9 California Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
Spanning mountain ranges and the rugged coastline, California is full of beautiful places. But frankly, beauty falls short if vibes are unfriendly. Whether the beaches beckon, the wine country, or the peaks, there's a town with unmatched friendliness in stunning landscape views.
Ojai, a tranquil mountain retreat, is home to the world's largest outdoor bookstore, farmers markets, and citrus orchards. Solvang bridges the gap between Europe and America to taste the authentic culture of Denmark in the sunny Santa Ynez Valley.
The first town defines how no distance stands between visiting one of the most beautiful islands in the US.
Avalon
Among SoCal's friendly towns, Avalon is a standout.
The largest and only incorporated town on the forever beautiful Catalina Island is known for whale sightings, Mediterranean-style architecture, and hiking trails to nearby attractions. Overlooking the turquoise harbor on the island's southeasternmost shore, it draws adventurous families and couples, with the opportunity to snorkel in Lover's Cove.
The picturesque waterfront is perfect for leisurely strolls, from the relaxed Descanso Beach Club to the upscale Avalon Grille.
Moonstone Beach features a picturesque boardwalk along the sands, with rocky outcrops and seasonal whale watching. Outdoor activities inland, like Hermit Gulch Lookout or a sunset hike to Lone Tree View Point.
Catalina Island Museum encompasses the island’s nature and heritage, highlighting the early 20th-century inception of the resort town. Developed by William Wrigley Jr., the bubblegum magnet, he is immortalized by Wrigley Memorial, a 37-acre wild garden of native plants.
Finally, the 1929 Casino Building, a cultural center, presents movies and concerts.
Calistoga
Calistoga is one of the state's friendliest viticulture destinations. A distinct red sign welcomes you in for authentic tasting experiences in the wine capital of the US that the Napa Valley embodies. The lush river valley with fruitful vineyards, orchards, and farmlands gives it a homey appeal. In addition to the "fruit of labor," Calistoga offers firsthand cultural heritage, the legacy of which delights patrons at worldwide wineries.
From a morning riverside stroll to an afternoon game of golf, the incredibly scenic valley calls to end the day at one of the beautiful vineyards. The family-owned wineries cater to intimate experiences despite serving world-renowned wines.
It is hard to beat the 13th-century castle-style Castello di Amorosa winery, seven minutes east, for a tour and Italian-inspired wine tastings. Calistoga's natural hot springs and spas diversify ways to relax. For a family-friendly place that highlights why California’s wine is world-class, this NorCal town nails it.
Between Sharpsteen Museum and the Calistoga Art Center, dine on New American at Sam's Social Club with a patio.
Capitola
Next to the loud Santa Cruz, the colorful Capitola is a picturesque seaside gem. Its vibrancy and relaxed vibe reflect the Golden State's signature blend.
A sun-drenched set of Monterey Bay beaches attracts sightseers from all over to ogle at the stark yet integrated alignment of its iconic colorful beachfront cottages. That preppy village is a hub for artists who mingle with surfing and boating enthusiasts in scenic surroundings. Whether you're in for a land-side gallery crawl or water-based adventures, there are plenty of ways to soak in the views.
The Soquel Creek flows jauntily through the heart. Capitola State Beach and Capitola Beach line opposing ends of the creek.
Hooper Beach, named after an MLB player, is dog-friendly, with cliffs and the town's pier.
Take the Grand Ave walking trail and check out the fresh, local culinary scene with coastal-inspired menus, including your morning java run to Gayle's Bakery & Rosticceria. This Bay Ave gem offers all-day grab-and-go fresh sandwiches, salads, and housemade baked goods.
Finally, don't miss the Capitola Wharf at sunset. It is an evocative experience.
Davenport
Near Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Davenport is a real sensory experience.
Its staple is the Davenport Pier, a series of arches into the open ocean, beaten by the waves, which makes you ponder over your own stoicism. The central Davenport Beach overlooks Davenport Crack, a scenic landmark within a roadside park.
Take the looping trail to Davenport Cliffs Viewpoint for sweeping coastline. Panther Beach to the south is a hidden gem with scenic outcrops that put a perspective on scale and bluffs to scale and not feel so belittled anymore.
To the north, the beautiful Landing Beach, the site of the old pier, is a fantastic backdrop for photoshoots beneath the cliffs that protect it from winds to play, explore, and relax in sweeping views until sunset.
The most famous along this rugged shoreline, the tiny Shark Fin Cove was named for the protruding rock jutting out of the ocean through a sea cave frame.
After a day of surfing, Whale City Bakery whips up homestyle American fare in relaxed digs plus live music shows. Drop by the glass-blowing studio and the Davenport Jail Museum, a two-cell, 1914 touchstone.
La Jolla
La Jolla is like a painting, perfect to exchange the tired city views for beachside luxury with a sprinkle of leisure and seaside serenity against stunning coastal vistas.
North of San Diego, La Jolla is often compared to Carmel, but with less looking down your nose.
