The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in California

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

1. 25Del Mar, California

   Better for young professionals than 93% of California towns

   3,954 people · San Diego County · median home $2,000,001 · income $199,152 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

2. 24Mammoth Lakes, California

   Better for young professionals than 93% of California towns

   7,191 people · Mono County · median home $866,700 · income $98,056 · Jan low 17°F · 70 in snow

3. 23Tiburon, California

   Better for young professionals than 93% of California towns

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

4. 22Sonoma State University, California

   Better for young professionals than 94% of California towns

   2,679 people · Sonoma County · median home — · income — · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

5. 21Ladera Heights, California

   Better for young professionals than 94% of California towns

   6,654 people · Los Angeles County · median home $1,661,600 · income $167,065 · Jan low 48°F · 0 in snow

6. 20Saranap, California

   Better for young professionals than 95% of California towns

   5,830 people · Contra Costa County · median home $1,453,300 · income $157,347 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

7. 19Fairfax, California

   Better for young professionals than 95% of California towns

   7,605 people · Marin County · median home $1,163,600 · income $141,653 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

8. 18Fort Irwin, California

   Better for young professionals than 95% of California towns

   8,096 people · San Bernardino County · median home — · income $76,107 · Jan low 36°F

9. 17Angwin, California

   Better for young professionals than 96% of California towns

   2,633 people · Napa County · median home $708,100 · income $117,500 · Jan low 39°F · 0 in snow

10. 16Santa Venetia, California

    Better for young professionals than 96% of California towns

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

11. 15Montecito, California

    Better for young professionals than 96% of California towns

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

12. 14Capitola, California

    Better for young professionals than 96% of California towns

    9,938 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $783,000 · income $102,976 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

13. 13Bonny Doon, California

    Better for young professionals than 97% of California towns

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

14. 12Marin City, California

    Better for young professionals than 97% of California towns

    2,993 people · Marin County · median home $1,142,700 · income $68,846 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

15. 11Burbank, California

    Better for young professionals than 97% of California towns

    4,940 people · Santa Clara County · median home $1,104,600 · income $134,518 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

16. 10Strawberry, California

    Better for young professionals than 97% of California towns

    5,447 people · Marin County · median home $2,000,001 · income $157,661 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

17. 9La Selva Beach, California

    Better for young professionals than 98% of California towns

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

18. 8Vandenberg AFB, California

    Better for young professionals than 98% of California towns

    3,559 people · Santa Barbara County · median home — · income $84,167 · Jan low 43°F · 0 in snow

19. 7Atherton, California

    Better for young professionals than 98% of California towns

    7,188 people · San Mateo County · median home $2,000,001 · income $250,001 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

20. 6Sausalito, California

    Better for young professionals than 98% of California towns

    7,269 people · Marin County · median home $1,894,600 · income $182,357 · Jan low 47°F · 0 in snow

21. 5University of California-Davis, California

    Better for young professionals than 98% of California towns

    8,525 people · Yolo County · median home — · income $18,631 · Jan low 38°F · 0 in snow

22. 4Twin Lakes, California

    Better for young professionals than 99% of California towns

    4,944 people · Santa Cruz County · median home $959,100 · income $90,087 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

23. 3Pepperdine University, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of California towns

    2,747 people · Los Angeles County · median home $979,700 · income $199,432 · Jan low 50°F · 0 in snow

24. 2Contra Costa Centre, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of California towns

    6,808 people · Contra Costa County · median home $733,300 · income $121,313 · Jan low 42°F · 0 in snow

25. 1University of California-Santa Barbara, California

    Better for young professionals than 100% of California towns

    9,710 people · Santa Barbara County · median home $452,900 · income $69,327 · Jan low 41°F · 0 in snow

Price vs ranking

More California rankings

• The 25 Best Small Towns to Retire in California
• 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

Same ranking, other places

• The 50 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in America
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in Pennsylvania
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in New York
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in Michigan
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in Texas
• The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Professionals in New Jersey