The Most Picturesque Small Towns in Northern California
Discover six picturesque small towns in Northern California. Calistoga in Napa Valley is famous for its geothermal hot springs, which are perfect for a relaxing retreat. Trinidad, a stunning seaside town, is ideal for beachcombing and sunset watching. Meanwhile, in Murphys, a Gold Rush-era town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, pan for gold, while in Fort Bragg, ride the historic Skunk Train. Sausalito, just across the Golden Gate Bridge, provides spectacular views of the San Francisco skyline. At the same time, Capitola and its Mediterranean-style charm and beautiful beaches offer a delightful coastal experience along Monterey Bay.
Calistoga
Calistoga is in the northern part of the Napa Valley, renowned for its world-class wineries, vineyards, and sophisticated wine-tasting experiences. There is a world of experiences to be had in the region, especially in the small town of Calistoga, with a population of less than 5,000. Thanks to the natural geothermal hot springs set against the backdrop of rolling vineyards and lush landscapes, Calistoga is a tranquil and picturesque retreat, perfect for a day or two of relaxation and pampering at one of the local hot springs resorts. Calistoga Spa Hot Springs' four pools provide custom soaks anywhere from 80 to 104 degrees, or check out Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs and the UpValley Inn & Hot Springs. Add a mud bath at Indian Springs or Golden Haven Hot Springs.
Other activities to include in any trip to Calistoga are visiting California’s Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts every 15 to 30 minutes. While waiting for the show, say hello to the llamas, sheep, and mountain goats in the on-site petting zoo or visit the geology museum. Step back in time with a visit to a 3-million-year-old petrified redwood forest, but don’t leave Calistoga without a ride on an aerial gondola to the top of Sterling Vineyards, three minutes from downtown Calistoga for a unique wine-tasting experience.
Trinidad
Trinidad is a charming seaside town on Northern California's rugged coast, known for its natural beauty and rich history. The little town’s 1871 landmark, the 380-foot-tall Trinidad Head Lighthouse, offers breathtaking views of the rugged coastline, sea stacks, and the expansive Pacific Ocean, making it a perfect spot for stunning photographs. To reach the still active lighthouse, use the Trinidad Head Trail. Explore the Trinidad beach with its striking rock formations, tide pools, and scenic ocean views. It is an ideal spot for beachcombing, picnicking, and sunset watching. Walk on the Trinidad Seascape Pier, California’s northernmost oceanfront pier.
For a small town, there are many dining and entertainment options. Try fresh, locally caught seafood at restaurants like The Lighthouse Grill, Seascape Restaurant, and the Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery, which has served locals and tourists its famous clam chowder bread bowl since 1975. The Heights Casino, perched above the coastline, is where visitors can try their luck at over 300 slots, blackjack tables, and a bingo hall. The cooperative Trinidad Art Gallery hosts Trinidad Art Nights 2024 on the last Saturday of every month from April through September, and the entire town lights up with art, music, and more.
Murphys
In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Murphys is a small Gold Rush-era town known for its historic Main Street, lined with preserved 19th-century buildings reminiscent of a bygone era. Two Irish brothers founded the town and established a trading post and a gold mining operation. The downtown area features various locally owned shops, like Art On Main and Marisolio, an olive oil store and tasting bar.
To get the best of both worlds in Murphys, visit Ironstone Vineyards, a premier destination for wine tasting, tours, dining, and various events throughout the year, like Movies on the Lawn. Attend a concert or event at Ironstone Amphitheater at Ironstone Vineyards, featuring performances by well-known artists like Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Cake, and the Steve Miller Band. Visit the Heritage Museum & Jewelry Shop onsite and see a dinosaur egg, four billion-year-old rocks, fossilized cave bear claws, and the world’s largest gold leaf specimen (44 lbs). At the nearby Moaning Cavern Adventure Park, would-be miners can try panning for gold, exploring the underground caverns, and zip line adventures.
Fort Bragg
Ten miles north of Mendocino along the stunning coastal California Highway 1, Fort Bragg is a small, pretty town renowned for its unique shoreline covered in colorful sea glass. Glass Beach gets its name from smooth, colorful glass pebbles—remnants of broken glass bottles that were once dumped there as trash. Discover the history of Glass Beach and see unique sea glass art and artifacts at the small Sea Glass Museum, where visitors can even purchase a piece of jewelry crafted from Fort Bragg’s sea glass. Another area attraction is the 47-acre Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, famous for growing hybrid rhododendrons and magnolias, fuchsias, and camellias.
Take a one-hour scenic ride through the redwood forests and along the Pudding Creek Estuary on the historic Skunk Train. This nickname originated in 1925 when motorcars with gasoline-powered engines for power and pot-bellied stoves burned crude oil to keep the passengers warm. Since 1885, the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. Finally, experience the bustle of Noya Harbor and watch the boats return in the afternoon with the freshest seafood from the outdoor deck of the HarborView Bistro and Bar.
Sausalito
On the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, the picturesque town of Sausalito offers stunning panoramic views of the San Francisco skyline from Vista Point—a popular scenic overlook and a prime spot for photographers. At the southern end of Sausalito’s downtown, there is a walking path called the Bridgeway Promenade and a wooden boardwalk where visitors can watch the ships roll in. While downtown Sausalito is relatively small, there are still blocks of unique shops, art galleries, and cafés like the popular Lappert’s Ice Cream, Studio 333, selling local handcrafted jewelry and accessories, and The Trident restaurant famous for having been opened by folk-pop legends the Kingston Trio and having also invented the modern tequila sunrise. The deck also has gorgeous views of San Francisco, Angel Island, and Alcatraz.
At the north end of town, it is worth visiting Marinship on Richardson Bay, once a massive shipyard built quickly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 but now a one-of-a-kind historic houseboat community. To learn more about Sausalito’s unique history as a Miwok settlement, a fishing village, and a military shipyard, visit the Sausalito Historical Society and take a 1-mile, self-guided tour curated by the society.
Capitola
Capitola is a quaint coastal town along Monterey Bay, south of Santa Cruz, renowned for its charming seaside atmosphere and colorful Mediterranean-style buildings. The historic Capitola Wharf, once a big tourist attraction in town, is being rebuilt after devastating storm damage in late 2023. While the beaches are a real draw for visitors who want to sunbathe, swim, or beach comb, Capitola Village, right next to the beach, has fun shops worth browsing, like the Capitola Candy Company, Brad’s Barkery, and the Capitola Beach Company where visitors can book a stand-up paddleboard or surf lesson, rent beach gear, or shop for surfer gear.
Enjoy Esplanade Park's lush green spaces and picnic areas. The park hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including the Capitola Beach Twilight Concert Series and Movies at Capitola Beach in the Park Bandstand. For dinner, Zelda’s on the Beach has served food and drink at its Capitola beachfront location since 1978. For a casual bite, visit Pizza My Heart, founded on Capitola Beach in 1981.
California's small picturesque towns are waiting to be discovered. One town is known for its geothermal hot springs and serene landscapes, while another boasts a historic lighthouse and scenic ocean views. From a Gold Rush-era town featuring a historic Main Street and a vibrant wine culture, to a town renowned for its colorful glass beach, and yet another town with stunning views of the San Francisco skyline, there are endless options for exploration.
