California truly has it all: wineries, beaches, food that tastes amazing, deserts, and warm, sunny weather are just a few of the things this state has to offer. To have fun, though, you don’t have to go large. Indeed, some of the most memorable vacation experiences are in little towns throughout California. To help you plan your next vacation, we’ve compiled a list of the best small cities to live in California with fewer than 15,000 residents.
Best Small Towns in California
Ojai
Ojai has long been a haven for independent thinkers and artists. Nestled in a valley amidst the picturesque Topatopa Mountains, the little village is roughly 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The serene environment is ideal for various outdoor and health-related pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking, and spa treatments at the well-known Ojai Valley Inn. The town center, Ojai Village, features a delightful mix of New Age businesses, art galleries, and the largest outdoor bookshop in the world, Bart’s Books, along with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Expert advice: if you miss the “pink moment” or the sunset alpenglow, you won’t have much to discuss over dinner with the locals while sipping California wine.
Avalon
Bid farewell to the 101 rush hour and welcome to explore the sleepy village of Avalon, which is situated on Catalina Island. The town’s three square miles can easily be explored on foot or by golf cart because there is a lengthy waiting list to rent a car on the island. Sport fishing, lounging on white sand beaches, snorkeling off the coast, and trekking the 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail are among the most popular activities; the vistas are well worth the exertion. For roughly $180 per person, enjoy a helicopter ride between Long Beach and Catalina for even more breathtaking views.
Sausalito
You can get to Sausalito, one of California’s most significant tiny towns, by driving or biking to the northern side of the Golden Gate Bridge. The allure of this place is enhanced by its stunning bayfront setting and charming architecture. The town’s main thoroughfare, Bridgeway, provides access to charming stores, eateries, and spectacular views of the sea and San Francisco. Kids’ educational exhibits are available at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, located directly at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Take in the vibrant houseboats of Waldo Point Harbour and Galilee Harbour before departing Sausalito.
Solvang
Solvang—Denmark or California? The architecture and decor of this picture-perfect little town in the Santa Ynez Valley are pure Danish. Denmark’s flags are suspended from street lamps in the town center, modeled after a Scandinavia village. In addition to eating Danish fare like ebleskiver (like doughnut holes), you can shop for wooden clogs and take photographs in front of the famous windmill. Additionally, Solvang boasts several excellent tasting rooms as a gateway to Santa Barbara’s wine country.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel-by-the-Sea is one of the friendliest tiny charming town in california and a must-visit if you’re heading to Big Sur. The name suggests the charming downtown area’s romantic vibe, with enchanted gardens and tale-book homes. More than a hundred art galleries still call the area, which was once a bohemian artist enclave, home. These days, though, it’s far more sophisticated; activities like wine tasting, opulent boutique shopping, and relaxed oyster feasts on Ocean Avenue are frequently scheduled. Watch the sunset on Carmel Beach’s beautiful sand as the perfect way to end the day.
Helena
It’s accurate to refer to St. Helena as the Main Street of the Napa Valley. The village, which is 20 miles north of Napa, is small but big in charm. A half-mile of boutiques, California-style eateries, and wine-tasting rooms abound in St. Helena’s downtown (start with the cabernet sauvignon, as Napa is famed for it). Historic brick and stone structures are home to a large number of enterprises. The National Register of Historic Places has designated a three-block section of downtown. One more draw for St. Helena? Quick access to state parks and wineries in Napa Valley.
Calistoga
Calistoga, home to a Four Seasons resort, remains Napa Valley’s most laid-back tiny town. You go there to unwind, sip, and then repeat. The region is most well-known for its mud baths and natural hot springs. One of the three geysers in the world designated as “Old Faithful,” don’t miss Old Faithful. (The other two are a little more spectacular; they are situated in New Zealand and Yellowstone National Park.)
Sonoma
Are you looking for an best affordable small towns to live in california way to visit California’s wine country? Situated around 45 miles north of San Francisco, Sonoma County boasts more vineyards and appellations than Napa County, but at a lower cost. But Sonoma, a charming town, is unique in its own right, with its colonial architecture, intriguing statehood history, and lovely downtown. Hikers can enjoy amazing views from the Sonoma Overlook Trail that will make you believe you’ve traveled to Italy.
Pismo Beach
This quaint village on California’s Central Coast features a 1,200-foot pier that extends into the Pacific Ocean, along with one of the state’s best beaches. The primary activity is on the sand and in the surf. However, plenty of surf shops and beach eateries are available. ATV rides through the dunes and beach horseback riding are permitted at Oceano Dunes Natural Preserve. Take a kayak excursion at Dinosaur Caves Park to explore the sea caves. Reserve a lesson at Esteem Surf Co. if you must have the ultimate California surf experience. Their catchphrase, “Not L.A. Not the Bay!” sums everything together.
Tahoe City
California’s varied scenery and small-town offerings are exemplified by Tahoe City. In the summer, everything revolves around lake life, and in the quaint small towns in california winter, downhill skiing in neighboring Palisades Tahoe. Lake Boulevard, with its towering pine trees, stunning vistas of Lake Tahoe, and a scattering of locally owned stores and eateries, is the serene center of Tahoe City. Take a trip to Commons Beach, hire a bike, and ride the Truckee River Bike Trail when you’re not cruising Lake Tahoe. Not a boat? From the Tahoe State Recreation Area pier, a well-liked camping location, jump into the lake. Big, bustling Sacramento is a two-hour drive from Tahoe City, which feels like a planet away.
