11 Northern California Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
Northern California boasts one of the most diverse natural landscapes in the country, from the Pacific Ocean's rocky shoreline to the Sierra Nevada's towering peaks. Spread out across these picturesque areas are quaint communities with unrivaled charm. While they all share beautiful outdoor scenery, some stand out for the liveliness of their downtown districts. Blending history, culture, commerce, and entertainment, these vibrant hubs offer enough attractions to let you center all your itinerary around the downtown.
Beyond the glittering skyscrapers and crowded streets in big cities like San Francisco, the smaller towns of the NoCal region have pedestrian-friendly avenues, allowing tourists to explore local attractions without haste. From the stunning ocean views in Sausalito to the 19th-century buildings in Nevada City, here are Northern California towns with unforgettable Main Streets.
Sonoma
Situated in the heart of the Sonoma Valley wine region, this lovely community treats visitors to a blend of historical experiences and wine-tasting opportunities. It has a well-preserved historic district, Sonoma Plaza, where the busy main street cuts through. This is dotted with bars, wineries, restaurants, and other local businesses housed in rustic, 19th-century buildings. Among the many wine outlets in the area, newcomers can visit WALT Wines to sample sweet-tasting Pinot Noirs in an acclaimed establishment.
Vacationers can catch first-run movies at Sebastiani Theatre, which has been linking the community to the Silver Screen since 1933. Finally, take the time to interact with the region's art community at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and browse a fine collection of pieces by celebrated artists.
Mendocino
This beachside community of Northern California is known for its picturesque panoramas of the Pacific Ocean's rugged coastline. Its historic district charms visitors with well-preserved Victorian homes that speak to its longstanding heritage. The Ford House Museum and Visitor Center is the focal point of Main Street Mendocino. Constructed in the 1800s, this old homestead stores a collection of archives about the town's past and serves as the ideal starting point for first-timers looking to explore the city.
Walking around the corridor will also bring you into the Kelley House Museum, another critical historical marker from 1861, offering a glimpse into the early days. Also, the Mendocino Art Center displays a delightful selection of crafts by multiple local artists worth checking out.
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a gem in the Bay Area, just south of San Francisco, boasting a relaxed countryside atmosphere with spellbinding ocean views. Its busy Main Street is a mixed bag of surprises, housing galleries, restaurants, museums, and Mom' n Pop shops. Art connoisseurs can admire a pile of intimate art from the West Coast at M Stark Gallery. However, those who prefer performance art will be in their element watching live plays at the Coastal Repertory Theatre.
There is a vibrant wine and dine scene along the main thoroughfare, with the highlight being Sacrilege Brewery + Kitchen. This trendy establishment tantalizes tongues with mouth-watering international flavors alongside freshly crafted beer.
Arcata
Home to the California State Polytechnic University, this bubbly college town endears itself to visitors with an infectious atmosphere. Its town square is a hub for the area's history, culture, and commerce, granting guests a wholesome experience. Several old homes, including the Phillips House Museum, preserve Arcata's rich past. This stunning Greek Revival farmhouse was built in the mid-1800s and maintains several furnishings and artifacts. Elsewhere, the Arcata Playhouse welcomes visitors to catch moving dance performances by homegrown talent.
The Arcata Farmers' Market gives Main Street a new lease of life whenever it comes to town. This weekly gathering attracts scores of regional planters and crafters who bring out their merchandise for potential buyers to sort through.
Sausalito
Sausalito's charm lies in an easygoing waterfront downtown with sweeping panoramas of the San Francisco Bay and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The quaint town intrigues visitors with its floating homes at Waldo Point Harbor, which were built by squatters after the Second World War. Tourists can explore numerous points of interest, starting with the Bay Model Visitor Center. This 3-D model of the San Francisco Bay provides an educational experience depicting the function of the bay.
One of the busiest spots in the area to explore is the Sausalito Boardwalk. Besides the gorgeous ocean vistas, this bustling corridor houses a collection of dining and shopping outlets. You can try excellent seafood at Salito's Crab House & Prime Rib, featuring delicious crab cakes.
