12 Best California's Sierra Nevada Towns For Retirees
It’s easy to fall in love with California, and the Sierra Nevada region is no exception. The area is filled with welcoming small towns surrounded by nature, water, and expansive deserts, offering retirees a place to enjoy and explore. Each Sierra Nevada mountain town shares a common history pertaining to the infamous Gold Rush, but boasts unique and welcoming communities with ample access to nature for relaxation or exploration. Discover these 12 incredible towns in California's Sierra Nevada listed below to help you narrow down your perfect retirement location.
Mariposa
Mariposa is ideal for retirees seeking proximity to Yosemite National Park. Mariposa is considered a gateway town to Yosemite and offers residents exceptional scenery, hiking, and a rich history of the Gold Rush. Additionally, there are increased dining options to support the tourist industry, like the Happy Goat Farm to Table and the Miner’s Roadhouse. Most of the historic downtown buildings were initially constructed in the late 1850s. The town holds an annual Butterfly Festival to celebrate the exceptional number and variety of butterflies that also make Mariposa home.
Mariposa retirees are only minutes from the Stockton Creek Preserve. The preserve offers hiking and biking trails along Stockton Creek. Check out the wildflowers blooming from spring through late fall, and all the colorful butterflies visiting them. Seniors can walk, bike, birdwatch, or fish. Discover senior services offered in town through the Mariposa Golden Agers Senior Center or visit the Mariposa Senior Services office.
Mariposa is home to those who love nature and are aware that city growth is limited in order to preserve Yosemite National Park. The cost of living is affected by limiting growth, and as of October 2025, it is 6% higher than the US national average but 24% lower than California’s average. There are several senior living communities, such as Idle Wheels 55+ mobile home community, Mariposa Pines Villa, and Creek Terrace Apartments. Healthcare is accessible in town from John C Fremont Healthcare or the Yosemite Medical Clinic.
Murphys
Another option for retirees interested in the California Sierra Nevada Mountains is Murphy’s. Seniors enjoy the two dozen wine tasting rooms located on or near Main Street. Retirees can discover the history of the area and learn about the wine scene in Murphy’s. Seniors find community and local services at the Murphy’s Senior Center. Meet other seniors and exercise, attend special events, shop, or access the food pantry and hot meals. Many retirees choose to live in Murphy’s because of its friendly, laid-back vibe and senior support services.
Seniors can hike or bike among the trees at Calaveras Big Trees State Park or explore Mercer Caverns. Retirees looking for a friendly and lively community find one in Murphy’s, along with pleasant weather year-round. Temperatures typically range from the mid-30s to 60 degrees in winter and 70 to 90 degrees in the summer. Murphy’s offers homebuyers and renters a more reasonable cost of living that’s 58% lower than the California average. Several retirement communities exist in Murphy’s, like Murphy’s Diggins and Murphy’s Senior Apartments. Local healthcare services are available at the Community Medical Center or a short drive to the nearby Mark Twain Medical Center in San Andreas.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is an ideal place to retire for nature lovers and those seeking a small town that offers a sense of community and connection. Spend time exploring the great outdoors by taking up activities like fishing, hiking, or biking. In the winter, stay warm and cozy and watch the snow fall or hit the ski slopes. Residents of Bridgeport enjoy a seasonal summer with low humidity and an average temperature of around 82°F. The winters are characterized by periods of severe cold and heavy snow.
Retiring in Bridgeport provides seniors the opportunity to explore the Pacific Crest Trail or relax by one of seven local lakes, such as Trumbull, Peeler, or Barney Lake. Many retirees spend time basking in the warm waters of the Travertine Hot Springs. Seniors can also find a sense of community at the Antelope Valley Senior Center. Enjoy a hot meal, play games, exercise, or participate in scheduled programs and events.
Living in Bridgeport is affordable, with an average home value of $230,000 as of October 2025, which is 61% less than the average for California. Healthcare is available locally at the Mono County Health Clinic or the Toiyabe Indican Project Clinic. There are currently no senior living communities in Bridgeport; however, several are located in nearby Rio Vista.
