One of the most popular attractions here is Hangtowns Gold Bug Park, where you can learn about the citys mining history. Another draw for young, curious minds is Cal Poly University, a nationally ranked institution uniquely keen on a learn-by-doing philosophy. In summer, the beach of June Lake is so spectacular its hard to believe its real! This post guides you through all the best mountain towns in California. 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. Search this website. 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. Cap off the trip with a swim at Pinecrest Lake, and dream of doing it all again in reverse. Primary Sidebar. The 25-mile, nearly 7,000-foot climb starts innocently enough in Three Rivers, one of Sequoia National Park's gateway towns. 6. 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. World-renowned surf spots here T-street, Trestles, Church and San Onofre draw and produce top surf talent. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Murphys is located in Gold Country in the foothills of the High Sierra just minutes from a wealth of outdoor adventures with multiple alpine lakes to play on, world-class rivers for fishing, hiking and biking. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some of the ground was so rich that the claims were limited to 16 square feet per man! Roseville is only 20 minutes away from Sacramento and is a short ride away from the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills and Folsom Lake. You can hike amongst these beauties along trails traversing the 575-acre Arcata Community Forest. Get a glimpse of the stunning scenery to see and activities to do in the Sierra Nevada. The High Sierra includes world renowned destinations, including Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Mammoth Lakes, and much more. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". All Rights Reserved. Amidst the oak and pine forests of the Cuyamaca Mountains, northeast of San Diego, find yourself transported back to the gold rush that lured early settlers to California in the 1800s. View from the San Clemente Pier (Photo: Tony Hoffarth via Flickr). 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. That 60s surf culture remains very much alive today. There are plenty of great hiking and biking trails in the area, as well as several ski resorts nearby. Take in the unique volcanic formations on the Trail of the Gargoyles or the Columns of the Giants. Write if you have any specific questions. Whiskeytown Lake. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 1. Sightseeing trolley through downtown Ojai (Photo: Gaszton Gal Photography via Ojaivisitors.com). Summer at Lake Tahoe is the same as it ever was, too. Thousands of people do it each year. Do as the locals do here and get around by bike or on foot (or craft a mobile masterpiece for the annualKinetic Grand Championship race). The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. "Incredible Dining Experience". Redding Is One of the Best Places to Live in Northern California . Many mountain ranges have ski towns focused only on one time of year. Sierra Foothills real estate offers bucolic surroundings and easy access to the state's best outdoor attractions. June Lake is another favorite California mountain destination all year round, offering something unique in each season. Charming indeed. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Located near Donner Lake and Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee is home to a wealth of beautiful outdoor activities and scenery, plus lots of great Tahoe area hikes in summer. Equally true: Its impossible to know the California Sierra Nevada. When sommelier Guy Tucker moved to the Sierra Foothills, a vast region in the northeastern part of California where the Sierra Nevadas peter out into the Central . Apr 15, 2020 Fittingly, the region is . The Northern California mountain town of Mt. The road to the Pico de Veleta is an enchanting trip into the glorious mountain world of the Sierra Nevada. Though mostly lacking the cobblestoned, antiquated aesthetic of Colonial towns on the opposite coast, California can also be charming in its own varied ways. If youre looking for a beautiful mountain getaway in California, theres no shortage of places to visit! Keep an eye out for open house events that allow visitors to tour certain homes each year. Prefer less people? Case in point: the Granddaddy of All Woodie Meets is a gathering of wood-sided surfer mobiles every September at Moonlight Beach, which was a popular spot for midnight picnics in the early 1900s. Check out our survey results below for the scoop on the oft lesser-known, little gems in The Golden State. Up and down the coast along PCH, youll pass through beach town after beach town, each with its own personality. Welcome to California Sierra Nevada summer. Check out the best RV camping options in Gold Country. St. Helena. Over a dozen waterfallsat their most bountiful in springsplash here; Half Dome and El Capitan lure world-class climbers, artists and photographers. . Region Characteristics Area Amenities Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness Tuolumne County offers a wide range of amenities for every age group. Check out Hotels.com to find the best hotel deals, from cheap to luxury & more! Nevada County towns are Grass Valley Nevada City French Corral Smartsville Timbuctoo Rough and Ready Relief Hill Washington El Dorado County cities are Cameron Park Camino Coloma Inn at Eagle Mountain 3.5-star. The High Sierra is very fortunate to offer an assortment of mountain towns featuring fun & adventure all year round. Jamestown in Tuolumne County is one of California's most prominent Gold Rush towns. Less than two hours away from Los Angeles, the desert town of Ojai is a popular weekend destination for city dwellers looking for a peaceful . Healdsburg is one of the best towns in California to visit where you can taste a variety of local wines in a gorgeous setting. Terramar Point at Carlsbad State Beach (Photo: Brett Shoaf Artistic Visuals). Just outside of Murphys, Courtwood Inn is a grand log lodge that sits on a five-acre hilltop with commanding views of the Sierra Foothills and unobstructed views of the skies overhead. 