From sandy beaches and scenic mountains to desert landscapes, California offers a diverse climate and setting to suit every taste. A bustling place with a plethora of entertainment options, it’s no wonder that this vast state attracts so many people to call it their home.
If you are looking for places to live in California, you have plenty to choose from. This state is home to many iconic cities, and offers ample job opportunities. It is a great place for people who are outdoor enthusiasts and want to explore nature.
Wish to move to the Golden state?
Located on the west coast, this is one of the most beautiful states in the US. The landscapes are breathtaking, and the climate is mild year round. Whether you are looking to live in an apartment, or a house, California has a variety of options.
Dive into our list of the best places in California to live:
Sacramento #1
With tree-lined streets, plenty of waterways, and a thriving art scene, Sacramento is one of the topmost Places to Live in California.
It provides numerous educational opportunities and is quite affordable compared to other places, making it one of the best places to live in California for families.
There are plenty of activities to indulge in, with a 32-mile bike trail, beach sports options, and clubs. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love to explore the farm-to-fork restaurants here that use organically sourced ingredients.
The city is also just a few hours away from San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, enabling exciting weekend getaways.
San Diego #2
If you’re a young adult looking for a vibrant social life and beachside fun, San Diego may be a perfect choice for Places to Live in California. Whether you love living near the beach or the serene life of the suburbs, San Diego offers it all.
It has world-class dining and an array of entertainment options, ranging from typical beachside activities to lively markets and bars.
Its distinct neighbourhoods foster strong community ties, where you won’t feel the isolation of living in a large metro city but can still have access to all its superior amenities.
Some of the most popular attractions include Coronado Beach, La Jolla Shores, Balboa Park, Legoland, and the San Diego Zoo.
San Francisco #3
One of the most popular Places to Live in California for elite individuals to move to is San Francisco. Being the economic hotspot of northern California, it is home to many companies and tech start-ups. There is a high per capita income with many lucrative job opportunities.
With its coastal location, hilly landscape, and pleasant weather, it has a lot to offer. There are many intriguing places such as Chinatown, Fisherman’s Wharf, Union Square, and Little Italy.
Providing premium amenities and a scenic location, it’s no wonder that San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in California.
Los Angeles #4
Wish to enjoy a truly cosmopolitan vibe?
Nothing compares to the glamour of Los Angeles.
A hub of the Hollywood entertainment industry, the city of lights offers many leisure possibilities. With its diverse art scene, stunning beaches, adventurous activities, and world-class entertainment, it is one of the best places to live in California if you love to be in the middle of all the action.
The city has a warm climate with mild winters. Home to Disneyland, this is a dream destination for many.
San Jose #5
Only an hour away from San Francisco, this is considered one of the most liveable cities in California. It is home to many tech companies, it describes itself as the ‘Capital of Silicon Valley’.
With so many lucrative job opportunities in this area, it becomes manageable to adjust to the high living expenses.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to do here, from hiking in Castle Rock State Park, biking in Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve, and going for a picnic in San Jose Municipal Rose Garden amongst many others.
It also has some intriguing attractions including the 160-room, maze-like Winchester Mystery House, a massive Monopoly board, and a 120-acre flea market complete with ponies.
Santa Monica #6
Home to spectacular beaches and a short drive away from Los Angeles, Santa Monica is another popular choice. Despite an expensive housing market, the city attracts a lot of people due to its premium amenities, warm temperature, and convenient location.
Santa Monica flaunts four weekly farmers’ markets selling fresh produce and beautiful flowers. If you are a book lover, you will love the peaceful quietude of the libraries here.
There is also no dearth of outdoor activities with plenty of parks and trails in this area.
If you love to stay close to the beach and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, this is the place to be.
California features such a diverse variety of places with its own unique offerings. Depending on your priorities, you can pick the city that attracts you the most to begin the next chapter of your life.
Stay tuned for more such insights!
FAQs:
Q. What is the most affordable place to live in California?
Sacramento is one of the most affordable cities to live in.
Q. What are the best places to live in California for retirees?
Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Diego are some of the best areas to live in California for retirees.
Q. What is the healthiest place to live in California?
San Francisco, San Diego, and San Jose are considered some of the healthiest cities in California.
Closing Notes
Having a job is an important factor in determining quality of life. The city has a strong economy and offers puddles of employment opportunities. A good education is another quality of life criterion.
When looking for places to live in California, be aware of crime rates in some cities. You may not want to live in a neighborhood where there are many burglaries.
I was born and raised in Beautiful California, but it has gone to Hell because of people like Pelosi, newson, Maxine ,Gascon and all of the libtards
Absolutely right Enrique! That’s why there has been a massive exodus of people from California in the last several years.
You had to leave because you couldn’t it loser.
Nothing to do with politics
Those people you mentioned don’t have anything to do with the rising price of real estate, facisct.
So true, our Liberal policies has hurt California significantly. With the homeless population to the smash and grab robberies. California is not a safe place to live. I don’t understand we’re the tax dollars go. I drove over 600 miles this last weekend on the freeway. Just saw one CHP. It is shame of lackluster of governance in this state. This state is run by dumb and dumber and dumbest.
The places that really are nice to live in were left out. Newport Beach (beaches and canals almost like Venice, Italy.) Santa Barbara. Russian River resort area (beautiful redwood forest plus river with beaches.) Glendale (huge shopping city, also clean and modern. If you can’t buy it there it doesn’t exist.) Beverly Hills (expensive but very nice and quiet and peaceful.)
🤣🤣🤣🤣 nah
Sad to see the downfall of California.
I’m a Californian. to survive you need to either be poor and get free health care, food stamps , section 8, cash aid and the free Obama welfare phone,,,. or have so much money that the cost of living doesn’t matter. the middle class are really the ones getting screwed. too many taxes
That is an eye-catching photo of a bridge in Croatia. What does it have to do with living in California?
Is it safe to assume the entire article is as well researched as its feature photo? That bridge is in Croatia, not California.
Why don’t you leave???
Lifelong Californian here. I don’t understand. For those of you who live here, but hate it so much, why don’t you move??
😛
We are planning
I agree. If you hate living here so much you are free to leave, it’s a decision you have to make. No one is stopping you. Yes, California is outrageously expensive just like NYC. But its expensive for a reason, EVERYBODY keeps moving here for one reason or another which drives cost up duh.
These places used to be nice 20 yrs ago. Crime, homelessness and traffic plague all these places. What a joke!
I live in a good neighborhood in Sacramento and I’m still scared to leave the house. People are robbed and murdered here on the daily.
The NorthBay.
Sacramento is the armpit of California…stockton is the new Sacramento…had to move away because u will get robed
If you stay long enough….or killed…
I moved to Sacramento from NY thinking it was gonna be a nice change at a new start. This place is wild. I never had this shit when I lived in NY. Open my front door to a homeless man with one shoe rubbing his belly at me with a devilish grin, licking his lips at me near my car while the landscaper 5 feet away whispers “Help…me…”. Girl, shit got me questioning my whole existence. Like, why the hell did I move away from good ass pizza and Italian food for Steve to show me his beer baby at 9am? I’m going back, y’all can keep this good weather, my brain can’t handle this lol.
Look at the butt sore liberals talking down on people who recognize California is a joke now . Nobody cares about you or your opinion.
Update! sorry for technical issues