Placerville
This historic community in the Sacramento Metropolitan Area boasts a rich heritage since its founding in the 1850s and preserves several markets from the Victorian era. You can witness several of these around the town square, highlighted by the Historic Cary House Hotel. This Main Street gem provides a window to the mid-1800s through spectacular period furnishings and pieces. Art lovers have numerous options along the main avenue to indulge in their favorite pastime, with a chance to examine a collection of pottery, sculpture, paintings, and photography by over forty regional artists.
This is also true for Art Studio 360, a perfect follow-up activity. Besides the arts, sample the vibrant restaurant scene along the corridor. Main Street Melters is a crowd favorite, known for its savory American dishes and a laid-back atmosphere.
Nevada City
Nevada City deserves a spot among California towns with unforgettable Main Streets, thanks to its remarkable preservation of a Victorian downtown district. Exploring the center transports guests to the height of the California Gold Rush, with vintage structures in rustic architectural styles oozing nostalgia. Highlights include the Firehouse No. 1 Museum, where artifacts portray life in the late 19th century. Meanwhile, the Nevada Theatre preserves the town's enduring arts heritage and is California's oldest existing theater.
Main Street Nevada City comes to its own every Saturday when growers, crafters, and makers grace the Nevada City Farmers' Market. This is an opportunity to not only shop for fresh farm produce and cute handcrafts but also have personal conversations with the locals.
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg's unmatched vistas of the Mendocino Coast and towering redwood forests make it an exciting destination for outdoor lovers. However, it also harbors a vibrant downtown area with no shortage of fun attractions. For historians, the Guest House Museum along Main Street is a must-see. It was constructed in the 1800s from local redwoods and preserves local heritage through railroad and logging artifacts. This is a short distance from the Sea Glass Museum, which boasts the highest collection of colorful sea glass.
Fort Bragg hosts a fair share of quirky points of interest that will leave you with more questions and answers. The Triangle Tattoo & Museum is an excellent example and provides invaluable insight into the history of tattooing in one of the places in the world dedicated to this.
Danville
Danville is an adorable town near Walnut Creek with a site-rich downtown district. The area boasts an eclectic blend of galleries, museums, restaurants, and pubs that keeps it teeming with activity. The trendy Danville Harvest invites first-timers to taste the region's farm-to-table cuisine, comprising New American delicacies like chicken sandwiches and hushpuppies. Those interested in Danville's history can visit the Museum of the San Ramon Valleys to inspect a library of archives and relics inside a former railway depot.
Art plays a significant role in Danville's culture, and townspeople prove this by frequently converging at the Village Theatre & Art Gallery to support local artists by browsing their creations or watching them perform on stage.
Eureka
Eureka's Old Town district charms newcomers with an elaborate display of Victorian homes and storefronts that hint at its rich historical heritage. Prominent among these is the imposing Carson Mansion, a noteworthy architectural masterpiece and a prime example of Queen Anne style in the town. You can delve into the area's dynamic heritage at the Clarke Historical Museum, which highlights various aspects of culture and history. The colorful artifacts exhibition ranges from Native American antiques to Gold Rush memorabilia.
Eureka has a small but decent art scene, which you can learn more about at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. This neoclassical building with high ceilings houses seven galleries offering artists, painters, dancers, writers, and other creatives to showcase their talent.
Auburn
Steeped in California Gold Rush heritage, this Placer County municipality was designated a California Historical Landmark and hosts a rustic downtown full of old sites and markers. You can discover its dynamic past at the Placer County Museum, home of a diverse catalog of historical artifacts highlighting events like the Gold Rush and Native American occupation. The Gold Rush Museum focuses on the mining heydays through interactive memorabilia and relics, and exposes guests to an indoor panning stream.
But history isn't all Auburn is known for; it also invites art enthusiasts to sample the intimate works of multiple regional artists at the Auburn Old Town Gallery. Alternatively, they can catch an enthralling theatrical production at the Historic Auburn State Theatre.
Final Thought
While the bustling city squares in San Francisco and Sacramento claim a large chunk of the tourists in the upper half of the Golden State, there is much to see outside the major metro locations. If you want an alternative experience, you can visit any of the above Northern California towns with unforgettable Main Streets. Whether you plan to inspect Gold Rush heritage in Auburn or indulge in the sweet-tasting wines of Sonoma, each has a walk-friendly downtown area that lets you do so at your own pace.
