8 Best Small Towns To Visit In California's Sierra Nevada
California, with its 170 mountain ranges, is strewn with mountain towns, most hidden within the creases for the best respite from the city than you have ever imagined and access to the natural world from the doorstep. Reap everything from nature you can, like healing with mountain air, revitalizing with activities, or simply zoning out at the view.
These charming mountain towns will make you forget the beach destinations for a moment and save the wine country for later visits. You will be in the epicenter of the Wild West lifestyle from the gold rush era and some of the best hikes in the whole state, including the famous Trail of the Gargoyles, mountain summits, and even the largest alpine lake.
Idyllwild
The hip town deep in the San Jacinto Mountains is a must-visit on your getaway into the Sierras. As one of the state's most secluded mountain towns, it is a wonder how Idyllwild remains a hotspot for artists and other creatives. However, after looking at the natural world surrounding it, it becomes a source of inspiration that no distance, or off-the-grid location can get in the way of the true art spirits. The winding mountain road to this oasis is a scenic affair in itself, particularly exciting with the number of adventures you know await ahead.
With deep wilderness and idyllic nature come wilder things, like deer sightings and the fresh pine scent on some of the best hikes of your life. For the most spectacular vistas, tackle Mount San Jacinto via Marion Mountain, a 10,834-foot peak with 4,500 feet of gain. Enjoy the hike-in camping options around the mountain or drive up to a campsite from San Diego. The charming downtown, replete with amenities, is abuzz with a mountainous culture of creatives, a brewery, vintage stores, Native American stores, and a pizza restaurant, among others.
Lake Arrowhead
The town, with its namesake lake amid the majestic San Bernardino National Forest, is best for swimming with a view, among other wet and dry pursuits abounding in the deep outdoors around "The Alps of Southern California." It remains a secret spot and the best-hidden mountain getaway destination on the West Coast — a real surprise and pleasure to enjoy all the stunningly beautiful nature with a close group of friends or family. The Lake Arrowhead area has lured people to visit this mountainous paradise for centuries, with tamed nature still pristine after hotel accommodations and restaurants filled the town.
The cozy and quaint streetscape has a resort-like feel without the crowds to balance out all the wild experiences around Lake Arrowhead. From scenic relaxation to leisurely recreation like hiking and fishing, the adventuresome enjoy backpacking and mountain biking along the harder trails fit for climbers. Come in the summer for the sparkling waters and in the winter for snow skiing under a real natural peacefulness with wildlife scenery. Enjoy all the charms of a romantic getaway, the thrill of being at one with Mother Nature, or a simple break from daily life with your family to make lifelong memories.
Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta, nearly as far away from Los Angeles as mountain towns go, is a perfect blend of California's wildest nature and a surprising wealth of hip cafes, lending an urban experience in the middle of nowhere. The untouched gem retains the most pristine feel, with many thrilling adventures for the hot-headed to explore its finest wonders, like the beckoning Mount Shasta summit at 14,179 feet. Enjoy mountain biking along a rugged trail and nights under the stars at a cozy campground.
Whether you make it to the snow-crested peak or stay in lower-elevation campsites around the mount, you will be among the few alpine-spirited fans with the best views that will stay with you forever after Mount Shasta. Come to the forest municipality off the beaten path for nature and stay for the shopping spree through a gamut of vintage stores in the stylish downtown Mount Shasta village. A summertime visit for the multitude of hikes and water fun like kayaking in Shasta Lake is just as perfect.
Placerville
El Dorado County Seat is a glorious and easily accessible destination in the Sierra, in a ravine at the junction of Highway 49 and US Highway 50. Its thriving small-town businesses and vibrant culture make for a memorable visit with the most comfortable amenities and diverse pursuits. Find a rich spread of antique shops, galleries, and boutiques along Main Street, in between cute b&bs and inns, as well as cozy bed and breakfasts and restaurants for all tastes. Placerville is also home to Tom Raley, who found a chain of supermarkets spread today throughout Northern California after building his first store here in the 1930s.
"Hangtown," and Dry Diggins even prior, had a colorful history in the Gold Rush era, from felons to three prospectors who made $17,000 in a week after the first strike. By the 1850s, it was the second-largest town in the Mother Lode and California's third-largest city by 1954. Producing $25 million in gold, Placerville's optimal location was a major stopping point for travelers to the south shore of Lake Tahoe, as well as an always rich agricultural land. You can experience all of this and more with family-friendly pursuits, like local markets, jewelry shops, and boutiques, amid the many notable historic sites strewn about town — a real joy on a stroll. The Hangtown Fry — a strange, delectable meal of a bacon and oyster omelet — once the only ingredients a local chef could find is now a major reason for a visit.
