Summer is nearly here, and the signs are everywhere. Kids are counting down the days until summer break, and families are already daydreaming about road trips.
Whether you’re drawn to a downtown steeped in Gold Rush history or one known for its artsy, bohemian vibe, California offers no shortage of charming places to explore.
To help narrow it down, World Atlas recently released a list of the 11 best downtowns in the Golden State.
“The 11 below all hold their original 19th-century building stock, walking-scale streets, and a working independent retail and restaurant scene,” the publication said.
Here’s what to know about World Atlas’ picks for the best downtowns in California.
Ojai
Ojai sits just north of Ventura, below the Topatopa Mountains, according to World Atlas.
“The downtown was rebuilt in 1917 in a unified Mission Revival style under the direction of Edward Drummond Libbey, the glass-industry magnate, and that look still defines the strip,” World Atlas says. “Libbey Park anchors the commercial core with walking paths, tennis courts, and a playground. Ojai Meadows Preserve adds protected trails on the edge of town.”
The town offers a host of activities, including spas, hiking, horseback riding, wine tasting and more.
“The dining scene runs from fine dining to casual,” World Atlas says. “Pinyon does wood-fired pizzas and vegetable-forward plates with fresh local ingredients.”
Carmel-by-the-Sea
“Carmel-by-the-Sea’s downtown runs as a walkable village of hidden courtyards and fairytale-style cottages, about 20 of which were designed by builder Hugh Comstock in the 1920s,” World Atlas says. “The town has no traffic lights, no house numbers, and no neon signs by ordinance.”
The “fairytale village” along California’s scenic coast offers restaurants, wine tasting, boutique shops, art galleries and more, according to Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea.
“The Cypress Inn, co-owned by Doris Day until her death in 2019, still operates and points back to the town’s Hollywood ties,” World Atlas says. “Clint Eastwood served as mayor from 1986 to 1988.”
Sausalito
“Sausalito sits on the north edge of San Francisco Bay at the Marin County end of the Golden Gate Bridge,” World Atlas says. “The downtown delivers waterfront views, an active arts scene, and shops and restaurants like Barrel House Tavern.”
The town offers everything from hiking to on-the-water experiences, like sailing and kayaking around the San Francisco Bay.
“Sausalito is known for its luxe accommodations, acclaimed chefs at farm-to-table restaurants, and art galleries,” Visit Sausalito says.
Nevada City
“Downtown Nevada City is a well-preserved Gold Rush town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, established in 1849,” World Atlas says.
The 19th-century buildings throughout the downtown hold shops, restaurants, and cultural landmarks, according to World Atlas.
“The entire downtown district is a national historic landmark where guests enjoy quality restaurants, comfortable lodgings and a variety of fine shops, boutiques, galleries and museums, all flavored with old-fashioned Nevada City hospitality,” the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce says.
In the town, you can also find California’s oldest continuously operating theater, Nevada Theatre, which runs plays, films, and live performances, World Atlas says.
“Broad Street is the main thoroughfare and lines up antique stores, bookstores, and boutiques like Kitkitdizzi for local crafts and home goods,” according to World Atlas.
Sonoma
Sonoma’s downtown is centered around the historic 8-acre Sonoma Plaza, the largest town square in California, according to the city’s website.
“Sonoma’s downtown reflects the region’s history and wine culture … Victorian-era buildings line the streets with boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants like The Girl & The Fig for rustic French cuisine at an antique bar,” World Atlas says.
Nestled in the heart of wine country, the downtown features Sonoma City Hall, a duck pond, rose gardens, and a collection of adobe historical sites.
“The Sonoma Plaza pulls community events and festivals, including the Sonoma Plaza Tuesday Night Market for produce, flowers, food trucks, and local vendors,” World Atlas says. “Tasting rooms like Sonoma-Loeb and Pangloss Cellars handle the wine in the heart of town.”
Arcata
Arcata is tucked away in the redwoods of Humboldt County and is “brimming with coastal views, amazing food and culture, and many incredible events,” the city says.
“Arcata’s downtown centers on Arcata Plaza, an eight-acre square ringed by Victorian-era buildings holding independent shops and organic eateries,” World Atlas says. “Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State) sits on the eastern edge of town and shapes the downtown’s bohemian character.”
