6 of the Most Overlooked Towns in Northern California
California's allure is undeniable. The Golden State attracts over 15 million international visitors and 267 million domestic tourists annually. The golden light at dusk, which cascades over world-class beaches in synchrony, is a sight that will leave you in absolute awe. While many tourists flock to Los Angeles County to see well-known attractions like the Hollywood sign and Venice Beach, Northern California, also known as NorCal, offers its own tapestry of hidden gems. As a matter of fact, Norcal features national parks with ancient redwood trees between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, with some of them standing as tall as 350 feet. In addition, the Golden Gate Bridge, one of the seven engineering wonders of the world, also happens to be here. Regardless of your plans, this region will leave you with everlasting memories to treasure. In this article, we will explore the top six most overlooked towns in Northern California.
Eureka
Embarking on an adventure in Eureka is an experience, but the journey to getting there is equally worth experiencing. TripAdvisor ranks driving on the Redwood Highway first above all, and when you cruise along the picturesque coastline, you'll see why. As previously mentioned, California is home to redwoods, the tallest trees on the planet, that can grow as high as 350 feet — roughly the size of a 35-story apartment building. Yes, you read that right. Witnessing these humongous trees, many of which stood during the Western Roman Empire, will make you feel insignificant as you ride along the highway. Once you're in town, many attractions await you, including Samoa Beach, King Salmon Beach, and the Eureka Waterfront Trail, all of which provide enchanting views of the Pacific Ocean. This city is also home to the Sequoia Park Zoo, which houses spider monkeys, black bears, and river otters. If you want to escape the crowd in search of a more secluded beach, head 25 miles south to Centerville Beach Country Park. The dramatic cliffs contrasting against the vast expanse of Pacific waters, with the bonus of a secluded beach, makes the trip all the more worthwhile.
Mendocino
This small coastal town boasts soaring jagged cliffs, providing onlookers a serene natural spectacle. When you visit Mendocino, you'll enjoy warm Pacific weather, hiking areas, beaches, parks, and easy access to amenities. One moment, you could be overlooking sea arches after a sweat-breaking hike — an hour later, you could be nestled in a cozy hotel, sipping a warm cup of coffee to renourish yourself. Despite the miniature size of this town, Mendocino features eight art galleries, over ten restaurants that include fine dining, and over a dozen hotels. And just 22 minutes away lies the famous Jughandle State Natural Reserve, which features a 2.5-mile staircase that lets you explore the ancient landscape, which formed hundreds of thousands of years ago due to sea level changes and tectonic shifts.
St. Helena
St. Helena is a fun little town with something for all stripes of tourists. Its thriving culinary scene will satisfy your tastebuds, and its contemporary art galleries will leave your artsy side wonderstruck. St. Helena attained its name from Mount St. Helens, not to be confused with Mount Saint Helena. One of the perks of visiting the latter (located 22.1 miles away) is traversing the Mount Saint Helena Trail, an invigorating hike that takes approximately five hours and five minutes to complete and features some of the best panoramic views of California's rich landscape. Furthermore, the trail is open throughout the year, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air at your convenience. Beyond the mountain, though, St. Helena is also a pop culture darling. In fact, this town has been featured in four movies and one episode of "My Ghost Story." Finally, given that the wine industry plays a significant role in the regional economy, many vineyards offer public and private tours for you and your travel companion. To make the most of your trip, consider the Meadowood Napa Valley as your hotel — the five-star establishment features a crystal-clear pool and romantic views of Norcal's great outdoors.
Sonora
Sonora is not just a town tourists love — it's also a favorite among movie directors and television producers. Unknown to most, over 250 films and television series have been recorded in Sonora, and once you visit, you won't be surprised. The town's history dates back to the California Gold Rush 174 years ago and played a significant role in its economy until it was leapfrogged by tourism. One of the most popular attractions in the city is the Indigeny Reserve, which opened its doors just a short 12 years ago but has quickly blossomed into a town favorite. The reserve covers 160 acres of land and is both a nature preserve and an apple ranch, surrounded by stunning scenery. While the reserve is delightful, Sonora's main pride and joy lies about an hour away to the east, where the famous Yosemite National Park lives. The world-famous park covers over 759,000 acres, is open all year round, and was the sixth-most visited national park last year — drawing an impressive 3.89 million visitors. Yosemite offers endless activities; whether you crave an invigorating hike or prefer to sightsee iconic landmarks like Glacier Point, the breathtaking vistas amidst towering mountains will leave you enchanted.
Fort Bragg
Residents of Fort Bragg have plenty to brag about. Out of all the towns we have covered, this town may be the only one with a beach as unique as Glass Beach. To provide context, several decades ago, residents and the the city of Fort Bragg dumped unwanted appliances, glass and other household items onto the beach, leading officials to burn the debris to reduce the massive size of the dump. Today, the mighty Pacific Ocean reclaimed those discarded items and turned them into uniquely beautiful colored pebbles, giving the beach its name. This beach is so popular that it attracts over a thousand visitors daily. Two miles away from here is the Noyo Headlands Park — covering 104 acres, this park offers once-in-a-lifetime views of California's bluffs and boasts stunning trails used by joggers, cyclists, or those looking for a relaxing stroll during dusk. To wrap up your stay, conclude your trip with a thrilling surfing adventure and visit the North Coast Surf School for beginner-friendly and advanced surfing lessons so you can live like a true Californian, even if it's just for a day.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Named one of the prettiest towns in the United States earlier this year, Carmel, also known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, is an outdoor lovers' paradise. Its sandy shores are a perfect getaway to jog or walk while breathing fresh sea air. Aside from the outdoors, Carmel is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene and is home to the Gallery-by-the-Sea Carmel, an enterprise started 11 years ago. The gallery offers idyllic paintings of the beautiful California coastline and is consistently ranked as one of TripAdvisor's top places to visit. Another unique fact about Carmel is that it has no street or mail addresses to stay unique. In addition, there are no chain restaurants in Carmel, providing patrons with the opportunity to visit new restaurants exclusive to Carmel. If you wish to experience the beautiful sea that lends its name to the town, Big Sur Adventures offers guided tours on electric bikes. The tour takes around two hours to complete and takes you to the top sites, including downtown Carmel, Carmel River Beach, and the Clinton Walker House.
In conclusion, NorCal's hidden gems beyond LA's crowds offer an exciting opportunity to see the other side of California. Whether it's Eureka's giant historic trees, Mendocino's scenic cliffs, or Fort Bragg's glass beach, NorCal is bound to charm you.