Sonora
Sonora, the "Queen of the Southern Mines" and seat for Tuolumne County, began as a gold rush town with two brothers from Mexico, striking the riches in 1848. The small town got its name from the Mexican region of the county's most northerly provinces — the home of many prospectors to the area — and quickly grew to become one of Mother Lode's wildest towns. Enjoy easy access to your own rich discoveries today, at the junction of Highway 49 and Highway 108, with an architectural treasure trove of traces from a bygone era. Sonora immerses you in a real Wild West feel, along with the two historic small towns nearby, Jamestown and Columbia, worthy of a day trip.
Seek the diverse Ethnic context along the streets among restaurants, shops, and other cultural sights today. Find historical vestiges like the old jail housing the Tuolumne County Historical Museum along West Bradford Street with vintage firearms, a collection of gold, and interesting memories from the westward migration. Visit the City Hall at 94 West Washington Street with unique firefighting equipment and hike to Piety Hill, the former site of Big Bonanza Mine, the largest pocket mine in the Mother Lode, near the Instagram-worthy, beautiful St. James Episcopal Church.
South Lake Tahoe
It is no wonder that this small town, on the verge of the US's largest alpine lakes, is a popular place to visit in the Sierra Nevada and one of the best ones for a getaway with a whole array of year-round family pursuits. Save the best for last on your south-to-north travels in California, where you can finally unwind. Take a stroll through the quaint and cozy town of South Lake Tahoe Center with all the major amenities at rural sights, like a plethora of eateries, coffee shops, breweries, bike rentals, and more.
The homey mountain town is full of lakeside accommodation options like great b&bs, the top Lake Tahoe resort, or camping in the wilder backcountry of California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay State Park is right there to dive into nature head-on, with its crystal-clear waters and unrivaled viewpoints in the whole area for the best strolls and picnics while lounging by the shores. Venture onward to the East Shore of South Lake Tahoe for more hotspots to sunbathe at the scenery under the summertime hot Northern California sun and pine-scented air from the nearby fringe of alpine pines to seek shade.
Truckee
Ensconced in the mountains, Truckee is a must-visit town in California’s Nevada for some of the best hiking trails in the state, mouthwatering eateries, shopping, and museums. Enjoy a romantic getaway or a stunning mountain escape with your family or a group of friends, picture-perfect through any season. The historic downtown, with its lively year-round atmosphere, gets adorned for the Christmas season like no other in the region under a holiday glow with lights sparkling against the snowy backdrop. Tour around the local eateries for delicacies and have fun adventures with the kids at KidZone Museum.
The summertime town is just as alluring, particularly for those seeking solace to soak up the sun along the cool waters of the hidden beaches. With 245 sunny days a year, the town, in the embrace of picturesque mountainscapes, summons all the explorers into the breathtaking natural scenery. Take your pick from various ways to explore the great outdoors, from sultry summer days of lounging at the West End Beach to historic walking tours along the Truckee River Railroad and Martis Peak Fire Lookout, or self-guided excursions around the beautiful Donner Lake and Trout Creek Trail. Choose Cedar Glen Lodge and dive into the fun plethora of snow sports like skiing, snowboarding, and even biking at the heart of California’s Nevada County with all the applicable views.
Twain Harte
At 4,000 feet above sea level, Twain Harte is the ultimate family-friendly getaway town in the High Sierra, abuzz with life through every season. It is your go-to basecamp for some of the best mountain ventures in the region amid the surrounding naturally conditioned air, even along the streetscape as you explore its massive offerings of on-the-town pursuits. Enjoy the great outdoors with mild winters and warm summers thanks to the mid-level elevation that offers alpine vistas without the freezing cold or closeness to the scorching sun along the many trails of the Sonora Pass. Tackle the Leavitt Meadows for the best access to alpine lakes for cooling post-hike dips, swimming, and scenic lounging by the waters.
Experience the healing powers of nature while enjoying your favorite outdoor pursuits like hiking, fishing, boating, or golfing during the summer. Tackle the famous Trail of the Gargoyles or the Columns of the Giants rimming the canyon with unique volcanic formations during the summer and return for the wintertime adrenaline-rushing Dodge Ridge slopes. Let the kids go wild over frosty snow fun at Leland Snow Play, California's biggest snow play park with snow castle building, tubing, and more. The alpine vibe extends into the mountain town for breezy strolls along the most charming streetscape full of treasured local spots and many accommodations like inns, B&Bs, and vacation rentals.
From the beautiful mountain views to the rugged terrain of the backcountry and jagged peaks, the Sierra Nevada is unreplicable. Each town with its own personality will cater to everyone's best mountain getaway in the state. With glistening lakes, sought-after ski resorts, and local businesses, including national hotspots, each town is full of charming delights to enjoy after a day in the wild. Choose a cozy cabin in the forest, a lakeside b&b, a vacation resort style, or a tent for summertime nature 24/7 under the dark star-lit skies.
