Northern California is just the best place for road trips. There are beautiful places to see, interesting people to meet, and fun activities all along the way. If you are looking for some fun towns to visit, the options are really endless and you can definitely find some really amazing towns in any of Northern California’s four corners. For the sake of simplicity, however, we created this road trip that takes you to 10 picturesque small towns in Northern California in just under eight hours of driving.

Have a blast, and be sure to report back on how much you enjoyed your road trip!

This road trip will take you through several historic towns in Northern California. You will see evidence of the logging and mining history that put this area on the map in the first place.
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1. Weaverville
Flickr/ Ralf Naegele
Flickr/ Ken Lund
Our small town road trip in Northern California starts in Weaverville, a historic Gold Rush town founded in 1850. Nestled at the foot of the current Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Weaverville was once home to approximately 2,000 Chinese gold miners and had its own Chinatown. Logging and tourism were the economic mainstays of Weaverville for many years. It is the home of California's oldest continuously used Chinese temple. The Joss House is now managed by the park system and is open to visitors all year round.
2. Chester
Flickr/ Don DeBold
Flickr/ Jon Scally
The primary industries in Chester are lumber production and tourism. Chester serves as the retail center for the Lake Almanor region of California, and derives a significant portion of its economy from the tourist trade, and to a lesser degree from construction to new residents and businesses. It's a great place to stop and refuel on food and gas before you head farther into the mountains.
3. Quincy
Flickr/ David Berry
Flickr/ Tom Hilton
Quincy started as a Gold Rush community in 1858. Like most of the communities you will visit on this drive, Quincy is located in a Mediterranean climate. This means that it sees hot summers and wet, often snowy, winters.
4. Graeagle
Flickr/ Nicki Dugan Pogue
Flickr/ Mark Hogan
Graeagle (pronounced "Grey Eagle") is a remote little mountain town that was founded in 1916 as a lumber town. It was named Graeagle after a naming contest to select a better name than "Davies' Mill;" the winning entry contracted "Grey Eagle Creek" to Graeagle. It's a fun town and beautiful location.
5. Downieville
Flickr/ denvilles_duo

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Flickr/ denvilles_duo
Your next stop is Downieville, a gem of Sierra County that is popular among mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Gold was discovered by Francis Anderson on 14 Sept. 1849, at the location where the town now stands. It's a fun, historic town whether you come for a short visit or a long stay.
6. Nevada City
wikiphotographer/Flickr
Flickr/ Melanie
Originally a Nisenan Maidu village, Nevada City is a gold rush town that was settled by miners and prospectors in 1849. Today, it's known for its historic charm and great arts and food scene. You will definitely want to stop here for a meal at one of the unique and delightful restaurants.
7. Grass Valley
Flickr/ Erin Johnson
Flickr/ James Gaither
Located just a hop, skip and a jump from Nevada City, Grass Valley is also a great place to stop and soak in some gold rush history. It was settled by miners from Cornwall, England, and still holds on to its strong Cornish heritage.
8. Auburn
Flickr/ James Gaither
Flickr/ Daniel Hartwig
The largest town you will see on this drive, Auburn has some sprawling areas but an amazing historic downtown area and is one of the most picturesque small towns in Northern California. It's located on the North Fork of the American River and is a popular place for outdoor recreation.
9. Coloma
Flickr/ Nick Ares
Flickr/ Vince
The site where gold was first discovered on the banks of the South Fork of the American River, Coloma is now a sleepy little town of just about 600 people. Much of the town is actually part of the State Park that commemorates this historic spot. Many of the original structures of the gold rush still stand here.
10. Placerville
Flickr/ Helen Gordon
Flickr/ Mark Bult
Known as Old Hangtown because of its dark gold rush past, Placerville is the lifeblood of the Gold Country. Walk along Main Street and enjoy the stores and dining options that will surprise you with their sophistication. There are also many great wineries in this area if you are interested in exploring the surrounding countryside. This is, perhaps, one of the best small towns in Northern California.

Here’s a link to an interactive map that will allow you to customize this trip to your needs.

For more road trips to additional picturesque small towns in Northern California, as well as some travel ideas, be sure to take a look at our previous articles. Some of our favorites are 15 Slow-Paced Small Towns in Northern California Where Life Is Still Simple and This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Northern California Like You’ve Never Seen It Before. You may even wish to check out our Northern California Coastal Road Trip.

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More to Explore

Picturesque Small Towns In Northern California

MelissaM | April 09, 2021

What other road trips can I take in Northern California?

There’s nothing like hopping in the car and taking a road trip for some fun and excitement in Northern California, right?  From a lighthouse road trip to the best beaches, we have coastal road trips covered in our guides. If you like exploring spooky places, we have abandoned and haunted road trips as well. Question is, which road trip journey do you want to take first?

What are the smallest towns in Northern California?

NorCal is filled with teensy tiny towns that dot the landscape, many of which go unnoticed unless we know where to stop and look. With a population of just over 200 people, Sierra City was settled in n1850 in the Canyon of North Yuba River. It is filled with historic buildings and worthy of a stop if you are passing through the area. If you happen to be a fishing and/or camping enthusiast, stop at Hat Creek which is located 70 miles east of Redding. This tiny locale is chock full of outdoor recreational opportunities.

What is the most scenic town in Northern California?

This is a hard question to answer because there are so many incredibly scenic towns in NorCal. But Mendocino is a strong contender with its location on the coast and the natural beauty that surrounds it. The seascape is absolutely breathtaking with waves crashing against the rock formations sticking out of the water. Even the charming downtown is just picture-perfect. Mendocino is an absolute dream weekend getaway place as well. 

 

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Featured Addresses
Weaverville, CA, USA
Chester, CA 96020, USA
Quincy, CA 95971, USA
Graeagle, CA 96103, USA
Downieville, CA 95936, USA
Nevada City, CA 95959, USA
Grass Valley, CA, USA
Auburn, CA, USA
Coloma, CA, USA
Placerville, CA 95667, USA