7 Underrated California Towns Worth the Drive in 2026

While there are several large, tourist-friendly cities in the state, many of California's smaller towns also offer plenty of reasons to turn off the highway, from surprisingly old mom-and-pop shops in Ojai to a former Western film set in Pioneertown. Beyond the familiar coastal viewpoints and vineyard stops, there are also beautiful historic homes, storied music venues, and waterfront trails that reveal how and why these communities developed. A short but worthwhile drive from Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego can lead to an afternoon exploring local history or a full weekend split between beaches and state parks. Wherever you head off to next in 2026, these seven memorable destinations deserve a closer look.

Pioneertown

Pioneertown turns 80 in 2026, with a story rooted in Hollywood's Western boom. Founded in 1946 by investors including Roy Rogers, the settlement combined a late 1800s-style film set with real working businesses and homes so that it could continue to be used in the future for a mix of purposes on and off screen. That unusual arrangement survives along Mane Street, where wooden storefronts, hitching posts, and dusty footpaths give all who come these days a tangible connection to California's legendary filmmaking past and present. In fact, the district eventually entered the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.

About an hour east of downtown San Bernardino and 45 minutes north of Palm Springs, this unincorporated community makes for a cool detour if you're interested in other performance arts as much as movie history. For one, Pappy & Harriet's serves barbecue and hosts live music, while nearby Pioneertown Motel offers an overnight stay within walking distance of the venue.

To get some quality time outdoors, Pioneertown Mountains Preserve protects 25,500 acres spanning pristine desert and mountainous habitats. A network of trails here allows you to explore on foot, and often with few crowds too.

Solvang

A number of delightful Danish bakeries give Solvang a good reason to linger between its windmills and timber-framed storefronts. At Birkholm's Bakery & Cafe, founded in 1951, pastries and rye bread connect the town's food traditions to the very immigrants who established this Santa Ynez Valley settlement about four decades earlier.

Copenhagen Drive provides a starting point for exploring shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms serving wines from the surrounding countryside. But for a fuller understanding of the town, visit Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, where photographs and artifacts trace its Danish roots beyond the familiar architecture.

The Hans Christian Andersen Museum adds another family-friendly stop, examining the author (who was very much Danish) behind The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

On the other hand, Old Mission Santa Inés reveals an earlier chapter, back when the region was under Spanish control. Besides being a scenic landmark, it still offers regular Catholic masses, too. Established in 1804, it predates Solvang by more than a century and remains an essential draw within town for history buffs.

Ojai

A top choice for relaxation and sightseeing near Los Angeles, a glimpse at Ojai's "Pink Moment" gives the drive into this Ventura County valley a wonderful touch of nature's beauty, as evening sunlight briefly but brilliantly colors the Topatopa Mountains. However, we highly recommend arriving earlier to explore a town where outdoor recreation, browsing independent shops, and seeing local art can fit comfortably into the same afternoon.

Check out Bart's Books, which has operated since the mid-60s and has stocked its shelves with over 130,000 books, many arranged around an open-air courtyard. Then, the nearby Ojai Valley Museum occupies a former church and presents exhibitions about the valley's history, art, and culture. Continue along Ojai Avenue beneath the downtown arcade and cross to Libbey Park, whose oak-shaded grounds surround the outdoor Libbey Bowl.

For a longer break from driving, follow a section of the paved Ojai Valley Trail on foot or by bicycle, and of course, leave time toward sunset to find an unobstructed mountain view somewhere.

Tiburon

The lengthy waterfront around Tiburon, which encompasses the town on three sides, once handled trains and ferries linking Marin County with San Francisco. Today, that heavily transportation-related past gives a walk beside the bay more substance than the views alone. One locale to stop by is the Railroad & Ferry Depot Museum, which occupies the surviving depot at Shoreline Park, where lawns overlook Angel Island, the San Fran skyline, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Furthermore, nearby Ark Row preserves former houseboats brought ashore and adapted into shops.

You can also follow Tiburon Boulevard from Highway 101 to reach town, then leave the car to explore Main Street and more of the waterfront on foot. For a longer stroll, the Tiburon Historic Trail follows the former railroad route toward Blackie's Pasture beside Richardson Bay.

