11 Best Places To Retire In California

California’s landscapes are as varied as the people who call it home. Its retirement-friendly towns reflect that diversity. Throughout the state, smaller communities offer a more serene pace of life, plenty of access to nature, and engaging community events, all wrapped up with unique artistic spaces. While the towns on this list boast so much to do and a lot of allure for adventure seekers and peace seekers alike, the median home value remains near or below the state average. While being calm, the places in this article show that peace is not synonymous with boring. Keep reading to find affordable, leisurely, and mellow places to settle in The Golden State.

Eureka

Eureka offers easy ways for seniors to stay active, from gentle bayfront trails to accessible canopy walks through towering redwoods. Walk the Eureka Waterfront Trail along the bay for scenic exercise. The 6.5-mile path’s flat surface is gentle on the knees and meanders around a salt marsh and Humboldt Bay. Sequoia Park is another green space to explore that cuts through the breathtaking redwood forest, where ancient giant trees cast shadows over paths that are scattered with colorful dahlias. Get a unique view of the serene forest at The Redwood Sky Walk. The highly accessible skywalk connects explorers with nature in the most intimate way and is composed of 1/4th quarter-mile worth of wooden bridges that stretch across powerful branches. Adjacent to the park is Sequoia Park Zoo. Here, a walk includes meeting bears, pigs, otters, and eagles. To have festive fun with the community, volunteer to decorate the zoo with Christmas lights and decorations.

Yucca Valley

Starry skies over high desert grounds that host a big creative community with home prices that are dramatically lower than coastal Southern California make Yucca Valley a very alluring choice for retirees. The Hi-Desert Nature Museum highlights so much of what makes the town special with natural history exhibits, Native artifacts, and a mini-zoo. The museum also holds engaging workshops for all ages at low prices, giving everyone the opportunity to learn from the natural environment.

Being in the Mojave Desert fuels local artists with inspiration from the land itself. See their creations at Yucca Valley Material Lab, a studio and gallery space dedicated to “decentralized, inclusive, and affordable model for art education grounded in direct material exploration.” The collaborative space holds events, workshops, and a gallery with rotating exhibits. This dessert town also has a vivacious senior community. Yucca Valley Senior Center is known as a warm and welcoming place with lunch programs, games, classes, and social events that keep seniors engaged and active.

Fortuna

A soft yet stimulating day in Fortuna is spent at Rohner Park. Along with offering forested trails and tables for picnics, the park also hosts the Rodeo in the summer. At the rodeo, audience members get to enjoy the warmth as rugged rodeo stars ride broncs and bulls. For a gentler activity, find the Depot Museum within the park and explore a train station built in 1889. The station holds displays that share the town's past through digital archives, displays, and preserved authentic artifacts. Those who want the chance to appreciate community creativity can enjoy social evenings at Art and Wine in the Park. Music and conversation fill the air as wine from local vineyards fills cups, and booths full of arts and crafts cover the greens.

Ukiah

Many people have found enlightenment in this town, specifically at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the first large Buddhist monastic community in the USA. Within these golden gates, visitors will find Buddhist texts translated into English, Spanish, and other languages, making the sacred text more accessible. Day visits are free, with a restaurant on site that serves flavorful vegetarian food. Just a few minutes away, the Grace Hudson Museum and Sun House mix anthropology with art, complete with exhibits, talks, and programs.

19th-century baskets, oil paintings, and textiles that interpret California’s rich history line the walls, as well as an exciting rotation of guest exhibits. Ukiah also supports its older residents through the Ukiah Senior Center, which has a full calendar of activities, all specifically oriented toward older adults. Their calendar is full of movie nights, ice cream socials, craft fairs, and game nights.

Red Bluff

Red Bluff is one of the most affordable options, with a median home value that's less than half the state's median. Though it cuts costs, the town still has all the allure that draws so many retirees to the West Coast, such as green spaces for community gathering. Red Bluff River Park is one such space, which also has a pool that is perfect for water aerobics and gentle exercise.

Those who would rather stay on dry land, surrounded by shops and cafes, can stroll through the historic downtown and see a show at the State Theatre. The theater hosts a wide variety of performances, from comedy tours to movies and concerts. Step through the screen into a classic film at the Kelly-Griggs House Museum, housed within a Victorian home built in 1880. The time capsule shares the art, architecture, and artifacts unique to Northern California. The venue also features talks, tea times, musical performances, and vintage clothing pop-ups.

Grass Valley

Grass Valley has plenty of entertainment and inspiration to be found within its green parks and creative spaces. The Center for the Arts tends to draw multi-generational but very senior-friendly audiences. Along with performances and plays, the center holds open mic nights where community members can share their voices. After witnessing and sharing stories, discover the story of the town through one of the oldest and deepest gold mines in California.

