2025's Most Underrated Towns In California

California is not just the most populated state in the country, it is also one of the most beloved travel destinations in the entire world. From the concrete jungles of Los Angeles to its southern deserts and lush, mountainous forests up north, you can really see and do anything in the Golden State.

Today, let's focus on some of the lesser-known destinations to be discovered here this year. Whether you desire a journey off the beaten path or simply just want some peace and quiet, definitely consider any of these underrated places for your next escape in 2025.

Guadalupe

Located near the Central Coast, just west of Santa Maria, Guadalupe is in an agriculturally productive and quiet part of the state. The natural scenery to be found here is top notch too, and a primary draw is the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, a 12-mile stretch of protected coastal dunes and the largest dune system on the West Coast. The area offers a strikingly beautiful landscape that attracts sight-seers, birdwatchers, and even film buffs, with guided access to the remains of Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments film set, partially buried in sand for over 70 years.

The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center, located in a restored 1910 Craftsman-style home downtown, serves as one of the town’s other main attractions and complements any visit to the dunes. It includes exhibits on local natural history, the silent film industry, and dune ecology.

The quaint downtown area is worth further exploration if in the area. Just a few blocks away, La Simpatía Restaurant has been operating for decades and remains a regional favorite for traditional Mexican food. For breakfast, Guadalupe Cafe is another local favorite that ought ot be tried.

While not the most thrilling place in the world, those searching for a truly low-key and laid-back community near the Pacific coast can come to Guadalupe for a peaceful experience year-round.

Willits

Willits is a small inland town along U.S. Route 101, often bypassed by travelers heading straight to the Mendocino coast. That’s part of what makes it one of the most underrated places in Northern California, however, as it still has a surprisingly robust tourism industry that hasn’t been overrun by the masses (yet).

A must-visit in Willits is the Skunk Train, a heritage rail line that departs from downtown and travels through old-growth redwood groves on its way to Northspur. It’s one of the last functioning scenic railroads in California and still operates vintage motorcars and locomotives. With this in mind, Willits is also the gateway to the Mendocino Redwoods, with easy access to Jackson Demonstration State Forest, a particularly popular spot for hiking and mountain biking.

Moreover, downtown Willits includes the Roots of Motive Power Museum, which features a working collection of steam and diesel logging equipment. On the other hand, the Willits Center for the Arts holds exhibits from regional artists and is housed in a wonderfully restored building dating back to the 1920s, making this town and all around a cool place for both nature lovers and those wanting to experience its unique historic/cultural scene.

Coulterville

Coulterville sits on the convergence of the Golden Chain Highway and State Route 132, often used as a backroad entrance to Yosemite National Park. Despite its location, the town sees little traffic compared to other nearby gateway towns like Mariposa or Groveland.

Learn more about this idyllic Sierra Nevada community at the Northern Mariposa County History Center, a locale that specializes in the area’s longstanding gold mining legacy. The museum includes numerous preserved documents, antique mining tools, and detailed records from the town’s diverse early population, which was heavily made up of immigrant gold miners from countries like China and beyond.

In terms of accommodations in Coulterville, Hotel Jeffery has been in continuous operation since 1851 (though closed periodically for restoration), and remains one of the most storied buildings in the Sierra foothills. Restaurant options include Old Johnny Haigh Saloon, Coulter Cafe, and a couple of other locally owned options just steps away from the hotel.

Outside town, Maxwell Creek and State Route 132 also lead to various abandoned mines and trailheads that don’t appear on most tourist maps. Another cool fact is that many travelers passing through this landscape are unaware they’re driving along one of the state’s oldest wagon routes to Yosemite.

Weaverville

Weaverville is one of the oldest towns in California, founded during the 1850s Gold Rush. It sits in the scenic Trinity Alps region, making it an incredible spot for an outing in the mountains.

The town’s standout site is the Joss House State Historic Park, home to the Temple of the Forest Beneath the Clouds, a Taoist temple built in 1874 that still functions as an active place of worship. The park includes guided tours and preserved artifacts from the Chinese miners who helped greatly in originally building the community. A block away, the Jake Jackson Museum is another interesting historic landmark that was once an original stamp mill, now housing a wagon collection and other exhibits about mining as well

Weaverville’s historic downtown district has an impressive array of other buildings from the 19th century, many of which now house local businesses, eateries, and the Trinity County Brewing Company. Be sure to grab a hearty meal at The Nugget Restaurant, a no-frills diner right in the heart of town serving classic American fare at a reasonable cost, a perfect way to fuel up before a day out in the mountains.

