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 in California. Cliffs line the coast, and ancient redwoods fill the forests, creating beautiful pathways to walk in every direction. The ancient geology found here creates a rare glimpse into the origins of life on Earth. 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 stunning state has to offer.
Mendocino
The small town of Mendocino sits atop rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. This romantic hamlet is also home to magnificent redwood trees. Walk through these peaceful giants at the nearby Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve, where the world's tallest trees stand. The two-mile loop trail makes for a serene 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 cozy 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 town’s gold-rush past, visitors have the chance to see one of the oldest and deepest gold mines at Empire Mine State Historic Park. A nod to California’s 1850s gold rush, the park contains 367 miles of abandoned mine shafts. Adventurous tourists can descend the mine shaft to see a small portion of the mine, while the rest 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 gorgeous 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 through aisles at the store that mixes tradition with innovation at Ferndale at The Golden Gait Mercantile. This unique shop is full of treasures to browse and gourmet food to eat.
The ultra-charming 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 at the historical Healdsburg Central Plaza. Just off the square, Little Saint offers a standout culinary and community experience. This vibrant, 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 beautiful 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 sibling in Yellowstone, Calistoga’s Geyser is a stunning sight. Entrance to the park also grants visitors access to a petting zoo and a geology museum.
Nearby, find a forest of redwoods that have borne witness to three million years of wanderers. These giants stand at The Petrified Forest. A volcanic eruption turned the trees to stone, immortalizing them. The now extinct volcano, Mt. St. Helena, is around ten miles north of the forest. 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 foreign shrubs have been introduced to the garden. See even more stunning nature, where 170 million-year-old 6,000-feet-tall granite spires and creeks create the majestic Castle Crags State Park. The Sacramento River also flows through the park, welcoming explorers to fish or simply admire the beauty of the water and the incredible rocky and forested cliffs around it.
Murphys
More than the delicious wine it’s 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 Murphy’s rolling hills is a cave system at least 3,389 feet long with a maximum depth of 192 feet. Mercer Caverns welcomes tourists to venture through its ancient ocean floors and other pieces of 280-million-year-old geology. The sprawling caves showcase sheets of dogtooth spar crystals and other crystal and rock formations hidden below the hills. For a human-made piece of the past, visit the historic Murphy's Historic Hotel, one of the longest-running in California. The space has retained its old-world charm and invites visitors to dine, explore the property, and eat in their 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.
Only a block from downtown, explore the wilderness at Arcata Community Forest. Seven hundred ninety acres of woodland sprouting with giant redwoods creates an otherworldly atmosphere that is equally calming and intriguing. According to The Forest Guild, this wilderness is one of the Top 20 in the United States. Exchange birdcalls and leaves in the wind for waves lapping the shore at Clam Beach. Stretching for miles, it is great for activities like parasailing 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 began as a silent film theater in 1912. 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.
Don’t miss the rare opportunity to see the last water-powered foundry and machine shop 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. From crystal caves in Murphys to petrified Redwoods, there is something in Northern California that will surprise and impress even the most well-traveled tourists. The 31st state has a perfect blend of ancient geology (forests preserved for millions of years) and modern innovation (theaters, wineries, cultural hubs), reminding visitors of Earth's beauty and human artistry.
