The best places to visit in California span far past Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood sign. Across the state, lesser-known cities and towns boast natural beauty, sweeping coastlines, and unique cultural experiences that can’t be found in more popular destinations like San Francisco.
Even better, these destinations lack the crowds and sky-high pricing of California’s tourist hubs, especially when booked during shoulder or off-season.
These are the underrated cities in California you should know about before the masses do:
1. Lone Pine
You may have seen photos of Lone Pine without realizing it, thanks to the town’s instantly recognizable Mobius Arch and history as a movie set for films like “Godzilla” and “Iron Man.” Visit the Museum of Western Film History to learn about the films shot in this dramatic landscape.
12 miles from Lone Pine is Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the United States outside of Alaska. The Whitney Portal is the starting point for summiting this fourteener, and it is not for inexperienced mountaineers. If you’re not an avid climber, explore the unique rock formations at Alabama Hills instead.
2. Cambria
A seaside town on California’s central coast, Cambria is surrounded by one of only three native Monterey pine forests. Walk along the scenic Moonstone Beach Boardwalk, located on one of the best beaches in San Luis Obispo, to enjoy the town’s coastal culture, or visit La Cuesta Encantada, an ornate castle built by publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst.
Cambria’s location lends itself to marine life. Get up close and personal with seals at the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. After, grab a meal at a local eatery such as Robin’s Restaurant.
3. Ojai
Affluent Ojai is a center for creativity in the valley of the Topatopa Mountains. The city’s quaint town center is filled with art galleries and bohemian New Age shops. Outside of town, hike to Rose Valley Falls and then relax your sore muscles at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.
Get outside as evening falls to experience Ojai’s famous “pink moment.” As the sun sets, the Topatopa Mountains are washed with a glowy, rosy hue.
4. Eureka
There are few better cities near the Redwood National and State Parks than Eureka. While you’re only a short drive from these parks, two of the most impressive places to visit in California, when staying in Eureka, you can also catch a glimpse of these majestic trees at the Sequoia Park Zoo’s Redwood Sky Walk.
Inside Eureka, the well-preserved Old Town offers charming Victorian architecture, such as the Carson Mansion, that strikes a balance with the surrounding nature. When you need a break from hiking, step into the Clarke Historical Museum which offers a lesson in local Native American and settler history.
5. Groveland
Yosemite National Park is just up the highway from Groveland, making the town one of the most ideal gateways to visiting the park.
Closer to town is Pine Mountain Lake, a refreshing destination in the summer for swimming and boating. Regardless of your adventurous day in the region, there’s no denying that a trip to Iron Door Saloon is one of the best ways to end it. Opened in 1852, this bar is one of California’s oldest and was once called the “Granite Store.” Come for live music and a taste of the Old West.
6. Solvang
You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re in Denmark instead of Southern California when visiting Solvang. Danish architecture, like timbered houses, cover the city center, which yes, is complete with a windmill. Learn more about Solvang’s Danish culture by visiting the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art or by sampling authentic pastries at Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery.
Located in the Santa Ynez Valley, Solvang proves that Californian wine culture isn’t limited to the northern part of the state. September is the best time of the year to visit the dozens of wineries in Solvang, though you’ll have better rates visiting during shoulder season.
7. Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta is believed to be sacred in Native America culture. Some consider it the home of the creator, the center of the universe. Shasta Vortex Adventures taps into this spirituality, offering guided tours around it.
Even if you don’t buy into that belief, there’s no denying that Mount Shasta offers some seriously breathtaking beauty. See it for yourself by hiking to Panther Meadow or summiting the mountain. In the winter, hit the slopes on skis or a snowboard at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park.
8. Tiburon
Tiburon is roughly a half hour north of San Francisco. The city offers similar landscapes and far fewer fellow tourists.
Stroll along Shoreline Park for stunning views of San Francisco Bay, or take the ferry to Angel Island State Park for hiking and historical tours. When you’re ready for a bite, head into one of the gastronomic restaurants in San Francisco or enjoy a casual seafood dinner with a view at Sam’s Anchor Cafe.
9. Three Rivers
Three Rivers is best visited as a base for exploring Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, two of the top things to do in California. As a result, the foothill village in the Sierra Nevada attracts adventure travelers who are excited to hike through the Marble Falls Trail or visit Lake Kaweah for fishing and boating.
There are so many different trails to explore in each national park that you could easily spend a week in this region. Budget at least three nights before continuing on elsewhere in California, like Yosemite National Park.
10. Nevada City
Unlike the name suggests, Nevada City is not in Nevada at all—though it is close, sitting 84 miles southwest of Reno. The Californian city serves as the gateway to Tahoe National Forest. Get into nature by hiking nearby trails like Independence Trail, or cool off by going for a swim in the South Yuba River State Park, followed by a picnic.
In town, uncover the history of the Gold Rush at Nevada City’s National Exchange Hotel. Opening its doors in 1856, the property is one of the oldest continuously operating hotels in California.
11. Julian
Though Julian has gold mining history, these days, the city in the Cuyamaca Mountains is better known for its apples than it is for the precious metal. If you can’t time your visit with the Julian Apple Days Festival in October at Menghini Winery, you can still grab a glass at the winery year-round and then visit Julian Pie Company to taste some of the best apple pie in California.
Should you want to learn about gold mining in Julian, visit the Eagle Mining Co. Here, you can explore tunnels in a real mine and try your hand at panning for gold.