Sonora
The welcoming town of Sonora is the northwest gateway to Yosemite National Park. Sonora has a rich history as a Gold Rush town, with remnants of the time visible in the architecture and historic buildings downtown. As a community, Sonora serves the tourists coming into Yosemite. Residents and visitors enjoy the wide variety of restaurants, cuisines, and locally owned specialty shops, such as Indigeny Reserve and the Goodness Cafe. The town has a youthful energy and a mix of ages, including a substantial retiree population.
Retirees enjoy the town's seasonal festivals and events, like the Spring Festival, Celtic Faire, Mother Lode Fair, and the Christmas Parade. Seniors will enjoy receiving fresh, local produce and products weekly at the Sonora Certified Farmers' Market. Seniors can stroll through Coffill Park while enjoying the sounds of the creek. There are also paths available at the Woods Creek Rotary Park. Dedicated hikers and bikers love the Dragoon Gulch Trail that takes seniors through the Mother Lode Oak Woodlands. Retirees can find services and activities specifically geared toward seniors at the Sonora Senior Center.
Find the perfect community to retire in at Sonora. The median home price is $363,000 as of October 2025, which is lower than the US national average and significantly lower than California’s average home price. Sonora offers several retirement communities in town, including Skyline Place Senior Living and Sonora Hills. Healthcare is available locally at Adventist Health Sonora.
Downieville
Downieville attracts retirees seeking a place with exceptional mountain scenery, vibrant community events, and year-round water recreation opportunities. Downieville is the perfect home for those who want to live in a remote rural town with potentially challenging winters and limited off-season amenities. The town booms during tourist season but empties in winter, leaving only those who love winter activities and tackling heavy snowfall. As a historic Gold Rush town, Downieville sits on auriferous gravel beds that create blue-green pools along the North Yuba River. The town sits along the confluence of the Downie and North Yuba Rivers within the Lost Sierra region of the Tahoe National Forest.
Trails originally cut in the quest for gold are now world-renowned mountain biking trails that keep Downieville a prime spot for mountain bike racing competitions. The annual Downieville Classic Cross Country Race and Festival is held annually, attracting thousands of athletes and spectators from around the world. Downieville is popular for white-water rafting, kayaking, camping, fly fishing, and off-road or OHV trail riding.
The town’s core remains that of a tiny village with a committed community that supports each other and the town’s inherent old western heritage. Downieville is considered affordable for California, with a cost of living that is only 1% lower than the state average. Seniors can find retirement homes for $229,000 and above. Downieville supports the Golden Rays Senior Center, which provides access to community events, information on senior services, and recreational options. The local healthcare options are limited. Retirees who are comfortable attending a local clinic will find the Western Sierra Medical Clinic useful. Note that the nearest hospital is Sierra Nevada Memorial, which is located in Grass Valley, an hour’s drive from Downieville.
Groveland
Groveland’s peaceful community and natural surroundings create the perfect home for retirees or seniors seeking a quiet yet connected community and access to nature. Groveland’s mountain lifestyle offers exceptional scenery and a variety of outdoor activities within the Stanislaus National Forest and Pine Mountain Lake. Groveland offers all the basic amenities for residents and tourists, featuring historic Gold Rush-themed Bed and Breakfasts and hotels, such as the Groveland Hotel.
Groveland is a popular tourist destination for visitors to Yosemite National Park, especially during peak summer and winter vacation periods. Residents can take advantage of the opportunity by running a tourist season business. Pine Mountain Lake offers visitors and residents championship-level golf courses, dining, camping, water activities, and horseback riding. Residents enjoy the benefits of a gated community and access to an airport.
Residents and visitors who enjoy hiking can choose from a variety of difficulty levels and terrain on the Carlon Falls Trail or the Wapama Falls Trail. Optionally, bring an OHV and check out the off-road tours. Mountain biking enthusiasts enjoy the Ferretti Road Non-Motorized Trail Network that includes bike-only trails with drops, log rides, berms, and even rollers to test a biker’s skills.
