8 Best Small Towns To Retire In California's Sierra Nevada In 2024
If scenery were the only factor to be considered for a retirement venue, California's Sierra Nevada would have very few competitors. With lakes that melt the heart —and mountains that bend the mind — this storybook, paint-worthy region is among nature's finest handiworks. This is the best place to retire, especially if you want to look half your age, which is the effect of beauty in all its pristine charm. But options abound, making selection a frustrating process. If you want specific suggestions, discover below the eight best small towns to retire in California's Sierra Nevada.
Lone Pine
Secreted in the heart of the expansive Owens Valley, Lone Pine, which could be the most underrated town in the California Sierra Nevada, is secluded, peaceful, and in a world of its own. But retirees love it. For instance, residents aged 60 and above comprise a whopping 40% of its population. It is also quite diverse. Whites make up only 50% of its population, while Hispanics and Natives comprise 35% and 11% of the town's population, respectively. And you do not have to make the one-hour trip to Bishop for your medical needs. Southern Inyo Hospital, founded in 1949, is right in town. Retiring in Lone Pine comes with fantastic access to outdoor opportunities. One can be fishing in the Golden Trout Wilderness Area, road-tripping along the scenic Whitney Portal Road, or exploring the Whitney Portal National Recreation Trail amid heart-melting views of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States.
Murphys
A small town of just about 2,000 residents, Murphys seems designed for retirees. For perspective, the town's median age stands at 60.7, and residents aged 60 and above make up 52% of its population. A retiree here, therefore, will feel part of a big, welcoming family. Concerning healthcare access, Adventist Health is next door in Sonora and has been recognized for the Patient Safety Excellence Award (2024 and 2022). Alternatively, San Andreas, just as close, is home to the Mark Twain Medical Center. Every other evening, you will enjoy catching trout at the stream in Murphys Community Park and exploring Mercer Caverns. This surreal subterranean wonderland will make you think you are entering another planet or taking lessons in humility at the nearby Calaveras Big Trees State Park. If you want your own space, you should remember that homes in Murphy are listed for a median price of $624,700. Before you curl your eyebrows, remember homes in California are listed for a median price of well over $700,000.
Mariposa
Mariposa is a goldrush town that is charmingly preserved and big on outdoor adventure. Yosemite National Park, noted for its spellbinding scenery, including some heart-gripping canyons and sparkling cascades, is in Mariposa's backyard — just 32 miles away. Besides retiring close to one of America's most popular national parks, one will not need to worry about healthcare access. John C. Fremont Healthcare District, a 34-bed facility with a 24-hour emergency department, is right in town. With a median age that stands at 55 — and a demographic where 44% are aged 60 and above — one will have ample time to interact with folks in the same age bracket while appreciating life in all its hues and shades. Also, while homes in Mariposa are listed for a median price of $460,000, they are sold for a more pocket-friendly median price of just $395,000.
Jamestown
Jamestown is a charming town that boasts a population of about 3,700. It has been a California Historical Landmark for about 75 years. While it may seem unbelievable, residents can still find flecks of gold in the shallows of the South Fork of the American River, one of the most popular rafting venues in California. Boasting a median age of 41, a retiree will enjoy the sparkle of youth — on the one side — and a more subdued atmosphere of the aged on the other. Seniors aged 60 and above comprise about 28% of the town's population. Sonora, which is within a hairbreadth of the town, hosts the award-winning Adventist Hospital. The Memorial Medical Center in Modesto, ranked among the top 50 best hospitals in America, can also come in handy. Considering retirees may not have to deplete their savings since homes here fetch a median price of just $422,700, Jamestown earns its stripes in the Sierra Nevada retirement landscape. Moreover, a retiree will enjoy taking her grandkids to the Railtown 1897 State Historic Park, which preserves the historic core of the state's original Sierra Railway. In spring, amid the blooming of the wildflowers, one will want to explore the Red Hills Recreation Management Area — as well as the out-and-back Table Mountain Trail.
Sonora
A slower pace awaits retirees in the family-oriented town of Sonora, one of the closest cities to Yosemite National Park. If a retiree is a seasoned theatergoer, Sierra Repertory Theatre is enough reason to set base here. However, for nature lovers, Indigeny Reserve can be a second home with its scenic trails, meandering streams, and mind-blowing ciders. For a delicious bite of the California gold rush era, Tuolumne County Museum is always worth every minute and dime. The latest data shows homes in Sonora are listed at a median price of $450,000 — but sold for a median price of just $389,000. In case of a medical emergency, Adventist Health is right in town and has been serving residents since 1957. Since residents aged 60 and above make up 29% of the town's population, one should expect a fairly strong social support network.
Mammoth Lakes
Retiring close to the hauntingly beautiful Mono Lake is a great decision in all respects. That is without mentioning the physiological benefits of living at the doorstep of the Inyo National Forest, home to the oldest living trees on Earth. Yosemite is also a short drive — as are the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas — both of which feature some epic hiking trails. With a median age of 38, a retiree here will enjoy interacting with both the young and old — in a scene that is neither wild nor dull. Plus, an empty nester should not worry about access to healthcare. Mammoth Hospital, a recipient of the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for three years in a row (2024,2023, and 2022) is right in town. That said, the median listing home price in Mammoth Lakes stands at $707,000, which means one will need to have some modest savings.
Auburn
A handsome Old Town district. Outstanding wineries (Vina Castellano Winery, for instance, often leaves first-time visitors completely blown away). A spellbinding state recreation area. These and more — allure retirees to Auburn, a California treasure set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range. Auburn's median age stands at 47. In a similar vein, residents aged 60 and above comprise 34% of the town's population. This means you will find folks in the same age bracket with whom to share experiences. If you accidentally slip and suffer an unexpected fracture, whether in a bathroom or on a trail, Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital is right in town — and is a back-to-back recipient of the Joint Replacement Excellence Award. Since Hispanics comprise about 15% of its population, Auburn is relatively diverse and inclusive; one can appreciate different perspectives and learn from each other. Considering what it offers, Auburn's home median listing price — which stands at $675,000 — will look like a good deal. Moreover, the DarkHorse Golf Club, which is traversed by numerous streams, can be the place to be every summer weekend.
Truckee
Truckee offers retirees countless trails, access to multiple bodies of water, and a caring community. The gorgeous Donner Lake, for instance, which is often less crowded than Lake Tahoe, is a fantastic venue for paddle boarding. Also, Northstar California, with its well-groomed slopes and first-class lifts, makes every winter something to look forward to. On the other hand, Truckee Bike Park often exceeds the expectations of retirees who love biking. With the highly-rated Tahoe Forest Hospital right in town, a retiree will not need to make an out-of-town trip in case of a medical emergency. For more options, Reno, the largest city in Northern Nevada, is an easy 30-minute drive. Retiring here, therefore, puts one close to almost all big-city amenities. Boasting a median age of about 41, a retiree can choose to relive his younger days — or watch sunsets with friends in the same age bracket. Possibly because of what they offer, including proximity to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world, homes in Truckee are listed at a median price of $1.3 million.
The Takeaway
Featuring one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the world, a park known across the globe for its granite cliffs and sparkling waterfalls, and a national forest that plays host to some of the oldest trees in the world, California's Sierra Nevada is a natural paradise and a great venue for retirement. But options abound, and one can be spoilt for choice. If looking for specific recommendations, Truckee, Lone Pine, Auburn, and Murphys — are all excellent retirement venues. Just brace yourself for unmatched outdoor fun and adventure.