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. The farm-to-fork movement is the pulse behind the seasonal, inventive cuisine that draws foodies along with oenophiles here, where chefs names become well-known and those following in their footsteps are trained at the Culinary Art Institute of America. You might think you know the Sierras inside-out, but many of the mountains best sights are waiting for you to discover them. Here are some of the Sierras top hits and best-kept secrets, wonders waiting to be explored. This California Historic Landmark, with its vine-draped stone walls, launched long before the area became a wine production mecca. The Best Places to Stay in the Sierra Nevada National Park The foothills of the Sierra Nevada National Park are sprinkled with charming little villages and hamlets, but the higher elevations are dramatic, snowcapped and a bit wild, craggy and exciting. The picture-postcard streets are lined with limestone cottages, built in the classic Cotswold style. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Their legacy lives on in the picturesque gold rush towns, historic mines, and museum collections of California's Gold Country. The _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. Thick, hazy smoke from the American Fire can be seen billowing above the hills in the Tahoe National Forest, eventually . TravelMag set out to find the most charming towns and small cities in California. 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. Moreover, our partners, such as Google Adsense, will collect data and use cookies for ad personalization and measurement. 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States. Skip to header Skip to header; Skip to search Skip to search; . At Donnell Vista, walk the path that shows off the Yosemite-like gorge of Donnell Reservoir. Not to be missed is a chance to peer up at the giant sequoia groves at the nearby Calaveras Big Trees State Park, which has drawn folks into the wild since the early 1850s (a very, very long time ago by Californian standards!). About 400 granite steps ascend 6,725-foot Moro Rocklike Half Dome without the cables and the long hike. This community in Napa County is all about the wine. Sushi, Japanese $$ - $$$ Menu. Dunsmuir is a charming mountain town located in the Trinity Mountains of Northern California. Schmitz 24 Brix Wines. Truckee This charming mountain town is perfect for those who love outdoor activities. Dining in the Sierra Foothills wine country In Sutter Creek Cavana's Pub & Grub 36 Main Street Sutter Creek, 209-267-5507 Elements Restaurant - Breakfast only - Best 61 Hanford Street Phone: 209-267-0747 Hotel . While nearby word-class ski areas like Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows and their intimate boutique resorts draw snowbirds during the winter, the area is also a treasure trove of outdoor action come summer. Founded in 1911, this small Danish village set in the Santa Ynez Valley is the epitome of charming, in the European sense. Located at the Northern edge of Lake Tahoe, Truckee is one of the best-loved mountain towns in NorCal. It's home to several great museums, a delicious cidery called Indigeny Reserve, beautiful hiking trails, and an excellent downtown shopping scene. 1. Then theres Kit Carson Lodges parlor, which has knotty pine walls, a stone fireplace, and landscape paintings by local artists. An Amador County Winery in California. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Grab sandwiches to-go and picnic at Yee Tok Chee Park, Via Del Mar Plaza or Rodeo Beach, with its picturesque off-shore rock formations. The Beach Boys hit Surfin USA even gives a shout out to the now legendary surf spot Swamis. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. How to Order Grass Fed, Pasture Raised Meats Directly From the Farmer, Kings Beach: Grab a Bite at White Caps Pizza. 2021 High Sierra Visitor's Council. This little world is made all the more enchanting by the scent (and taste!) Here are a listing of 5 Sierra Foothills towns you should explore: 1. In the hot summer months, dips in secret swimming holes along the river likewise feel priceless. We have them! This historic city is full of charm, from its quaint downtown area to its picturesque Victorian homes. For those craving the sound of crashing waves, whether whilst riding on a surfboard or lounging on the beach with a book in hand, youll find ample opportunities along Lagunas seven-mile stretch of coastline. Gourmet food and wine shops provide the goods for a memorable picnic in Devendorf Park or any of the 60 courtyards within the one-square mile village (where, fun fact, youll need a permit to wear heels higher than two inches). So whatever you find in Ojai will be unique. For those with a hankering for more history, a guided walking tour (which includes the home of the famed physicist Albert Michelson, the first American Nobel Prize winner) runs every Saturday morning from the Old Timers Museum on Main Street. Truckees mountain cuisine is just as elevated as its elevation. 25 Most Mysterious Monuments on Earth. 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. Sierra Nevada National Park. 