The 8 Best Small Towns in California

Skip the big-city vacation and road trip to one of California’s small towns.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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. 
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Arcata

Population: 18,857
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. 
  • The
    Arcata Plaza Farmers Market
    has been in continuous operation since 1978, and now hosts over 70 local farmers and vendors! 
  • 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. 
  • A must-see for birders and nature lovers, the
    Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary
    is home to over 300 bird species!
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

Population: 3,148
Location: Nevada County
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
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 

Population: 5,228
Location: Napa County
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. 
  • Get a massage or a volcanic ash mud bath treatment at the
    Calistoga Spa and Hot Springs
    .
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

Population: 3,879
Location: Inyo County
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. 
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

Population: 3,220
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. 
  • Tour the
    Dawson Cole
    fine art gallery, or pick up a seascape to bring home from
    Gallery-by-the-Sea
    .
  • 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

Population: 5,678
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. 
  • Stroll through the historic East Village and visit the
    Cambria Farmers Market
    for local goods. 
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

Population: 7,637
Location: Ventura County
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: 
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

Population: 3,874
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. 
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

Before you hit the Pacific Coast Highway or head up into the Sierra Nevada for your small-town getaway, make sure your car and your wallet are protected with a great insurance policy. But don’t overpay for insurance—instead, download the Jerry app to be sure you’re getting the best rate. 
Jerry
partners with over 50 top insurance providers nationwide to help you narrow down the best rates for you. In just 45 seconds, you can get personalized quotes that set you up for savings (an average of $887 per year!). 
Jerry
blew my mind, honestly. From start to finish, using the app took me 10 minutes and I ended up with $100 of savings a month. Best of all, customer service answered all my questions about rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.” —Savanna R.
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