Small to Mid-Sized City/Metro Surrounded by Most Natural Beauty (better, people)

[preston39]

Looks like the Sea-Tac area is the front-runner for naturally beautiful areas in the U.S. (as far as large cities go), but what about slightly smaller cities and mid-sized metro areas not anchored by large cities? Which of these would you consider naturally beautiful?

Feel free to post tons of pictures, since who doesn't enjoy some nice scenery?

[jpdivola]

Monterey or Santa Barbara are beautiful.

Leaving aside the west coast cities, Duluth MN has always struck me as being scenic with it's hills and great lakes location.

[Joakim3]

While I haven't personally been to Asheville, NC

I've seen enough pictures of it and I know enough people that swear by it in terms of its physical setting

[creeksitter]

This poll is confusing. There are several that could be contenders and will depend on the preference for ocean vs mountains etc. But many of the choices aren't scenic at all. So what is the point of including them in the poll.

[Need4Camaro]

Should have included Chattanooga TN. That would have been my pick.

[march2]

Asheville, NC

[Need4Camaro]

yeah, almost nothing on that list has anything noteworthy as far as natural beauty aside from some of them being near the beach. I guess, Harrisburg may be decent because the river and not far from mountains but...ehh...there's way better choices out there.

Chattanooga, Nashville, Asheville, Knoxville, Charleston WV, Parksburgh WV, Wheeling WV, Boise ID, ect

[blaserbrad]

Probably Bellingham, Olympia, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara. Hard to beat ocean, mountains, and volcanoes. I'm sure you could make a case for others though, everywhere has its charm

[rowhomecity]

The rolling farm lands surrounding Lancaster are stunning. But that does not necessarily make it the most beautiful. Many good choices.

[cornsnicker3]

Lol at Greeley where I went to high school. Not even close.

I champion Duluth, MN as it is in such an excellent area for nature and outdoors. The winter and junky employment scene will always keep it from being “discovered”.