8 Quirkiest California Towns You Didn't Know Existed
California usually needs no introduction. From its world-class cities, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, to renowned parks, like the mountainous Yosemite and the deserts of Joshua Tree, the state stands out with its numerous beloved attractions and incredibly diverse scenery.
Today, however, we would like to introduce some destinations that you might not have heard of before. And we're not picking out just any old towns in the middle of nowhere (although many of these places are pretty much off the grid), these places are full of things to see and do, as well as simply being charming, with their quiet streets and slower pace of life. Read on to see where your next memorable road trip in the Golden State might take you.
Harmony
Harmony is among the smallest towns along California’s Central Coast, but that is exactly what makes it stand out. Originally established as a settlement to support local dairy farmers in the late 1860s, this single-street community sits off Highway 1 between the much larger cities of Cambria and Cayucos.
With a dowtown area covering just a few acres, it is a surprisingly fleshed-out hub for artists, artisans, and curious travelers seeking an offbeat stop on their coastal route. The town's Glassworks studio is perhaps Harmony's main draw, where you can watch glass art take shape in the hands of craftsmen or take part in a workshop yourself. Nearby, the Harmony Pottery Shop sells handmade pieces also created on site by local artisans.
Right across the street, the Harmony Valley Cremery building is a must-visit, especially given the area's deep roots in the dairy industry. Here, you can grab a cone and go for a stroll through the adjacent succulent garden, or even watch a wedding in the beautiful chapel out back!
Down the road, you will also be able to enjoy the Harmony Cellars winery, perched on an idyllic spot just above the town. This locale produces small-batch Central Coast wines in a gorgeous old-timey venue with a large outdoor patio that regularly hosts live music.
Baker
In the depths of the Mojave Desert along Interstate 15, Baker has been a longtime stopover for travelers headed between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Little more than a strip of gas stations and diners, it does have its own charms, as well as being one of the closest towns to Death Valley National Park.
Did you know that Baker is home to the World’s Tallest Thermometer, a 134-foot electric sign built in 1991 to commemorate the record-setting 134°F once recorded in nearby Death Valley in 1913? The thermometer stands next to a cluster of old motels and fast-food restaurants that have served desert travelers since the highway boom of the mid-20th century.
Do check out the Alien Fresh Jerky too, a business that is very hard to miss, given that it appears to be housed in some sort of alien spaceship... space tank... thing... Regardless, it appeals to those who love jerky of all kinds and want to pick up some alien-themed merchandise along with it.
Beyond its reputation as a roadside pit stop with an oversized temperature measuring device, Baker also sits near the Mojave National Preserve’s Kelso Dunes and lava tubes, two very unique geological features, as well as the entrance to the remote Silver Lake dry bed.
Cedarville
Cedarville sits in Surprise Valley, a remote pocket tucked deep into the northeastern corner of California near the Nevada border. Originally a stop for westbound wagon trains back in the frontier days, the town then developed around cattle ranching and agriculture for those who decided to set up camp here. Today, it draws visitors with its combination of having a rustic, Old West atmosphere and proximity to a wonderful array of alpine and high-desert landscapes.
Downtown Cedarville pleasantly holds onto its distinct frontier-era character. For example, historic red brick and false-front buildings line its Main Street, including the old-timey Cardville Grocery and Woody's, a classic American diner. A handful of other antique shops, restaurants, and other businesses also fill these old spaces, making it fun and easy to embark on a quiet afternoon stroll in the area.
Beyond town, the Warner Mountains and Modoc National Forest give hikers and wildlife watchers wide-open access to volcanic plateaus, alpine lakes, and seldom-used trails. Cedarville can also serve as a gateway to the nearby Black Rock Desert, or even closer, the Surprise Valley Hot Springs, a cluster of naturally fed, mineral-rich pools located just minutes away.
Locke
Locke is considered the last remaining town in the U.S. built entirely by and for Chinese immigrants. Founded in 1915 after a fire displaced Chinese residents from nearby Walnut Grove, Locke evolved into a commercial and social hub for these immigrant laborers, who served a vital role in California's early workforce. In this region, they primarily worked on the Sacramento River Delta’s farming and levee systems.
Several original buildings can still be found on its strikingly narrow Main Street, now housing museums, restaurants, general stores, and other draws in this tiny historic community. For one, the Locke Boarding House Museum gives a direct look at the daily life of the early settlers of Locke, while the Dai Loy Museum preserves one of the town’s former gambling houses, left much as it was from well over a century ago.
Locke’s surrounding levees and backroads are also worth a look, with a number of nice parks and green spaces located throughout. Cosumnes River Preserve is a particularly popular spot for kayakers and canoeists in search of a safe and easy place to launch their boats. The park also boasts a network of boardwalks and observation decks, making exploration on foot convenient too.
