10 Best Small Towns In California For Retirees

California is an excellent destination to start your life anew, especially after calling time on your career. From the year-round cozy weather to stunning beach views and scenic mountain landscapes, pensioners can look forward to smooth sailing into their sunset years. It does not get better than the small towns, shielded from the hustle and bustle of city life and offering a slow, more comfortable pace of life. 

Rio Vista

Cheap small-town experiences are an everyday luxury in this charming little town along the Sacramento River. Rio Vista’s moderate weather, featuring warm summers and cool winters, invites seniors to savor the outdoors. Brannan Island State Recreation Area is a delightful natural space where retirees can enjoy a serene atmosphere while fishing, camping, or wildlife watching. But if you want to get on the water, the Delta Marina Yacht Harbor offers remarkable boating opportunities along the Sacramento River. 

Rio Vista is conveniently cheap and has a median home price of about $400,000. With a median age of about 63 years, retirees will find a welcoming community of peers and can join the Moose, Lions, or Rotary Club for a sense of belonging. Although amenities are limited in the town, the transport network is reliable, and hopping aboard the Delta Breeze allows you to access better medical and other facilities in nearby cities like Oakland and Sacramento, both nearly an hour away. 

Eureka

With a population of just about 27,000 residents, pensioners do not have to worry about rowdy crowds, frustrating traffic, or choking pollution in this quaint Humboldt County town. Rather, they can look forward to lovely natural scenery and a charming downtown district. Sequoia Park is an excellent venue to spend your time outdoors, boasting a dense network of redwood trees and secluded meadows, and sits next to the Sequoia Park Zoo. Meanwhile, the historic downtown hosts a nice mix of Victorian homes and quiet streets for sightseers who fancy a lazy afternoon stroll. 

Eureka boasts a close-knit senior community, which pensioners can be a part of by joining the Humboldt Senior Resource Center for social or volunteer opportunities. Furthermore, the crime rate is at a record low, with the community reporting about 7 violent crime cases per 1,000 residents, and its monthly rental cost of around $1,000 is lower than the state average. 

Paso Robles

Paso Robles remains an enticing retirement destination thanks to its charming diversity, which you will experience in its friendly community and vibrant downtown. A stop by the rustic Fish Gaucho is the perfect way to enjoy a hearty Mexican dish while catching up with friends. But the best time to meet new people, socialize, and interact is during the Paso Robles Farmers Market, with an opportunity to shop for fresh, healthy produce. 

The town is also famous for its rich wine culture, backed by over 200 different wineries domiciled in the area. If you do not mind a glass of wine, you can visit Eberle Winery for a tour and tasting. The crime rate is relatively low, with the chance of being a victim being about 1 in 372. 

Grass Valley

Grass Valley’s claim to fame came during the California Gold Rush, when, for more than a century, it was the most lucrative gold mining town in the state. But this little village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada is no longer drawing prospectors; rather, retirees looking for a soft landing. As its name would suggest, the town is surrounded by pretty outdoors that you can revel in at the Empire Mine State Historic Park or Condon Park. The theater scene is not too shabby either, and Del Oro Theater showcases fun, family movies for when the grandkids come to visit.

The town’s elderly population can access crucial health and social amenities thanks to three hospitals in the area and various assisted living communities, including Gold Country Senior Services. Meanwhile, pensioners will appreciate the strong sense of community in Grass Valley during events like the Harvest Festival and Cornish Christmas Celebration. 

Palm Springs

Palms Springs is an excellent option for retirees who envision an active lifestyle during their golden years. The cozy town is famous for its natural beauty, plenty of golf courses, and an abundance of outdoor opportunities. Several open spaces and the surrounding Coachella Valley allow the elderly population to stay young and active with recreational activities like hiking, horseback, and picnicking in the Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons. The nearby Indians Canyons Golf Course is an alternative way to savor the stunning open lands, perfecting your swing while enjoying the surrounding landscapes. 

The median home price is approximately $420,000 in Palm Springs, quite a good deal considering the town’s high profile. It also enjoys a well-developed transport network, with a reliable bus system, access to Amtrak, and an international airport (Palm Springs International Airport) near downtown. 

