8 Welcoming Towns to Retire in California's Sierra Nevada
Is The Golden State of California calling you to spend your golden years on its shores? Seeing how the state amassed billions of earnings from tourism alone in 2023, California has always been one of the favorite trip destinations and retirement locations in the United States. But beyond vacation vibes, it is important to consider community friendliness and affordability, too.
Most retirees go for the often-visited beach towns, but the state is also blessed with mountain towns that are equally beautiful and hospitable! The Sierra Nevada area is one such place and is a great choice for elderlies looking to stay active and sociable in their advanced years. Below are some towns to retire in California’s Sierra Nevada that are picturesque, welcoming, and below the state’s median home value of $787,000. From Mammoth Lakes to Angels Camp, ready to put down roots in the Sierra Nevada?
Mariposa
Known as a well-preserved Gold Rush town that also acts as a gateway to Yosemite National Park, retirees can find lots to love in Mariposa—from scenic hikes to museum adventures! Just a few minutes away from downtown is Stockton Creek Preserve Trail, considered one of the best trails in Yosemite. Two big museums, the Mariposa Museum & History Center, filled with Native American, Yosemite, and Spanish Settlement history, and the California State Mining & Mineral Museum, focusing on the California Gold Rush, are not far from downtown. They provide old folks with a welcoming space to get cultured and educated.
Aside from leisure, Mariposa proves to be a great base for pensioners due to its senior programs, easily accessible hospital, and relatively affordable median home price of $505,000. The John C. Fremont Healthcare District is a short distance from downtown and has a 24-hour emergency department. The county has programs for its old residents, with exercise events and tech grants as the highlights. Want to experience mobile home living? The senior-friendly mobile home park of Idle Wheels is specifically for homeowners who are 55 years old and up. With same-age friendly neighbors and the scenic Sierra Foothills as your backdrop, it is senior living at its finest!
South Lake Tahoe
Another highly appealing place for nature-loving and sprightly seniors is South Lake Tahoe. It is a beautiful resort town that offers tranquil living mixed with active recreation like hiking, skiing, and fishing. Its proximity to California’s clearest and largest alpine lake, Lake Tahoe, is also a big plus! Trekking on High Meadow Trailhead, lounging at the public El Dorado Beach, and touring the Lake Tahoe Historical Museum are just some of the wonderful activities you can do in this town.
Its median home price of $725,000 is slightly higher than other towns on this list. However, South Lake Tahoe does have home options for low-income senior citizens through Tahoe Senior Plaza and Kelly Ridge, making it a welcoming place for old folks with different economic statuses. It also has a senior center that provides services like health support groups and nutrition programs to promote a holistic lifestyle.
Auburn
On the west side of the Sierra Nevada lies Auburn, where history and the great outdoors lovingly merge into a town fit for sporty pensioners. It likes to call itself the home to the most challenging and historic endurance events, like the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run—the oldest trail race in its category! For seniors who would rather take it easy outdoors, a laid-back stroll at the Auburn State Recreation Area is also an option. Meanwhile, Old Town—Auburn’s beloved downtown—has many options for recreation: the museum-in-a-courthouse of Placer County Museum, the antique home decor of Transport’s Vintage Plus, and the watering hole of Auburn Alehouse, to name a few.
Not only is it a great home for its natural views and outdoor fun, but Auburn also has an active senior center. The Auburn Senior Center, operating since 1980, has been the hot spot for Auburn seniors to mingle, play, and get fit with their fellow retirees. With a median home price of only $699,000, plus the allure of the outdoors, a bustling downtown, and its dedicated recreational center, Auburn is one of the best towns to retire in California’s Sierra Nevada!
Mammoth Lakes
One more outdoors-centric Sierra Nevada community to consider is Mammoth Lakes. It is an adventure mountain town boasting natural marvels like the 101-foot Rainbow Falls, the solidified lava spectacle of Obsidian Dome, and the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The town transforms into a skiing wonderland during the snowy season and then turns into a hiking haven in the summer—a stellar home for mobile and intrepid golden-agers.
As outdoorsy as it is, Mammoth Lakes takes safety, health, and inclusion seriously, as seen by the quality of its modern medical center, Mammoth Hospital, and this handy list of accessible activities fit for different kinds of adventurers. The county also has year-round events in its wellness centers, as well as great places to shop, like the Mammoth Mall Shopping Center, The Village, and the Minaret Village Mall—perfect for those who like the window-shopping kind of trekking. With a median home price of around $784,000, Mammoth Lakes is a beautiful and inviting mountain retreat you can call home.
