8 Best Towns In Southern California To Retire Comfortably

If all states were ranked according to natural beauty, California would be lonely at the top. From its spectacular coastline to its wild and rugged scenery to its palm trees and beautiful wildflowers, the Golden State has so much to see. Add its warm, pleasurable weather, and you appreciate why retiring in California is like winning the jackpot. Yet, aside from its widely acclaimed outdoor beauty, California does not tax Social Security benefits. And while housing is expensive, it all boils down to demand. Although the northern part has its advantages, you don’t want to miss the climate, the culture, and the outdoor opportunities in Southern California. But to which spots? Starting with Seal Beach, discover the 8 best towns in Southern California to retire comfortably.

Seal Beach

Seal Beach is a nice coastal town within the greater LA area with a clean beach, several inviting restaurants, and awesome proximity to downtown Los Angeles. People are friendly and down-to-earth, and several events bring residents together. Locals call it Mayberry by the Sea, just to figure out the kind of landscape to expect. You can occasionally kill time at Eisenhower Park, a gorgeous space to sit, nap, or take a beautiful stroll on the beach to enjoy the breeze. Right next is the Seal Beach Pier Playground, a cool place to see waves or catch a magical sunset.

There are several places to practice your swings, such as the Old Ranch Country Club, and a decent number of well-stacked libraries, where one can occasionally hide with a gripping read. In September 2025, the median listing home price in Seal Beach was $529,000, way lower than the statewide median of $748,500. To crown it all, the MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center is in the area, meaning you don't have to make a back-breaking trip to see a physician.

Lompoc

With some of the nicest weather, a streak of affluence, and lovely flowers in the farmlands, Lompoc is a place to love. There are shops and stores to meet your needs, and for even more options, Solvang is just about 20 minutes down the road, while Santa Barbara is less than an hour's drive. According to data from realtor.com, the median listing home price in Lompoc was $649,000, way lower than the statewide median. In the same vein, you are at the doorstep of the Lompoc Valley Medical Centre, and near the award-winning Marian Regional Medical Center.

Beattie Park has several amenities, including a disc golf course, and it offers the chance to enjoy an evening walk on its beautiful trails. La Purísima Mission State Historic Park also has beautiful walking grounds, and once a week, you can spend time at River Park, a tucked-away gem with a little pond and ducks that you can feed.

Cathedral City

People love Cathedral City because, while it is small, its population of about 50,000 residents will make you feel that you are in a vibrant city. You have easy access to the highly rated Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, which offers a stellar outdoor experience, especially with its crisp air, amazing views, and picturesque hiking trails. Right in town, there's Town Square Park, a lovely oasis and a cool place to rest or people-watch, while Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, which boasts state-of-the-art game machines, provides some of the best gaming experiences in the area.

Keep in mind that the median listing home price in Cathedral City was $546,900 in August 2025, way lower than the statewide median. If your knees are starting to act funny, Desert Regional Medical Center in nearby Palm Springs has been recognized for the Joint Replacement Excellence Award.

Banning

A small but vibrant town with about 30,000 residents, Banning is famous for the picturesque views between the San Gorgonio and San Jacinto mountains. It has two creeks: Montgomery Creek and Potrero Creek, a decent number of nice parks, and a slightly over an hour's proximity to Los Angeles. Fox Cineplex is D'Place is a wonderful small-town gem with good sound, clean floors and seats, and large screens for watching first-run movies, while Richard Sanchez Park is a nice place to take your puppy to play and enjoy some sunshine. Of course, the highly adorable San Bernardino National Forest is right in your backyard. If you are worried about healthcare — as any retiree should —San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is right in town and has been providing medical services to area residents since 1951. The median listing home price in Banning was $414,900 in September 2025, which is less than the state median.

Calimesa

Calimesa is a small but budget-friendly location conveniently positioned just an hour east of Los Angeles. This means a retiree here is within smelling distance of an epic cultural scene. In September 2025, the median listing home price in Calimesa was $609,000, way lower than the statewide median of $748,500. The best part is that you are close to San Bernardino National Forest, a spectacular outdoor space with heart-gripping scenery, awesome hiking trails, and an oasis-like atmosphere. Any day of the week, you can go to Fisherman's Retreat and reel in a yummy catch or enjoy a mid-morning walk at Fourth Street Community Park after a delicious brunch at one of the Mexican restaurants. On healthcare access, there's San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital, just 8 miles down the road in Banning.

Laguna Woods

With its strong sense of community, low crime rate, and senior-focused amenities, Laguna Woods has always been a solid retirement option. To prove that this laid-back spot is a hot cake, residents here have a median age of 75. This means almost every grinning face you meet is that of a fellow empty nester. MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, one of America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2025 according to Healthgrades, is right in town. The cherry on top is that downtown Los Angeles is just over 40 minutes down the road. There's the chance to enjoy the phenomenal Crystal Cove State Park, which has coves and hiking trails, swing a driver at Laguna Woods Golf Club, amid tasty views of Saddleback Mountain — or explore James Dilley Greenbelt Preserve — a beautiful space with a lovely lake.

Big Bear Lake

If you know something about America, it's that a lakefront location can set you back millions. That's why you can't pass up the chance to retire in Big Bear Lake, a gorgeous location with a median list price of just $619,999. It will be like winning a lottery. According to USA Today's most recent Readers' Choice Awards, Big Bear Lake is America's "Best Lake." You will enjoy its authenticity, its charming neighborhoods, its beautiful mountain backdrop, and the fresh, playful air of the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest.

Rotary Pine Knot Park is a cozy space with lake access and manicured lawns, while Bear Mountain Ski Resort, which features 58 trails and 18 lifts, is also in your backyard. You can occasionally visit the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain and have fun — then drop by one of the many restaurants for a spontaneous brunch. Of course, there's the lake, and the Bear Valley Community Hospital, which, for nearly 40 years, has provided easy-access emergency medical and acute care.

Brawley

Brawley is a small but fairly vibrant town with shops, basic amenities, and community events, including Cattle Call Rodeo and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. You are just two hours from San Diego, a huge place with boatloads of attractions. Also, brace yourself for a culinary scene that features deliciously authentic Mexican Cuisine. In September 2025, the median listing home price in Brawley was $442,900, almost half of the state median (58%). You have doorstep access to Pioneers Memorial Hospital, a highly recognized 107-bed acute care facility committed to providing state-of-the-art healthcare to area residents. Keep in mind that Cattle Call Rodeo is now recognized as one of the country's best PRCA-sanctioned rodeos. There's also the Salton Sea, a crown jewel of avian biodiversity, the Del Rio Country Club, for an occasional round of golf, and the nearby Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, one of the prime outdoor tourist locations in the Southwest.

So, if you are looking for a place to spend your golden years, there is a reason California is called The Golden State. It is no hyperbole that California is a top contender for the most beautiful state in the nation. Its gasp-inducing coastline and palm-lined beaches are the stuff you read in a poem. If you have to choose a spot to retire, Southern California boasts some incredibly attractive features, including warm, pleasant weather. Yet, that’s not even half the story.