The Most Charming Small Towns in California, From Tranquil Seaside Villages to LGBTQ-Friendly Mountain Communities
As the third-largest state by size and most populous (39 million residents), it's hard to imagine that there are small towns in California. From Napa Valley and San Francisco to Los Angeles and Joshua Tree, down to San Diego, the big names tend to get all of the attention, however the state's quieter areas hide away an embarrassment of riches when it comes to outdoor pursuits, laidback environments, and foodie delights.
Below, we feature nine small towns in California—some unknown to Californians themselves—that deserve a visit and a moment in the spotlight. Kayak and spot sea otters in Moss Landing; tour a well-preserved Spanish mission in San Juan Capistrano; explore the dramatic beaches of Trinidad at the top of the state in Humboldt County; see wildflowers and life-size metal sculptures of mammoths, scorpions, and horses in Borrego Springs. With fewer crowds and little traffic, it’s quite possible to feel like you have the place to yourself.
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Diane Bentley Raymond/GettySausalito
Population: 7,177
Often overshadowed by San Francisco, this picturesque town north of the city is a jewel in its own right. The surrounding hiking trails in the Marin Headlands, including the 554-acre old growth forest of Muir Woods, allow for plenty of opportunities to recharge in nature. Later, explore Sausalito’s creative side. Along with its ship building history, Sausalito has long been an arts hub since the days of the beatniks. The arrival in 1972 of the Recording Plant music studio attracted musicians from Aretha Franklin and the Grateful Dead to Van Morrison and Celine Dion.
Tour the legendary Heath Ceramics factory, started in 1948 by Edith Heath, and bring home gorgeous bud vases and serving platters. Stay the night and book the City Lights corner suite at the Inn Above Tide: its pièce de résistance being an outdoor patio hanging over the water, framing spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and city skyline.
GettySan Juan Capistrano
Population: 36,000
In coastal Orange County, San Juan Capistrano features one of the most well preserved Spanish missions in all of California. Established by Junipero Serra in 1776, the mission served to convert the Indigenous Acjachemen people to Christianity. With the scarcity of resources and diseases spreading, many native communities reluctantly joined. Today, visitors can take an engaging guided tour of the padres’ (as the missionaries were known) quarters with dozens of historic artifacts and peek inside a kiicha, a traditional dome-shaped dwelling of the Acjachemen people, made with willow branches.
San Juan Capistrano also claims a darling downtown anchored around railroad tracks (since the city is a stop for Amtrak’s Surfliner). Dine on shakshuka and eggplant toast at newcomer Mayfield, or snag a table at Rancho Capistrano Winery and sample some terrific reds. Spend the night at the gorgeous 125-room Inn at the Mission (part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection), which draws design details from haciendas and produces its own olive oil.
GettyTrinidad
Population: 348
In Humboldt County, Trinidad is one of the least populated small towns in California. Though tiny, Trinidad’s dramatic coastline boasts 10 beautiful beaches with rocky outcroppings, including College Cove, the northernmost and more secluded section of Trinidad State Beach.
Hike Trinidad Head for beautiful ocean vistas (and the occasional whale sighting during migratory months) or launch a boat into the harbor to fish for Dungeness crabs and salmon. South of Trinidad pier is Indian Beach, an ideal spot for ocean kayaking and visiting tidepools. After some time exploring the coast, detour to see the towering stands of redwood trees in Rockefeller Forest in Humboldt Redwoods State Park and drive the Avenue of the Giants. Finish with a dinner of wild mushroom cobbler and peach and arugula pizza at Brick & Fire bistro in Eureka.
Kevin Key/GettyBorrego Springs
Population: 3,429
Not to be confused with Palm Springs, Borrego Springs lies further south of the mid-century modern homes and fancy pools of L.A.’s more well-known desert oasis. The gateway to the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs is refreshingly quiet. The pint-size town has no traffic lights—all the better for seeing constellations and comets in the night sky. Though the 935-square mile State Park (the largest state park in the 48 contiguous states) is growing in popularity for spring wildflower blooms and a collection of 130 massive metal sculptures, including a 350-foot long sea serpent, that dot the landscape, it still remains blissfully under the radar. Hiking the park’s slot canyon is a must.