Groveland’s isolated nature makes it an affordable option, with an average home value as of October 2025 of $295,000, which is significantly under the California average. The overall cost of living in Groveland is approximately 19% lower than the national average. There are no senior living communities in Groveland; however, several options are available in Sonora, a 38-minute drive away. Local healthcare is available at Adventist Health or General Family Medicine. Retirees can find an active senior center community at Southside Community Connections. Southside offers retirees a range of activities, health programs, recreation, and opportunities to connect socially and build a sense of community.
Oakhurst
Oakhurst sits just 15 minutes from Yosemite National Park’s South entrance. Retirees and visitors who want to enjoy nature without sacrificing the comforts of civilization love Oakhurst. Oakhurst is part tourist town, part secluded residential sanctuary for its permanent residents. New retirees are introduced to the wonders of Yosemite in Oakhurst via the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Glacier Point Road, and the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad. The Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad operates a vintage steam-powered train through the Sierra National Forest, stopping for gold panning and to explore the museum, where visitors can learn about the local history. Retirees and visitors alike can tour the Nature of Wildworks in town and participate in local programs to help rehabilitate injured wildlife.
Find a peaceful, secluded, and natural place to retire in Oakhurst. The town is in proximity to not only the natural wonders of Yosemite, but also the amenities of larger cities such as Fresno, San Jose, and San Francisco. The fantastic part is that Oakhurst is considered affordable. Oakhurst offers retirees a cost of living that’s 13% lower than the California average as of October 2025. The median home price remains steady at $499,000, which is lower than the California average. Retirees enjoy the Sierra Senior Center in Oakhurst. Seniors can share a hot meal, learn about services available, and research housing, employment, and recreational options. Oakhurst offers few retirement living options outside of the Oak Terrace II Senior Apartments and the Majestic Mountain Care Center nursing home. Local healthcare is available at the Oakhurst Health Center or Adventist Health.
Bishop
Bishop calls to retirees looking to live in a small, affordable California city with a fantastic backyard featuring both mountain and high desert terrain. Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including desert and mountain pursuits such as fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and biking. Bishop offers a relaxing and welcoming community focused on providing the best services to both residents and temporary visitors. Residents have access to modern facilities for recreation, updated hiking and biking paths, and organized community events, including Mule Days, Millpond, and fishing contests such as the Blake Jones Trout Derby.
Seniors who can ride horseback can choose any or all trails and share them with hikers, walkers, and bikers. Adventure awaits not only within the Eastern Sierras, but also near Bishop is Death Valley National Park. Bishop itself is located within the Mojave Desert. Making Bishop home is the perfect option for those seeking to explore both the mountains and deserts, while living in a modern mountain town. Golfers can enjoy year-round 18-hole championship-level golf at the public Bishop Country Club.
Seniors can find information, services, and recreation at the Inyo Mono Senior Program or the Independence Senior Center. Healthcare services are available locally at the Bishop Community Health Center, the Bishop Clinic, or the Northern Inyo Hospital. Bishop is affordable, with a median home value of $422,000 as of September 2025, which is significantly lower than the California average. Retirees may consider visiting several senior living communities in town, including Sunrise Mobile Home Park, Sterling Heights Assisted Living, and Bishop Care Center.
Auburn
The city of Auburn, like many towns in the Sierra Nevada, is known for its role in California’s Gold Rush history. The city itself is a registered California Historical Landmark. Auburn is a small mountain town located near the larger city of Sacramento. Auburn offers retirees and visitors the opportunity to explore nature at Lake Clementine, the Auburn State Recreation Area, and the Foresthill Bridge. Auburn is the perfect retirement location for retirees who enjoy golf, mountain biking, and hiking in natural surroundings. There are three golf courses in town, including The Ridge, Dark Horse, and Black Oak. Mountain bikers and hikers find plenty of trails within the Hidden Falls Regional Park. Retirees can also sit back and relax in town, enjoying local wine tastings for every season. Seniors who love the arts will enjoy the performances of the Auburn Symphony.
Auburn offers seniors the Auburn Senior Center, which provides programs for social events, education, and exercise. Socialize, exercise, and build a retirement community right in town. Auburn retirees enjoy local healthcare from the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital, the Auburn Clinic affiliated with UC Davis Health, and the Auburn Medical Group. Auburn is considered an affordable retirement option in California, with a median home price of $514,000 as of September 2025, which is significantly lower than the California average. There are also several local independent living retirement communities in Auburn, including Ansel Park Independent Living, Solstice Senior Living, Auburn Ravine Terrace, and the Hearthstone Lodge Senior Residential apartment complex.
