From ancient redwood forests and rocky beaches to the world’s largest outdoor bookstore and California’s best apple pie, these California
small towns have it all. Sometimes, a perfect vacation is about bright lights and city skylines. But sometimes, the ideal getaway takes you off the beaten path to a small town, like these 10 California hidden gems.
To get you started, car insurance comparison super app Jerry
has created a guide to 8 of California’s best small towns. If you’ve already done L.A. and the Golden Gate Bridge—or if big cities just aren’t your thing—you’re sure to find the road trip destination of your dreams here. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Arcata
Location: Humboldt County
Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Arcata, CA
(rooms from $178/night) The Yurok people called this coastal area Oket’oh, which means “where there is a lagoon.” Europeans settled at the northern edge of Humboldt Bay in the mid-1800s, creating a small town close to the redwood logging camps and gold mines to the east. Today, Arcata
remains one of Northern California’s most beautiful small towns. What to do in Arcata
Caught between the wild Pacific coast and the stunning redwood forests further inland, Arcata is a great place to take in the best of California’s natural beauty. While you’re in town, be sure to check out:
Just blocks from Arcata’s east side is the Arcata Community Forest
, a 790-acre redwood forest you can explore on foot, by mountain bike, or on horseback. Visit during baseball season, and you could catch a game with the Humboldt Crabs
, the country’s longest-running semi-professional baseball team! Built in 1914, Arcata’s Minor Theatre
is the second-oldest movie theater in the United States.
Arcata’s also home to plenty of local eateries. Make time for Renata’s Creperie
, a vegan-friendly French spot perfect for a weekend brunch, and SALT
, an upscale fish house with an emphasis on sustainable dining. Nevada City
Where to stay: The National Exchange Hotel
(rooms from $286/night) Nevada City isn’t really a city—but that moniker was added to distinguish it from the nearby state back in the 1800s. Back then, this mining town 60 miles northeast of Sacramento was the heart of California’s gold industry.
What to do in Nevada City
You won’t find gold in Nevada City these days. Instead, you’ll find wineries, gardens, hiking trails, and California’s oldest existing theater building
. Visit the Nevada County Hospital, an abandoned former workhouse and mental hospital on the outskirts of town, if you’re up for a little urban exploration.
Hungry? Head to Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co.
for a quick bite, or check out the craft cocktails and live music at the historic Golden Era
bar. Calistoga
Where to stay: Roman Spa Hot Springs Resort
(rooms from $277/night) Calistoga’s name comes from a combination of California and Saratoga Springs, a town in New York famed for its healing hot springs. Settled in the late 1800s, this village in Wine Country is still drawing tourists to its hot springs and mud baths.
What to do in Calistoga
From an authentic 13th-century Tuscan castle
to Travel and Leisure’s #1 rated winery in the US
, you’ll have your pick of vineyards in the Calistoga area. But the wine isn’t the only reason to visit Calistoga: Trek back in time—about 3.5 million years back—with a stroll through the nearby Petrified Forest
, which has preserved redwoods from the Pliocene Epoch, when mastodons roamed the earth. Drop by the Sharpsteen Museum
to explore Calistoga’s rich history, including its time as a popular hot springs resort. Did you know that California has its own Old Faithful geyser
? This gorgeous spot is open to visitors seven days a week.
For farm-fresh Napa Valley fine dining, get dinner at Solbar
. For your morning caffeine fix and some killer breakfast sandwiches, head to the Calistoga Roastery
. Bishop
Where to stay: Best Western Bishop Lodge
(rooms from $143/night) You might recognize Bishop
from some of your favorite Westerns. Adventurer and Civil War general John C. Fremont was among its early settlers, but the town’s since played host to movie stars like John Wayne and Charlton Heston. What to do in Bishop
Located four hours northwest of Las Vegas near the Nevada border, Bishop is an excellent place to hike, swim, and explore the history of one of California’s hidden gems.