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S. Greg Panosian/GettyLos Olivos
Population: 838
In the Santa Ynez Valley, north of Santa Barbara, charming Los Olivos is a favorite day trip or weekend getaway of Angelenos. A stagecoach route from San Francisco through Los Olivos and then further south put the small wine country town on the map in 1861. Today, the walkable downtown with 27 wine tasting rooms, cafes, art galleries, and Victorian-style inns draws visitors from near and far. Stop in at The Bubble Shack for sparkling wines or sample reds such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot at E11even Wines. Set up a private olive oil tasting at beautiful Global Gardens and end with dinner at Nella Kitchen at the Fess Parker Winery & Country Inn. The highly anticipated 67-room Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, part of Auberge’s collection, opens in early 2023.
Chase Dekker Wild-Life Images/GettyMoss Landing
Population: 237
Blink and you may miss this small fishing village in northern Monterey County. The town sits at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Reserve, a tidal salt marsh that’s a favorite of nature lovers and bird watchers hoping to catch glimpses of the 340 species of resident and migratory birds including heron, egrets, and pelicans. The slough is also home to a high concentration of southern sea otters—over 100—that can be spotted while kayaking, whale watching, or hiking.
Book a kayak tour with Kayak Connection or jump aboard a catamaran through female-owned Monterey Bay Eco Tours. The area isn’t far from the top wineries of Carmel Valley, including Bernardus, Holman Ranch, and Joullian Vineyards.
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GettyGuerneville
Population: 4,747
Along the Russian River in Sonoma County, this especially LGBTQ-friendly town combines the best of all worlds: wineries, rafting, river floats, hikes among gentle giants in the Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, and an old-fashioned Main Street. It was Peter Pender, originally from Philadelphia, who opened Guerneville’s first gay resort, Fife’s (since closed), in 1978, two years after California repealed its anti-gay laws. Since those days, Guerneville has been a welcoming and relaxed place for all. Dine on roasted broccolini with black garlic and Moroccan chicken with preserved lemon and smoked yogurt at boon eat + drink. Leave room for dessert and follow with ice cream and pies at the Guerneville Bank Club, a Beaux Arts building that once housed the town’s bank. Rest your head at Dawn Ranch Resort, which just partnered with Fender to supply guests with acoustic guitars to play around the properties many fire pits.
Matthew Micah Wright/GettyAvalon, Catalina Island
Population: 3,738
The southernmost of the Channel Islands, Catalina Island sits some 22 miles off the coast of California, with the Catalina Express ferry making 30 daily trips from ports in Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. bought the island in 1919 and was the one who envisioned it as an idyllic vacation destination.
Once there, stroll the shops, cafes, and bars of quaint Avalon before hitting the water to snorkel, kayak, and dive among bright orange garibaldi fish, dolphins, angel sharks, bat rays, and moray eels. Families will love ziplining through the canyons, too. Join the Catalina Island Conservancy’s two-hour jeep eco tour to understand the unique history and ecology of the island interior, plus you’ll spot some of the 106 bison and native foxes that call Catalina home. The recently renovated 95-room Hotel Atwater, with its soaring lobby and elegant beach-inspired décor, is the perfect base while exploring the island.
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GettyMammoth Lakes
Population: 8,263
Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Sierra Nevadas, Mammoth Lakes is a popular wintertime destination for skiing at Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain ski areas, but it’s equally lovely during the other seasons, too. Fly-fish, mountain bike, and camp during the summer; come for leaf peeping during the crisp fall days. For an easy walk, do the 2.5-mile loop around crystal clear Convict Lake with Mount Morrison towering in the background at 12,241 feet. Best seen mid-day, Rainbow Falls is a steady uphill climb culminating in a 101-foot waterfall that’s part of Devils Postpile National Monument. Mammoth Lakes is also an easy extension to a Yosemite trip, which is approximately an hour’s drive away.
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