9 Prettiest Small Towns In Northern California
Soaked in sea salt, wine, and remnants of the old world, Northern California is beautifully wild. "Pretty" is easy to find here. Cliffs line the coast, and ancient redwoods fill the forests, creating beautiful pathways to walk in every direction. The geology on display goes back millions of years and is written plainly into the rock. In some places on this list, only a 10-minute walk separates travelers from restaurants and shops from enveloping forests and coastlines. Keep reading to discover the most beautiful spots this part of the state has to offer.
Mendocino
The small town of Mendocino sits atop rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. This romantic hamlet is also within reach of magnificent redwood trees. Walk through these peaceful giants at Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, about 32 miles inland on twisty Orr Springs Road, where a coast redwood called the Mendocino Tree was measured at 367.5 feet and held the title of world's tallest until taller giants turned up in Humboldt County. Dozens of trees in the grove still top 360 feet. The two-mile loop trail makes for a quiet hike through California's famous redwoods. To explore the seaside and stay closer to town, visit Mendocino Headlands State Park, where blue waves crash against Mendocino's notorious rocky bluffs.
The winding paths take hikers through beautiful beaches such as Big River Beach, where you can take a break to enjoy the sight of cliffs and islands cutting between where the blue sea meets the sky. At the heart of the community is Mendocino Art Center, a small campus that houses a gallery, a shop, studios, and a garden. The art center also hosts workshops on various forms of expression, including painting, clay work, and video art.
Nevada City
As an homage to the area's gold-rush past, visitors have the chance to see one of the oldest and deepest gold mines at Empire Mine State Historic Park, four miles south in neighboring Grass Valley. A nod to California's 1850s gold rush, the park contains the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts, and the mine produced 5.8 million ounces of gold before closing in 1956. Adventurous tourists can walk a short way down the main shaft, while the full extent of the workings can be seen in model scale in the visitors center.
To see a performance, head to the Nevada Theatre, which has been entertaining audiences since 1865. This theater has a history of some impressive performers, such as Mark Twain, Jack London, and Emma Nevada. Now, this handsome space is home to plays, poetry readings, and film screenings. After seeing a show in a historic landmark, become immersed in an ancient forest. The Deer Creek Tribute Trail cuts through the wilderness and over creeks, where wooden bridges stretch across small gorges and brooks.
Ferndale
This small town confronts travelers with a lot of intrigue. Start your exploration with hauntingly beautiful views at a hillside cemetery that overlooks the ocean. Ferndale Cemetery is a beloved spot for spooky tourism. Then head towards the historic district to stroll the aisles of The Golden Gait Mercantile, a store that mixes tradition with innovation. This unique shop is full of treasures to browse and gourmet food to eat.
The store is known as an important part of the community and makes for a great gathering place for tourists and locals alike. After seeing the crafts and goods of Ferndale, see its local performers. Ferndale Repertory Theatre provides entertainment that is meant to inspire and challenge the audience with its performances.
Healdsburg
Known as one of the best wine destinations in the state, Healdsburg is a true pleasure for the senses. Experience wine tastings and much more around the historic Healdsburg Plaza. Just off the square, Little Saint offers a standout culinary and community experience. This plant-based restaurant and gathering space features locally sourced cuisine, seasonal cocktails, and regular live music, making it a favorite among both residents and visitors.
Dry Creek Valley is one of the most popular wine-growing regions in Northern California. Visitors can wander through the vineyards on foot or on rented bicycles. The valley also hosts musical events and the occasional market. When the music fades, follow the sounds of a meandering stream to find the Russian River winding through the town. Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach is a great place to hang out by the river, which locals love to swim in and enjoy picnics beside.
Calistoga
This small town has a unique atmosphere that creates rare opportunities. Start your voyage of oddities by petting llamas and witnessing nature's explosive beauty at Old Faithful Geyser of California. Though smaller than its namesake in Yellowstone, Calistoga's geyser is a remarkable sight. Entrance to the park also grants visitors access to a petting zoo and a geology museum.
