The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in California

Ranked on The Town Files lifestyle rankings among 358 towns of 2,500–10,000 people in California. #1 is Yountville, CA.

1. 25Santa Rosa Valley, California

   Better for retirees than 93% of California towns

   3,312 people · Ventura County · median home $1,706,200 · income $213,973 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

2. 24Santa Venetia, California

   Better for retirees than 93% of California towns

   4,289 people · Marin County · median home $1,006,300 · income $126,833 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

3. 23Mission Canyon, California

   Better for retirees than 94% of California towns

   2,540 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $2,000,001 · income $208,466 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

4. 22Bonny Doon, California

   Better for retirees than 94% of California towns

   2,868 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $1,201,900 · income $144,813 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

5. 21Nevada City, California

   Better for retirees than 94% of California towns

   3,152 people · Nevada County · median home $677,400 · income $75,792 · Jan low 35°F · 15 in snow

6. 20Bear Valley Springs, California

   Better for retirees than 94% of California towns

   5,592 people · Kern County · median home $496,200 · income $120,481 · Jan low 32°F · 0 in snow

7. 19Del Monte Forest, California

   Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

   4,204 people · Monterey County · median home $2,000,001 · income $142,763 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

8. 18Guerneville, California

   Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

   4,552 people · Sonoma County · median home $600,600 · income $81,281 · Jan low 37°F · 0 in snow

9. 17Wrightwood, California

   Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

   4,720 people · San Bernardino County · median home $470,700 · income $74,332 · Jan low 26°F · 62 in snow

10. 16Lake Wildwood, California

    Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

    5,158 people · Nevada County · median home $551,800 · income $85,771 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

11. 15Cambria, California

    Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

    5,678 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $930,200 · income $99,147 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

12. 14Solvang, California

    Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

    6,126 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $949,600 · income $109,091 · Jan low 34°F · 0 in snow

13. 13Lucas Valley-Marinwood, California

    Better for retirees than 95% of California towns

    6,259 people · Marin County · median home $1,445,600 · income $200,761 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

14. 12La Selva Beach, California

    Better for retirees than 96% of California towns

    2,531 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $1,325,700 · income $160,833 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

15. 11Borrego Springs, California

    Better for retirees than 96% of California towns

    3,073 people · San Diego County · median home $402,700 · income $86,078 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

16. 10Rancho Murieta, California

    Better for retirees than 96% of California towns

    5,903 people · Sacramento County · median home $715,700 · income $140,061 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

17. 9Ojai, California

    Better for retirees than 96% of California towns

    7,637 people · Ventura County · median home $1,016,200 · income $82,656 · Jan low 35°F · 0 in snow

18. 8Tiburon, California

    Better for retirees than 96% of California towns

    9,146 people · Marin County · median home $2,000,001 · income $232,969 · Jan low 44°F · 0 in snow

19. 7Cayucos, California

    Better for retirees than 97% of California towns

    2,505 people · San Luis Obispo County · median home $1,011,900 · income $87,235 · Jan low 46°F · 0 in snow

20. 6Portola Valley, California

    Better for retirees than 97% of California towns

    4,456 people · San Mateo County · median home $2,000,001 · income $250,001 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

21. 5Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

    Better for retirees than 98% of California towns

    3,220 people · Monterey County · median home $2,000,001 · income $129,250 · Jan low 45°F · 0 in snow

22. 4Mount Shasta, California

    Better for retirees than 98% of California towns

    3,223 people · Siskiyou County · median home $330,200 · income $47,917 · Jan low 27°F · 89 in snow

23. 3Carmel Valley Village, California

    Better for retirees than 98% of California towns

    4,524 people · Monterey County · median home $1,275,500 · income $156,161 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

24. 2Montecito, California

    Better for retirees than 98% of California towns

    8,638 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $2,000,001 · income $231,005 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

25. 1Yountville, California

    Better for retirees than 99% of California towns

    3,436 people · Napa County · median home $802,200 · income $80,342 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

Price vs ranking

More California rankings

• The 25 Quietest Small Towns in California
• The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Families in California
• The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Cheapest Homes
• 25 Small Towns in California With the Mildest Winters
• The 25 Most Walkable Small Towns in California
• The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in California
• The 10 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in California With Mild Winters
• The 24 Best Affordable Small Towns for Remote Workers in California

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns to Retire in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in New Jersey
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Florida
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Wisconsin
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Ohio
• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in Illinois