Auburn

Auburn presents the perfect mix of gorgeous year-round weather with a dense suburban feel. This small town is designated a California Historical Landmark for its California Gold Rush heritage. It enjoys over 250 days of sunshine annually, and lush surroundings encourage seniors to get out and explore the outdoors. The Auburn State Area Recreation Ranger Station is a good example of the natural spaces in the town, offering opportunities like hiking, climbing, and sightseeing. An alternative for those who keep a furry friend would be the Ashley Off Leash Dog Park. 

Meanwhile, the community regularly comes together at the Gold Country Fairgrounds & Event Center to enjoy family-friendly events and activities. Although the town’s cost of living is 22% higher than the national average, retirees can dwell on the fact that there is hardly any crime in the area, with just about 2 cases reported per 1,000 residents. 

San Luis Obispo

Simply referred to as “SLO” by the locals, San Luis Obispo is the commercial epicenter of the scenic Central Coast. The town houses a handful of historical treasures that cultured retirees will be happy to explore, including the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and its gorgeous 18th-century Spanish architecture. Seniors with an affinity for the outdoors can inject some exercise into their hobby by trying to hike Bishop Peak. Although the views at the top are breathtaking, the nearly 4-mile round trip hike is quite taxing. 

SLO is also famous for its many vineyards, and a stroll through sites like Wolff Vineyards presents a less strenuous alternative to Bishop Peak. With crime cases of just over 40 incidents per 1,000 residents and median house prices of about $800,000, the town is a bit expensive. Still, pensioners who can afford it will enjoy high-quality health facilities from the 5-star rated French Hospital Medical Center. 

Pismo Beach

If a beach getaway is your idea of life after retirement, Pismo Beach is one of the best towns in California. Teeming with long sandy beaches, beautiful wineries, and cozy sunny weather, this idyllic central coast location presents a perfect setting to spend your golden years. It has amazing beach scenery, and you can spend quality time exploring open and green spaces like Pismo Preserve on the Pacific Coast and Monarch Butterfly Grove to commune with nature. More beautiful memories can be made with an evening walk along the award-winning promenade next to the Pismo Beach pier, where spectacular views of the Pacific await. 

The California Welcome Center will make an excellent first stop for pensioners planning to resettle in Prismo. It will provide a comprehensive look at the city, featuring its history, culture, and all its different neighborhoods. Furthermore, the town’s median age is about 58 years, meaning there is a large community of peers waiting to welcome incoming retirees into their fold. 

Groveland

Seniors who prefer a quiet escape, shielded from the hustle and bustle of big-city life, will love the small-town vibe in Groveland. This sleepy village in Tuolumne County has a population of approximately 500 residents and sits at an altitude of over 3,000 feet. The surrounding natural scenery is simply stunning, and retirees can take advantage of endless hiking adventures to discover beautiful sites like Carlon Falls Trails, a breathtaking 1.5-mile trail running along the Tuolumne River. 

The few residents in the town are relatively conservative and maintain close ties that pensioners will be glad to be part of. This is evident during Tuolumne County Halloween, featuring fun, family-friendly events like Movies in the Park. Groveland is also conveniently cheap, with a median house rate of at least $400,000. Finally, the popular Yosemite National Park is only a 30-minute drive from the town; there is always something exciting to do. 

Quincy

Quincy is another ideal destination to retire, thanks to its slow pace of life and gorgeous natural surroundings. This Plumas County town hosts a tiny population of just under 2,000 who maintain a strong sense of camaraderie. It's almost 3,400-foot elevation presents awesome views of rolling green ranchlands and towering peaks, ensuring endless outdoor opportunities for seniors. A good example is Plumas National Forest, home to secluded lakes and rivers and bustling with exciting pursuits like camping, hiking, and picnicking. 

The vibrant downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and hosts several laidback spots worth checking out, including the Plumas County Museum. Although housing rates in Quincy are almost at par with the national average, pensioners can find cheaper, more convenient alternatives at senior living communities like Mountain View Manor. 

The Takeaway

Although California’s living cost might be higher than most states in the country, it has several affordable options that will suit retirees. These small towns in California promise a soft landing upon hanging the boots on your career, thanks to a slow pace of life, beautiful natural scenery, strong community ties, and plenty of fun outdoor adventures.