Most Underrated Cities in California
A state known for its flashy cities and larger-than-life personas, California is home to dozens of tourist hotspots. Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Deigo, and San Jose are usually on the minds of travelers thinking of making the journey out west. However, there are countless underrated cities in California that are often overlooked.
It is time for the small beach towns, and isolated desert outposts to get their time in the sun.
1. Desert Hot Springs
A far cry from the fast-paced life found in the big cities of California, Desert Hot Springs is the perfect place to sit back and unwind. Located only 11 miles north of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs is famous for its abundance of natural springs that surround the nearby area.
Known for its spas and luxurious resorts, this small town is a great place for a couples retreat. The desert location of the springs gives guests a chance to explore an area of California that is often passed over for the Pacific coast.
You can also find the impressive Cabot’s Pueblo Museum. This "museum" is more of an open-air exhibit of a genuine Hopi village. Entirely hand-built, it remains one of the best-maintained displays of Hopi culture and architecture in the US.
2. Monterey
A seaside paradise, the town of Monterey is famous for its outstanding seafood and thriving marine life. The restaurants along the city's boardwalk offer a taste of the ocean that anyone can appreciate.
The Monterey Aquarium and Coast Guard Pier are both great outings. The oceanfront aquarium hosts a wide array of aquatic life, including sea otters and seaweeds, and the pier offers visitors the occasional sea lion and dolphin sighting.
3. Napa
Another hidden gem found in Northern California, Napa is at the epicenter of California's robust wine industry. Vineyards and wineries are a common sight in Napa, but the small city of almost 80,000 is sure to charm you regardless of your wine taste.
Tours of vineyards and wine tastings are in plentiful supply in Napa. However, wine is not the only attraction. Napa also hosts a surprising number of museums and art displays throughout the town for those who want to get in touch with their inner artist instead.
4. Santa Cruz
Only 32 miles south of San Jose, Santa Cruz is well respected for its sailing and surfing culture. This small city comes with a stunning ocean view of the Pacific, beautiful sandy beaches, and all without the stifling crowds of big cities like LA.
Aside from your typical beach activities, Santa Cruz is also well known for the mountain bikes made in the city. Bearing the same name, Santa Cruz bikes are some of the best in the world. The hills behind the city are the perfect place to take one of these finely-tuned machines out for a spin on the many dirt paths and bike trails.
5. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Usually just referred to as Carmel, this small seaside town is not typical of California. With a much cooler climate than cities in the south, Carmel feels like it belongs to the Pacific Northwest much more than the sun-soaked beaches of Southern California.
Carmel is a jack-of-all-trades city. There is a little bit of everything. However, the standouts of Carmel have to be its wide selection of specialty shops and stores. The commercial district in Carmel has an astonishing variety available to the consumer.
Handcrafted smoking pipes, specialized socks, and one-of-a-kind perfumes are just a few examples of what to expect. Not to mention the handful of family-owned coffee shops and cafes that populate the area as well.
6. Redding
A sleepy town found only a few hours south of the Oregon border, Redding serves as a gateway to the famous old-growth forests of Northern California. Filled to the brim with towering sequoias and giant redwoods, these forests are like nothing you can find anywhere else.
Aside from the gorgeous woodlands, there are plenty of lakes and rivers on the outskirts of Redding that make for a perfect day trip with friends. Redding itself is by no means a bustling metropolis but is still a charming city and home to welcoming and helpful locals.
Summary
Hollywood and Silicon Valley can wait. With a state as diverse as California, there are endless underrated cities that are more worthy of your attention. These destinations offer fewer crowds, less stress, and most importantly, lower prices. Make sure you do not pass up the opportunity to visit the unique areas of California that are all too often overlooked.
