California small towns

From wine country in Texas to coastal towns along the Atlantic, we have the best small towns in the South, whether you're looking to visit or put down roots.

Venture just north of Lake Tahoe in California, and you will discover the historic mountain town of Truckee. You can drive there in a few hours from San Francisco or Sacramento and leave city life far behind.

Big Foot. A made-up language. Clouds of Monarch butterflies. Discover the quirks and allures of some of California’s lesser-known towns.

Venture beyond the big cities to discover California's coolest small towns.

Visitors exploring Northern California may drive along the coast, head inland to wine country, or explore the mountains, and along the way, find plenty of quaint towns. With a list including Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Tahoe City, and several others, each charming town on this list has its own story it’s waiting to share with visitors.

Rural Northern California towns are the best of the best. Not only are they usually spectacularly scenic, they are usually full of fun, friendly people.

Saguaros and tumbleweeds are just the beginning in these small desert towns across the U.S.