The town also features an independent bookstore, Northtown Books, and a family-owned gift store, All Under Heaven, according to World Atlas.
“The Minor Theatre opened in 1914 and is one of the oldest continuously operating cinemas in the country,” World Atlas says. “Bohemian culture, sustainable businesses, and the redwood coast hold the throughline.”
Paso Robles
“Paso Robles sits in the heart of California’s Central Coast,” World Atlas says. “The downtown anchors around the historic Paso Robles Inn, which still pumps water from the same thermal spring that gave the town its name (the city’s full name is ‘El Paso de Robles,’ the Pass of the Oaks, but the hot mineral springs were the original draw for 19th-century travelers).”
The historic downtown is known for its wine-country charm, upscale dining, and boutique shopping, according to the Paso Robles Main Street Association.
“Paso Robles City Park is the green anchor with a playground, picnic areas, and a rose garden. The Carnegie Library now houses a museum and art gallery,” World Atlas says. “The Paso Robles Historical Museum covers the town’s past.”
Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove’s downtown is known for being a walkable, historic district anchored along Lighthouse Avenue.
“Lighthouse Avenue runs the strip with antique shops, independent bookstores, and clothing boutiques like Tessuti Zoo,” World Atlas says. “The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History opened in 1883 and runs exhibits on regional wildlife and marine ecosystems.”
The town has a local nickname of “America’s Last Hometown,” World Atlas says.
San Juan Capistrano
“In Orange County, San Juan Capistrano’s downtown runs on its Spanish-colonial roots,” World Atlas says.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is at the downtown’s center and is known as “the birthplace of Orange County.”
The mission, founded in 1776, is “known for its gardens, its ruins (the Great Stone Church, destroyed by an 1812 earthquake, still stands as a partial shell), and the annual return of the cliff swallows on or near St. Joseph’s Day each March 19, according to World Atlas.
A few minutes from the mission, visitors can find the Los Rios Historic District, which “is one of the oldest continuously occupied residential streets in California, with three of its adobes dating from the 1790s.” World Atlas says.
Coronado
“Incorporated in 1890, the City of Coronado is a small seaside community with a rich history and charming ocean village atmosphere,” the city says. “Located in San Diego County, Coronado (Spanish for ‘Crowned’) is nicknamed The Crown City.”
The downtown area runs along Orange Avenue, which hosts upscale boutiques, local eateries, and landmarks, according to World Atlas.
“The Hotel del Coronado, completed in 1888, is one of the largest wooden-structure buildings in the country and one of the few surviving examples of American Victorian beach-resort architecture,” World Atlas says. “Sixteen US presidents have stayed at the Del.”
Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande, a short 15 minutes south of San Luis Obispo, offers a Central Coast getaway.
“The downtown centers on the Village Green, a small plaza surrounded by Victorian-era buildings, boutiques like Posies in the Village, art galleries, and restaurants,” World Atlas says. “The Swinging Bridge, a 171-foot suspension footbridge over Arroyo Grande Creek, was built in 1875 and is one of the oldest swinging pedestrian bridges still in regular use in California.”
Visitors can catch performances at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts, which hosts shows throughout the year, World Atlas says.
“The Arroyo Grande Historical Museum tells the town’s past. … Tasting rooms throughout the downtown showcase the area’s wines, and Mason Bar & Kitchen pairs craft cocktails with rustic-chic dining,” according to World Atlas.
Eureka
Eureka is a historic seaport city between Humboldt Bay and massive redwood forests.
“Downtown Eureka holds more than 100 restored Victorian buildings,” World Atlas says. “The Carson Mansion, built in 1885 by the lumber baron William Carson, is one of the most photographed Queen Anne Victorian houses in the country (currently a private men’s club, with no public tours, though the exterior is freely viewable from the street).”
The downtown area has an abundance of shops, art galleries, antique stores, and specialty boutiques, according to World Atlas.
“Once a month, the area runs First Saturday Arts Alive, when local artists and musicians fill the streets,” World Atlas says. “The Spring Sidewalk Sale and Showcase brings local businesses out onto Main Street with finds across categories.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Planning a summer trip? These are California’s best downtowns to visit
Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
