13 Best Small Towns In Southern California For Retirees
After years of diligently working a 9 to 5 job, it’s comes time to retire and enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you’re wondering where to spend your golden years, the small towns in Southern California might be the answer. Unlike the bustle and hustle in the big cities, the pace of life here is conveniently slower, so you won’t feel left behind. Furthermore, the beautiful natural scenery and friendly local communities complement the glorious warm weather to culminate in the ideal setting for life after retirement.
Outdoor opportunities abound to keep you active in your elderly years. From hiking isolated trails to strolling along charming town streets, these little gems offer you the chance to stay young physically and mentally. Not to mention the availability of essential health and social amenities to cater to pensioner requirements. These small towns in Southern California have all the ingredients to guarantee a high quality of life for retirees.
La Quinta
This charming resort city in the Coachella Valley region delights with a tranquil atmosphere and picturesque mountain scenery. La Quinta enjoys over 250 days of sunshine, providing an excellent opportunity to step out and explore delightful natural spaces like Lake Cahuilla Veterans Regional Park. The town is sometimes referred to as “The golf capital of the world,” a credit to the 20 golf courses in the area, offering serene open spaces for pensioners to keep active while perfecting their swing.
The town also houses a quaint art scene, and every February and November, locals come together to mark the La Quinta Arts Festival, allowing retirees to feel a sense of community. La Quinta also boasts top healthcare facilities like the Eisenhower Health Center. Meanwhile, the cost of living is lower than the state and national average, which should be welcome news for senior citizens.
Los Olivos
A cute little village in the Santa Ynez Valley and halfway between Santa Barbara and Santa Maria, Los Olivos presents a serene, laid-back setting for seniors to spend their sunset years. With a small population of about 1,000 residents, there is more than enough room to enjoy the sprawling views of horse ranches and vineyards that dominate the town, including the cozy Stolpman Vineyards. The community’s love for the arts is a uniting factor best exhibited during the Los Olivos Jazz and Olive Festival.
It’s no wonder La Quinta is appealing to seniors, considering that over 30% of the population is 65 years and above. This means you won’t need to search too long to find a peer, especially when exploring the lively art galleries and quaint eateries downtown. Furthermore, the crime rate is pretty low in the area, which guarantees safety for retirees.
Seal Beach
This pleasant beach town, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, lures pensioners to spend their post-work life in its picture-perfect coastal atmosphere. Smooth sandy shores and stunning ocean views dominate Seal Beach, offering the elderly endless opportunities for lazy strolls and sunbathing sessions on its sprawling shores. The 965-acre Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent spot to be one with nature and watch migratory birds, but you can opt for a refreshing dip in the toasty waters.
The town hosts a lively farmers market on Tuesdays, presenting an excellent chance for seniors to interact with the community, feel a sense of belonging, and shop for fresh, healthy groceries. They also enjoy ready access to healthcare services, thanks to facilities like the Seal Beach Health and Rehabilitation.
Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre is a small town in Los Angeles County, tucked away at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. It boasts a quiet, serene setting against stunning mountain views, with numerous nature trails. Pensioners will fancy taking on the 1.3-mile Bailey Canyon Nature Trail to Jones Peak, which is moderately challenging but rewards with sweeping vistas of the surrounding area.
The town hosts pleasant social events, highlighted by the annual Wistaria Festival, which celebrates the largest blossoming plant in the world. The event brings the downtown to a standstill with over 100 vendors selling unique wares in a festive and musically-filled atmosphere, which will excite retirees. While housing costs may be high in Sierra Madre, the crime is relatively low, and there are over 50 assisted living centers in the Sierra Madre region.
Carpinteria
Another coastal slice of heaven boasting picturesque beaches and an unmatched ambiance, Carpinteria is an idyllic community between Santa Barbara and Ventura. Seniors can lounge on the silky-smooth sand to admire beautiful ocean views, swim in the warm waters, or embark on a long but stress-free stroll along the shores of Carpinteria State Beach, dubbed the safest beach in the world.
While beachside delights may be the area's highlight, downtown Carpinteria has plenty of places to explore. For example, the Carpinteria Valley Museum is a great stop to acquaint yourself with the region’s history. Meanwhile, retirees can join other community members during the California Avocado Festival for three days of fun that embody the town’s spirit of oneness.
Solvang
Solvang is a quaint Danish town in the Santa Ynez Valley of Southern California. Nicknamed the “Danish Capital of America,” the city draws visitors with its unique charm and European heritage. Exploring its pedestrian-friendly town center offers a pleasant experience highlighted by Danish-inspired architecture, cute little shops, and vibrant cultural attractions. Retirees thinking about moving to Solvang can get familiar with the town's Danish roots at the Elverhoj Museum of History & Art, which preserves the town’s history and culture through a collection of interactive exhibits.
