"Incredible Dining Experience". Where to stay. . Gold Country is located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas and is one of the best regions for taking a . But spend time lingering in Mono County and its charming small towns, Fresnos stellar lakes, and the mountains under-the-radar state and national parks; and youll discover a million little Sierras. This serene setting is rich with the cultural influences of its Native American, Portuguese, Spanish and Mexican history. The adorable downtown is perfect for strolling, shopping and snacking at the array of unique shops, art galleries, local restaurants and coffee shops. Youll catch a shuttle to get to Devils Postpile from Catch the shuttle Mammoth Adventure Center at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge. Set by addthis.com to determine the usage of addthis.com service. Sierra Foothills Escape to Rustic California Living Live in California's historic Gold Country in the rustic Sierra Nevada Foothills where the towns are picturesque and rich with history. A peaceful picnic in St. Helena (Photo: St. Helena Chamber of Commerce). One good option is to spend a few days in two different places . Pack up a picnic and head to a park, wander along the Art and Farm Trails, kayak down the Russian River or hike the Ridge Trail for majestic mountain views. Before you know it, Mineral King Road is leading you on a succession of twists and blind corners with drop-offs above a seemingly bottomless canyon. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". folsom lake. We have numerous lakes perfect for fishing, swimming and boating as well as hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. Snowstorm in Nevada County and the Historic City of Colfax, California, Sierra Foothills Living: Northern California, Exploring the Sierra Foothills After a Snowstorm - Downtown Grass Valley, CA, Living in the Sierra Foothills: What You Need to Know About the Current Storm in Nevada County, Bullmastiff Brewery: A Must-Visit Spot for Craft Beer Lovers in the Sierra Foothills, Skiing and Snowboarding Up the I-50 Corridor: Your Ultimate Winter Sports Guide, Rock Climbing and Bouldering in Nevada County: Best Spots and Tips, A Guide to Airports Near Nevada County, California, The Best Swimming Holes and River Access on the Yuba River in Nevada County, California, YouTube Video VVVwTW5IV3ViUU5pLTlhUEJ6UlBzYkRRLjBTMFBxMmhPUlVv, YouTube Video VVVwTW5IV3ViUU5pLTlhUEJ6UlBzYkRRLlMyamp0cHlBbUcw, YouTube Video VVVwTW5IV3ViUU5pLTlhUEJ6UlBzYkRRLkJBa3hud21CMmFn, living in the Sierra Foothills in Northern California. The Sierra Foothills AVA (established in 1987) is an American Viticultural Area in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in the U.S. state of California in the United States. A dreamy California sunset (Photo: Scott McCracken via Flickr). Includes Cities/Towns: Columbia, Groveland, Jamestown, Sonora, Twain Harte. Summer at Lake Tahoe is the same as it ever was, too. And not a stop light or fast food joint in sight. Only three hours from the Bay Area, the park makes a perfect weekend trip. Reaching 3,428 meters, the Pico de Veleta Mountain is the second-highest peak in the Sierra Nevada range after the Cerro de Mulhacn Mountain, which soars to 3,481 meters. Welcome to California Sierra Nevada summer. 2021 High Sierra Visitor's Council. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Here's 9 towns that prove our point. AUBURN, CA. Much of Bridgeports Main Street is vintage 1880, from the old brick general store to the stately white Mono County Courthouse, built to serve the silver and gold mines that sprang up nearby. There are plenty of great hiking and biking trails in the area, as well as several ski resorts nearby. Just be careful with the altitude it can sneak up on you! The beautiful Southern California mountain town of Oak Glen is a beloved place to visit in the fall for apple-picking as well as in the winter for a spot of snow, if youre lucky! The active community is also home to the world-renowned Carlsbad Triathlon and the states first skateboard park (built in 1976), as well as the skateboarding legend Tony Hawk and the Olympic snowboarder Shaun White. All woo in their own Cali-way, with historic main streets, echoes of the Wild West, or natural wonders that invite wandering; where the sound of honking cars is traded for the concert of birds or gracious silence. Grass Valley has a distinctly hippie-ish vibe, as opposed to many of the more sports-focused mountain towns in California, making it a great choice for people who want a more relaxed getaway. Whatever you do, be sure to leave some time to explore all the new dining options available in Markleeville. Murphys Grammar School, listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Calaveras County, California (Photo: Jeffrey Beall via Flickr). The unique boutiques and eateries that line its historic downtown, along with the friendly chatter of locals, add to its appeal. Here are a listing of 5 Sierra Foothills towns you should explore: 1. Its also home to the annual frog jumping jubilee & is one of the most picturesque downtowns your eyes will ever see. Septembers Secret Season boasts leaf peeping hikes, high-altitude training and races including the World Championship Spartan Race, locally-sourced menus, and the renowned Autumn Food & Wine Festival. Best small towns to visit in California. But St. Helenas half-mile-long downtown, with its lovely shops and gourmet haunts housed in historic buildings, effuses that unmistakably inviting, small-town feel that makes you want to linger longer. The faulted Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks are . The test_cookie is set by doubleclick.net and is used to determine if the user's browser supports cookies. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Her writing and podcast have been featured in Forbes, CBC Canada, National Geographic, the Huffington Post, and CNN Arabic, amongst others. Set in a valley fringed by the Topatopa Mountains, Ojai is a cute low altitude mountain town in Southern California. Finishing off our list is another High Sierra favorite. For a town of its small size, Nevada City offers more than youd expect, with great boutiques, a wide variety of restaurants, and little artisanal ice cream and chocolate shops. Along with its bucolic setting, Ojai boasts many retreats dedicated to rejuvenating the mind and body, including the five-diamond Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, from where you can catch a sightseeing trolley ride to the charming downtown village. A gorgeous campground, Wrights Lake links you to the Twin Lakes trail, which allows you to hike into the Desolation Wilderness from the west. A requisite for being in the Sierra is enjoying the outdoors. This is merely a sampling of the foodie fun you can have along with your hiking, biking, and skiing adventures. Surrounded by famed Sonoma Wine Country appellations youve probably noticed on memorable bottles of wine Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley Healdsburg is surely known for its picturesque scenery as well as its wine. You can wander Main Street, admiring the early 19th century stone buildings crafted by those who survived the death-defying wagon ride over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, while sipping a fancy, locally roasted coffee drink or nibbling on a tasty food truck find. In the summer, its elevation provides naturally air-conditioned air yet low enough to provide mild winters. Once the snow flies, get your adrenaline fix on the slopes of Dodge Ridge, or for some frosty fun, visit the biggest snow play park in California Leland Snow Play. Halfway between El Atazar and La Hiruela lies Puebla de la Sierra. At one time it boasted a population over 15,000 which was quite high for the time. Another perk of the winter season is the Victorian Christmas Celebration, when the streets come to life with twinkling lights, Victorian singers and minstrels, roasted chestnuts, crafty vendors, horse-drawn carriages, a live nativity and a boon of holiday cheer. Do you love spending time in the great outdoors? AddThis sets this cookie to ensure that the updated count is seen when one shares a page and returns to it, before the share count cache is updated. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. VIP. Most of the Cedarville wines are sold out of . Auburn, CA is one of the many gold rush towns in California. They are fundamental to who we are: Without the foothills gold-festooned gravel, few would have crossed the continent to get here. And the Laws Railroad Museum gives you an opportunity to see what life was like when settlers came to the Owens Valley. These cookies will be stored in your browser. Locals mingle weekly at the lively State Street Farmers Market in the Village; the town center that is packed with interesting shops and restaurants. To learn more about cookies, you can consult our. The Beach Boys hit Surfin USA even gives a shout out to the now legendary surf spot Swamis. And there you have it, yet another charming Californian oasis that has tempted many a big city visitor to convert to small-town living. Your email address will not be published. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. For its part, Auburn (population 13,500), located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, made our 2015 list of the Top 100 Best Small Towns, thanks in part to its lower than average median home prices and strong healthy-lifestyle indicators, including low rates of obesity and excellent access to health care. Theres something for everyone here, so be sure to check out all of these amazing towns! The mountain town of Sonora on the western edge of the Sierra foothills, north of Yosemite, is yet another interesting Gold Country town worth a visit. Kirkwood Kirkwood is a small mountain town best visited during winter. The town is known for its unparalleled access to outdoor adventures like redwood gazing, whitewater rafting, cave exploration, and waterfall hikes. Heres just a sampling of the best mountain towns in California High Sierra to visit ANY time of year. A taste of Arcatas unique culture: the Kinetic Grand Championship race (Photo: Bob Doran via Flickr). Start off with a dinner on top of a hilltop at the Cottonwood which provides you an overlooking view of downtown Truckee. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. All rights reserved. As one local put it, the beauty of Murphys is that it lends the feeling of stumbling upon an oasis of old-fashioned, gold country charm that has yet to be found by other outsiders, yet without a shortage of modern comforts. Chances are that youve seen this unfold on screen. Thick, hazy smoke from the American Fire can be seen billowing above the hills in the Tahoe National Forest, eventually . In addition to that, Ojai is a great wine-tasting region, and youll also love all the wonderful hiking trails that are laid out at your feet to enjoy. Located at the Northern edge of Lake Tahoe, Truckee is one of the best-loved mountain towns in NorCal. Primary Sidebar. . 