There’s something irresistible about California’s small towns and, from Coronado to Tiburon, the Golden State has no shortage of enchanting places to explore. We’ve divided this list up by region to present some of our favorites. Enjoy.
SoCal:
- Avalon, CA
Flickr/David Prasad An island town is perhaps the best of the best when it comes to charming small towns in Southern California. Imagine sipping your morning coffee with this kind of view. What an inspiring experience!
- Solvang, CA
Flickr/Raymond Shobe Walking through Solvang is like stepping into a magical European village. This darling town is tucked away in the Central mountains, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful towns in Southern California. Make sure to try the aebleskivers for us!
- Lake Arrowhead, CA
Flickr/John Colby A popular mountain and lake getaway scattered with cozy cabins, gingerbread houses, and woodsy hikes. Lake Arrowhead is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting and one of my all-time fave small towns to visit for a weekend away.
- San Juan Capistrano
Flickr/Kent Kanouse Continuing along with our list of charming small towns in Southern California…just look at those trees! San Juan Capistrano is best explored on foot. There is so much history and stunning architecture at every turn that it’s worthy of a nice, long stroll.
- Ojai, CA
Flickr/Kent Kanouse It doesn’t get much better than an outdoor patio filled with books. This charming bookstore (Bart’s Books) is one of the many reasons Ojai is tops on my list for the best small town. It’s considered one of the best getaway spots in Southern California.
- Malibu, CA
Flickr/Micadew How about a small town where you can stroll on the beach in your backyard? Malibu is known for its wildly expensive real estate and celebrity locals, but it’s also a great place to go for a visit.
- Julian, CA
Flickr/Eric Chan Just one of the many cute shops scattered around Julian that adds charm galore to this small town.
- Temecula, CA
Flickr/The City of Temecula A bustling commercial strip in Old Town Temecula captures the old-time feel of this charming wine country to the south.
- Idyllwild, CA
Flickr/Don Graham This popular mountain resort is the perfect choice for a small-town getaway. Fresh air, grand views, and a thriving arts scene add to the appeal of this place. Truly one of the most charming small towns in Southern California.
- Coronado, CA
Flckr/Christopher Allison The tree-lined streets in Coronado look like the perfect spot for a bike ride.
NorCal:
Flickr/David Prasad
An island town is perhaps the best of the best when it comes to charming small towns in Southern California. Imagine sipping your morning coffee with this kind of view. What an inspiring experience!
Flickr/Raymond Shobe
Walking through Solvang is like stepping into a magical European village. This darling town is tucked away in the Central mountains, and it’s truly one of the most beautiful towns in Southern California. Make sure to try the aebleskivers for us!
Flickr/John Colby
A popular mountain and lake getaway scattered with cozy cabins, gingerbread houses, and woodsy hikes. Lake Arrowhead is right out of a Norman Rockwell painting and one of my all-time fave small towns to visit for a weekend away.
Flickr/Kent Kanouse
Continuing along with our list of charming small towns in Southern California…just look at those trees! San Juan Capistrano is best explored on foot. There is so much history and stunning architecture at every turn that it’s worthy of a nice, long stroll.
It doesn’t get much better than an outdoor patio filled with books. This charming bookstore (Bart’s Books) is one of the many reasons Ojai is tops on my list for the best small town. It’s considered one of the best getaway spots in Southern California.
Flickr/Micadew
How about a small town where you can stroll on the beach in your backyard? Malibu is known for its wildly expensive real estate and celebrity locals, but it’s also a great place to go for a visit.
Flickr/Eric Chan
Just one of the many cute shops scattered around Julian that adds charm galore to this small town.
Flickr/The City of Temecula
A bustling commercial strip in Old Town Temecula captures the old-time feel of this charming wine country to the south.
Flickr/Don Graham
This popular mountain resort is the perfect choice for a small-town getaway. Fresh air, grand views, and a thriving arts scene add to the appeal of this place. Truly one of the most charming small towns in Southern California.
Flckr/Christopher Allison
The tree-lined streets in Coronado look like the perfect spot for a bike ride.
- Eureka
Nytasi/Wikipedia Disney characters Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Daisy Duck, and most of their supporting cast live in the fictional city of Duckburg, first mentioned in Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #49 in 1944, created by Carl Barks. It’s believed this city “Duckburg” was named after the city of Eureka. For more about this lovely little town, check out this previous article!
- Lakeport
Arnaudh/Wikipedia Located on the western shore of beautiful Clear Lake, Lakeport was first settled by Native Americans several thousand years ago. Need more about Lakeport? Check out this article for all the details!
- St. Helena
M/Wikipedia St. Helena considers itself the “Main Street” of the Napa Valley. It’s known for its small-town charm with big experiences in culinary delights and world-renowned wines. Take a look at this previous article for more about St. Helena and it’s quaint beauty.
- Sutter Creek
Jasperdo/Flickr Charm abounds here. Visiting Sutter Creek is like stepping back into the gold rush era…but with much better food. And air conditioning. For more about this lovely Northern California town, visit its official website.
- Murphys
Chris Krylov/Wikipedia Murphys is tucked away in Calaveras County and considers itself to be the Queen of the Sierra Foothills. We agree! For previous coverage of this adorable town, check out this previous article!
