The Best Cities To Retire In Southern California

For the active retiree seeking a year-round sunny climate, Southern California is hard to top. Come along and explore a coastline where staying active feels effortless, think ocean breezes, easy hikes, and plenty of reasons to get outside every single day. In Torrance, you can balance suburban comfort with coastal living, then spend a morning at the 45-acre Madrona Marsh Preserve, a rare urban wetland that supports hundreds of plant and animal species and draws migratory birds. Down the coast in Oceanside, that classic surf-town energy comes with built-in ways to keep moving, from scenic walks along the nearly 2,000-foot Oceanside Pier to waterfront exploring around the harbor. Between these two spots, you get the best of SoCal’s “permanent vacation” vibe—sun, salt air, and year-round opportunities to stay busy, curious, and outdoors.

Torrance

Part of Los Angeles County, Torrance offers the retiree a coastal location, with a suburban feel, and all the city amenities you require. Torrance is considered a safe community for seniors and provides access to world-class healthcare. For active retirees, the proximity to the ocean, mild climate, and many natural areas provide a high quality of life. One of the key natural areas in Torrance is the Madrona Marsh Preserve. This is one of the last remaining vernal freshwater wetlands in Southern California. This 45-acre preserve is a critical urban oasis for over 750 species of plants and animals, and is particularly important for migratory birds.

Torrance is a major center of the Southern California aerospace corridor with global companies and specialized manufacturers located in the area. The Western Museum of Flight is dedicated to the local aerospace history, with a collection of rare aircraft, and is best known for housing unique prototypes and historic military jets. Old Torrance is the historic downtown of the city. Founded in 1912, it is a planned community designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. In Old Torrance, you will find the Antique Street Faire, held on the fourth Sunday of every month and featuring over 200 vendors with antiques, furniture, and collectibles. The Torrance Farmers’ Market is a certified farmers' market with fresh local produce and goods. The city also has a thriving craft beer scene, with breweries such as Smog City Brewing Co., a microbrewery with lots of indoor and outdoor seating and a taproom, and Hermosa Brewing Company Torrance, with a taproom and pinball machines.

Oceanside

Oceanside is a city located between San Diego and Los Angeles. As its name suggests, Oceanside is on the Pacific Ocean, and surf culture has a long history here. The Oceanside Pier is one of the largest wooden piers on the West Coast, and its nearly 2,000-foot span offers opportunities for fishing, scenic walks, and rentals. For the active retiree, Oceanside provides the amenities you need, and with 20% of its population being 65 and older, the city is definitely senior-friendly. Downtown Oceanside is centered on Mission Avenue and Highway 101, and is located adjacent to the water.

To get a sense of the region’s surf history, the California Surf Museum features exhibitions related to that culture, while the Oceanside Museum of Art focuses on regional California art. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is a historic site dedicated to California's Spanish mission era and features a museum, rose garden, and ruins. Oceanside Harbor Village is a maritime village in Oceanside, with shopping and dining options, plus the opportunity to rent everything you need to hit the water in pontoon boats, jet skis, or kayaks. The Heritage Park Village and Museum preserves original buildings from the early 1900s, giving you a taste of Oceanside’s past. The Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center provides access to hiking trails through the local wetlands, with exhibits on local wildlife. This region is also perfect for dolphin and whalewatching, with several companies chartering boats and leading tours.

Huntington Beach

For active retirees seeking coastal living, Huntington Beach is a great destination for an outdoor lifestyle. The city has 8.5 miles of beaches and year-round mild weather, and a strong sense of community. Huntington Beach is known as Surf City for its history with surfing, but without the crowded party atmosphere you may find elsewhere. In addition to water-based activities, the city offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, and golf, with a celebrated culinary scene. Bolsa Chica State Beach is entirely surrounded by Huntington Beach and its beachfront community, Sunset Beach. The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a 1,300-acre coastal wetland preserve with excellent birdwatching and kayaking to explore the natural habitat.

Huntington Dog Beach is a 1.5-mile stretch of coastline where dogs are allowed to run off-leash, surf, swim, and go wild in the sand. Old World Village features German restaurants, a tavern, and specialty shops, while Surf City Nights is a weekly night street fair and farmers’ market on Main Street featuring live music and local artisans. You can also tour the city or participate in themed scavenger hunts.

Carlsbad

For the retiree who wants to spend their golden years golfing, you can’t go wrong with Carlsbad. Located between San Diego and Los Angeles, Carlsbad is home to many golf industry businesses, world-class resort courses, high-end public courses, training facilities, and the city hosts many professional tours. The downtown core, Carlsbad Village, is a big part of the culture of the city, with a thriving brew culture and several breweries located in the Village. Carlsbad Food Tours is a guided walking tour of Carlsbad Village, taking in the history of the area, while visiting local eateries for special tastings. The Carlsbad Village Farmers' Market is held weekly and is a source for local goods and artisan foods.

For history and culture, the GIA Museum is run by the Gemological Institute of America, with displays of gems, minerals, and jewelry. The New Village Arts Theatre features live performances in Carlsbad Village. The Agua Hedionda Lagoon is a great place for hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, waterskiing, and jet skiing. The lagoon is designated as a critical habitat for the tidewater goby. The Batiquitos Lagoon provides hiking trails through this coastal wetland and is ideal for birdwatching, while the Hosp Grove Trails are hiking and cycling trails through eucalyptus groves located on the coast.

Newport Beach

This Orange County city is considered an upscale retirement option, with a more luxurious coastal lifestyle on its pristine beaches. The amenities are excellent, and the community is considered one of the safest in the area. Like much of Southern California, Newport Beach has year-round temperate weather, gorgeous coastal views, and beautiful and well-maintained beaches. For golfing enthusiasts, there are plenty of opportunities to while away your year-round sunny days, including the celebrated Pelican Hill Golf Club. Newport Beach provides access to Balboa Island, reachable by the historic car-and-passenger Balboa Island Ferry.

On the island, you can ride the historic Balboa Fun Zone Ferris Wheel. The island is also known for whalewatching, plus a number of water activities. Sherman Library & Gardens is 2.2 acres of botanical gardens plus a research library focused on the Pacific Southwest. The Environmental Nature Center is 3.5 acres of native Californian habitats, and Balboa Island also features a seasonal butterfly house. Back on the mainland, The Wedge is located at the tip of the Balboa Peninsula, and is famous for its massive, unpredictable waves that can reach heights of 30 feet. Little Corona Beach is a rocky beach popular for snorkeling and exploring tide pools in Corona del Mar.

The Sun And Sand Of Southern California

If you are an active retiree seeking coastal living in a larger community, Southern California is a great choice. With year-round sun, world-class golf, epic water activities, and cities full of history and culture, this storied part of California is ideal for the senior looking to keep busy, take on new activities, and develop new skills. With its laid-back coastal lifestyle, Southern California also offers retirees a chance to get away from it all and chill on the beach.