9 Most Scenic Northern California Towns
California, a truly scenically blessed state with an accent on rugged views, lends a spectacular atmosphere to exploring the outdoors in any season. Northern California has nothing short of some of the most dramatic sights in the country, with towns rivaling any of their southern shore counterparts. These towns reminiscing of Old Cali vibes boast exciting attractions for every taste to enjoy in nature's sweet embrace.
The locals, living and breathing nature, are oftentimes artistic, hippie, and extremely proud of the town's heritage and architecture, offering culture on display to join in the fun. From summertime fun along the waterfront attractions and untamed beaches to the imminent leaf-peeping season through state parks, you can also come skiing for the holiday season to celebrate Christmas in NorCal style.
Aptos
The small town at the gateway to the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park is surrounded by quintessential NorCal scenery. Home to the spectacular sandy stretch of Rio Del Mar State Beach—a hidden paradise—you can lounge and scavenge for natural gems like the Seacliff in the peaceful serenity you've been dreaming of. Reconnect with Mother Nature at the sea views or via the 30 most picturesque hiking and mountain biking trails amid remnant sites like mills and trestles. The sand, barbecue grills, and tables open into an unparalleled scenery to enjoy with your loved ones at Seacliff State Beach. Take the mile-long paved seaside path from here, in between the ocean and the bluffs, to see fossils embedded with extinct marine creatures.
From the beaches, the charmingly historic Aptos Village awaits with artisan ice cream stops, local retailers, small-batch coffee makers, destination eateries, and a cute park. Seek more scenic history at "The Cement Ship," a local landmark from the World War I era at the end of the fishing pier, now doubling as an artificial reef for marine life. Visit now for leaf peeping through the state park's over 10,000 acres of regenerated second-growth redwoods, new foliage, and traces of the once-bustling railroad and logging industries.
Bodega Bay
Bodega Bay, the famous setting for Hitchcock's "The Birds" horror classic, offers its dramatic film setting for everyday tourists. The small town combines the untamed NorCal coastal landscape with Sonoma County viticulture, just 70 miles (113 kilometers) north of San Francisco. With something for everyone, the quintessential town embraces you with a slow lifestyle and local attractions looking out into the breathtaking ocean, seafood galore, shopping, and a drinking scene.
Stop by Drake's Sonoma Coast for surf and turf with panoramic views of Bodega Bay, signature cocktails, paired wines, and beers. The movie-famed birdwatching is steps away along the excellent Bird Walk Coastal Access Trail, including waterfowl, songbirds, and shorebirds in their natural habitats. After oceanside strolls and sighting whales from Bodega Head, you can plop down at one of the beaches for surfing, kayaking, and lounging until the perfect sunset over the Pacific.
Capitola
Capitola nestles quaintly in the shadow of Santa Cruz at the northern end of Monterey Bay, with its trademark colorful cottages lining the shore. This town with a laid-back vibe is a popular escape from the city among sightseers, photographers, artists, and beach lovers, with pleasant waters for surfing and lounging in between exploring the surrounding landscape. Its bite-sized downtown, drenched in the best of Americana sights, is full of family pursuits like ice cream and candy shops, as well as a great taqueria.
With varying scenery and tides at Capitola, Trees, and Hooper beaches, you can choose your vibe for lounging and water fun, with a nearby bar-restaurant scene overlooking the ocean. Those historic pastel vacation condos? Snatch one in the Venetian Court, and don’t miss the Shadowbrook for brunch, a scenically classic, over 75-year-old restaurant with a cable car funicular just across Soquel Creek. The old Capitola wharf, devastated by a bomb cyclone storm in January 2023, will be rebuilt by the spring of 2024, but for now its scenery adds charm to this NorCal heartbreaker.
Fort Bragg
The small town of Fort Bragg really does have a lot to brag about, like its spectacular natural scenery, unlike anywhere else. No wonder it is a popular destination getaway for photographers, artists, and respite seekers with its friendly and untamed beaches, like the renowned Glass Beach. Take a morning stroll along the rugged landscape with sand dunes and coves to admire and search amid the abundance of sea glass, the natural frosted glass, for keepsakes and souvenirs.
Once a military garrison, Fort Bragg is also a California Historical Landmark, founded before the Civil War. The gorgeous town of just over 4 miles (6km) along the natural coast has a peaceful atmosphere with breathtaking views of the Pacific. Its surrounding nature and little cell reception make it easy to reconnect with Mother Nature and your special group of peeps on a hike. The cozy Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, right along the coastline, are great for serene strolls through refreshing scents and sights.
Mendocino
Mendocino, a town on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, is what seaside stories are made of. From prowling the 347 perfect acres through Mendocino Headlands State Park to the open trails along the rugged terrain with coves and bluffs, find natural wonders scattered in the engulfing Pacific views. After a scenically charged afternoon of exploring, nothing beats lounging over a picnic and the breathtaking views of the imposing ocean in the company of harbor seals, sea lions, and seabirds. A real dreamy seaside escape, it is no wonder that Mendocino boasts popularity among nature fans, adventurers, and families alike, with romantic views and eye-catchy sights at each turn downtown.
