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. 10 Best Places to Visit in Southern California. Heres just a sampling of the best mountain towns in California High Sierra to visit ANY time of year. Wikimedia/ Sanfranman59. The Wine that is the perfect companion for your dinner. Entirely located within Yosemite National Park, Wawona is a great base for Yosemite adventures! Named for two brothers (hence, no aprostrophe), Murphys does not disappoint. Take in the unique volcanic formations on the Trail of the Gargoyles or the Columns of the Giants. 101 Things To Do In The Foothills of California The beautiful town of Mammoth Lakes is a wonderful all-season California mountain town. Where to stay for hiking in the Sierra Nevada Shasta is full of classic charm, with restaurants, accommodations, and bars creating a lively scene in winter and summer alike. Thats just what Robert Luis Stevenson did long before he wrote the classic Treasure Island. This serene setting is rich with the cultural influences of its Native American, Portuguese, Spanish and Mexican history. The 25 Best Western NC Small Towns To Visit (and Live In!) Read on for our pick of the Sierra Nevada's most beautiful towns and villages. Nearby charmers like Monterey and Big Sur are a short, breathtaking drive away. Fortunately, theres much more to this seaside city than teenage drama. 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). This cookie, set by YouTube, registers a unique ID to store data on what videos from YouTube the user has seen. Sierra Foothills Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images It's known for its nearby natural wonders and burgeoning wine industry. A stroll down the wooden pier for a break from the sand and waves reaps rewards when looking back; the view of the beach and the hill that rises behind it is reminiscent of a Mediterranean coastal village, a puzzle of white, red-roofed apartments and a sprinkling of slim, fringed palm trees. 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. 13 Top-Rated Hiking Trails near Sacramento, CA | PlanetWare As a gateway to Yosemite, Groveland has all sorts of amenities for travelers and is the quintessential Low Sierra mountain town. In summer, the beach of June Lake is so spectacular its hard to believe its real! 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. Locals mingle weekly at the lively State Street Farmers Market in the Village; the town center that is packed with interesting shops and restaurants. If youre looking for a beautiful mountain getaway in California, theres no shortage of places to visit! Wine grapes were introduced to the area in the nineteenth century during the California Gold Rush. Many gold-seekers visit Downieville and other locations in Sierra County for gold panning but also river sluicing, dry washing, and metal detecting. A dreamy California sunset (Photo: Scott McCracken via Flickr). 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. A gorgeous campground, Wrights Lake links you to the Twin Lakes trail, which allows you to hike into the Desolation Wilderness from the west. Your email address will not be published. Below, in alphabetical order, we unveil the top 20. For a break from imbibing, explore the enticing eateries and shops in the Sonoma Plaza, a National Historical Landmark surrounded by historic buildings like the Mission San Francisco Solano, the last of the missions to be built in California, and the nearby Sonoma Barracks, an adobe building once used by the Mexican military. Once a supply-hub for silver miners, the town was named after a single pine tree standing at the mouth of a canyon. Its charming no matter the time of year and a great place for all sorts of outdoor activities. Looking for lodging recommendations for the area? Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, the Bodie State Historic Park is a genuine gold-mining ghost town in the Bodie Hills of the Sierra Nevada and visitors are welcome. June Lake is another favorite California mountain destination all year round, offering something unique in each season. John Muir called the park a rival to Yosemite, and you can see why when you find yourself hiking under the towering sequoias, admiring the unspoiled valley, and searching for falls. Its definitely not secret, but you cant skip this classic sight in the California Sierra Nevada. View from the San Clemente Pier (Photo: Tony Hoffarth via Flickr). The town of South Lake Tahoe is the largest in the Lake Tahoe area, but it still maintains its small California mountain town vibe. 14 Stunning Northern California Swimming Holes 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. This area is located in Northern California and is home to some of the most historic cities in the state. Its also close to the McCloud Waterfalls a short drive away. 10 of the best climate change documentaries to see in 2023 Nestled in the eastern side of the High Sierra, when it comes down to outdoor mountain fun, Mammoth Lakes is the champion. The Most Beautiful Towns and Villages in Spain's Sierra Nevada Kirkwood Kirkwood is a small mountain town best visited during winter. Not too far from the cozy town of Angels Camp is a quaint cabin that some of the GREATEST literature of the American West was written, by the likes of Bret Harte & Mark Twain. The historic Presidio Neighborhood provides a peek into some of the states oldest homes. 