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. Here is our list of the top lodging establishments in the Sierra Foothills area of Sutter Creek and Plymouth. If speeds your goal, set cruise control and take I-80 over Donner Summit. Looking for dining recommendations? A requisite for being in the Sierra is enjoying the outdoors. . And dont forget the explosion of wildflowers each season on the Hite Cove Trail. Dont just stop here, explore all the towns that exist in the foothills, mountains, and valleys in this area. It's no wonder why the area made the National Geographic's list of the top 20 surf towns in the country. There are several art galleries and live performance venues, as well as a lovely downtown area with a variety of shops and restaurants. Here's 9 towns that prove our point. Cookies containing your personal data may be used for personalized and non-personalized advertising to you. Come in the spring to see all the apple blossoms, or in fall to pick your own apples. A great literary getaway, Jack Kerouac and his dharma bums once used Bridgeport as a base to explore the Eastern Sierra of the California Sierra Nevada. For the more ambitious, a 3.6-mile trail ascends Thunder Mountain. Home to the Fricot Nugget, a 13.8 POUND monster that was found in the American River in 1864. While you can surely visit both in one trip, it is impossible to visit every winery: there are over 400 in Sonoma County alone, ranging from rustic family-run wineries serving out of their homes (by appointment only), to fancy wine castles. Get fresh recipes, wine pairings, weekend getaway ideas, regional gardening tips, home design inspiration, and more. Wikimedia/ Bobak Ha'Eri. But where? Find out more about living in the Sierra Foothills in Northern California. Yes, windmills too, even statues of the famed writer Hans Christian Andersen and a replica of The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen. Whitney, and the Alabama Hills just outside of Lone Pine is the perfect place to peep the highest peak in the Lower 48! The small town of Groveland, California is one youll pass through if youre heading to Yosemites Big Oak Flat Entrance, the one you reach if you are visiting from the Bay Area. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What has earned the areas title of the happiest city in America is the combination of its congenial, community vibe and bounty of hiking and biking trails, wineries, micro-breweries and famed farmers markets. This popular swimming hole welcomes visitors who want to escape the summer heat in the Sierra foothills. 11. The charming mountain town of Auburn is also great for nature lovers, as there are so many great hikes in the vicinity, as the area is home to the Auburn State Recreation Area. Below you will find a Sierra Foothills Northern California Map of the areas we write about. Enroe Medical Center is in the center of town. Includes Cities/Towns: Columbia, Groveland, Jamestown, Sonora, Twain Harte. Some might argue that a side effect of the areas popularity is that it feels less charming and more commercial. Read my privacy policy and disclaimer here. The city of Sonoma is a perfect start for any wine-tasting adventure, as the Buena Vista Winery here was the states first winery, founded in 1857. This cookie is used by Facebook to control its functionalities, collect language settings and share pages. The faulted Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks are . Netflix calls this town home, too. The top choice is definitely Yosemite National Park with its immense and smooth monoliths that the park is famous for. Swimming is on offer here too, and you can rent tubes and pontoon boats for more leisurely floating. My grandtwins live there, so I visit at least once a month. To learn more about cookies, you can consult our. Shimbu Rebel Sushi and Music. Worth it, every one of them. 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. For other places with the same name, see Sierra Nevada (disambiguation). In the summer, its elevation provides naturally air-conditioned air yet low enough to provide mild winters. The town itself has lots of historic places to visit, including the historic Old Town district and the Gold Rush Museum. There are gorgeous mountain cabins to rent, and the downtown area of Truckee is full of great restaurants and bars to enjoy a California mountain getaway. Heading east, 4 curlicues up and over Ebbetts Passs 8,732-foot summit. See more of Alexs work at https://localfreshies.com. No approach to the Sierra is unimpressive, but if you want to be hit over the head with the magnitude of the range, the eastern side is your best bet. Groveland This getaway centers on the gold rush towns of Tuolumne County, including Sonora, Jackson, and Jamestown. 9 Best Mountain Towns In California High Sierra To Visit Any Time Of Year Many mountain ranges have ski towns focused only on one time of year but that's not the case in the High Sierra. A taste of Arcatas unique culture: the Kinetic Grand Championship race (Photo: Bob Doran via Flickr). The steeply dipping to vertical component faults trend northwestward through an area about 200 miles long and 30 miles wide north of 3730 north latitude. 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. 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. In the summer, youre just steps away from fun. 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. There are plenty of great shops and restaurants to check out, as well as historic buildings and a beautiful river spots to explore. For others, its about getting inspired. The true treasure of this historic district, besides the friendly locals, is its signature apple pie, made with apples plucked from the surrounding orchards that sprouted once the gold was gone. Once you exit 80 at Foresthill / Auburn Ravine . Finishing off our list is another High Sierra favorite. Surrounded by the Santa Cruz Mountains and in the San Jose foothills, the town of Los Gatos may have gotten a lot bigger. South Yuba River State Park is parceled along the South Yuba River north of Sacramento, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Shallow, salty2 1/2 times as salty as the oceanand shadowed by eerie tufa formations, Mono is Northern Californias second-most famous lake; where Tahoes beauties are clear and obvious, Monos are more mysterious. SUNSET is a registered trademark of S Media International Corporation. Christmas Traditions In The High Sierra From the foothills to the highest peaks, this is your chance to explore the . This list wouldnt be complete without including this adventure mountain town. Redding, a medium-sized city of 90,000 in Northern California, is underrated as a retirement destination. 