12 Best Towns In California For Retirees

Thinking of retiring in the nation’s most beautiful state? You will easily be spoiled for choice. You may want to be close to a white-sand beach with rows of beautiful palm trees, a thundering waterfall set amid quiet forest trails, or a snow-covered mountain with heart-gripping grandeur. The best part? People love California for its warm, pleasurable climate. Although one of the most expensive states in the nation, you can find California locations that strike the sweet spot between natural beauty, desirable amenities, and affordability. Starting with Grass Valley, discover the 12 best towns to retire in the Golden State.

Grass Valley

With its shady trees and beautiful scenery, Grass Valley is a nice, peaceful place to retire. The landscape features turquoise waters, beautiful sculpture-like rocks, and rolling hills. Empire Mine State Historic Park, the site of California's oldest gold mine, is crisscrossed with beautiful trails to hike or bike. Residents also enjoy the well-maintained Condon Park, offering a dog park and a disc golf course. In April 2025, the median listing home price in Grass Valley was $625,000, about $140,000 lower than the equivalent for the state. On healthcare, the Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital is right in town and a 2025 recipient of the America's 50 Best Outpatient Prostate Care Award.

Eureka

One of the best aspects of retiring in Eureka is its affordability. Some might even say that a median home listing price of $489,500 is so un-California. The redwood forests that ring the town breathe tranquility, while the world's largest ocean presents a delightful range of recreational opportunities. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center has excellent dune trails to explore, and Sequoia Park, which has a skywalk that takes one to the redwood trees, is nothing other than breathtaking. Fort Humboldt State Historic Park, which once housed Ulysses S. Grant, is today a fun place to take in lovely bay views. For any midnight emergency, Providence St. Joseph Hospital is at your doorstep. It bagged the Patient Safety Excellence Award for 2025.

Auburn

With a median listing price of $687,500 (in April 2025) and a population of less than 15,000, an Auburn empty nester enjoys two crucial things: relative affordability and small-town charm. And nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Auburn also offers ample outdoor recreation opportunities. The best part? Sacramento, California’s capital city, is only 30 minutes away via Interstate 80. It means you are heartbeat away from desirable big-city amenities and cultural attractions. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a beautiful space for a family outing, while the Black Hole of Calcutta Falls Trailhead offers delicious views of the North Fork American River. Moreover, you will certainly enjoy zipping along the scenic Auburn Bike Park any day of the week. If your ankles or knees are starting to be a bother, the Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital is in town and is a two-time recipient of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award.

Seal Beach

From its climate to its convenient location, finding any fault with Seal Beach, a small, breezy town of about 25,000 residents is hard. Seal Beach is in Southern California’s Orange County, known for its delightful blend of nice weather and pretty beaches. Also, it is just 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles, which means one can access any big-city amenity on a whim. There is the Seal Beach Municipal Pier, which offers great waves for surfing, Marina Community Park, with its pickleball courts, and Eisenhower Park, which provides spectacular ocean views. Then again, the San Gabriel River flows through the town and layers it with a tint of rustic charm and allure. For any prostate issues or other vexing medical conditions, MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is just down the road and ranked among America's 100 Best Practices for Prostate Surgery.

Palm Springs

Welcome to prime Southern California living. Palm Springs is the premier desert resort destination, where the weather is warm and sunny almost throughout the year. Tinseltown magic still exists here in a community that Hollywood helped to transform into what it looks like today. It is in Palm Springs, for instance, where fame found a young Norma Jeane—soon to be Marilyn Monroe—and steadily thrust her into stardom. A larger-than-life statue called “Forever Marilyn” stands in town as a tribute to her legacy. You will find shops, restaurants, mid-century architecture, and a touch of luxury in a location where golf and tennis rule year-round. The best part? You are minutes from San Diego. You have the Escena Golf Club, which offers spectacular mountain views; Araby Trailhead (among several others), and Cardenas Markets, the go-to place for fresh tortillas, salsas, chips, and agua fresca. Also, the Desert Regional Medical Center, recognized for the Joint Replacement Excellence Award, is right at your doorstep. The median listing home price in Palm Springs was $784,900 in April 2025, slightly under the state average.

Ferndale

Ferndale is in Northern California and is loved for its well-preserved Victorian architecture. Life is slow, while relationships are genuine in this small, laid-back town with fewer than 2,000 residents. Although it does not happen every other day, it is not uncommon to see deer roaming Main Street. According to realtor.com, the median listing home price in Ferndale, CA was $649,500 in April 2025, more than $100,000 lower than the equivalent for the state. The well-maintained Russ Park is a peaceful location for early-morning walks, while Firemen's Park has picnic tables, a playground for kids, and public restrooms. You can get your feet wet and enjoy soothing waterfront views at the nearby Centerville Beach County Park. On healthcare access, Providence Redwood Memorial Hospital is in neighboring Fortuna, while the award-winning Providence St. Joseph Hospital is thirty minutes away in Eureka.