Lone Pine
Between the Sierra Nevada and the Inyo Mountains lies the quaint town of Lone Pine, a paradise for avid trekkers and fishers. Gaze at the majestic Mount Whitney to the east via the Mount Whitney Trailhead, then swing your fishing rods for early trout season at the surrounding waters of Lone Pine Creek, Diaz Lake, and the Golden Trout Wilderness. Outside those pastimes, the town also has an interesting film history that you can learn more about at the Museum of Western Film History. If you have noticed the Western-style buildings downtown, it is because of its old cowboy movies!
Lone Pine’s median home value is only $361,500, which makes it an affordable option in the Sierra Nevada area. With its nature-centered recreation, film history, and healthcare services through Southern Inyo Healthcare District, Lone Pine is a great retirement option for those with a tight budget.
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is another town in the Sierra Nevada area to consider for serious anglers who want to spend their golden years fishing and trouting. Twin Lakes, the town’s go-to fishing spot for brown trouts, has produced record-breaking fish in California. The Bridgeport Fish Enhancement Foundation cultivates this beloved interest through seasonal family-friendly fishing tournaments. Other than the town’s intense love for fishing, the community also comes together to celebrate the 4th of July in an old-fashioned way—with local craft and food vendors, ranch rodeos, parades, neighborhood contests, and lots of fireworks!
Additional points of interest in town include the Mono County Museum and the thermal baths of Travertine Hot Spring, where you can rest your weary legs after a hike. Mono County, where Bridgeport is, values its senior residents by having projects centered on their nutrition and socialization. A close community, senior-focused policies, and only $199,000 as its median listing home price make Bridgeport a tempting option for pensioners!
Pollock Pines
Situated on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, Pollock Pines is a tiny town that offers a serene and laid-back life in the mountains. Spend your days picnicking and swimming through Pollock Pines Recreation Park and its attached Long Canyon Forebay, or go camping and hiking at Sly Park Recreation Area, the Sly Park Campground, and Jenkinson Lake to the south. Love homemade jams and fruit picking? The nearby Harris Family Farm is open every weekend from summer till December.
Although those attractions and activities sound heavenly already, what makes Pollock Pines stand out from the rest is its close-knit community. The town regularly hosts fun gatherings and events, such as Taco Nights, year-round fundraising candy sales, bingo games, and Logging Days celebration. There is also a Senior Nutrition Program that serves a senior-friendly luncheon at the town’s community center. Need someone to help with your lawn? Pollock Pines has a Senior Assistance Program for Vegetation Removal available! At $419,000 for its median home price and a relatively low crime rate, Pollock Pines is an endearing mountain home for future you.
Angels Camp
For an adorable town that lovingly celebrates Mark Twain, set your eyes on the charming Sierra Foothills city of Angels Camp. What put this town on the map is Mark Twain’s Jumping Frog short story, and in turn, Angels Camp commemorates all things Mark Twain! Join the quirky celebrations and mingle with your fellow well-read golden-agers—from the Mark Twain History Trail to the Mark Twain Wild West Fest every October and the Calaveras Frog Jumping Frog Jubilee hopping every May. Other year-round attractions are also available, like the carriage collection of the Angels Camp Museum, the pet-friendly Tryon Park, and the Greenhorn Creek Resort’s public championship golf course.
Kooky events aside, Angels Camp genuinely opens its arms to its tourists-turned-residents. With its warm hospitality, Adventist Health's primary and specialty care readily available in the heart of town, and a $617,500 median home price, Angels Camp can be your new fun and cozy home in your twilight years.
You often see many retirees favor big Cali cities like San Diego or go for beach towns like Carmel-by-the-Sea. Some even go to the already crowded state of Florida! However, this list of towns to retire in California’s Sierra Nevada shows that the Golden State’s mountain towns can also be lovely homes for those in their retirement age. Not only do you get picture-perfect panoramas from nature, but these places also help you stay active and social.
The stunning Lake Tahoe views from South Lake Tahoe, the social community of Placerville, the hiking trails of Auburn, and the friendly albeit zany gatherings of Angels Camp are just some of the senior-friendly allure of this side of California. Let the Sierra Nevada welcome you with open arms.