Tiburon also makes for a practical departure point to Angel Island State Park. Reachable via ferry, it can open up a separate afternoon's worth of hiking and exploring the island's immigration history. Check the sailing schedule before committing to a trail, since your return depends on catching a boat back to the mainland.

Sonoma

Perhaps the best jumping-off point for discovering one of California's most prized wine-producing regions, locales in and around Sonoma like the Sonoma Plaza put the area's early history within a few blocks of numerous tasting rooms, cheese shops, and shaded urban parks. A deeply historic location, too, this 8-acre square was actually the setting for the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846, when American settlers declared a short-lived republic inside what once was Mexican territory. Mission San Francisco Solano is another historic landmark that any curious tourist should drop by; this one dates to 1823 and was the only California mission founded under independent Mexican rule.

Now happily part of the Golden State, Sonoma is open for visitors and residents alike to enjoy everything else it has to offer. Explore the mission and Sonoma Barracks in the Sonoma State Historic Park, then follow the bike path toward General Vallejo's Home, known as Lachryma Montis. This house adds a more personal account of the military commander whose career spanned both Mexican and American California.

Food deserves its own portion of any trip here. Vella Cheese specializes in jack cheese, a quick walk from the plaza, making it a useful stop for picnic supplies. Finish with the galleries and courtyard shops around the square, or arrange an overnight stay to enjoy a nearby winery or two. Bartholomew Estate Winery and Buena Vista Winery are two local favorites among dozens of other options to try out some regional vintages.

Solana Beach

A beachside getaway from San Diego can easily turn into a concert night in Solana Beach, where venues like Fletcher Cove and the Belly Up sit within walking distance of each other. The legendary Belly Up opened in 1974 inside a Quonset hut on Cedros Avenue and remains a central part of SoCal's overall music scene. Its location in the Cedros Design District also puts several notable galleries, boutiques, and restaurants close enough to explore before a show.

Whatever you decide to do in this town, if you have the time, start beside the ocean at Fletcher Cove, where a concrete ramp leads from the park to the sand. Above the beach, lawns and a playground make it a useful spot for families and group picnics. Solana Beach's other shoreline entrances include Tide Beach Park, Seascape Surf, and Del Mar Shores as well. Between the coast and Cedros Avenue, the Coastal Rail Trail provides an alternate paved route for walking and cycling beside Highway 101.

A Sunday visit also means the farmers' market is open upon arrival, allowing you to pick up local produce and delicious pre-prepared food.

Ramona

Ramona rewards a drive into San Diego County's inland valleys with oak woodland trails, small vineyards, and reminders of its ranching past. Begin west of town at Ramona Grasslands County Preserve, where Santa Maria Creek supports wetlands amid picturesque, open pasturelands and rocky hills. Here, hikers and horseback riders share routes, while seasonal vernal pools can be spotted sheltering sensitive wildlife. Keep in mind that spring brings greener hills, while winter means cooler mornings, making walking more comfortable than in the midst of the sometimes sweltering summer months.

For wine enthusiasts, the surrounding vineyards give you another reason to explore the back roads. Rancho San Martin Winery, in Highland Valley, offers tastings and vineyard tours. Whichever one you pick, however, look for opening times before setting out, since many wineries operate primarily on booked tours.

See downtown's Main Street, too, which boasts the Ramona Heritage Museum. This attraction preserves the 1886 Verlaque House, a seven-room adobe furnished with period antiques. Its Wine Cellar Gallery also covers local mining, military history, filmmaking, and rodeo champion Casey Tibbs, alongside exhibits about the businesses that helped shape Ramona.

Make One of These Welcoming Communities Your Next Quick California Getaway

The best way to visit these places is to leave ample room between planned stops. Book a concert or museum visit, then spend the remaining time exploring nearby shops, trails, beaches, or whichever other landmarks that sit within reach. As mentioned, always check business hours before leaving, especially for smaller museums and wineries. A flexible schedule also makes it easier to stay longer somewhere interesting without having to rush to the next spot on your itinerary.