Sonora

Sonora is a historic Gold Rush town that boasts great scenery and community orientation. Retirees here have access to the highly rated Adventist Health Sonora, a fantastic public library with friendly workers, and dozens of inviting restaurants for a filling mid-week brunch. However, if there is one thing that gives Sonora some bragging rights, it is the range of outdoor adventure opportunities it offers. Yosemite National Park, known for its world-class rock climbing opportunities, is in the town's backyard. Aside from the internationally renowned landmark, retirees have ready access to several other outdoor pleasure spots. Dragoon Gulch Trailhead features 35 acres of picturesque oak woodland, while Teleli Golf Club is a fantastic environment for a meal and an afternoon game. The median listing home price in Sonora was $469,000 in April 2025, a price point that is closer to Alabama than to the Golden State statewide median.

Imperial

Imperial is far down in Southern California, close to the Mexican border. The town will easily feel like home, mainly because it is family-friendly and close-knit. In April 2025, the median listing home price in Imperial was $430,000, a price point that comes with a regular farmers market, a fantastic community college (Imperial Valley College is the first community college in the state to win the Aspen Prize since 2013), and and a public-use airport that can be used by intrepid aviators. Moreover, a retiree will always enjoy catching mood-lifting shows at the iconic Movies Imperial, or savoring quiet moments with sand dunes at the tranquil Hugh T. Osborne Lookout Park. For any medical emergency, you have the El Centro Regional Medical Center at a moment’s notice. It is a 161-bed state-of-the-art facility that has been serving the community since the 1950s.

Kingsburg

One of the most exciting aspects about retiring in Kingsburg is that Fresno is just 21 miles down the road. Fresno is the seat of the county and the largest city in the greater Central Valley region. It is safe, quiet, and filled with warm, sunny-faced residents. Kingsburg is also known for its Swedish heritage and has previously been nicknamed “Little Sweden.” Outdoor pleasure spots in the area include the trout-filled Kings River; the nearby Ridge Creek Dinuba Golf Club, which serves delicious food and views; and the spellbinding Sequoia National Park, just an hour or so to the east. In April 2025, the median listing home price in Kingsburg was $625,000, way lower than the state median. If worried about healthcare access, Adventist Health Selma is a three-time recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award.

Lompoc

Lompoc is a midsize town of about 45,000 residents, a population big enough to present an empty nester with ample opportunities to connect and engage, especially as Lompoc hosts a campus of Allan Hancock College. There are many parks in town to rest or people-watch, including Beattie Park, which is thoughtfully divided into child and adult sections. La Purísima Mission State Historic Park, considered the most completely restored mission in California, is a nostalgic space to turn back the wheels of time. But if you are looking for a regular place to rest or reset, the nearby Miguelito Park fits like a glove. It is peaceful here and spacious enough for meditative walks. In April 2025, the median listing home price in Lompoc was $653,700. Worried about access to healthcare? No need. You have the Lompoc Valley Medical Center and the nearby Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. The latter has bagged several awards, including the America's 250 Best Hospitals Award for 2023.

Woodlake

If you don't want to splurge on a retirement home, consider spending your golden years in Woodlake. Besides its endearing name, Woodlake boasts a median listing price of just $379,800. You can get some nice property at a good price and spend the rest of the cash exploring the many little nooks in the state. The expansive Sequoia National Forest and the Kings Canyon National Park are in your backyard. You also have Bravo Lake and Lake Kaweah, a glimmering beauty with a majestic mountain backdrop. Don’t even mention healthcare access. Kaweah Health Medical Center has been recognized for the America's 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery, the America's 250 Best Hospitals Award, among several others.

Susanville

Susanville is a neat, orderly town that is small enough to give a retiree the distinctive hometown comfort and large enough to cater to the basic needs of a mid-sized community. If you have not heard much about Susanville, it is partly because it is hidden in the Shasta Cascades region of northeastern California. Reno, the largest city in Northern Nevada, is slightly over an hour down the road, which means you can access big-city amenities on a whim. Places to sniff some fresh, playful air include Plumas National Forest, loved for its sparkling lakes and streams; Honey Lake, an angler’s paradise; and Eagle Lake, the second-largest natural freshwater lake wholly in the Golden State. If you believe truth is stranger than fiction, you should have no qualms wrapping your head around the fact that the median listing home price in Susanville was just $269,500 in April 2025. The icing? Banner Lassen Medical Center is right on Spring Ridge Drive.

The Takeaway

Thinking of a retirement location where stunning scenery is a huge aspect? No other state can beat California. Sure, the Golden State has issues. People complain about terrible traffic in some areas and expensive property prices. However, what no one complains about are the sugar-white sands, the ice-capped mountains, and the sun-dappled ridges. People also don’t complain about the sunny climate, which means no more dealing with brutal winters. The trick is to pick an affordable town with ready access to a hospital so you don’t have to drive for three hours to see a doctor.