Julian
Julian is one of many communities in the state that began as a gold rush town. Today, it is best known for its productive apple orchards, historic landmarks, and peaceful mountain setting in Southern California. Though only an hour’s drive from San Diego, the shift in elevation and slow pace make Julian feel truly distant and under the radar. Located in San Diego County’s Cuyamaca Mountains, Julian is not just a hotspot for those seeking fresh produce, but it's an ideal central point for exploring the area's amazing outdoor scenery, too.
In town, the Julian Pioneer Museum offers a straightforward introduction to the town’s gold mining beginnings, while the Eagle Mining Co. runs guided tours through a preserved underground shaft, giving you a unique, up-close window into the past. As you can imagine, visitors also come for the annual apple harvest, especially during autumn when local orchards open for pick-your-own fruit and fresh-pressed cider.
Julian’s location also puts it near several notable natural landmarks, including Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, both renowned for their variety of hiking trails and campgrounds.
Niland
Niland is another underrated desert town, this time situated in Imperial County, and provides an often overlooked stop for travelers heading to the Salton Sea.
At first glance, it looks like a typical, sun-beaten farm service town, but just a few miles away sits one of California’s most unusual landmarks: Salvation Mountain. This man-made hillside, built from adobe, various found objects, and thousands of gallons of colorful paint, was created by local resident Leonard Knight as a lifelong folk art project centered on his faith and sense of community. It really is one of California's strangest landmarks, visually speaking at least, and one that you have to see to believe.
Beyond Salvation Mountain, the nearby community of Slab City draws an eclectic mix of artists, drifters, and off-grid residents to this somewhat unregulated stretch of desert. Here, murals, sculptures, and impromptu installations dot the landscape, including East Jesus, a section of Slab City which functions as an ever-changing outdoor art gallery built entirely from discarded materials.
However, Niland’s proximity to the Salton Sea is usually the main reason to stop here. It is one of the few surviving towns on its shores. The shoreline, both haunting and quiet, is actually quite the destination for birdwatchers and photographers, drawn to the region’s stark scenery and hardy wildlife.
While Niland itself is small and largely utilitarian, its surroundings offer a rare combination of art and true isolation in the desert, making it a great destination for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big city life.
Los Alamos
Los Alamos rests along Highway 101 in northern Santa Barbara County and looks, at first glance, like a typical rural town inland from the coast. But for those in the know, Los Alamos has developed into a hotspot for foodies, wine lovers, and the arts.
The heart of town is Bell Street, a short stretch lined with old general stores, hotels, and other amenities, along with a rich variety of tasting rooms, restaurants, and art galleries. Shops like Sisters and Plenty showcase mid-century antiques and handmade goods, while Bob’s Well Bread Bakery is a favorite among locals and draws visitors from across the region for its fresh loaves and pastries.
If wine caught your eye, spots like Bodega Los Alamos, a bar, and Clementine Carter Wines, a shop stocking the best local vintages, are just a couple of nearly a dozen places in town to grab a glass or a bottle of the good stuff; and remember, every locale mentioned so far are all on one street!
Nearby vineyards also offer small-scale tastings, and Los Alamos serves as a quieter alternative to Santa Ynez or Los Olivos, whether you're here to taste local produce or want to simply explore its picturesque countryside. With ranchland and oak-dotted hills framing the town, too, visitors can easily pair wine-country touring with low-key exploration at closeby green spaces, like Los Alamos County Park, Los Flores Ranch Park, and more.
Loyalton
Loyalton is a former timber town located in Sierra County, set on the western edge of the Sierra Valley. The town developed around logging mills well over a hundred years ago, and echoes of its past can be felt in the town's old, wooden buildings and historic locales such as the Milton Gottardi Museum
Although its dowtown core is small, quiet, and lacks standout attractions, it is the gorgeous landscapes around Loyalton that wow its visitors. The Sierra Valley is one of California’s largest high-altitude valleys and a major stop for migrating birds, especially during spring and fall. Because of this, the region tends to draw birders and wildlife researchers rather than the flocks of tourists at the state's more popular national parks.
For example, the nearby Lakes Basin offers public access to dozens of glacial lakes, backcountry trails, and campgrounds without the crowds of Lake Tahoe. The Antelope Valley Wildlife Area, just south of Loyalton, is even more secluded. Here, you will find more trail networks on a somewhat flatter expanse of land, full of forest and gentle foothills.
Discover Something New in California
Whether you're in SoCal or NorCal, it is clear that the most populous state in the union still has many hidden gems spread throughout. From the coastal delights of Harmony to secluded Sierra Nevada communities like Loyalton, these destinations not only offer up a new experience for your next trip, but are ideal for anyone looking for some much-needed peace and quiet. How many of these spots have you heard of before?