10 Best Places to Visit in Southern California. It's near some of the best places for whitewater rafting in the western U.S., and you can go kayaking . More than 10 years ago, Barbara Zierten and her husband retired to a small town in California's scenic "gold country," in the Sierra Nevada foothills . The Sierra Foothills are a great place to visit if you love spending time in nature. In town, scour antique shops for treasures and tap your toes to live jazz playing in the town square. Though most stick around the General Sherman, the best sequoia grove in Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks stands on the Congress Trail. This area is located in Northern California and is home to some of the most historic cities in the state. TravelMag set out to find the most charming towns and small cities in California. Oak Glen is also known for its shopping, local festivals, and its Wildlands Conservancy which is a great place to take a walk among local flora and fauna. 6. Enjoy the historic European-inspired half-timbered houses that were built when the town was settled by Danish immigrants. Max Whittaker for The New York Times. A bouldering paradise. Once there, you can pick from two beautiful campsitesopt for the North Grove site, which sits in an alpine meadow. The town is known for its beautiful scenery nearby, as well as its many historical buildings and landmarks. Their legacy lives on in the picturesque gold rush towns, historic mines, and museum collections of California's Gold Country. If so, then youll definitely want to check out the charming towns in the Sierra Foothills. If youre looking for amazing live music venues, Nevada City wins the prize for me. For the more ambitious, a 3.6-mile trail ascends Thunder Mountain. Some of the ground was so rich that the claims were limited to 16 square feet per man! South Lake Tahoe also has a great food scene, but an even better beer scene, thanks to the South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail! Named for two brothers (hence, no aprostrophe), Murphys does not disappoint. But for those looking for an enclave filled with shops, boutiques, & lakefront restaurants that are right on the crystal clear waters of North Lake Tahoe, then you may want to consider Tahoe City. How to Order Grass Fed, Pasture Raised Meats Directly From the Farmer, Kings Beach: Grab a Bite at White Caps Pizza. Charming might not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking of California. The __gads cookie, set by Google, is stored under DoubleClick domain and tracks the number of times users see an advert, measures the success of the campaign and calculates its revenue. This is but a glimpse as to why Bishop is one of the best mountain towns in California. Its no wonder why Trips to Discover also picked Murphys the queen of the Sierra as one of the best small towns in California to visit. As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through my links. SUNSET is a registered trademark of S Media International Corporation. Arcata is known for being its own ultra-progressive, eco-minded little world along the banks of Humbolt Bay in Northern California (NorCal). Facebook sets this cookie to show relevant advertisements to users by tracking user behaviour across the web, on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin. The historic Presidio Neighborhood provides a peek into some of the states oldest homes. Later the same day you could tackle the mountain trails on foot or on a mountain bike. Wine grapes were introduced to the area in the nineteenth century during the California Gold Rush. It's home to several great museums, a delicious cidery called Indigeny Reserve, beautiful hiking trails, and an excellent downtown shopping scene. Enroe Medical Center is in the center of town. The county is situated on the eastern side of the Sacramento Valley, extending from the Sacramento River, on its western border, east into the foothills and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. World-renowned surf spots here T-street, Trestles, Church and San Onofre draw and produce top surf talent. 3. You may have noticed that California boasts many wine regions, but the two that are the best known (for both their wines and their long-standing competition) are neighboring Sonoma and Napa Valley. 0.1 mi. Or tide pools? Two right turns take you first over State 89s Monitor Pass, then south on U.S. 395 through the rugged Walker River canyon. Check out our survey results below for the scoop on the oft lesser-known, little gems in The Golden State. Netflix calls this town home, too. For others, though, it serves a slightly different purpose, as a gateway to a natural spa paradise: Hot waters gush to the surface in abnormally high concentration between the towns of Bridgeport and Mammoth Lakes, 60 miles south. Many gold-seekers visit Downieville and other locations in Sierra County for gold panning but also river sluicing, dry washing, and metal detecting. Founded in 1911, this small Danish village set in the Santa Ynez Valley is the epitome of charming, in the European sense. The Sierra Nevadas define the interior, with