NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (MPG) - Visiting tiny towns is a bit of a civic duty that maybe wasn’t written into the curriculum or taught in lesson plans before we exited into the real world. It’s one of those aha moments that is incumbent upon each of us to learn as we traverse California, and here’s why it is so vital: tiny towns represent a freedom we often romanticize at some point; a freedom we can only daydream about if we believe it can exist. They represent an escape from the hustle, the idea of finding your people, having space to breathe and living on your own terms. It’s our collective responsibility to keep this belief alive, even if it means simply stopping in to support the locals until one day we become a local. 

Which is what we opted to do here in the micro town of Cobb, tucked neatly into the mountains of Lake County, and recovering from the Valley Fire that all but decimated dreams ten years ago. At first glance, one might not have realized it’s a population of roughly 1,200. The residents themselves are not quickly spotted on the two main roads that make up the intersection, but we definitely found Cobbites scattered heavily within their local hangouts, and equally delightful was finding wilderness paths scattered heavily within Cobb. So how does one support local? 

The talk of the town is currently the recently bedazzled Fainting Couch Maximilast Boutique Hotel, which we had the pleasure of staying at for an extended weekend. This hotel is designed like no other hotel in Northern California, and conveniently positioned right in the middle of this town hub. Walk to coffee, books, dining, golf, and creek views, or relax in their chandelier park or poolside in the warmer months. What stands out most, however, is the vibrant, bold and eclectic interior of each room. The charm beckons for group bonding getaways, photo shoots and self-indulgence. 

But when not lounging in luxury, we found the baristas at the Mountain High Coffeehouse to be full of tips for local perks to explore. We mentioned we love the great outdoors and were given directions of a short hike to Anderson Creek, which boasts multiple waterfalls cascading down Cobb Mountain and feeding into the greater Putah Creek watershed. If a little creek scrambling isn’t in the cards, Cobb has multiple Putah Creek access points- whether it be picnic benches or bridges overlooking the water or pausing at a pull-out and walking down to the banks for a closer look. 

Another honorable mention is the hidden Bogg Lake Preserve (not to be mistaken for the Bogg Mountain Demonstration State Forest with its own trails). A few walking paths around this Lake with a dock to take you out further than your sea legs wish, it’s secluded location typically means it’s just you and the birds being serenaded by the frog symphony.  And who would typically think a frog chorus could bring such serenity? 

The other claim to fame in this region also seems to be Harbin Hot Springs. Minutes from Cobb with several amenities to take advantage of in addition to the natural hot springs pools, we opted to hike well into the surrounding mountains, finding multiple mini waterfalls and run off from the recent storm. We enjoyed several meditation spots built in along the way, including a lovely landscaped garden, labyrinth, cafe and peculiar architecture designed with their spiritual philosophy in mind. There is an entrance fee to Harbin Hot Springs and many events on the calendar to choose from. 

We rounded out our weekend of supporting the local economy with stops at Boston’s steakhouse, Cobb Mountain Pizza, and Beaver Creek Vineyards in nearby Middletown, but in our humble opinion the other showstopper of Cobb was the small but mighty Mountain High Coffee & Books. While I say that The Fainting Couch Boutique Hotel is the talk of the town, important to note is where the talk of the town originated: here at the coffee shop. Coffee shops can be a dime a dozen these days, and that’s a fond sentiment. But Mountain High Coffee & Books hit different- we visited 3 days in a row for our caffeine fix. I never thought I’d highlight a coffee shop with such an enthusiasm, but there was a draw to this space with how the locals gathered and chatted- as if there were impromptu (or regularly programmed?) townhall meetings. We weren’t part of the inside scoop but sitting there leisurely enjoying the upbeat presence of so many Cobbites, it felt like we were no longer just supporting local- we had BECOME local. Our civic duty was complete. 

To learn more about the town of Cobb and how you can support local businesses & conservation efforts, visit explorecobbca.com 

To book a stay at the Fainting Couch Boutique Hotel, visit faintingcouch.com

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