There’s just something about the feel of a small town. Maybe it’s the close-knit community. Or possibly the surrounding landscape. Or perhaps it’s the history. But SUPER tiny towns? Northern California has lots of them. Come along and let’s give a little love to these six super tiny towns. With populations under 550 denizens, they each possess and exude their own unique flavor and flair.
- Port Costa – Population 242
Six O’Nine/Google Maps The history of Port Costa dates back to its official founding in 1879. Located in the East Bay of Northern California approximately 20 miles northeast of Berkeley, it is a charming super tiny town. In the early days, it served as both an important railroad depot and wheat-shipping port. Today you’ll find several cute boutique shops, bars, a historic hotel, and beautiful views across the Carquinez Strait waterway. And oh yeah, there’s reportedly no official town government – the citizens in this tight-knit community just govern themselves!
- Stinson Beach – Population 523
Preda Robert/Google Maps If you’ve never been to Stinson Beach, it needs to go on your travel bucket list! Despite its small size, you’ll still find a lot of people here, many of who make the only 35-minute drive from San Francisco to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The town, and the beach adjacent to it, which is managed by National Park Service, are named after the largest landowner back in the late 1800s, Nathan Stinson. A day or overnight trip to a beautiful small town (albeit a super tiny one) in California doesn’t get any better than this!
- Fiddletown – Population 287
NoeHill Webmaster/Google Maps Fiddletown is located off of Highway 49 about 40 minutes south and just a touch east of Placerville. Founded in the 1800s during California’s gold rush, the town thrived thanks to the burgeoning logging, mining, and agriculture industries here. But there were slow times too, which historians believed led to its name. Since commerce ebbed and flowed, when things were slow it was said that many of its early settlers sat around and fiddled to pass the time. Today, Fiddletown is a California Historical Landmark, and home to 17 historical sites which got it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Benbow – Population 442
Xynalia/Flickr If you follow along the South Fork Eel River off Highway 101 approximately 54 miles south of the town of Fortuna, that’s where you’ll find the town of Benbow. People in the know come here to stay at the Benbow Inn, a stylish resort hotel, as well as to enjoy the area’s scenic beauty.
- Artois – Population 295
Jasperdo/Flickr Situated about an hour and a half north of Sacramento, Artois is not the home of the beer by the same name (sorry folks!). Most of this super tiny town, formerly known as Germantown, is residential, with a few support services. Tiny but not forgotten.
- Philo – Population 313
The Madrones Facebook Page Just 52 miles north of the tony city of Healdsburg sits a beautiful little town called Philo (pronounced feye-low). The landscape here is simply stunning, as it rests right in the heart of the Anderson Valley Wine Region. Quiet and quaint, Philo has gained national attention after the establishment of a wonderful multifaceted Mediterranean entity called The Madrones. Encompassing elegant guest accommodations, three amazing wine tasting rooms, an upscale restaurant, and spectacular grounds (it is also very popular for weddings), a visit to The Madrones—from wherever you may be coming from—is more than well worth the journey!
Have you been to (or passed by, since they are so tiny you might have blinked and missed them!) any of these towns? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experiences there.
Six O’Nine/Google Maps
The history of Port Costa dates back to its official founding in 1879. Located in the East Bay of Northern California approximately 20 miles northeast of Berkeley, it is a charming super tiny town. In the early days, it served as both an important railroad depot and wheat-shipping port. Today you’ll find several cute boutique shops, bars, a historic hotel, and beautiful views across the Carquinez Strait waterway. And oh yeah, there’s reportedly no official town government – the citizens in this tight-knit community just govern themselves!
Preda Robert/Google Maps
If you’ve never been to Stinson Beach, it needs to go on your travel bucket list! Despite its small size, you’ll still find a lot of people here, many of who make the only 35-minute drive from San Francisco to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The town, and the beach adjacent to it, which is managed by National Park Service, are named after the largest landowner back in the late 1800s, Nathan Stinson. A day or overnight trip to a beautiful small town (albeit a super tiny one) in California doesn’t get any better than this!
NoeHill Webmaster/Google Maps
Fiddletown is located off of Highway 49 about 40 minutes south and just a touch east of Placerville. Founded in the 1800s during California’s gold rush, the town thrived thanks to the burgeoning logging, mining, and agriculture industries here. But there were slow times too, which historians believed led to its name. Since commerce ebbed and flowed, when things were slow it was said that many of its early settlers sat around and fiddled to pass the time. Today, Fiddletown is a California Historical Landmark, and home to 17 historical sites which got it listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Xynalia/Flickr
If you follow along the South Fork Eel River off Highway 101 approximately 54 miles south of the town of Fortuna, that’s where you’ll find the town of Benbow. People in the know come here to stay at the Benbow Inn, a stylish resort hotel, as well as to enjoy the area’s scenic beauty.
Jasperdo/Flickr
Situated about an hour and a half north of Sacramento, Artois is not the home of the beer by the same name (sorry folks!). Most of this super tiny town, formerly known as Germantown, is residential, with a few support services. Tiny but not forgotten.
The Madrones Facebook Page
Just 52 miles north of the tony city of Healdsburg sits a beautiful little town called Philo (pronounced feye-low). The landscape here is simply stunning, as it rests right in the heart of the Anderson Valley Wine Region. Quiet and quaint, Philo has gained national attention after the establishment of a wonderful multifaceted Mediterranean entity called The Madrones. Encompassing elegant guest accommodations, three amazing wine tasting rooms, an upscale restaurant, and spectacular grounds (it is also very popular for weddings), a visit to The Madrones—from wherever you may be coming from—is more than well worth the journey!
While you’re in the mood for relatively unknown places, how about checking out this underrated state park?
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Address: Port Costa, CA, USAAddress: Stinson Beach, CA 94970, USAAddress: Fiddletown, CA, USAAddress: Benbow, CA 95542, USAAddress: Artois, CA 95913, USAAddress: Philo, CA 95466, USA