many wonderful California mountain towns dotting the foothills and edges of the mountains, and smaller ranges in Southern California combine both beauty and accessibility. More likely are the Hollywood images of its famed metropolises Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego coupled with dreamy thoughts of perpetually warm, sunny weather and palm-tree lined beach promenades. Another beauty to behold is the restored 18th century Carmel Mission Basilica, which still holds mass today. You can also drive, but the more adventurous may prefer a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge before riding along the bay toward the waterfront or downtown. In the summer, take a short stroll to see a waterfall in Grover Hot Springs State Park. Schmitz 24 Brix Wines. Making four crossings within South Yuba River State Park, Highway 49 explores California's Gold Country and historic mining . Pretty much any time of year you can hop on a mountain bike and feast on more than 2,000 vertical feet of singletrack in Bass Lake. Travel Inspiration. Proper lake attire is flip-flops and a bathing suit, but come evening, when the scent of campfires and roasting smores wafts along the shore, its jacket weather until bedtime. You can stroll the main street or head out to New Melones Lake for hiking, mountain biking, & even amazing fishing. As a gateway to Yosemite, Groveland has all sorts of amenities for travelers and is the quintessential Low Sierra mountain town. Truckee This charming mountain town is perfect for those who love outdoor activities. Rugged mountains and awe-inspiring canyons in the area's national parks and forests are truly part of the United States' national . Over 400 films, including those by mega-stars like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Johnny Depp and Mel Gibson, have been filmed here since the 1920s. The town of Oakhurst is the perfect place to setup your basecamp not just for Yosemite but the treasure trove of adventure to be had in the foothills of the Sierra. If speeds your goal, set cruise control and take I-80 over Donner Summit. Blowing Rock NC. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Worth it, every one of them. Back in town, enjoy people-watching in the central plaza along with the interesting juxtaposition of Victorian-era homes and the edgy cafes, shops and galleries that cater to students attending Humbolt State University. The beautiful town of Nevada City is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and youd be forgiven for feeling transported back in time when you visit as you see all the lovely Victorian architecture in downtown Nevada City. 14. 1. Write if you have any specific questions. Live Oak is a wonderful, quiet residential community. The charming town of Burney is a great base for Northern California mountain adventures! If youre in the mood for some live tunes, head on over to Old Town Auburn, they have some of the best options. This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. Some might argue that a side effect of the areas popularity is that it feels less charming and more commercial. And yet Bishop is a town that embraces its past. Prefer less people? During the warmer months, explore the many trails on Sonora Pass such as Leavitt Meadows giving you access to alpine lakes. 10 Best River Cruises around the World. . 21 Beautiful Places to Discover in California's Sierra Nevada, Peter Fish, Ann Marie Brown, and Matthew Jaffe, Photo by jerici cat (on Flickr Creative Commons), Photo by Kenny Karst / DNC Parks & Resort at Yosemite, Photo by puliarf (on Flickr Creative Commons), Photo courtesy of Facebook fan Suzanne Gladkoff Stephen, The Happiest Place to Live in the U.S. Is This California City, Want a Garden That Saves Water? Soak up more gorgeous ocean views from the San Clemente Beach Trail that runs alongside an Amtrak railway. Thousands of people do it each year. So whatever you find in Ojai will be unique. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); California Crossroads is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. The Beach Boys hit "Surfin' USA" even gives a shout out to the now legendary surf spot Swami's. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Escape the noise of daily life and reconnect with nature by visiting the scenic town of Markleeville. We Westerners all know Californias Sierra Nevada mountains. Or traverse the city and beyond by way of the Ojai Valley Trail. Baiocchi Wines 2013 Viognier (El Dorado); $30, 92 points. 11. The town of Bishop in the Eastern Sierras is a great base camp for all kinds of mountain adventures in the region. Guest rating . This peaceful escape in the San Jacinto Mountains, 100-miles east of Los Angeles, is yet another California gem that has retained its small-town character. Along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway, between Los Angeles and San Diego, this quaint, affluent enclave was once the home base of an eponymous MTV reality television series. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Check out the best RV camping options in Gold Country. Auburn- This city is located in the heart of Placer County and is known for its charming downtown area. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. Its a must-stop on a an adventure through the California Sierra Nevada. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The mountain town of Sonora on the western edge of the Sierra foothills, north of Yosemite, is yet another interesting Gold Country town worth a visit. Its also located near the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park where youll find Sutters Mill: the place that sparked the California Gold Rush in 1848. Ive broken this post into four sections for ease of use: This is an imperfect way to classify things, as many of the Northern California mountain towns are also part of the Sierras, such as the mountain towns in Lake Tahoe. She has spent time living in New York, Prague, and Sofia, but has returned to live in the East Bay. To see the terrain immortalized in Ansel Adams photographs in person is humbling. Here, the trees give way to the fall-rainbow of colors, snow falls just enough to make the town that much more picturesque, and the bounty of spring flowers to come (along with the lingering view of snow-capped peaks) makes the winter chill more endurable. . In the winter, get your fix of powder skiing at Kirkwood Mountain Resort or just enjoy some serenity on a pair of cross-country skis in Hope Valley. The High Sierra is very fortunate to offer an assortment of mountain towns featuring fun & adventure all year round. This city is home to some great shops and restaurants, as well as a few historic landmarks. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Home | Recreation | Lifestyle | Maps | Real Estate | Articles | Advertise Here | Contact Us: Please note: all photographs and other illustrations on this site are . With a population of less than a thousand, most Sierraville residents are descendants of Italian-American families that settled in the area in the 1800s. 2. Stroll through North Grovethe first stand of giant sequoias visited by nonNative Americans. Due to its location, you can enjoy pleasant weather in the winter and do things like rock climbing or hiking and still see snow-covered peaks from a distance. The winery makes less than 3000 cases of wine a year. Here, the California Sierra Nevada rises from Owens Valley in a sheer 3,000-foot wall that shouts, We are what mountains are all about. Join our mailing list for updates on hidden gems, events, and more from California's High Sierra. South of San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara, like many of its neighboring coastal cities, boasts picturesque beaches along with an average of 300 days of sunshine. In the winter, there are a host of unique natural phenomena to see and things to do. There is the BEST civic park in the world-Bidwell Park, along the river which runs through the center of town. A few miles past Silver City Mountain Resort, the only non-camping option along the way, the road rounds the last of its nearly 700 turns then dead-ends at Mineral King Valley. Clear, blue, and still a classic: Tahoe is a sparkling gem in the California Sierra Nevada. Every year, about 4 million people visit Yosemite National Park alone, more than a million ski Mammoth, almost 3 million visit Lake Tahoe. Be sure to help yourself to some delicious Danish pastries for which this mountain town is known, like the local favorite aebelskivvers! Get fresh recipes, wine pairings, weekend getaway ideas, regional gardening tips, home design inspiration, and more. You too may be inspired like Otis Redding, who wrote (Sittin on) the Dock of the Bay on a houseboat here, to lose track of time, watching the tide roll away., A peak into Sausalitos unique houseboat communities (Photo: Miwok via Flickr). SUNSET may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Though mostly lacking the cobblestoned, antiquated aesthetic of Colonial towns on the opposite coast, California can also be charming in its own varied ways. Each of the 20 coves, linked beneath dramatic cliffs, has its perks. Youll find everything from historic cities to small communities nestled in the mountains. The beating heart of Sonomas neighbor, Napa Valley, St. Helena has been nicknamed Napas Main Street. Cookies containing your personal data may be used for personalized and non-personalized advertising to you. While in the summer, the waters of Bass Lake provide a perfect backdrop for paddling or any water sport you can imagine. The Route to Pico de Veleta. Family-friendly Activities Fun for All Ages Historic Towns, Eastern Sierra Lake Tahoe Western Sierra. Victorian homes dot the area, and residents love their picturesque hiking trails and biking trails. An epic photo-op spot along your trek through the Sierras. In the winter, youre located mere minutes from an assortment of ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe, Homewood Resort, and Granlibakken Ski & Sled Hill. Carlsbad, the village by the sea in Southern California (SoCal), is adored for its seemingly endless coastline. Placerville Another charming gold rush town, Placerville is definitely worth a visit. Whiskeytown Lake. Nevada City Its also in the up-and-coming Gold Country wine region, and there are several great vineyards located in town so you can experience both history and wine while enjoying a mountain getaway. Nevada City If youre looking for a true gold rush town, then look no further than Nevada City. In spring, the abundance of Ojai Pixie Tangerines lends the air a sweet citrus scent that is complemented by wafts of lavender come summer; olfactory symbols of this Central Coast gems dedication to not just local organic farming, but also local business.