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. Read my privacy policy and disclaimer here. 25 Small Mountain Towns in California to Escape to See more of Alexs work at https://localfreshies.com. Beyond the waves and the white sandy beaches and bluffs, the Flower Capital of the World is home to the San Diego Botanic Garden, where the green-thumbed can meander through the largest bamboo grove and largest interactive childrens garden in the country while snapping shots of thousands of plants from across the globe. 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. The Sierra Foothills are also know for an abundance of vineyards and wineries. Cap off the trip with a swim at Pinecrest Lake, and dream of doing it all again in reverse. Placer County real estate is a great place to make a home 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. 2 Renwood Winery One of the biggest and best wineries in the Foothills, Renwood offers an extensive tasting menu, snack options and comfortable indoor and outdoor areas to chill with friends.. #7 Best Places to Live in Santa Cruz County. In the winter, youre located mere minutes from an assortment of ski resorts like Palisades Tahoe, Homewood Resort, and Granlibakken Ski & Sled Hill. We see the Sierra Nevada only in bits. Good morning, Alabama Hills (Photo: Fred Moore via Flickr). The town of Idyllwild is another wonderful mountain escape in California! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Live Oak is a wonderful, quiet residential community. 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 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. Ask for a la mode, then cruise downtown, where Main Street resembles a Western film set, with its pioneer-storefronts selling antiques, Native American handicrafts, local art and more. Where to stay in Sierra Foothills? 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. This historic city is full of charm, from its quaint downtown area to its picturesque Victorian homes. Just walk down the stairs to Commons Beach for a dip or listen to some free, live outdoor music. A peaceful picnic in St. Helena (Photo: St. Helena Chamber of Commerce). 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. 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. Living in the Sierra Nevada Foothills For the tens of thousands of folks who live in the Sierra Nevada foothills, the region is the best of many worlds: a great climate (usually above the Central Valley winter fogs and below the snows of the high Sierra), relatively inexpensive cost of living, spectacular scenery, and easy driving distance to the mountains and seashore. Sierra Nevada. If speeds your goal, set cruise control and take I-80 over Donner Summit. 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! 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. San Clemente is the surfers paradise of Orange County; an area of former farmland turned affluent urban sprawl brought into the spotlight by The OCtelevision series. Normally at this elevation your Sierra foothills wildflower hike will include a mix of lupine, Indian paintbrush, poppies, purpleheads (a.k.a. But there is much more to Cali than sun and surf, glitzy cityscapes and epic traffic jams. 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 Its a wonderful destination all throughout the year, but Big Bear really comes to life in winter when it becomes a vibrant skiing and snowboarding destination! Though it's a reservoir, it still has the heart of a natural lake. In the summer, its elevation provides naturally air-conditioned air yet low enough to provide mild winters. 14 Places You Can Still Pan For Gold In California's Hills - TheTravel You might think you know the Sierras inside-out, but many of the mountains best sights are waiting for you to discover them. Over a dozen waterfallsat their most bountiful in springsplash here; Half Dome and El Capitan lure world-class climbers, artists and photographers. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. The faulted Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks are . And yet, for every famous Yosemite site, the Sierra holds hundreds of equally lovely but barely known alpine valleys; for every Tahoe, dozens of high mountain lakes. Not all of the park is completely discovered and busy. Where you should stay depends on the season, which walks you want to do, whether you prefer a big town or a small village, what other activities you want to do and, of course, prices and availability. 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). The town is known for its beautiful scenery nearby, as well as its many historical buildings and landmarks. Latest. 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. Also voted as one of the best small towns to visit in California by The Crazy Tourist, this passageway to the Pacific Northwest combines gorgeous coastline with cloud-kissing redwood forests. 8. Fiddletown, 8 miles from Plymouth, remains off the beaten path, and a midweek visit will often present no competing tourists to admire the old city. of freshly baked pastries. Grass Valley is like a sister city to Nevada City, bigger in population but with a similar chilled-out vibe that still offers quite a bit to do and see. A large fault system, here named the Foothills fault system, is the dominant structural feature of the western Sierra Nevada. Nevada City If youre looking for a true gold rush town, then look no further than Nevada City. Ojai. It holds annual events such as Mule Days which plays host to the largest non-motorized parade in the world. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Its a great place for shopping since chain stores are essentially banned in the town! Search this website. 8 Affordable Family Vacations in Northern California - This Is My Happiness Placerville is a historic Gold Rush town in the mountains of California, but its got more to offer than just its Gold Rush history and adorable Main Street. The winery is open by appointment only. Sierra Foothills AVA - Wikipedia Mammoths ski season typically starts in early November and runs up to July 4th or even longer. There are all sorts of cabins in Yosemite National Park, many of them located in Wawona, as well as the historic Wawona Hotel. Victorian homes dot the area, and residents love their picturesque hiking trails and biking trails. And in the winter, Truckee is home to great ski resorts such as Northstar and Palisades, making it the perfect ski trip destination! 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. 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. In the hot summer months, dips in secret swimming holes along the river likewise feel priceless. 18 Gold Mining Towns on California's Highway 49 The Northern California mountain town of Mt. Vintage-cover posters, coffee mugs, jigsaw puzzles, tote bags, and more. Downtown Truckee is also full of cute shops and restaurants. Truckee This charming mountain town is perfect for those who love outdoor activities. Once you exit 80 at Foresthill / Auburn Ravine . 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. These lovely towns are sure to fit whatever youre looking for! 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. Towns in the Sierra Nevada foothills - Sierra Foothill Magazine This cookie can only be read from the domain they are set on and will not track any data while browsing through other sites. A requisite for being in the Sierra is enjoying the outdoors. 2022 Best Places to Live in Santa Cruz County, CA - Niche Its home to several great museums, a delicious cidery called Indigeny Reserve, beautiful hiking trails, and an excellent downtown shopping scene. Spooning Carlsbad's southern border, Encinitas is one of the best beach towns in California, with miles of coveted coastline. 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. Shops on State Street (Photo: Mark Weber, courtesy of Visit Santa Barbara), A fun way to get to this charming city-escape, while simultaneously experiencing some remarkable views, is to take the 30-minute ferry ride from Fishermans Wharf in San Francisco. Family-friendly Activities Fun for All Ages Historic Towns, Eastern Sierra Lake Tahoe Western Sierra. 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 winter, ski, snowboard, sled, build a snowman or get out into the white wonderland in a snowmobile. Sutter Creek. We Westerners all know Californias Sierra Nevada mountains. VIP. One good option is to spend a few days in two different places . Living in the Sierra Nevada Foothills - Sierra Foothill Magazine #36 Hike to the 6th Highest Waterfalls in U.S.A. Swimming is on offer here too, and you can rent tubes and pontoon boats for more leisurely floating. She has spent time living in New York, Prague, and Sofia, but has returned to live in the East Bay. Or push yourself to the limit with a road biking adventure to the top of Monitor Pass. The unique boutiques and eateries that line its historic downtown, along with the friendly chatter of locals, add to its appeal. The beating heart of Sonomas neighbor, Napa Valley, St. Helena has been nicknamed Napas Main Street. 10 of the best towns and villages in England to visit Inn at Eagle Mountain 3.5-star. 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. Rugged mountains and awe-inspiring canyons in the area's national parks and forests are truly part of the United States' national . Travel Inspiration. Browse 1,064 sierra foothills stock photos and images available, or search for californian sierra nevada or folsom lake to find more great stock photos and pictures. 27 Top Tourist Attractions in San Francisco. TravelMag set out to find the most charming towns and small cities in California. As an Airbnb Associate, I earn when you book through my links. This cookie is installed by Google Universal Analytics to restrain request rate and thus limit the collection of data on high traffic sites. The quaint downtown area is worth a day (or few) of wandering. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The characteristically warm weather makes the state beach a popular attraction year-round, perfect for riding waves, building sand castles, running along the hard-packed shore or boardwalk, and relaxing with the sound track of crashing waves in the background. Join our mailing list for updates on hidden gems, events, and more from California's High Sierra. The cabins in Big Bear are a great place for a mountain escape, and the town has tons of great bars, restaurants, and shops to enjoy no matter the weather. 11. Located at the Northern edge of Lake Tahoe, Truckee is one of the best-loved mountain towns in NorCal. Stroll through North Grovethe first stand of giant sequoias visited by nonNative Americans.