Nearby, find a forest of redwoods that fell more than three million years ago. These giants lie at The Petrified Forest. A volcanic eruption, believed to have come from Mount St. Helena a few miles northeast, buried the trees and turned them to stone. After exploring this geological wonder, relax by bathing in volcanic ash and geothermal mineral pools at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs. Stay the weekend, or just a day, and leave with the minerals of Calistoga sinking into your skin.
Dunsmuir
Dunsmuir's beauty is impossible to miss and easy to find. It starts with a 35-foot waterfall that blankets a cave at Hedge Creek Falls. The waterfall is easily accessible, being only .25 miles from the trailhead. The path to get there is almost as beautiful as the destination, with winding creeks and tall trees.
To surround yourself in colorful local foliage, head to Dunsmuir Botanical Gardens. Azaleas, white dogwoods, and other native plants cover the grounds of the gardens. Walking through these grounds allows one to understand the beauty of Dunsmuir and the world beyond, as Japanese maples and other introduced shrubs also grow here. See even more remarkable nature at Castle Crags State Park, where granite spires roughly 170 million years old rise to around 6,000 feet above sea level. The Sacramento River also flows through the park, welcoming explorers to fish or simply admire the beauty of the water and the rocky, forested cliffs around it.
Murphys
More than the wine it is famous for, Ironstone Vineyards has incredible views of rolling hills. Take a vineyard tour and explore the grapevines and the cavern that houses barrels of wine that you get to taste at the end of the tour.
Below the rolling hills outside town is a cave system mapped at 3,389 feet long with a maximum depth of 192 feet. Mercer Caverns welcomes tourists into limestone roughly 280 million years old, laid down when this ground sat under an ancient sea. The caves showcase sheets of dogtooth spar crystals and other formations hidden below the hills, and the standard tour descends about 160 feet by way of 208 steps. For a human-made piece of the past, visit Murphys Historic Hotel, which opened in 1856 as the Sperry and Perry Hotel and is one of the longest-running in California. The space has retained its old-world character and invites visitors to dine, explore the property, and eat in its award-winning restaurant.
Arcata
To fully immerse yourself in the culture of this town, explore Arcata Plaza, where locals gather amongst colorful garden beds to chat and relax. Shops surround the plaza, selling handmade merchandise, books, coffee, and other delicious and unique treats.
A short walk from downtown, explore the wilderness at Arcata Community Forest. Seven hundred ninety acres of woodland sprouting with giant American redwoods creates an otherworldly atmosphere that is equally calming and intriguing. It was the first city-owned forest in the country to be managed for sustained yield, and the trail network runs for miles. Exchange birdcalls and leaves in the wind for waves lapping the shore at Clam Beach. Stretching for miles, it is great for clamming, beachcombing, and flying kites.
Sutter Creek
To hear the sound of this lively town, head to Sutter Creek Theatre. Various bands perform at the intimate venue, which opened as a silent film house in the early twentieth century. There is a wine bar open to patrons on performance days so guests can enjoy the county's treasures while listening to local performers. For more local wine, visit Scott Harvey Wines. The property comprises multiple tasting rooms, where travelers can taste 40 years' worth of perfecting the perfect glass of wine. Scott Harvey was trained in Germany, bringing a European flair to each glass.
Do not miss the rare opportunity to see the last water-powered foundry and machine shop in the country at Knight Foundry. The Foundry is open on Saturdays to those who want to travel not just through places, but through time. The space has been in operation since 1873 and is full of antique machinery.
A Pretty Trip To Northern California
In a biodiverse state like California, explorers are likely to find something beautiful that they have never seen before. Crystal caves in Murphys, petrified redwoods outside Calistoga, and cliff-top headlands at Mendocino will surprise and impress even the most well-traveled tourists. The 31st state has a rare blend of ancient geology and modern invention, with forests preserved for millions of years sitting alongside theaters, wineries, and cultural hubs, reminding visitors of Earth's beauty and human artistry.