Empire Mine State Historic Park has preserved mine buildings as well as 367 miles of abandoned mine shafts. The rest of the 856-acre park is composed of colorful gardens, fountains, and forested trails for easy hikes. Learn more about the state’s gold rush era at the Northstar Mining Museum. Here, visitors can learn about the mining process as well as the effects of the industry on its workers.

Auburn

Auburn’s classic Sierra foothills charm comes with a surprising perk: its average home value sits roughly $100,000 below California’s statewide average, offering affordability without sacrificing beauty or amenities. Historic Downtown Auburn shines during Cruise Nite, where vintage cars line the street every second Friday of every month from May to September. Nearby, the Old Town’s Farmers’ Market is open year-round, presenting certified farm-fresh fruit, nuts, vegetables, and other delicious goods, making an easy ritual for locals. For history lovers, the

Placer County Museum sits within Auburn’s still-operating courthouse. While court proceedings unfold upstairs, the first floor features engaging exhibits on regional history, including Native American artifacts and an impressive collection of Gold Rush-era treasures.

Placerville

Placerville blends Gold Country history with fresh, local flavor and plenty of simple joys. Visitors of all ages can tap into their inner explorer at Gold Bug Park & Mine, a real preserved mine from the Gold Rush era, where you can search for hidden gems, tour the historic tunnels, and watch live demonstrations at the blacksmith shop. The property also includes a working stamp mill, adding to the feeling of stepping back in time.

For community fun, make your way to the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, home to the county fair as well as seasonal craft shows, theater workshops, and local events that create easy opportunities to meet other residents. If you’re craving something fresh and delicious, Boa Vista Orchards offers year-round produce, fresh cider, and a panoramic countryside view. It’s a favorite spot for savoring the region’s bounty with crisp Asian pears, juicy berries, peaches, plums, and apples, all while soaking in the beauty of the surrounding orchards.

Paso Robles

While hovering a hair over California’s typical home value, Paso Robles properties are significantly cheaper than SoCal coastal cities while maintaining a vivacious culture and supportive healthcare. The culture thrives in this town because of places like the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum. Filled with Local artifacts from the 19th century, vintage vehicles, and farm equipment, the museum is an engaging and fascinating way to spend the evening.

So is seeing the field of lights at Sensorio, which is nationally-loved for the immersive way it mixes art and nature. Innovative light installations light up these rolling fields with stemmed spheres lit by fiber optics in various colors and patterns. Strengthening the sense of community even further, seniors in this town have easy access to aid and information at the Senior Center. The center has free medicare counseling, hot lunches to enjoy in the center or doorstep delivery, and more.

Lompoc

For an affordable Central Coast option with a strong arts tradition and access to beaches, Lompoc is a practically unbeatable option. Ocean Beach Park is only 13 minutes away, making it an easy day trip. There is plenty within town limits, however, such as La Purísima Mission State Historic Park. The restored mission complex has walking paths that make for very artful walks surrounded by lush trees and incredibly colorful painted structures. Beautiful paintings aren’t only part of the towns; artists continue to fill the streets with color.

Take a mural walk through downtown to see over 30 large murals that share the heritage of the city. After appreciating all the illustrations that create this city, experience the flavors of its countryside at Stanford Winery and Vineyards. Along with sampling their specialty wines, guests get to tour the vineyards in the scenic Sta. Rita Hills.

Tehachapi

Those who want to be surrounded by rolling hills with seriously reasonable housing and a tight-knit community will be instantly drawn to Tehachapi. For a low-impact, social activity that’s surprisingly beloved by retirees, head to Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum. Along with exhibits on locomotives, the museum also has viewing platforms to watch passing trains.

After beholding the powerful innovations of humankind, become immersed in nature at Brite Lake Recreation Area. Opportunities to connect to the gorgeous landscape are abundant here, including a large lake to fish in and events such as Astronomy Club Star Parties to enjoy the expansive sky over the hills. Finally, see Errea House Museum, the only surviving building from the town’s original settlement, built around 1870.

Within the low deserts and high mountains of California are soft and quiet corners. Quieter towns that are full of art, events, and performances remind us that retirement is about more than settling down. It’s about settling into a life that is full of expansive and enriching moments. Whether that means morning walks beneath redwoods, afternoons at local museums, or evenings spent at community concerts, these communities offer a gentle and beautiful way to enjoy your time. All choices in this article lead to a rhythm slow enough to appreciate the many incredible surrounding sights and a sense of belonging not only with the community, but with the land itself.