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. During the warmer months, explore the many trails on Sonora Pass such as Leavitt Meadows giving you access to alpine lakes. Related Links: 9 Suburbs You'll Actually Want to Visit 11 Brooklyn-esque Neighborhoods in Cities You Wouldn't Expect 10 Cutest Small Towns in the South This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. Think half-timbered, thatch-roofed Danish Provincial architecture. 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. Its a great place for shopping since chain stores are essentially banned in the town! And in summer, the town feels equally classic, with July Fourth roping and barrel-racing contests at the rodeo grounds, old-timers debating the latest fishing report over prime rib at the 1877 Bridgeport Inn, and backpackers filing out of the mountains for a post-wilderness soft-serve at the Jolly Kone, easily spotted by its firehouse red paint. The charming Santa Barbara wine country town of Solvang is located in the Santa Ynez Valley, amidst rolling hills and Figueroa Mountain in the background. Lovely mums for sale at a San Luis Obispo farmers market (Photo: San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce). Where to stay. Mammoth Mountain Resort is a massive draw for people all over California in the winter, but in the summer, Mammoth Lakes is also a great mountain getaway spot with tons of High Sierra hiking trails laid out at your feet. This area is located in Northern California and is home to some of the most historic cities in the state. The town of South Lake Tahoe is the largest in the Lake Tahoe area, but it still maintains its small California mountain town vibe. Kirkwood Kirkwood is a small mountain town best visited during winter. 14. Californias landscape is dramatic and ever-changing: a place where the highest peak and the lowest point in the Lower 48 are less than a hundred miles apart. The discovery of gold in the area in the mid-1800s brought thousands of people to the region, and many small towns sprang up to accommodate them. The Truckee Cultural District, located in the High Sierra, is well-known for its forests, waterways, and spectacular mountain views, attracting visitors and residents alike. Just beyond, Lake Alpine Resort serves up a hearty trout-and-eggs breakfast, and rents kayaks. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. At 14,494 feet, its the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States. This Gold Rush-era town of about 12,000 people has an outdoorsy vibe, . Gold Country is located in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas and is one of the best regions for taking a . As you can see, theres no wrong time to visit the Sierra Nevada. Amador Vintners Association. We nibble at them. Join our mailing list for updates on hidden gems, events, and more from California's High Sierra. This area is located in Northern California and is home to some of the most charming towns in the state. You can get out on the lake in a boat, kayak or standup paddle board and admire the impressive views of the surrounding mountains. Burney is best-known for being the closest town to McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, which is home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in California. AUBURN, CA. by Breawna Power Eaton|Published October 29, 2017, Where to Find Short Term Furnished Rentals in Jersey City or New Jersey, A Comparison of Bus Services from Dallas to Houston, 10 Exhibitions to Visit in Indianapolis and Indiana this Spring, 7 of the Best Patagonia Down Jackets for Women. Wine Tree Farm & Corinne Wines. The quaint downtown area is worth a day (or few) of wandering. 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. South Lake Tahoe also has a great food scene, but an even better beer scene, thanks to the South Lake Tahoe Beer Trail! Her writing and podcast have been featured in Forbes, CBC Canada, National Geographic, the Huffington Post, and CNN Arabic, amongst others. Once there, you can pick from two beautiful campsitesopt for the North Grove site, which sits in an alpine meadow. The town of Idyllwild is another wonderful mountain escape in California! Western Side: National Parks and Large Sequoias Vernal Falls The western side of the Sierra Nevada has 3 of the most famous national parks in all of California. Trips can climb up to 3,000 feet (or more) higher, uphill treks that shed light on the appeal of the pack trip, a Sierra Nevada tradition that dates back to 19th-century surveyors, miners, and anyone who needed to haul stuff: Its better to have a four-footed animal lug you and your gear upward than it is to carry it all on your own two feet. While youre at it, enjoy the regions wine bounty and leisurely sip your way from tasting room to tasting room along the Urban Wine Trail. While California is better known for its beaches and coastal cities, people often forget just how much of the state is mountainous. What are some of the cities in the gold country in the foothills of northern California? Nearby charmers like Monterey and Big Sur are a short, breathtaking drive away. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Auburn This city is located in the heart of Placer County and is known for its charming downtown area.