Last updated 2026-07-10 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
World-class weather and scenery, with picks for a range of retirement budgets.
1. San Diego: Best overall
2. Palm Springs: Best for warm winters
3. San Luis Obispo: Best for charm
4. Santa Barbara: Best for scenery
5. Sacramento: Best value
6. Carlsbad: Best beach town
7. Santa Cruz: Best for coastal nature
8. Fresno: Best inland value
California is expensive, but for retirees who can manage the cost, few places match its climate, coastline, and culture. The key is choosing a city where the weather and healthcare justify the price, or where the inland value works. Here are the 8 best places to retire in California, ranked.