- Mendocino
James Gaither/Flickr This town was founded in 1850 as a logging community, and was originally named “Meiggsville” after Henry Meiggs. No offense, Mr. Meiggs, but we’re glad that one didn’t stick. For more details about the awe-inspiring beauty of Mendocino, check out this previous article!
- Jackson
Craig Howell/Flickr Jackson is he county seat of Amador County. Once upon a time, settlers were drawn to the gold in them thar hills. The town was founded in 1848 and named after an attorney that miners liked. Take a look at the city of Jackson’s official website for more about this little place.
- Tiburon
Amber Rae/Flickr The Spanish word for Tiburon is “shark” and was probably inspired by the native leopard sharks in the surrounding waters. Don’t let them fool you; Tiburon is lovely! Interested in hiking to downtown Tiburon and soaking up all the sights while getting outdoors? Take a look at this article about the world-famous Tiburon Historical Trail.
- Fortuna
HKoster/Wikipedia Fortuna is the Spanish for the word “fortune.” It was chosen by settlers who felt fortunate to live in such a glorious place surrounded by the forests, the Eel river, and the Pacific Ocean. 20,000 people tend to fill the town during Fortuna’s annual Redwood AutoXpo. For more about this lovely little town, check out its official website.
- Dunsmuir
cswtwo/Flickr If you enjoy fishing, skiing, climbing, or sight-seeing, then you’ll understand why Dunsmuir is a popular hub for visitors. There’s so much room for activities! Want to know more? Check out this previous article!
- Volcano
Linda Tanner/Flickr Population: 115. Volcano was named when gold rush settlers believed the bowl-shaped valley to be created by a volcano. No such luck. This tiny town is known for a lot of firsts in California: first circulating library, first private school, first law school, and… first hanging. Well. Guess three out of four isn’t bad. For some particularly interesting Civil War history (right here in Volcano), check this story out.
- Sausalito
Jonas Santin/Flickr Sausalito (sauzalito) is Spanish, meaning “small willow grove.” Pre World War II, it was known for its ship-making finesse. Now it’s become an artistic houseboat community of over 400 boats. Groovy. For more about this lovely little town, check out this previous article!
With so many magical small towns throughout California, it’s impossible to name them all. Which towns would you add to this list? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Nytasi/Wikipedia
Disney characters Donald Duck, Scrooge McDuck, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, Daisy Duck, and most of their supporting cast live in the fictional city of Duckburg, first mentioned in Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #49 in 1944, created by Carl Barks. It’s believed this city “Duckburg” was named after the city of Eureka. For more about this lovely little town, check out this previous article!
Arnaudh/Wikipedia
Located on the western shore of beautiful Clear Lake, Lakeport was first settled by Native Americans several thousand years ago. Need more about Lakeport? Check out this article for all the details!
M/Wikipedia
St. Helena considers itself the “Main Street” of the Napa Valley. It’s known for its small-town charm with big experiences in culinary delights and world-renowned wines. Take a look at this previous article for more about St. Helena and it’s quaint beauty.
Jasperdo/Flickr
Charm abounds here. Visiting Sutter Creek is like stepping back into the gold rush era…but with much better food. And air conditioning. For more about this lovely Northern California town, visit its official website.
Chris Krylov/Wikipedia
Murphys is tucked away in Calaveras County and considers itself to be the Queen of the Sierra Foothills. We agree! For previous coverage of this adorable town, check out this previous article!
James Gaither/Flickr
This town was founded in 1850 as a logging community, and was originally named “Meiggsville” after Henry Meiggs. No offense, Mr. Meiggs, but we’re glad that one didn’t stick. For more details about the awe-inspiring beauty of Mendocino, check out this previous article!
Craig Howell/Flickr
Jackson is he county seat of Amador County. Once upon a time, settlers were drawn to the gold in them thar hills. The town was founded in 1848 and named after an attorney that miners liked. Take a look at the city of Jackson’s official website for more about this little place.
Amber Rae/Flickr
The Spanish word for Tiburon is “shark” and was probably inspired by the native leopard sharks in the surrounding waters. Don’t let them fool you; Tiburon is lovely! Interested in hiking to downtown Tiburon and soaking up all the sights while getting outdoors? Take a look at this article about the world-famous Tiburon Historical Trail.
HKoster/Wikipedia
Fortuna is the Spanish for the word “fortune.” It was chosen by settlers who felt fortunate to live in such a glorious place surrounded by the forests, the Eel river, and the Pacific Ocean. 20,000 people tend to fill the town during Fortuna’s annual Redwood AutoXpo. For more about this lovely little town, check out its official website.
cswtwo/Flickr
If you enjoy fishing, skiing, climbing, or sight-seeing, then you’ll understand why Dunsmuir is a popular hub for visitors. There’s so much room for activities! Want to know more? Check out this previous article!
Linda Tanner/Flickr
Population: 115. Volcano was named when gold rush settlers believed the bowl-shaped valley to be created by a volcano. No such luck. This tiny town is known for a lot of firsts in California: first circulating library, first private school, first law school, and… first hanging. Well. Guess three out of four isn’t bad. For some particularly interesting Civil War history (right here in Volcano), check this story out.
Jonas Santin/Flickr
Sausalito (sauzalito) is Spanish, meaning “small willow grove.” Pre World War II, it was known for its ship-making finesse. Now it’s become an artistic houseboat community of over 400 boats. Groovy. For more about this lovely little town, check out this previous article!
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