9 Historic Town Squares

The History: This college town of almost 18,000, on the state’s far north coast, may be nicknamed “Hippie Haven,” but its official name was a more sombre “Union” when it was settled in 1850. Those pioneers built up this plaza, mostly using wood for construction, but August Jacoby thought to build his store out of brick and stone. As a result, in the wake of an 1875 fire that destroyed dozens of the town’s buildings and businesses, his is the only original building left today. More recent structures, though, are still about 100 years old. The Hotel Arcata dates to 1915; it was once called “Sportsman’s Headquarters” and played host to those to who travelled by rail or steamer. Just off the plaza is the Minor Theatre; opened in 1914, it’s one of the oldest structures in the U.S. built for the sole purpose of showing movies. Don’t leave without debating the merits of slain U.S. President William McKinley—and be sure to do so in front of his eight-foot-tall bronze statue in the plaza, erected in 1906.

Where to Play: Check out August Jacoby’s legacy, the restored Jacoby’s Storehouse, with several restaurants and shops. Have dinner on the 3rd floor at Plaza Grill. You can stay at the Hotel Arcata, though prices have gone up since its 1915 rate of $1/night. Even if you don’t stay there, be sure to check out the lobby’s cool historic decor. Then mix past and present: Catch the latest Hollywood releases at the restored Minor Theatre.

The History: To many people, Sonoma—just 45 miles from San Francisco—means wine. But when you drink in the surroundings on the eight-acre Sonoma Plaza—the state’s largest plaza—it’s hard to ignore the area’s non-vine history. The park itself was designed 150 years ago by Mariano Vallejo, a military commander and politician who helped transition the Mexican territory of Alta California to the U.S. state we know today. The white, low-rise Mission San Francisco Solano, which borders the park, is even older, dating to 1823; the barracks that housed Mexican soldiers date to 1834. Don’t miss the dramatic stone façade of City Hall, in the middle of the park, dedicated in 1908 and still in use today. 

Where to Play: This is the birthplace of California wine, after all, so you’d expect tasting roomsgalore—and you’ll find more than 25 of them in the area, including the intimate tasting room of Walt Wines. But there’s more to do than sip. Relive a bygone era in a different way with retro toys, games, T-shirts, and candies at Tiddle E. Winks Vintage 5 & Dime. And stay at the Ledson Hotel, built by a fifth-generation Sonoma farmer and winemaker.

The History: Practically smack-dab in the center of the state, Hanford holds plenty of ties to California’s past. Start at the Romanesque Hanford Carnegie Museum, which opened in 1905 as a Carnegie Library; today it’s also a tourist information center. Keep following the history trail at the grand Civic Center Auditorium, which opened in 1924 and still hosts events; and at the Hanford Fox Theater, a 1929 building still used for concerts. And Hanford has what every historic town should have: an authentic ice cream shop (Superior Daily), in operation since the 1920s. Courthouse Square sits a couple miles west of the park, but is worth checking out for the original 1896 structure. While you’re there, don’t miss the Romanesque building from 1898 known as the Bastille; it was used as the county jail until the 1960s. And just east of the park is China Alley, a collection of 11 historic buildings that dates to 1877 and tells the story of the area’s Chinese population.

Where to Play: Obviously, your itinerary has to include ice cream at Superior Dairy, ideally followed by a show at the Hanford Fox Theater. For a historical stay, head to the Irwin Street Inn—a mash-up of four Victorian homes that maintain details like pull-chain toilets and claw-foot tubs. And for an authentic Mexican meal, check out La Fiesta Restaurant Bar, which serves up flavors from Colima and Michoacán.

The History: Town-square aficionados will say that Orange, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles and founded in 1871, planned things right by starting with a plaza and building out. This area is now a one-square-mile historic district known as Old Towne, and it’s hard to take a step without stumbling upon history, beginning with the plaza’s 1937 fountain. You’ll find more than 1,300 homes and buildings here; many of them are originals that date to the years after 1871, and all are covered under the district’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It all feels very connected to the early 20th century, thanks to places like Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain, which has been a part of the fabric here for more than a hundred years. 

Where to Play: Watson Drugs and Soda Fountain serves up the dishes you might expect from an authentic old-fashioned soda fountain. For more formal dining—with a view, to boot—head to Orange Hill, which, true to its name, sits atop the hills of Orange and offers sweeping panoramas out to Catalina. When it’s time to shop, Old Towne Orange is known as “The Antique Capital of California,” and you’ll find more than 40 antiques shops, like the Antique Station & Depot and the Chapman Antique Mall. Then check out live music at The District Lounge, built inside Orange’s first post office.