The Best Cities to Retire on the Pacific Coast
The Pacific Coast spans a wide stretch of terrain and daily life, from Southern California beach cities like Carlsbad to inland Oregon hubs such as Bend and college towns like Eugene, to coastal Washington communities such as Bellingham near the Canadian border. These cities combine coastal or near-coastal settings with established urban centers. Some offer year-round beach access and village-style downtowns. Others sit just inland, close enough to the coast for day trips while providing hiking, skiing, or riverfront trails as part of everyday life. What connects them is scale. These cities support daily life through defined neighborhoods and routines built around markets, trails, and short drives.
Carlsbad, California
If you love golf and want year-round beach access, Carlsbad offers both within a compact coastal setting. As home to many businesses in the golf industry, world-class resort courses, high-end public courses, and training facilities, and as a host of professional tournaments, Carlsbad is a draw for anyone who dreams of hitting the links throughout their retirement years. Located between San Diego and Los Angeles, the town has miles of accessible beaches and a laid-back coastal layout.
The downtown core, Carlsbad Village, is a big part of life in the city. Local businesses, boutiques, restaurants, and galleries line the streets of the Village. All this is located pretty much right next to the beach. The State Street Farmer's Market is held weekly and is a source for local goods and artisan foods. 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.
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham has a mix of city amenities and a small-town coastal atmosphere. Just south of the Canadian border and located between British Columbia and Seattle, Bellingham sits on Bellingham Bay, part of the Salish Sea in northwest Washington. The coastal views are spectacular, and there are plenty of natural areas suited for hiking. Its proximity to the mountains, forests, and the coastline makes for excellent outdoor life. The state of Washington has no state income tax, which is an added financial consideration. As a smaller city, Bellingham’s downtown and waterfront neighborhoods are easily connected, with daily activity centered on walkable districts.
For a scenic coastal drive, Chuckanut Drive Scenic Byway winds along the cliffs overlooking Samish Bay. You can stop to walk along some hiking trails, and there are plenty of opportunities for fresh oysters, including The Oyster Bar on Chuckanut Drive. Downtown Bellingham is a walkable commercial district overlooking Bellingham Bay. The area is well known for eclectic shopping, vintage stores, antiques, and a lively art scene. In the downtown, you will find the Arts District, where, in addition to independent galleries, you will also find the Whatcom Museum and the historic Mount Baker Theatre. Downtown Bellingham is connected to Fairhaven Village, a turn-of-the-century neighborhood home to locally owned boutiques, dining options, and galleries. The Fairhaven Village Green hosts live music and annual festivals. The Village is surrounded by the bay and has wooded trails along the shore for hiking, cycling, or kayaking.
Oceanside, California
This city, located between SanDiego and Los Angeles, is an ideal place to retire for those seeking year-round sunshine, beaches, and a laid-back lifestyle. Oceanside has a significant senior population, with 17% of residents aged 65 and older. For active retirees, Oceanside offers a thriving beach culture, fishing, and boating, in a city with a vibrant urban life and a relaxed California vibe. Downtown Oceanside is located on the water, where surf culture has a long history. The downtown is centered on Mission Avenue and Coast Highway and is home to the historic Oceanside Pier, one of the longest wooden piers on the West Coast. With a 1,954-foot span, the pier offers fishing, scenic walks, and rentals.
Three local sites reflect California's unique culture. The California Surf Museum focuses on the history of surfing, while the Oceanside Museum of Art exhibits regional art. Dining options include Valle, a Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant, and Local Tap House & Kitchen, popular for craft beers and outdoor seating. The Oceanside Sunset Market is a weekly market and festival featuring international food vendors and live music, while the Morning Farmer's Market is a weekly stop for local produce and artisanal goods. Oceanside is also known for whale & dolphin watching, with year-round boat tours from the Oceanside Harbor. The 9.5-mile San Luis Rey River Trail is a great way for active retirees to take in the coast, on foot or on bikes.
Olympia, Washington
At the southernmost port in Puget Sound, Olympia is home to the Port of Olympia, a deepwater port. With natural scenic beauty and a strong Pacific Northwest sense of community, Olympia offers a far lower cost of living than other large Washington cities, with prices 20-30% lower than nearby Seattle. As a place to retire, Olympia, the capital of Washington, is nevertheless a quiet coastal city with plenty of outdoor activities for the active retiree. The city is known for its mild weather and lush natural surroundings, with hiking trails and ample water activities.
The Olympia Downtown Historic District is the cultural core of the city, with waterfront views, historic architecture, and a vibrant arts scene. The district comprises 17 blocks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Creative District is a 30-block area of the downtown with over 150 creative spaces, including galleries and theaters. The downtown district is a center for coffee culture, craft breweries, and an eclectic mix of dining options, including waterfront restaurants, seafood, and fresh local ingredients. Percival Landing Park is a 0.9-mile boardwalk situated on the shoreline, with boat moorings, as well as public art and scenic views. Heritage Park on Capitol Lake is a 1.7-mile loop offering views of the state capital and excellent birdwatching opportunities. The Walk the Nisqually Estuary Boardwalk Trail is a mile-long path covering wetlands where the Nisqually River flows into Puget Sound. It is renowned as one of the best places to watch migratory birds and marine life.
Ventura, California
If you are looking for a laid-back coastal lifestyle with year-round temperate weather, Ventura is an excellent choice for retirement. The city offers a Mediterranean climate and a strong sense of community. Situated between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, Ventura is a quieter city with plenty of outdoor opportunities for the active retiree, including hiking in Harmon Canyon and water activities such as surfing and kayaking. The historic downtown core of Ventura is walkable and compact, with over 110 shops and 65 restaurants centered around the 1782 Mission Basilica San Buenaventura, a historic church and museum. Since 2020, Main Street has been a pedestrian-only thoroughfare with many shopping and restaurant options.
The Museum of Ventura County, located across from the Mission, collects and exhibits regional history and art. The Majestic Ventura Theater, built in the 1920s, features live music year-round. The Ventura Botanical Gardens offers ocean views from hiking trails and is located just behind City Hall. The Ventura Pier & Promenade is two blocks from Main Street, connecting downtown with the beach. Built in 1872, it is California’s oldest wooden pier. It features interpretive display panels, a snack bar, a seafood restaurant with a gift shop, and scenic views of the Channel Islands and coastline. The Ventura Harbor Village is the district around the harbor, with over 35 waterfront boutiques and shops, plus galleries, and dockside restaurants. The marina has almost 1,359 slips, is perfect for whale watching, and is a departure point for Channel Islands National Park.
Choosing a Pacific Coast City for Retirement
These Pacific Coast cities offer retirement at a manageable scale, with defined downtowns, regular access to nature, and daily routines that stay close to home. Whether you are looking for a maritime atmosphere or an active retirement, many of these cities offer the lifestyle you are seeking. For many seniors, an urban lifestyle is vital, and all of these cities offer the services you need for your retirement years, while maintaining a friendly, small-town feel.
