8 Best Cities To Retire In California
One of America’s most popular states is an irresistibly dreamy place to retire. Picture a mild, sun-kissed climate, a curvaceous coastline offering world-class surfing and swimming, and an open, welcoming culture that makes it easy to settle in and feel at home. Add proximity to world-class services and amenities in top cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the appeal becomes even clearer. Hot spots like Santa Rosa, in the heart of Sonoma's wine country, and seaside retreats like Ventura and Oceanside stand apart for their charisma, energy, and cultural vibrancy. Not sure where to begin? Read on to discover the eight best cities in California for retirement.
Ventura
Ventura is a lively city between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, and is in an area known for some of the state's best surfing waters. Rincon Beach, just over 10 minutes from town, is one of America's prime surfing destinations and is known as "Queen of the Coast.” Tom Morey, the musician, surfer, and inventor of the boogie board, once called Rincon Beach the best surf in the United States. Ventura Pier, a cool place for a stunning sunset or a leisurely walk, is the oldest pier in the entire state and serves as a primary launch point to Channel Islands National Park, one of the least visited and most pristine national parks in the country, with awesome sea caves and excellent hiking and camping opportunities.
Ventura Townehouse, a pleasant retirement community set on beautiful grounds, is one of several facilities in the area that offer caregiving with skill and empathy. In terms of healthcare, the award-winning Community Memorial Hospital - Ventura is renowned for its excellent service and quality patient care. The Rubicon Theatre Company, among others, presents a variety of theater and dance performances. Additionally, the area features spas, wineries, beach festivals, gardens, museums, and outstanding restaurants.
Carlsbad
Carlsbad is known as "The Village by the Sea," thanks to its 7-mile beachfront, a sandy stretch bordered by picturesque sandy dunes and ocean cliffs, and complemented by the city's walkable, small-town feel. The seasonal Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, a sea of colour that spans more than 50 acres, features the world’s largest ranunculus flower field. Picture 80 million vibrant blooms that stretch as far as the eye can see. It's a pleasure to stroll the scenic walking paths and enjoy a variety of fun activities for the whole family.
Additionally, Carlsbad is home to the first LEGOLAND park outside of Europe, featuring over 60 rides, a water park, and an aquarium. It is a wonderful feature of Carlsbad, especially for retirees with grandchildren who come to visit. For those who relish the feel of soft sand between their toes, Carlsbad State Beach and South Carlsbad State Beach are close at hand for walks, sunbathing, or a dip in the surf.
Santa Rosa
Just about an hour north of San Francisco and approximately 20 minutes from the Pacific Ocean, Santa Rosa is a dream destination for a peaceful retirement. Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, where the celebrated American horticulturist spent decades experimenting with plants, offers a quiet, beautiful retreat in a world-class botanical garden. The annual Snoopy’s Senior World Hockey Tournament, started by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz in 1975, is an internationally renowned event that draws senior hockey players from around the world. It is a week-long celebration of sportsmanship, camaraderie, and competitive hockey with age brackets ranging from 40 to 75+.
As the largest city in Sonoma County, there is no shortage of opportunities to take advantage of being in the heart of wine country. With nearly 500 wineries to choose from across the county, sipping your way through Santa Rosa and beyond might just become your next full-time job. A retiree here also has access to 5,000-acre Trione-Annadel State Park, which has beautiful wildflowers in season and spots for fishing, as well as numerous trails where you can walk, hike, bike, or even go horseback riding to your heart's content.
Oceanside
It might be enough to simply note that Oceanside is a pretty beach town on the Pacific Ocean with endless opportunities for leisure and recreation, but El Corazon Park boosts Oceanside's retirement appeal even more with its array of facilities. These include the SoCal Sports Complex, the El Corazon Senior Center, the William A. Wagner Aquatic Center, new residential developments, and the recently opened 7,500-seat Frontwave Arena. El Corazon Park’s senior centre offers line dancing, table tennis, workshops and seminars, hiking trails, and an on-site fitness centre.
Beyond the park, the Lake Calavera Trails are a popular hiking destination, featuring a dormant, ancient volcano named Mount Calavera, while Arrowood Golf Course is a hilltop beauty with pristine greens and a large clubhouse. And for big-city amenities, such as an international airport and top-tier healthcare facilities, San Diego is only about 40 minutes away.
Elk Grove
Elk Grove is less than half an hour from Sacramento and boasts over 90 parks, encompassing more than 700 acres of lush landscaping and recreational amenities. From a wide range of dining and entertainment options to world-class facilities such as UC Davis Medical Center a stone's throw away, there is a lot to admire about this vibrant California city.
Beginners and experienced players alike will enjoy the well-maintained Golf Emerald Lakes, a public 9‑hole course with affordable rates, and Laguna Creek Parkway is a nearby trail that offers bird-watching and biking opportunities. Even more impressive, the 3,000-acre Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge boasts miles of boardwalk trails and offers guided walks where docents educate participants about the local flora and fauna. For a bit of culture, there's nothing like Elk Grove's Strauss Festival, an epic event that typically features classical music and dance. It is held each year during the last full weekend in July, and is run completely by volunteers.
Torrance
Tucked between Los Angeles and the Pacific, Torrance deserves your attention. Retirees here enjoy easy access to LA's services and amenities without living in the middle of the concrete jungle itself. There are several annual festivals to look forward to, including Bunka‑Sai, a long‑running celebration of Japanese culture held each spring. It’s one of the largest cultural festivals in Southern California, celebrating Torrance’s close sister-city ties with Kashiwa, Japan, through traditional dance, martial arts demonstrations, and food.
There's also the 502-seat James R. Armstrong Theatre, which hosts a variety of live performances and other community events in a spacious yet intimate auditorium. The Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center protects 43 acres of green space in the midst of Torrance's urban landscape and also serves as a popular spot for bird watching.
Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks is framed by the Santa Monica Mountains, which offer access to surprisingly wild places with tons of recreational opportunities. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the world's largest urban national park, is a spellbinding outdoor playground with oak and sycamore forests, wildflowers, coastal sage, and dozens of native plant and animal species. Thousand Oaks is also home to Conejo Creek North Park, an ideal albeit brief escape into nature where Conejo Valley Days is held each year. The annual carnival lights up the town with rides, live entertainment, food, motocross, and more.
For even more cultural and social engagement, the Bank of America Performing Arts Center is a remarkable venue that often presents touring Broadway musicals, choral ensembles, and internationally acclaimed artists, while the Center for Lifelong Learning at California Lutheran University offers interactive courses and extracurricular activities for community members over the age of 50.
Vallejo
Vallejo is a lively city that sits just about 30 miles north of San Francisco and provides waterfront living at about half the cost of living in the Bay Area. Fans of the theater will always look forward to Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park, which produces one live Shakespearean production each summer and presents it at various outdoor venues in and around town.
The 2nd Friday Art Walk magically transforms downtown into an open gallery each month with local art and live music, and the Empress Theatre is a cozy old-school facility built before World War I that now presents films, stage plays, concerts, and other cultural offerings. To get out and enjoy Vallejo's natural surroundings, the Mare Island San Pablo Bay Hiking Trail is an idyllic place for scenic waterfront walks and lovely views of the bay.
For all these reasons and so much more, California is a fabulous place to retire. The Golden State is unbelievably beautiful and full of vibrant cities that are culturally rich, naturally diverse, and easily accommodating for retirees. Looking for a place to start your next chapter? These eight cities just might tick all your boxes, and some you didn't even know you had!