Methuselah, a 4,853-year-old bristlecone pine, is the oldest known tree in the world, and it’s located in Inyo County’s Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
—but its exact location is kept a secret to deter vandals. The Keough Hot Springs
, heated by natural geothermal energy, offer a one-of-a-kind public swimming experience.
You’ll find more down-home cooking in Bishop than fine dining. Check out the Whiskey Creek Restaurant
, a steakhouse and bar that’s been going strong since 1924, and the hip Mountain Rambler Brewery
. Carmel-by-the-sea
Location: Monterey County
Where to stay: Tradewinds Carmel
(rooms from $314/night) This quaint, dog-friendly town on the Monterey Peninsula may have been founded by 18th-century Spanish missionaries, but it became an arts colony in the 20th century. Carmel, as locals know it, was once home to greats like Jack London and Upton Sinclair—and from 1986 to 1988, actor Clint Eastwood was mayor!
What to do in Carmel-by-the-Sea
Take US 101 south from San Jose to reach Carmel on the southern edge of the Monterey Peninsula. Once you’re there, explore the following sights and scenes:
Carmel’s dedication to the arts continues at the Sunset Cultural Center
, which hosts live performances by artists like Melissa Etheridge and Boz Scaggs, as well as local performers and orchestras. Whether you’re in Carmel to create art or just bask in it, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve
, often called the “crown jewel of the state park system,” is the place to do it. The Carmel Mission
is just one of the many historic religious sites you can tour (and worship in) while you’re in Carmel.
Stop by the Mission Ranch Restaurant
for a scenic brunch, or sample the Mediterranean offerings of the family-owned Dametra Cafe
. Cambria
Location: San Luis Obispo County
Where to stay: Cambria Pines Lodge
(rooms from $119/night) Mercury mining made Cambria
a popular spot for early California settlers, but its charming beaches and breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast are what draw tourists today. What to do in Cambria
Take the Pacific Coast Highway north from Los Angeles
or south from San Francisco
to get to Cambria (it’s about a 4.5-hour drive in either direction). Then: Bask on Moonstone Beach
, or take a drive along the scenic loop that hugs the rocky coast. Sample locally brewed beers and catch a live performance by local musicians at 927 Beer Company
. Head 15 miles up the coast to Hearst Castle
, the sprawling estate built by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst in the Roaring Twenties.
For dinner, take a world tour with global vegetarian bites at Robin’s Restaurant
, or go upscale at Madeline’s Restaurant and Wine Cellar
. Ojai
Where to stay: Casa Ojai Inn
(rooms from $253/night) Ojai’s
small-town charm isn’t an accident: city ordinances ban chain stores, making this hidden gem in the Ojai Valley a truly unique spot. What to do in Ojai
US Route 101 will take you 86 miles north from Los Angeles to Ojai. Don’t miss these essential spots in town:
Find your perfect vacation read at Bart’s Bookstore
, the largest outdoor bookstore in the world.
When hunger strikes, head to the Ojai Beverage Company
for modern bar classics and burgers with clever names. For a fancy night out, you can’t do better than the locally-inspired “valley to table” cuisine at Olivella
. Idyllwild
Location: Riverside County
Where to stay: The Grand Idyllwild Lodge
(rooms from $262/night) In its hundred-year history, Idyllwild has been a wild strawberry-picking spot, a health resort for tuberculosis patients, and a production center for Arts and Crafts “knotty pine” furniture. Today, it’s a hotspot for artists and other creative spirits.
What to do in Idyllwild
Located 109 miles east of Los Angeles off I-10, Idyllwild is in one of California’s most beautiful natural areas.
Want an extra-mellow stay? Book a room at the Hicksville Pines Bud & Breakfast
(yes, you read that right) for a 420-friendly night, complete with a check-in gift and a vending machine right in the room.
For craft dark chocolate, go to El Buen Cacao
. For the best coffee in town, try Higher Grounds Coffee House
or Black Mountain Coffee Roasting
. And for a vegetarian-friendly Italian fusion dinner, sit down at Cafe Aroma
. Start your road trip right with car insurance savings
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