10 Best Places to Retire in California in 2024 - NewHomeSource (2024)

It’s easy living in sunny California! With beaches, mountains, and plenty of state parks, you’ll spend your golden years with natural beauty all around you. As the third-largest state in the country, deciding where to settle down for retirement can be difficult. To help, here are the ten best large cities to retire in California.

1. Olivehurst

Percent of population over 65: 50.3%

Number of physicians per capita: 64

Violent crimes per capita: 23.8

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 44.7

Olivehurst comes in as the best large city in California to retire in. Located in Yuba County, Olivehurst has all the amenities you’ll need to feel right at home. With 50% of the population being over the age of 65, making new friends in your community has never been easier! Spend an afternoon at one of the city parks and enjoy the fresh air with a leisurely walk or picnic in the grass.

2. Whittier

Percent of population over 65: 14.4%

Number of physicians per capita: 211

Violent crimes per capita: 21.6

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 41.7

Whittier is located 16 miles outside Los Angeles, making it a good option for retirees who want to be near the big city without experiencing the crowds that come with it. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll love the easy access to the Arroyo Pescadero Trailhead, which features miles of beautiful California scenery. There’s plenty of entertainment to be found in the city as well, including movie theaters, parks, sports courts, and country clubs.

3. Orange

Percent of population over 65: 9.9%

Number of physicians per capita: 249

Violent crimes per capita: 8.6

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 28.3

Orange is located just outside of Anaheim. You’ll never find yourself bored in this lively city! Whether you’re visiting the animals at the Orange County Zoo, looking at the latest exhibit at the Hilbert Museum of California Art, or shopping at the outlet malls, you’re sure to have a good time. Santiago Oaks Regional Park features hiking trails and mountainside views if you want to stretch your legs and get away from the city for a while.

4. Temecula

Percent of population over 65: 10.8%

Number of physicians per capita: 99

Violent crimes per capita: 11.5

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 36.3

Temecula is located nearly halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego, making it a good retirement city for folks who intend to travel to the bigger cities often. Temecula itself has plenty of amenities to enjoy, including movie theaters, country clubs, and community pools. Bring your dog along for your morning walk at Margarita Community Park, which features its own separate dog park!

5. Berkeley

Percent of population over 65: 15.3%

Number of physicians per capita: 226

Violent crimes per capita: 28.5

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 64.6

Looking for waterside views? Consider retiring in Berkeley! Located east of the San Francisco Bay, Berkeley encompasses state parks and beaches where you can admire the beauty of the bay. Enjoy other amenities such as the Berkeley Rose Garden, sports courts and golf courses, and performance art theaters.

6. Ontario

Percent of population over 65: 9.8%

Number of physicians per capita: 135

Violent crimes per capita: 17.4

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 43.7

Ontario is located approximately 36 miles east of Los Angeles. Enjoy your retirement by checking out local attractions, such as the Ontario Museum of History & Art and the Ontario Mills shopping arena. On warm days, bring your fishing gear to Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park and relax along the lakes. Mountains and forests lie just north of the city; go for a leisurely drive and enjoy the views!

7. Florence-Graham

Percent of population over 65: 30.4%

Number of physicians per capita: 211

Violent crimes per capita: 26.4

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 50.9

Florence-Graham is an unincorporated community south of Los Angeles. You’ll find plenty of grocery and retail stores, city parks, and other amenities in Florence-Graham, so you’ll never have to travel far for the necessities. If you need to get away from the city for a while, visit Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park. Located just north of Florence-Graham, the park is a great place to enjoy the fresh air and learn more about local plants and wildlife.

8. San Marcos

Percent of population over 65: 12.6%

Number of physicians per capita: 233

Violent crimes per capita: 29.9

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 35.0

San Marcos is a sizable city of over 93,000 residents. With so much to see and do in the city, you’ll never have a dull day in your golden years. Check out local breweries and vineyards to sample new drinks. For the outdoorsy, Discovery Lake is a beautiful, peaceful destination where you can relax along the water or go for a hike. San Marcos also encompasses golf courses, movie theaters, parks, and hiking trails, so there’s truly something for everyone.

9. Palo Alto

Percent of population over 65: 18.5%

Number of physicians per capita: 257

Violent crimes per capita: 7.7

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 34.4

Palo Alto is perhaps best known for being the location of Stanford University, but it’s more than just a college city. You’ll have plenty of access to the bay and the surrounding parks and wetlands around it. Around Stanford, you can walk the grounds of the Arizona Garden or go shopping at the Stanford Shopping Center. Bring your grandchildren to the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, watch live performances at performing arts theaters, or take a painting class at Palo Alto Art Center.

10. Susanville

Percent of population over 65: 7.4%

Number of physicians per capita: 93

Violent crimes per capita: 50.4

Nonviolence crimes per capita: 33.1

Last, but certainly not least, is the city of Susanville. Located in northern California, Susanville is a small riverside community of approximately 16,000 residents. Central Susanville acts as a hub of activity where you can enjoy movie theaters, museums, and shopping malls. If you have a dog, take them for exercise and socializing at Susanville Bark Park!

Common Questions About Retiring in California

Access to Doctors is calculated by finding the number of hospitals, discounting children’s hospitals and VA hospitals within one mile of the city. NewHomeSource pulled data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Services, Medicare’s Hospital Compare and the U.S. Census Bureau. In the event exact crime data was unavailable, estimates were used. Median home price, number of hospitals, 65+ population, and crime rates were entered into an algorithm to calculate a score for each city whose population is at least 10,000.