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes provides retirees with a unique retirement setting in a relatively remote area of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Mammoth Lakes is a mountain ski town that’s built around skiing, snowboarding, and other snow-based winter activities. It’s also a perfect place for seniors to enjoy hiking in the summer. Explore Rainbow Falls, the Obsidian Dome, and hike or bike the ski trails during the warm months, as well as the popular Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
Retirees in Mammoth Lakes are surrounded by acres of forest within the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas. Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance is located 32 miles north of town. Hikers and nature lovers retire in Mammoth Lakes to enjoy the mountains and valley through camping, fishing, and enjoying water activities. The town is tourism-based, which enables it to offer a larger number and variety of shops and restaurants. Retirees looking to live in a lively, but remote mountain town will love Mammoth Lakes.
As of October 2025, the median home price is $804,000; however, smaller homes and townhomes can be purchased for around $470,000. Healthcare is available locally at Mammoth Hospital. Unfortunately, the town does not support a senior center or offer any senior community living options. However, the nearby town of Bishop provides several options.
Placerville
Placerville is an affordable California mountain town that’s a perfect fit for retirees looking for a quirky and close-knit community. Placerville offers unparalleled views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a mix of challenging and easy nature hikes and biking trails. The town oozes that old western feeling from its Gold Rush roots. Placerville is located in El Dorado County in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is only 47 47-minute drive from Sacramento. Visitors and residents enjoy visiting local u-pick farms, such as Apple Hill (Apple Hill Growers), wine tasting at Capelli, or the Toogood Cellars. Retirees can find all levels of hiking trails. Check out the El Dorado Trail, the Red Shack Trailhead, and the Smithflat El Dorado Trail.
Retirees enjoy the Placerville Senior Center, where seniors gather to learn about various topics, including services available to them. Additionally, retirees can take exercise classes or enroll in other courses, such as painting, writing, and wine-making. The center also serves meals and allows space for socializing. Healthcare is available locally at the Marshall Medical Center. Patients can also opt for additional options in nearby Sacramento. The median home price as of October 2025 is $629,000, with smaller homes available from $300,000 or less. Placerville has several retirement communities in town, including the Placerville Senior Apartments, Carlton Senior Living, and Eskaton Village, among others.
Grass Valley
Grass Valley is part of the Northern Gold Country of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Grass Valley shares in California’s Gold Rush history and retains a strong Cornish heritage. During the Gold Rush years, Grass Valley became home to thousands of gold seekers from Cornwall, England. Retirees can enjoy several Cornish celebrations, including the Grass Valley Cornish Christmas and St. Piran’s Day. Visit the Empire Mine State Historic Park to learn about the local mining history and its ongoing impact.
Retirees who enjoy wine will fall in love with Grass Valley. Grass Valley has a historic downtown that’s centered on Mill Street, including a pedestrian pathway that passes several historic buildings, wineries, and unique stores. Seniors enjoy watching movies at the historic Del Oro Theatre, built in 1942. Optionally, stay or visit the Holbrooke Hotel, which has been open since 1853.
Seniors find community and services at the Sierra Gold Community Senior Center. Take a class, exercise, or play sports while enjoying the company of other seniors. Healthcare in Grass Valley is available at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital or from various clinics, including the LivingWell Medical Clinic. Grass Valley’s median home price as of October 2025 is $599,000, with small homes coming in around $225,000. The town includes several senior living options, including the Grass Valley Senior Apartments, Hilltop Commons Senior Living, and several 55+ retirement communities.
The Sierra Nevada Mountains in California provide seniors with several affordable, welcoming, and intriguing mountain towns that are surrounded by nature year-round. Whether you’re looking to relax, explore, or a mix of both, this list of towns is the best for retirees and seniors. Explore the great outdoors and enjoy the quiet, historic, and one-of-a-kind towns within the Sierra Nevada region.
