The three cities to make the list include:
Cambria
This Central California coastal town is situated near Hearst Castle, just south of Big Sur. Designer Erin Anderson says Cambria “is truly a small town, complete with general store, antique shopping, and shops featuring local artisans.” Moonstone Beach, she adds, is a “great place to view migrating whales, sea otters, and elephant seals.” (Read more here)
Crescent City
Blakely describes this Northern California town, about 20 miles south of the Oregon border, as a “quiet town, with big empty beaches, and big stands of redwoods, surrounding it. At 5 a.m. the fisherman head out from the and bring back excellent seafood.” The historic Battery Point lighthouse stands watch just off Crescent City’s coast. (Read more here)
Monterey
“Monterey is not only a beautiful coastal town known for its world-class aquarium,” says Anderson, “but it has a rich California history. You can spend time wandering along Cannery Row (made famous by John Steinbeck) and visit the shops and restaurants, which pay tribute to the old sardine canneries, or make your way down to the waterfront and admire the bay, a natural marine sanctuary.” (Read more here)
To read Forbes’ complete list of America’s Prettiest Towns, click here.
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