These Historic Towns in Northern California Are Worth Exploring
Sunny California is a gem of a State, full to the brim with history and natural beauty. Situated along the Western coast of the United States, its Northern portion is dotted with small towns hosting plentiful attractions, such as Fortuna's abundance of natural beauty or Eureka's celebrated Blue Ox Mill Works. Consisting of original railroad towns, redwood forests, and regions where prehistoric Native Americans once lived, Northern California provides numerous opportunities for adventure. Grab your backpack and binoculars and prepare to enjoy these eight historic towns in Northern California worth exploring.
Half Moon Bay
Half-Moon Bay is a quintessential town with a Main Street designed to reflect 19th-century charm while providing places to dine, shop, and explore along tree-lined sidewalks. This region originated as a hotspot for gold-seekers and Spanish explorers and went through several name changes before settling on what it is today. Half Moon Bay consists of several historically significant buildings on its Main Street, such as Zaballa House, an 1855 Greek Revival style building, offering visitors a history room filled with artifacts from the area while serving the community as a Bed and Breakfast.
Half Moon Bay is home to the Johnston House as well, built in the mid-1800s in a New England-style Salt Box design. It was moved from its original location on Main Street by logs to its current location along the coastline. It was rescued from neglect and ruin and has been completely renovated to reflect its original splendor. Johnston House is open for tours to the public on a regular basis.
Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg is designated as an official California Historic Landmark while also being home to historic buildings of note. Originally filled with the most diverse and densest population of Native American Peoples in the country, it fell into the hands of European colonizers and eventually became known as Fort Bragg. The area was purposed for a Reservation but eventually became the location of the Fort Bragg military outpost. In time, however, the lumber industry eventually overtook the area amidst strained relations.
Highlighting Fort Bragg's ties to its history in the lumber industry, the Fort Bragg's Guest House Museum reflects the town's connection to locally harvested redwood lumber. The Guest House is built almost entirely out of redwood and was designed to be a showpiece for the Union Lumber Company, which specializes in products featuring the best and finest old-growth redwood lumber. Fort Bragg also offers History Walks in its downtown region for visitors to explore at leisure, featuring Fort Bragg's historic business district, where visitors will learn about the aftermath of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.
Truckee
The picturesque town of Truckee, California, has a reputation for being a vibrant, all-seasons tourist destination, providing the opportunity to explore the area in a unique way via the Out Door Museum, where visitors drive a 20-mile route, marked with interpretive signs that tell the story of Truckee's history. Within the town itself, Truckee offers three noteworthy museums––The Museum of Truckee History, the Truckee Railroad Museum, and the Old Jail Museum. The Museum of Truckee History's goal is to highlight the stories of the region's prominent industries, displaying artifacts and exhibits regarding its Native American heritage and logging heritage. The Truckee Railroad Museum, located inside a real train car, offers guests the chance to experience a glimpse into the life and times of one of the last remaining original railroad towns in the region. Finally, The Old Jail Museum offers a chance to explore a real jail that operated as far back as 1875.
Eureka
The hip little town of Eureka, California, originally belonged to Native American Peoples, but over time, the population shifted in favor of the settlers who arrived in the region. The newcomers named the area Eureka during the 1850s gold rush (Eureka means "I have found it"). As a result of the gold rush, buildings began to spring up within the town. Many are still standing and listed on the National Historic Register within Eureka. Their building styles include building Queen Anne, Tudor Revival, Late Victorian, and Greek Revival designs.
The Blue Ox Mill Works is not to be missed when exploring Eureka. It features a completely operational woodworking shop that crafts Victorian-style architectural millwork using Victorian-era production methods and has become the envy of many craftsmen. The Blue Ox also features a public park and hosts a school for at-risk youth, teaching traditional woodworking techniques to students. Established in 1973 by Eric Hollenbeck, The Blue Ox Mill Works is now featured on the Magnolia channel.
Carmel-by-the Sea
Enjoying a reputation of being a writer's haven, Carmel-by-the Sea is the home of such famous authors as Mary Austin, Jack London, and Sinclair Lewis, to name a few. Carmel-by-the Sea is also the location where the famous poet Robinson Jeffers built his famous home, Tor House, as well. Now open to the public, the house offers guests the chance to explore the home the author built with his own hands using boulders from the shore of Carmel Bay. He built the house in 1918, making it low to the ground in order to withstand the harsh coastal weather, and it soon became a paradise for the prized writer and his family.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is an attractive location for art lovers as it is home to over 100 art galleries showing artworks that range from the 19th century to contemporary art, featuring artwork from regional, national, and international artists. Carmel-by-the-Sea is also home to the Historic Carmel Mission, which is an authentically restored, fully operational mission church built in 1770. When not in use for community events or church services, this locale is open to tours to the public.
Sonoma
Sonoma, California, offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the home and ranch of the famous writer Jack London via the Jack London State Park. Prized as a place where guests can really kick back and enjoy nature, the park offers various tours geared to highlight the life of the famous author, such as the 90-minute tour leading to the ground's Wolf House ruins. Free walking tours are also offered within the town itself, and guests can use their mobile devices for a self-guided exploration of Sonoma, visiting the significant historical locations mapped out along the way. The Sonoma State Park comprises six properties scattered throughout the midtown region, including the Sonoma Barracks and the Mission San Francisco.
Sausalito
Sausalito, California, features the newly revamped Ice House Museum, which promises an interactive experience in a state-of-the-art museum focusing on local history. Created with the diversity of its patrons in mind, the museum aims to bring awareness to Sausalito's history and heritage, highlighting the region's first inhabitants, the Coast Miwok People. Sausalito also offers an opportunity to explore the region by air. Seaplanes Adventures allows guests to partake in tours by seaplane or helicopter, where they will enjoy a bird's eye view of famous landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Downtown San Francisco, and many more. Visitors can also explore the region by water with Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Services, which offers tours aboard a yacht, ferry, or water taxi.
Fortuna
Fortuna, California, is a small town full to the bring with natural beauty. It was established in 1888, and received its name because the residents felt so fortunate to be living in a location with proximity to the beautiful redwood forests, lush valleys, pristine rivers, as well as the nearby ocean. With adventure centered around its natural history, Fortuna enjoys proximity to the Avenue of the Giants, a 33-mile-long scenic highway where guests are welcomed to enjoy its redwood trees by hiking, biking, or by car. Within the town limits, visitors can explore the Rohner Park Forest, consisting of two miles of old-growth redwood trees.
As for the historical aspects of Fortuna, The Fortuna Depot Museum provides a place where visitors can take the opportunity to view exhibits within the town's historic Train Station, built in 1889. The museum features exhibits like the Rohner Room, Caboose, and the Humboldt Beacon Digital Archive. It also highlights railroad and logging artifacts.
For those who enjoy exploring new places, Northern California provides plenty of opportunities to visit these small towns where a wide range of experiences are there for the choosing. These eight Northern California towns welcome visitors to enjoy historical architecture, museums, and State Parks, as well as a variety of outdoor adventures.