Access to outdoor activities, however, is what brings most to Weaverville immediately. A huge variety of nearby trailheads to the Trinity Alps Wilderness begin just 15 minutes or less from downtown, giving you a way to get into some of California’s most rugged alpine terrain without the crowds often seen in other regions of the Sierra.

Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg is yet another "pass-through town" on the way to Mendocino, but it has its own unique history and gorgeous coastal scenery that make it worth a dedicated visit. Once a major logging and military outpost, Fort Bragg has quietly evolved into a welcoming community that has evolved into an underrated gem for tourists in the know.

The most direct attraction is Glass Beach, a former dumpsite that has turned into a natural sea glass collection point. It’s part of the larger MacKerricher State Park, which runs north of town and includes tidepools, seal viewing areas, and driftwood-covered beaches. The Coastal Trail, built on a decommissioned logging railroad, stretches along the cliffs and offers more unobstructed views over the ocean.

Downtown Fort Bragg centers on the Shoreline Highway, where longtime businesses like North Coast Brewing Company and other independent businesses operate year-round. Be sure to pay a visit to the Guest House Museum down the street from the brewery. Built in 1892 from old-growth redwood, this attraction covers the town's original logging and shipping-based industries, giving you a detailed window into the earliest days of Fort Bragg and other small California towns like it.

Caliente

Caliente is a near-forgotten railroad town located in the Tehachapi Mountains, about 20 miles southeast of Bakersfield. It’s not a typical destination, as there is little in the way of modern amenities here. But for travelers interested in rail history, high desert landscapes, and quiet, remote locations in this otherwise crowded state, Caliente stands out above the rest.

The primary reason to visit is its position along the Tehachapi Loop, one of the most important and impressive engineering feats in North American railroading. Completed in 1876, the spiral loop allows trains to gain elevation gradually through a 0.72-mile circle of track. You can park your vehicle along Caliente-Bodfish Road to watch mile-long freight trains pass over and under themselves in real time, something that draws locomotive enthusiasts from across the country. It’s also one of the last places in the area with remnants of early 20th-century rail housing and infrastructure still visible along the tracks.

If you're more interested in enjoying this region's remote wilderness, the rugged terrain is perfect for hiking and landscape photography, especially in Caliente Canyon and the southern Sierra foothills. A short drive west will also land you at The Big Red Barn, a hugely popular roadside stop on the way to Bakersfield, where you'll find a produce market, a bakery, and tons of seasonal activities for the whole family.

Etna

Etna sits in the Scott Valley at the base of the Marble Mountains, deep in Northern California’s far western corner. It’s one of the most geographically isolated incorporated towns in the state, and is surrounded by national forests, farmland, and rolling foothills in lieu of modern development.

Outdoor adventurers in the area will appreciate the Marble Mountain Wilderness, part of the Klamath National Forest. Multiple trailheads begin within a short drive of downtown, including routes to Sky High Lakes and Cliff Lake, two alpine basins that are open for the public to explore.

In town, you may run into one of the state's longest-running breweries at Etna Brewing Co. Founded in 1872, this craft operation is run out of an original stone building, making it a refreshing way to delve into Etna's history. Moreover, the Denny Bar Company around the corner is the spot for locally crafted spirits, which can be enjoyed at its accompanying restaurant.

Isleton

Isleton rests on the banks of the Sacramento River just northeast of San Francisco. The downtown district, which was rebuilt after 1915 due to a devastating fire, features a mix of picturesque brick and false-front wooden buildings and a distinct old-timey vibe. Notably, there are two parallel "Chinatowns," one Chinese and one Japanese, that still stand and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Isleton Museum, housed in the former fire station, further documents the town’s agricultural and immigration history and gives you a deeper look into this town's diverse past.

For many, Isleton serves as a launch point for river access on the California Delta. Anglers and birders also use it as a base to access the nearby Delta Meadows, a state-owned but undeveloped greenspace filled with wetlands, oak groves, and migratory birds. Its riverside location also means lots of fresh seafood, which is celebrated at the annual Isleton Crawdad Festival, which takes place every June within downtown's waterfront area.

See Another Side of California this Year

California is filled with dozens of well-known destinations, but these lesser-known communities show a different side of the state, one defined by remote settings and charming small-town character. Whether you're interested in hiking, history, or simply seeing parts of the Golden State that still operate on their own terms, these places remain among the most underrated spots to visit in 2025. From inland rail towns to coastal enclaves that have avoided commercial saturation, each location listed above offers something different, and better yet, memorable.