10 of California’s Most Beautiful (and Remote) Mountain Towns

There is a lot of beautiful cities of america, from lush Magnolia Springs, Alabama, to breathtaking Florence, Oregon. One US state that offers an abundance of beautiful vacation spots is California. The state of California contains a strong mix of rural areas and cities. Some travelers prefer to explore a bustling city, take a cable car tour of San Francisco and visit murals in Los Angeles. Others yearn for a peaceful vacation in a remote part of the state.


California is known for its glitzy and glamorous Hollywood, but the rural areas of the state are beautiful and worth seeing. Of incredibly beautiful hikes through Redwood National Park at The Hidden Pools of Laguna at 1000 Steps Beach, the natural beauty of the Golden State is incredible. Travelers looking for a secluded, nature-filled place to stay in California should check out these ten beautiful and remote mountain towns in California.

Related: 10 Beautiful Snowy Mountain Towns in the U.S. That Are Worth Braving the Cold

10/10 trucked

The small town of Truckee is located near the California-Nevada border. Visitors are blown away by towering pines and magnificent views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. There are lots to learn about Truckee and nearby Lake Tahoe before visiting, including outdoor activities to try and nearby attractions to see. Adventurous visitors enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sailing and water skiing. The Truckee River is also a great place for rafting. Embarking on a rafting trip is a great way to explore Truckee and see the natural beauty up close.

9/10 Burney

Burney is another beautiful, secluded town in California. Located in northern California, this region is known for its tumbling waterfalls and towering pines. Besides the stunning scenery, Burney is also known for its stellar fly fishing. For anglers (or beginners) who want to get a guided tour of the land, there is guided fly fishing trips available through Confluence Outfitters. Burney Creek is the perfect place for beginners to try their hand at fishing. Guided fly fishing trips at Burney Creek are offered year-round and include 1-2 expert angler guides.

  • Hours:
    8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily

  • Cost:
    $500

8/10 Willow Creek

Willow Creek wildlife includes quail, pronghorn, and bigfoot. Well, a 25 foot tall statue of Bigfoot. The city’s Willow Creek China Flat Museum is filled with Bigfoot artifacts and shares the story of this North American creature. Museum hours vary, so call before visiting (530-629-2653).

  • Address:
    38949 CA-299, Willow Creek, CA 95573

Willow Creek is also a great place for camping, hiking, backpacking, and bird watching, as the town is part of the Six Rivers National Forest.

7/10 Three Rivers

The charming town of Three Rivers is located near Sequoia National Park. Sequoia National Park has more than the tallest trees in the world; camping and hiking opportunities are also amazing. Part of Kings Canyon National Park is also located in Three Rivers. A unique way to explore these parks is to take a scenic drive through the area while listening to a self-dive audioguide. These downloadable audio guides provide pointers to the park, as well as interesting facts about the parks and local history.

6/10 Ojai

A 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, Ojai is the perfect getaway in a remote mountain town. One attraction of Ojai is the charming vineyards. Many visitors enjoy strolling through the scenic vineyards and attending wine tastings. Appellation Wine Tours is a popular tour, offering exclusive tours led by a certified sommelier. Guests typically visit 2-4 wineries and receive VIP treatment.

  • Address:
    410 Church Rd UNIT 61, Ojai, CA 93023

  • Cost:
    1-2 people- $675, 3 people- $775, 4 people- $900, 5-12 people- $200 each

Related: Downtown Ojai Exists and Here’s What to Do There

5/10 Dunsmuir

Dunsmuir is known for having the “best water on earth”. The town boasts of its fresh drinking water, and visitors can sip a drink to be the judge. Dunsmuir’s population is less than 2,000and the city is so small that there are no traffic lights!

The mountain views at Dunsmuir are amazing. Mount Shasta looms nearby, while Dunsmuir is nestled in a cozy canyon. Visitors enjoy the wide range of outdoor activities in the area, including hiking, swimming, biking, and trout fishing.

4/10 Julian

A mountain town that offers apple picking is Julian, California. During the fall, tourists and locals alike enjoy scarecrow building, apple picking, crafts, and apple tea tasting at Apples and Art Orchards.

  • Address:
    1052 Julian Orchards Drive, Julian, CA 92036

  • Cost:
    $15 to pick 5 pounds of apples (half a rooster)

The charming town of Julian is also a short drive from Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park. This park is a great place to have a picnic, explore dirt trails and take in the beauty of the California desert.

3/10 Glen Oak

Oak Glen is another remote mountain town in California that offers apple picking. The town’s slogan even reads: “Where the apples grow a mile high!” This small town is located in the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains and offers beautiful views of the majestic mountains. There are a multitude of apple orchards in the area, including Willowbrook Apple Farm. The orchard has existed since 1910 and offers apple picking each fall. For make the most of apple pickinglearn how to properly pick an apple and how to properly store it after picking.

  • Address:
    12099 Oak Glen Road, Yucaipa, CA 92399

  • Hours:
    Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm

2/10 San Simeon

San Simeon offers many easy and moderately difficult hiking trails. Exploring an area on foot is a great way to get a close look at the flora and fauna, as well as to breathe in the fresh air. The Boucher to Piedras Blancas trail and the Junge Ranch trail are perfect trails for non-hikers.

San Simeon is also known for another breathtaking view, that of Hearst Castle. This historic estate is now a museum, offering tours of the castle and grounds.

  • Address:
    750 Hearst Castle Road, San Simeon, CA 93452

  • Hours:
    Open daily at 9 a.m.

  • Cost:
    Adult – $30, child (5-12) – $15

1/10 big bear

A final and very popular beautiful California mountain town to visit is Big Bear in Southern California. The best time to visit is winter, and Big Bear might even be California’s most fun winter travel destination. Travelers flock to Big Bear for spectacular skiing and snowboarding. Sledding and descending a snowy slope on an inflated inner tube are also fun winter activities not to be missed.

Big Bear is also a great place to stay indoors, sip hot chocolate, take in the snowy scenery, and relax. There are some great Airbnb rentals in Big Bear which range from comfortable cabins to luxury lodges.

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