7 underrated cities in California with Carmel-By-The-Sea flair, but better

Located on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a small but famous coastal town in California that attracts millions of visitors each year. Many know it for its unique fairytale cottages and natural landscapes that include rocky beaches and lush national parks. Carmel also has over 100 art galleries featuring masterpieces and works that reflect its artistic heritage that dates back over a century.

Although Carmel-by-the-Sea is California’s premier celebrity-filled summer beach, several other underrated towns in the state offer a similar atmosphere that is, in some ways, even better. They may not reflect everyone aspects of Carmel’s charm, be it its unique artistic heritage or fairytale appeal, but they have other qualities that make it worth visiting. This list highlights other cities in California that have some of the Carmel-by-the-Sea vibe, or even more.

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7 Laguna Beach

This coastal town, like Carmel, impresses with its coastal beauty and vibrant art scene

Similar to Carmel-by-the-Sea, Laguna Beach is a picturesque resort town that attracts vacationers seeking a vibrant coastal experience. Laguna Beach also attracts art lovers, and in the summer they can attend one of the city’s art events, the Pageant of the Masters.

It is one of the world’s unique productions. The festival takes place from the beginning of July to the end of August and attracts art lovers with fascinating replicas of contemporary and classical works of art.

While art lovers admire the masterpieces, beach lovers can enjoy the summer sun at the city’s most beautiful beaches, such as Treasure Island Beach. Visitors come here to swim, scuba dive, and explore tide pools at low tide. These are just a few of the many things to do in Laguna Beach, so various tourists have plenty to keep them busy for days.

6 Morro Bay

Escape here and enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and the opportunity to observe marine life

Morro Bay is an underrated gem on the California coast and home to the famous Morro Rock. This welcoming town in San Luis Obispo County is worth skipping over Carmel for its welcoming atmosphere and walkable downtown. Visitors can discover the town’s thriving dining and shopping scene while strolling through the downtown area, which is full of restaurants serving delicious local fare.

Shoppers can browse for treasures while shopping at antique stores or peruse galleries like By the Bay Gallery, which sells everything from sculptures to jewelry and handmade crafts.

At the same time, nature lovers can enjoy the city’s stunning coastal scenery at Morro Rock Beach. This beautiful spot is a state historic landmark as it is home to the famous Morro Rock, which provides a dramatic backdrop to the beach and ocean.

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5 Pacific Grove

Home to the oldest lighthouse still in operation on the west coast

One of California’s most beautiful coastal towns, Pacific Grove is located between Monterey and Point Pinos. The town offers a tranquil seaside retreat with a blend of Victorian charm and natural beauty.

Pacific Grove offers a stunning coastline with gems like Asilomar State Beach, a one-mile stretch of sand with spectacular views. The beach also offers easy access to the Asilomar Coast Trail, known for its scenic views of the rocky coastline.

Beachgoers access this trail from over 25 well-marked entry points along Sunset Boulevard. The state beach is also near the Asilomar Dunes Natural Preserve, known for its natural dune habitat. The preserve is home to rare and endangered plants and animals, such as the Black Legless Lizard, Tidestrom’s Lupine, and Menzies’ Wallflower, which blooms from March to April.

4 Ojai

Visit Ojai instead of Carmel to discover the special atmosphere of the interior and the quiet valley landscape

Although Ojai doesn’t have the stunning beaches of Carmel, it has unique features that make it worth visiting. Ojai is also a great alternative to Los Angeles and has a bohemian and artsy vibe that gives it its charm.

Its location in a valley surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains attracts nature lovers who experience the beauty of Ojai by exploring beautiful natural areas like the Ojai Meadows Preserve. This nature reserve is home to meadows and wetlands that are best explored on foot or by bike. The preserve also welcomes leashed furry friends and is one of the best places to get in touch with nature when visiting the city in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.

Like Carmel, Ojai is known for its focus on wellness and art, and the small-town-like center offers quaint art galleries and new-age shops.

3 Sausalito

Has a charming waterfront promenade that increases its attractiveness

Sausalito is a small beach destination that’s an underrated escape from San Francisco, located less than a 30-minute drive away. Located just across the street from the famous Golden Gate Bridge, this town exudes a quiet, artsy charm similar to Carmel, but with its own unique flair.

Sausalito is a popular destination with scenic waterfront views and a bustling downtown area filled with boutique shops and numerous art galleries. Travelers can sample fresh seafood and California cuisine on the bay or enjoy a scenic ferry ride to and from San Francisco.

Downtown Sausalito is also home to Viña del Mar Park, famous for its fountain and historic elephant statues. This triangular-shaped park also features lush greenery and grassy areas and is a tranquil place where locals and visitors can relax after touring downtown.

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2 Fort Bragg

Similar to Carmel, Fort Bragg offers a dramatic coastal landscape, but the crystal-clear beach gives it even more appeal

Fort Bragg is one of the most beautiful cities on California’s rugged northern coast. This city of about 7,000 residents delights vacationers with its off-the-beaten-road location, natural beauty, and unique attractions like Glass Beach, one of California’s most beautiful beaches.

This unique beach is part of MacKerricher State Park, which features diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, and a dune system. The state park is also a haven for marine lovers, as visitors can spot seals on the park’s rocky shoreline and whale watch from the nearby headland.

However, for the best whale watching experience, travelers should visit the park in spring or winter, when whales are often in the area.

1 Los Olivos

Skip the usual coastal views and enjoy the sprawling vineyards instead

Located in the scenic Santa Ynez Valley in the heart of Santa Barbara wine country, Los Olivos is an underrated destination worth visiting for its rustic charm and rural setting, and beats Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Unlike Carmel-By-The-Sea, Los Olivos lacks the seaside allure that makes the former a beach-lover’s paradise in the warmer months. However, Los Olivos makes up for this with its intimate atmosphere, rural scenery, agricultural background, and an abundance of vineyards and wineries.

During their vacation, travelers discover boutique wineries like Demetria Estate & Vineyard. Here, wine lovers discover the winery’s winemaking process, including harvesting, fermentation techniques, barrel aging and blending. Then, visitors sample delicious wine collections ranging from sparkling rosé to earthy reds and bright chardonnay.