the tiny and historic Delta town feels refreshingly modest in the Central Valley of California, only minutes south of Sacramento, with a quirky natural phenomenon. The afternoon maritime winds blowing in cause a 40-degree temperature swing from a summertime day high to a nighttime low. Surrounded by rich soils along the Sacramento River, the dramatic shift creates ideal grape-growing conditions for 35 different varietals, reflected in the area's burgeoning culinary scene.
At the 1934-built and renovated Old Sugar Mill, you can discover winemaking history and diversity in the Delta, between a dozen wineries, picnic grounds, and walkways along the historic buildings, like the award-winning Elevation Ten Winery, an impressive brick complex known for curated tasting experiences, including brunch and vineyard visits. Hop on the Sacramento River Cruise for a smooth sunset sail with gorgeous scenery, music, and dining before turning in at a local cottage rental.
Nevada City
Originally settled in 1849 as a mining camp, Nevada City is a forest-wrapped hamlet with storybook vibes along the handsome Victorian-era homes lining the canopied streets and sights like the bell-towered firehouse with a Victorian gingerbread front and a museum inside. Layers of scenery extend from the well-preserved Downtown Historic District to the lush countryside and the Crystal Hermitage Gardens, 30 minutes north, with thousands of springtime tulips, then roses, begonias, and other flora.
Travelers come eager to shop and dine in 19th-century buildings, featuring wooden balconies, tasting rooms, gift shops, and antiquing. The Nevada Theatre is the state's oldest operating structure, built for acts in 1865, including Mark Twain and Mötley Crüe. The National Exchange Hotel is among the oldest west of the Rockies, with balconies onto the beating heart of town, while the Inn Town Campground offers Instagrammable, luxury-equipped tents near trails and the South Yuba River.
Placerville
Some 40 miles from Sacramento, Placerville beguiles city folk with an overwhelming sense of place and instant belonging at Highways 49 and 50. When the nearby Coloma ignited the Gold Rush, it was an entirely different time in Hangtown, a graphic reference to the Wild West method of execution during its prime in the mid-1800s. More important is what remains in the historic Downtown Placerville, resonating with Gold Rush-era history through 19th-century buildings among modern structures.
The 1852 rock-rubble Fountain-Tallman Museum occupies a former site supplying thirsty miners with soda water in the oldest building along the Main, known as the “Biggest Little Museum in the West,” with period photos and furniture. Travelers can tour the Gold Bug Park and Mine, first opened in the 1880s, pan for gems, and browse Hattie’s Gold Rush Museum. When you've had enough history, unwind at the nearby Lava Cap Winery, indulging in red and white varietals from grapes grown in volcanic soil.
St. Helena
Just 77 miles west of the city, it all began here at the heart of the Napa Valley, when Charles Krug opened California's very first tasting room in 1882 at his historic estate, becoming a pioneer in public wine tourism. Ringed by lush vineyards and family-owned wineries, travelers storm St. Helena's walkable half-mile core for shopping and food emporiums, alongside antiquated stone and brick facades. “Napa Valley’s Main Street” offers free parking, public restrooms, and the welcome center.
From the Richie Block, a Queen Anne-style building across from the 1913 Cameo Cinema, elegant outdoor wine tastings are at your fingertips, like Clif Family Winery, run by the same owners of the energy bar company, with the Clif Family Bruschetteria Food Truck on site. For maximum St. Helena flavor, harvest season brings grape stomping events, estate tours, and vineyards with unbeatable views of the hillside gardens and olive trees. The top-rated El Bonita Motel is a bang for your buck.
Walnut Grove
This Delta town offers similar Sacramento River views but a starkly different atmosphere across the Delta Cross Channel from the aforementioned Chinese community of Locke. In Walnut Grove, it is all about charming homes, shops, and farm-fresh dining, followed by riverfront strolls with a treat from Mel's Mocha & Ice Cream. Situated within a riverbend, Ko-Ket Resort offers prime access for outdoor fun, beaches, and riverfront views, with water sports including paddleboard and kayak rentals.
Meanwhile, Walnut Grove Marina is a beautiful spot on the Snodgrass Slough with serene views and a fishing dock, where you can launch for an extensive excursion along the nearby rivers. After the modern-day treats and adventures, why not combine the two towns on a single weekend escape? Experience the Delta from another side at the charming landmark town reminiscent of the hardworking Chinese immigrants of the Southern Pacific Railroad who lived at the boarding house in Locke.
Yountville
Thirty years before Charles Krug's first commercial winery in 1861, George C. Yount planted the first grapevines in all of Napa Valley. Wrapped in picture-perfect views at the heart of Napa Valley, this ritzy town can feel both over the top and yet fully justified for its walkability, sublime dining, and even hot air balloon rides over the valley. From sparkling wines at Chandon at the Garden Cabana experience during the summer to Jessup Cellars' art in the Tasting Gallery, temptations are everywhere.
Home of The French Laundry, you'll need to book in advance for Thomas Keller’s Michelin-starred experience. Beyond Washington Street's boutiques, art galleries, and specialty stores, a rental from Napa Valley Bike Tours & Rentals can stretch your buck even further via a rewarding pedal along the Napa Valley Vine Trail. Take the free art walk along the rotating outdoor sculptures, and as for stays, pick a lodging that resembles your budget closest, like a Four Sisters Inn for under $250.
These eight NorCal gems will take your mind away from the stressors along the Delta, in a nostalgic atmosphere like Colfax and even a Chinese community. From the Sacramento River to the Napa Valley, even the ritzy town of Yountville brings joy on a budget with its outdoor art walk, a family-friendly museum, and biking along the Napa Valley Vine Trail.
In addition to the nearby Napa Valley, Sacramento is a key hub and gateway to California's Gold Country, reminiscent of the Gold Rush across small historic towns east of the capital. In Nevada City, you can experience both the state's oldest existing structure, built as a theater that hosted Mark Twain, and a stay at a modern, luxury-equipped tent.