12. Mendocino
Founded in the 1850s, Mendocino is the only town on California’s coastline to receive a Historic Landmark designation. The town compares itself to one like those in Maine for its rough coast, like that in Mendocino Headlands State Park and Point Cabrillo Light Station, and architecture. Victorian homes and Saltbox cottages are scattered across Mendocino.
One key element differentiates this town from those on the East Coast—the Redwoods. These tall trees can be explored at the Montgomery Woods State Reserve.
13. Chico
1.5 hours north of Sacramento is Chico, wedged between Mendocino National Forest and Plumas National Forest. The sleepy town’s pride and joy is Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the country. Spanning 3,670 acres, the park offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, parasailing, and swimming at Sycamore Pool and Big Chico Creek.
After a day hanging out at the park, head into town to get a tour of Sierra Nevada Brewery and imbibe at a craft beer tasting.
14. Ferndale
Ferndale is also known as “Victorian Ferndale” and “Cream City” for its wonderfully preserved Main Street, lined with Victorian storefronts and homes. At the Ferndale Museum, you can learn about the area’s history.
Nearby, the Lost Coast beckons adventurous travelers seeking remote hiking trails and the sea. The coast is nearly entirely undeveloped, allowing for pristine views that can hardly be found elsewhere in the state. Also offering unique nature, Redwood National and State Parks are just an hour away from Ferndale.
15. Bishop
The best place to be in Bishop is outdoors. Nestled in a desert valley between the Sierra Nevada and the White Mountains, the town offers opportunities for all kinds of adventure.
Get a view from above by rock climbing in the Buttermilk Boulders, or stay on the ground and try your hand at fishing. For a relaxed day in Bishop, go for a swim at Keough’s Hot Springs. This pool is drained and refilled each day with water from natural hot springs.
16. Idyllwild
Idyllwild is exactly as its name suggests—idyllic and wild. Located in Southern California’s San Jacinto Mountains, the best way to experience this untouched escape is by hiking up Tahquitz Peak or Mount San Jacinto. Alternatively, the Idyllwild Nature Center offers family-friendly educational trails that work for all ability levels.
Take things at a leisurely pace by browsing the town’s numerous art galleries and visiting the Idyllwild Brewpub for a pint, which often has live music in the evenings.
17. Pioneertown
While movies often imitate life, Pioneertown is an example of the silver screen becoming real. Built as a movie set for Western films set from the 1880s to early 1900s, the town is now open to the public every day of the year.
The buildings of Pioneertown have been converted into real boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Visit Pappy & Harriet’s for live music and BBQ, or learn more about the town’s cinematic history at the Pioneertown Film Museum. Pioneertown is best visited as a day trip and a break from the otherworldly desert landscape at Joshua Tree National Park nearby.
18. Murphys
Murphys isn’t a monolith. Named a must-visit town in California Gold Country by Forbes, the town is just as popular for a hard-partying pub scene that attracts raucous bachelor parties as it is for those looking to hike the Sierra Nevada nearby.
There are 25 wine-tasting rooms in town, along with eccentric boutiques like Moon Alley and a smattering of worthwhile restaurants like Grounds and Sarafina’s Italian Kitchen. If the heights of the Arnold Rim Trail feel daunting, go underground to the Mercer Caverns, which was discovered during the Gold Rush and is filled with natural rock formations such as speleothems, stalactites, and stalagmites.
19. Carmel Valley
Not to be mistaken with Carmel-by-the-Sea nearby, Carmel Valley is a lowkey, inland alternative to the coastal destination of a similar name.
Explore the valley by hiking at Garland Ranch Regional Park with trails through redwoods, meadows, and oak woodlands. After, take in the sunset with a wine tasting in a peaceful countryside setting at Bernardus Winery.
20. Weaverville
A small town in California isn’t a likely candidate for having its own Chinatown, yet it exists in Weaverville, along with a Chinese temple built in 1874. This unexpected cultural moment is due to the town’s history during the Gold Rush. During the height of the phenomenon, Weaverville was home to roughly 2,000 Chinese miners. The Jake Jackson Memorial Museum explains this history for visitors to the area.
Water sports enthusiasts should head straight to Trinity Lake, a bright blue lake surrounded by alps which offers ample acreage for thrills like boating and jet skiing, plus hiking and camping.
21. Cayucos
A stop along California’s Pacific Coast Highway (California 1), Cayucos is a coastal town in San Luis Obispo County. Surfers come to this city for waves and beaches that are less crowded than those at Morro Bay to the south.
Those who don’t surf can still relax on the beach, inspect tidepools, walk the historic Cayucos Pier, and try the famous cookies at Brown Butter Cookie Company.
22. Los Alamos
Los Alamos has lived several lives in California’s history. The town was a stagecoach stop when it was established in 1856 before becoming a station on the Pacific Coast Railway. Eventually, the town evolved into how we know it today, which is a place where effervescent wine blends with Wild West culture and modern luxury.
There are plenty of wineries and wine bars in Los Alamos, but Casa Dumetz Wines is one of the best. Stop in for a wine tasting before enjoying a meal at Bell’s, a French bistro with a Michelin star.
23. Guadalupe
The largest coastal dunes ecosystem can be found at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes. This National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 120 rare plant and animal species, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, making it a prime spot for bird watching and hiking near the city proper.
Step into the town’s history at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts and Education Center. This center shares the town’s rich heritage and involvement in early Hollywood.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
