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Palm trees and Pacific Ocean sunsets. Many will agree that no state has been more romanticized than California. Featuring landscapes that drip in beauty, the Golden State offers retirees warm, pleasurable weather, access to º£½ÇÉçÇø-class beaches, surreal and dramatic sceneries, and a º£½ÇÉçÇø of adventure opportunities. While it is not the most tax-friendly state in the country, California exempts Social Security retirement benefits from taxation, something that seniors should take notice of. Still, each California town is unique — and comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Read on to discover a collection of California towns, from small to medium-sized, that are ideal for seniors.

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an upscale central California treasure that reclines on the Carmel River at the northern edge of the Big Sur region. This town offers a first-class beach experience defined by awe-inspiring coastal cliffs, magical sunsets, and marine wildlife, including otters and seals. Boasting more restaurants per capita than any other small city in the country, retirement at Carmel-by-the-Sea comes with good views and delicious food. Seniors, those aged 55 years and above, comprise an amazing 63% of the town's population, and as many will agree, this social scene is hard to beat for its relevance and suitability. Exploring the area's stunning coastline, including the phenomenal Big Sur and the nearby forests, will make every weekend worth looking forward to.

Del Mar

Boasting a population of about 3,800, Del Mar is a charming seaside town located an easy approximately 20 miles north of San Diego, California's second-largest city. This means retirement will come with quick access to an impressive array of first-class medical facilities. These include UC San Diego Health, ranked as the best hospital system in San Diego for 2023-24 by U.S. News & º£½ÇÉçÇø Report. Boasting some of the most top-rated public schools of any California town, Del Mar is famous for its educated population. An impressive 46% of the town's population (approximately) have a master's degree or higher. This means a random person down the streets will be capable of sustaining witty and intelligent conversations. And with seniors making up about 45% of the town's population, almost every second person you will meet is someone with whom you can share intimate experiences — and plot age-relevant adventures.

South Lake Tahoe

South Lake Tahoe is a storybook town that reclines at the foot of the picturesque Sierra Nevada mountains on the southwestern edge of the lake that lends it its name. Known for its crystal clear waters, Lake Tahoe has been christened the Jewel of Sierra Nevada and is among the most breathtaking alpine lakes on Earth. If your ideal retirement town is one defined by spectacular scenery, outdoor adventure, and friendly residents, this town checks every box. About 1 out of every three people you will meet here is a senior aged 55 years and above, which means one's social circle will be made up of people you can craft meaningful connections with. With an average of 300 days of sunshine, retiring here comes with a pleasurable climate that will rarely dampen one's moods. Finally, South Lake Tahoe is the largest city around the lake and, because of this, provides nearly all the amenities that most seniors find essential.

Larkspur

Known for its groves of towering redwood trees, where residents often find peace and quiet, Larkspuris is often ranked among the best places to live in California. Depending on the season, California can be hot — and Larkspur is not any different. Fortunately, spots such as Dolliver Park, a well-shaded, natural fairytale that oozes Sylvan charm, offer much-needed respite all year round. One of the best parts about living in Larkspur is that San Fransisco, with its cultural attractions and big-city amenities — is less than half an hour's drive away. Besides, seniors make up about 42% of the town's population, a factor that implies retirees will be in pretty good company. Plus, since 33% of the town's population holds a master's degree or higher, random conversations are likely to be witty, good-natured, and well-informed.

Seal Beach

Even if one, perhaps because of age, no longer enjoys the fun of building sand castles, Seal Beach will still offer a retiree the experience of a lifetime. Named for the seals that used to roam the sandy coast, Seal Beach is today filled with homely neighborhoods where retirees enjoy a slow pace of life, seaside breezes, and tight social connections. Besides, the town's residents have access to the second-longest wooden pier in the state of California, which, because of its magical sunsets, provides a perfect way to end an evening. Then again, the City of Angels, as Los Angeles is called, and its º£½ÇÉçÇø of offerings is only about half an hour's drive away. If you are keen on connecting with fellow empty-nesters, you will love the fact that seniors, those aged 55 years and above, make up a whopping 56% of Seal Beach's population.

Alamo

Rolling hills frame this tasty California charmer known for its imposing estates and beautiful scenery. Providing heart-melting vistas of the Mount Diablo Valley, this town's backyard boasts outdoor adventures— such as Iron Horse Regional Trail — that will keep a retiree consistently busy and engaged. This town is small and boasts a welcome community of just about 13,800. One will enjoy the intimate experiences that towns of a similar size provide, including forging first-name social networks — as well as a slow, unhurried hum. The best thing about residing here is that one is never more than an hour's drive away from San Fransisco and Napa, California's wine capital. Also, since seniors, those aged 55 years and above, makeup about 48% of the town's population, one is more likely to tap into the social circles and support networks of similarly-aged folks. Finally, 29% of the town's population holds a master's degree or higher, meaning any random person is likely to be well-informed and thoughtful. 

Pacific Grove

Retiring here involves being at the doorstep of the iconic Point Pinos Lighthouse — the oldest continually operating lighthouse on the West Coast. This prominent landmark, with its original lenses and prisms, has guided ships sailing the treacherous waters of the º£½ÇÉçÇø's largest ocean — for nearly 170 years. For seniors who love the sweetness of early-morning dew and views that can set any heart aglow, exploring the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail will quickly become a regular routine. The fact Pacific Grove is unbelievably safe, boasts a population of which 40% are seniors, and is known to be incredibly family-friendly — are features that add to its retirement appeal. But that said, the town's warm and welcoming atmosphere is often best experienced at Lovers Point Park, a greenspace gem that defies superlatives.

San Marino

For starters, about 2 out of every 5 San Marino residents (39%) hold a master's degree or higher. This means random conversations are likely to be interesting, positive, and upbeat. Also, seniors comprise about 35% of the town's population. This means you will meet folks with whom you can reminisce about the good old days, share dreams, and plot adventures. Everyday life here involves visiting mom-and-pop shops, exploring the parks ( The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens provide an outrageously beautiful experience), and visiting the Crowell Public Library. San Marino feels like old-school America and has nothing much in terms of bars, liquor stores, fast food restaurants, retail chain stores, and shopping malls. The positive side is that all the things you can ever need from a big city will not require days of planning. San Marino is a convenient 11 miles from Los Angeles.

The Take-home

We can grumble and quibble about California's affordability. The Golden State might not be the cheapest — even if it exempts Social Security retirement benefits from taxation. However, regarding scenery, outdoor adventure, and incredibly delicious landscapes, few states can hold a candle to the third-largest state in America. Retiring here is like a dash into the great outdoors. If you are considering retirement here, your best options would be such gems as Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Mar, and South Lake Tahoe.