The Golden State is one of America’s most geographically diverse states, featuring 1,100 miles of rugged coastline, snow-capped mountains, arid deserts, and temperate rainforests. Boasting both the lowest point (Badwater Basin in Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level) and the highest point (Mount Whitney at 14,505 feet above sea level) in the contiguous United States, California is no stranger to stunning natural beauty — and small towns right at nature’s doorstep. From rural towns on the edge of the coastal redwood groves to sleepy seaside villages, these are six of the best small towns to visit in California.

Half Moon Bay

Located roughly 20 miles south of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay is named for its distinct, crescent-shaped coastline resembling a half-moon. With rolling farmland, sandy beaches, and redwood forests all connected by the 6-mile Coastal Trail, Half Moon Bay is a hamlet for nature seekers looking to comb through tide pools and spot harbor seals sunbathing. Featuring a quaint, historic downtown area, which is often shrouded by dramatic fog that rolls in from the ocean, Half Moon Bay is touted for its chowder houses, art galleries, and nearby Pigeon Point Lighthouse, which is an iconic stop along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Los Olivos

A charming, 19th-century cowboy town in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, Los Olivos (Spanish for “the olive trees”) is renowned for its intimate wine-tasting rooms, farm-to-table bistros, olive oil shops, and artsy boutiques. Established in 1887 as a railroad and stagecoach stop, the town is steeped in history and relatively untouched by time. The neighboring vineyards and olive groves add to its Mediterranean feel — it’s no wonder that it’s a favorite stop en route from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo.

Sausalito

Sausalito is located immediately north of San Francisco. Its name means “small willow grove” in Spanish, referring to the willow trees that once thrived along the shoreline of this Marin County town. Perched on steep hillsides overlooking the San Francisco Bay, including Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito is home to a bustling marina filled with colorful houseboats, a mix of Victorian- and Mediterranean-style homes, and plenty of al fresco dining options along the Bridgeway Promenade.

Avalon

You’ll have to take a ferry from Dana Point, San Pedro, or Long Beach to reach this beautiful small town, but the journey is worthwhile. The largest port on Catalina Island, which is approximately 23 miles off the Southern California coast, Avalon was incorporated in 1892. But it wasn’t until 1919 that chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. developed Catalina into a major tourist destination. 

Today, the island is home to roughly 3,600 to 4,000 year-round residents, with 3,200 residing in Avalon alone. The town is well known for its iconic art deco-style Catalina Casino, art galleries, tiki bars, seafood restaurants, museums, botanic garden, and a private beach at Descanso Beach Club — the only beach in California where you can enjoy a drink in the sand. There are no visitor cars allowed on the island, which means you’ll get to appreciate the beauty of the town entirely on foot or via golf cart. 

Cambria

It’s easy to bypass this cozy small town along the Pacific Coast Highway on your way to or from Morro Bay, but Cambria is well worth the detour. A quiet village filled with historic bed-and-breakfasts, art galleries, antique shops, and a famous cafe known for its ollalieberry pie (a tart-sweet cross between a blackberry and a red raspberry), Cambria is an ideal refuge away from the bustling cities of California.

The most stunning places to take in the scenery are Moonstone Beach — which is famous for its tide pools, easy-access boardwalk, sunsets, and glittering moonstones — and Fiscalini Ranch Preserve, which offers 437 acres of hiking trails that wind through Monterey pine forests, coastal bluffs, and open meadows.

Mendocino

Where pine-covered cliffs plunge dramatically into the Pacific, the sleepy town of Mendocino is truly one of a kind. Founded in 1852, the town was built by settlers from the East Coast and Canada, who erected classic white Victorian homes that offer a dramatic contrast to other communities along the California coast. 

Surrounded by ancient redwood forest, Mendocino is a relaxing retreat for those in search of outdoor activities such as hiking the Mendocino Headlands State Park, visiting the Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, or kayaking though sea caves. It’s just as appealing for those who prefer curling up with a good book after a morning indulging in tea and scones, getting pampered with a massage, or visiting the slew of antique and artisan shops housed in 19th-century structures.