It is a friendly place for casual shopaholics and cafe culture lovers, with plenty of exciting attractions to feel part of the crowd. La Jolla Shores Park is a two-block palm-lined recreation space overlooking the sand and surf from a sun-kissed grassy area with playgrounds.
From sun-kissed beaches to scenic hiking trails and the crashing waves, La Jolla inspires a perfect spot for seaside romance to flourish.
Between the rocky tide pools beach filled with marine life and Windansea Beach, popular among surfers, steps lead down through a tunnel to the Cave Store, not for shopping, but a sandstone shelter with birds and seals.
Birch Aquarium draws families for interactive tide pools and exhibits, while Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve to the north is an oceanside acreage of wildlife trails to explore.
Monterey
This Central Coast city is a mix of old and new, nature and culture, including one of the world's deepest underwater canyons.
The state beach park spans miles of scenic coastline to the east for beachgoers, surfers, and fishermen. Lovers Point State Park is a highway attraction to the west, named likely for its aphrodisiac views. The world-class Monterey Bay Aquarium presides over the rocky coastline. San Carlos Beach offers scenic views over the whole bay next to the Coast Guard pier, which seals and sea lions established as their personal sunbathing spot.
Old Monterey is the beating heart downtown, with over 400 local businesses.
Only a few know of the local premium wines to indulge in at affordable prices. The best place to indulge? Bargetto Winery on Cannery Row, the former sardine-packing industry. This lively waterfront area calls for a stroll along the docks, with shops, eateries, and attractions, in authentic sights, since the fishing industry lives on alongside tour companies and shiny hotels. Old Fisherman's Wharf makes it onto travel magazine covers, a perfect spot to savor local seafood at sunset.
Ojai
Are you tired of the beach scene, not feeling the wine country, or ready to scale the Sierra peaks?
Ojai is an atypical California escape. Dotted with galleries and New Age shops, Ojai Music Festival takes place in early June to kick off your vacation. Visit in spring or fall for the best weather to explore miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, like Devil's Gulch and Valley View Preserve - Fox Canyon Trailhead. Surrounded by citrus orchards, tee off at Soule Park Golf Course and taste the famous Ojai Pixie tangerines in the valley.
The area is a mix of landscape, from the spectacular Casitas Lake in the south to the crisscrossing trails through the national forest, canyons, and Topatopa Mountains north of town. It is no wonder Ojai embodies the state's tranquil nature and spiritual healing.
Barts Books is the world's largest outdoor bookstore downtown to browse between Ojai Certified Farmers Market and Ojai Valley Museum. And if you think nothing can beat a coastal sunset, wait until you experience the “Pink Moment.” Serene retreats are scattered throughout.
Solvang
Do you crave European vibes for your next escape? There are many Germantowns and even Hollands in America. California claims the most famous of the Scandinavian-settled towns, Solvang.
Founded in 1911, Danish immigrants recreated a real slice of Europe, justly, the "Danish Capital of America." Designed to preserve their Danish heritage, the quaint village is filled with unique shops, attractions, and places to taste traditional Danish fare. Drop by Elverhøj Museum of History & Art and the Solvang Restaurant for Danish pancakes and æbleskiver at breakfast.
Many come for the charming architecture any day, and many more during the annual Danish Days festival.
The museum above The Book Loft immortalizes American storytelling.
Solvang means "sunny field," encapsulating the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley, but the windmills and half-timbered houses make it look like you've been overseas.
Finally, don't miss the unique stork nests on many rooftops—it is a good luck symbol in the Danish countryside.
Sonora
Hidden in the Sierra foothills, Sonora welcomes you at the heart of the Gold Country.
Even over a century following California's Gold Rush, “Queen of the Southern Mines” is not a tired moniker but a refreshing mix of outdoor adventures and a thriving culinary scene. Its antiquated comfort reflects in affordable stays, quality restaurants, and local attractions.
Dragoon Gulch offers three miles of bike- and dog-friendly trails through oak woodlands to a scenic overlook of the stalwart brick downtown. Sonora lights up on the second Saturday of every month with Art Nights.
There are 21 landmarks within one mile on Washington Street, from the Courthouse Square to the 1885 Sonora Opera Hall. Sierra Repertory Theatre retains its fresh-out-of-the-'90s-box shine with two stages for professionally produced musicals and dramas. '
The nearby Tuolumne Museum and History Center reveals the area's rich past dating from the Native American history, within a circa-1866 jail. Proximate to Yosemite National Park (1 hour) and Stanislaus National Forest (30 minutes), summertime visitors also enjoy a concert series at Coffill Park.
From SoCal La Jolla to NorCal Calistoga, each captures the essence of the Golden State through family-friendly attractions, diversity, and natural allure. Calistoga defines the heart of the lush Napa Valley, graciously treating patrons at worldwide restaurants to its fruit of labor.
From the truly golden beaches to the antiquated Sonora, the state is rife with priceless experiences and surprising encounters in between. For a well-rounded getaway, why not make it a three-town trip? Capitola, Davenport, and Monterey are all within an hour along the central coast.