The Solvang community features friendly locals who readily welcome newcomers. Also, you will fancy sampling the local delights at Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, which serves European cookies and other sweet treats in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Fallbrook
Fallbrook is a delightful village on the northern side of San Diego County. Nicknamed the “Avocado Capital of the World,” it is famous for its sprawling avocado groves, which give the town a green atmosphere with fresh air quality. If you like to be outdoors, the Santa Maria River Trail Preserve is an excellent spot to explore the open spaces, with recreational opportunities like hiking and horseback riding to keep senior citizens active.
The crime rate is low; the town records an average of 5 violent crime cases per 1,000 residents. Meanwhile, Fallbrooks has made impressive steps to look after its senior population, which makes up about 15% of the total demographic, thanks to 18 assisted living institutions that allow retirees to live with peace of mind.
Ojai
Ojai is a small community of about 8,000 hidden in the picturesque Ojai Valley of Ventura County, California. The town presents retirees with excellent scenery to relax and unwind in their sunset years. Surrounded by gorgeous views of the Topatopa Mountains, Ojai is home to idyllic natural scenery where older adults can seek serenity for their overall body wellness, including the Ojai Meadows Preserve. Here, recreational opportunities like hiking and picnicking allow them to maintain youthful energy.
The town’s farmers market, Ojai Certified Farmers Market, is an excellent venue for older people to meet new people, make friends, and shop for fresh organic produce needed for their health. It also boasts an artistic personality, evident in the lively thrift stores and antique shops downtown, such as the Treasures of Ojai.
San Juan Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano is a historic destination with a relaxed atmosphere that will delight any retiree. The town is famous for the Annual Return of the Swallows, held on March 19th to mark the swallow's return. San Juan also features beautiful open spaces if you want to commune with nature, and the Ronald W. Caspers Wilderness Park hosts stunning landscapes worth exploring, such as sandstone canyons and river terraces.
Elsewhere, the town’s rich history intrigues visitors, with famous landmarks like Mission San Juan Capistrano offering a glimpse of its heritage. Although the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, various assisted living facilities, including Capistrano Senior Living, provide retirees with decent living.
Avalon
This charming community on the scenic Catalina Island impresses with a relaxed atmosphere and spectacular ocean views. It is home to pristine beaches and exciting water-based adventures that seniors will be interested in. One of the best places to visit on the island is Hermit Gulch Campground, a pleasant campsite on the town’s outskirts, perfect for nature lovers. Several reasons ensure Avalon draws the most visitors on Catalina Island, one of which is the vibrant seafood scene, which you can sample at The Lobster Trap.
While Avalon is an expensive destination to live in, pensioners who can afford it will find it worthwhile. The tradeoff is thin crowds, clean water, fresh air, and an active outdoor lifestyle that many retirees seek.
Los Alamos
Los Alamos is a modest town in the Santa Ynez Valley and Southern California gem. It was founded in the 1800s and harbors interesting historical landmarks, including the Los Alamos History Museum. Those who fancy natural points of interest will find various recreational opportunities in the expansive Santa Fe National Forests.
But the town has moved on from this curious past, and today houses quaint shops with friendly locals. Los Alamos is safer than most cities in the country, posting a violent crime rate over 80% lower than the national average. It also hosts a large assisted living community, including centers like the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is a beautiful desert town with unparalleled natural scenery, boasting endless glamping spots. The town is famous for being the gateway to the popular Joshua Tree National Park, an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts searching for hiking, rock climbing, and camping opportunities. Retirees will be drawn to the quiet and easy-going lifestyle in the area, shielded from the rigors of big cities.
The vibrant town center features many shops, restaurants, and museums where locals converge, culminating in a pleasant atmosphere. This is an excellent opportunity for pensioners to interact and make new friends in spots like the Crossroads Café over a wholesome breakfast. Meanwhile, seniors will be glad to know the overall cost of living here is significantly lower than the state average.
Wrightwood
Wrightwood is a historic town in the San Gabriel Mountains, about an hour and a half away from Los Angeles. It is a nice escape from the big city and the ultimate outdoor playground, offering recreational opportunities around the year. The town sits at an altitude of 6,000 feet and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. One of its top visitor spots is the Mountain High Resort, frequented by snowboarders and skiers. Meanwhile, those who prefer adrenaline-inducing adventures gravitate towards Ziplines at Pacific Crest.
The town’s small population of just above 4,000 residents gives it a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere, which retirees will fit seamlessly. The overall cost of living is less than the national average, and the same goes for the crime index, making it a viable option for retirement life.
The Takeaway
Southern California is a sprawling region with cute little towns that make for a beautiful retirement destination. However, some locations are more ideal than others, thanks to their stunning natural scenery, availability of health and social amenities, and an overall friendly atmosphere. The above small towns in Southern California will be an excellent option for anyone planning life after retirement.