The charming village is so magical that it is entirely listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its scenic architecture, with many vintages and Victorianas, offers a perfect backdrop to browse through the colorful, present-active community of artists—undoubtedly some of the best sights that California offers. Find more of what you like in Mendocino's world-class wine scene, kayaking along the coastline with natural caves, or a land adventure to Russian Gulch State Park with its 3.8-mile loop trail to an enchanting 36-foot-tall waterfall. After the day's excitement, nothing feels better than to unwind over Sauvignon Blanc with citrus notes at the family-owned Foursight Winery or their crisp and bright Pinot Noir for a romantic dinner.
Monterey
This town, along the dramatic Big Sur, reveals layers of scenery against the panoramic coastline—the country's most scenic seaside drive. Passing the fairytale cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey welcomes you with a laid-back surf town atmosphere, family-friendly attractions, and a dash of sophistication, inspiring a California getaway at its best. From the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium to the historic Cannery Row, a biologically rich area larger than Yosemite, the family-friendly downtown area offers dining and shopping nearby.
With a calendar full of year-round events, you can hit up the town any time with a bounty to explore and discover, just a stunning 100-mile (161km) drive south of San Francisco. From local crafts to seafood treasures at the exceptional restaurant scene, you can also dive into the award-winning wine scene or play a round of golf with unforgettable views. The incredible 36 state parks lining the coast offer endless hiking trails abundant with Monterey Bay's wildlife. After a morning stroll oceanside, you can linger for some whale sightings in the company of seals and sea otters along the pristine shore. Together with the forest breathing from behind, you will be part of another realm from which you will never want to depart.
Pacific Grove
Perched at the tip of the rugged Central Coast of California, this quiet NorCal town offers unique scenery and a feeling of being removed from everything right in your backyard. Pacific Grove is the peaceful retreat you've been dreaming of, complete with undeveloped coastline for strolls along the lovely Pacific Ocean views. The likeable town with its historic downtown feels right out of a Victorian-era storybook set by the sea. Sift through old architectural sights in between your local shopping and dining stops, like small boutiques and restaurants.
A morning oceanside stroll is a great way to set yourself up for the nearby adventure of rock climbing on the sand or lounging in the salty air to the sound of the crashing waves as your worries seep away with the water views. The tidepools around you are abundant in marine life, giving you an otherworldly feeling in the company of crabs, abalone, starfish, sand dollars, and sea urchins. There's a bounty of food downtown when the hunger pangs strike, like the local favorite Red House Cafe for any time of day, as well as sustainable seafood for dinner at Passionfish.
Sausalito
El Sausalito is a real classical town with an old California vibe, hipster flair, and a dash of Spanish. With Americana scenery on full display in beautiful attractions and iconic structures in between trendy cafes, the vibrant downtown area houses colorful boutiques for exclusive finds and local crafts like jewelry, home decor, and gifts. With each sight better than the last, you will not regret spending a perfectly relaxing day or a chill evening in a small town atmosphere.
Of course, it wouldn't be Northern California without nature, and Sausalito boasts some of its most picturesque areas around this small town with a quaint Mediterranean vibe. Its jaw-dropping waterfront opens up into Pacifica, which will take your already happy soul to another level. Having developed quickly during World War II, Sausalito, an artistic destination, is postcard-pretty at each turn with some of the Bay Area's best panoramic views of San Francisco! The rich sights and an affluent lifestyle feel deserving after months of work amid the characterful coast with beautiful hillside homes overlooking the bay.
Tahoe City
A NorCal town with a stunning lake, spectacular mountain views, and no crowds? Yes please! Tahoe City is an all-season getaway to lounge around the shore and take bike rides along the Truckee River to Squaw Valley—easy enough for kids. Follow the locals to the lake with Tahoe City Marina, offering powerboat and sailboat rentals to hit the summertime waters running. The tree-lined shore offers a cozy atmosphere where you can always seek privacy for close gatherings and watch the sunset over the snow-capped mountains on the horizon. A generous breakfast from the Fire Sign Cafe will get you through the day until an upscale dining experience at the River Grill against the Truckee River, which complements the gourmet feast.
The imminent leaf peeping season stretches from the banks of Lake Tahoe to the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, which will ring you up in the winter to do some snow sports. For now, in the off-season, good food, fun shopping, and art galleries await sans crowds, while a holiday visit calls for skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and skating. From 34 lifts and 6,000 skiable acres at the nearby Squaw Valley Ski Resort across two mountains to plentiful trails for snowshoeing, there's also Granlibakken for beginners and Tahoe City Winter Sports Park for more fun in the snow.
Northern California has taken some of the county's most romantic sights and run with them. From the mountains to the beaches and through state parks replete with wildlife sights and marine dwellers, you will feel your worries replaced by the powers of Mother Nature. Stroll the shores around
These California-made towns are some real scenery-charged gems of the state, with an unreplicable atmosphere. Nature astounds, like Glass Beach and whale watching at sunset. The air is most revitalizing here, seeping through the historic downtown heart to waterfront views opening into the vast Pacific and along the mountain slopes.
