Rosalind Evans
Discover the many reasons why California is an ideal destination for your retirement.
California tends to receive some undue flack, often caricatured as a state filled to the brim with thrill-seekers, erstwhile hippies, individuals obsessed with superficiality, and fitness enthusiasts. Detractors highlight its sprawling commercial strips, overcrowded big box stores, polluted air, erratic weather, and nightmarish traffic.
However, there are more complete pictures of the Golden State. In truth, California offers retirees ample room, unrivalled natural beauty, and access to nature like no other state. Its vast collection of protected coastal regions and national parks is easily accessible within a day’s drive. Yosemite, California’s gem, attracts photographers, hikers, and tourists alike. The state’s picturesque 840-mile coastline stretches from Mexico to Oregon, offering quaint towns still untouched by commercial tourism.
Retirement in California also comes with financial advantages. The state doesn’t tax Social Security income; other retirement income is subject to taxation. Despite high median property prices, the average effective property tax rate is relatively low.
There is so much to explore in California for retirees. Read on to discover these treasures, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself drawn toward the Western horizon.
The charm of smaller cities
California’s smaller cities offer more manageable living conditions and are more cost-effective than well-known giants like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Cities like Stockton, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Clovis in the San Joaquin Valley offer lower housing costs.
These smaller metropolitan areas have the added benefit of less traffic, meaning you’re just a quick drive away from a beach, forest, or mountain climbing adventure. For example, Fresno offers a prime location at the intersection of three national parks: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon.
According to the California Association of Realtors, Solano is the least expensive in the Bay Area’s nine counties. Affordable housing markets are available in northern counties like Lassen, Siskiyou, Tehama, Plumas, and Central Valley.
A vibrant theatre and music scene
East Coast retirees needn’t fret about missing Broadway, as many high-profile shows grace stages across California. The Pasadena Playhouse, which won the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is one such example.
Music enthusiasts will also appreciate festivals like Coachella, featuring top-tier performers. Other outdoor annual events include Napa’s BottleRock, Reggae on the River, San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival, Newport Beach and Monterey Jazz festivals, and Splash House in Palm Springs.
The literary heritage and excellent education options in California’s rich literary history are visible in its numerous landmarks. From San Francisco’s City Lights, the country’s first all-paperback bookstore, to the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, there’s plenty for book lovers.
In terms of education, state residents aged 60 and over can have their tuition waived in the California State University system. The 116 California Community Colleges also offer many non-credit courses free of charge, with a fee waiver option for seniors enrolling in credit courses.
Breathtaking outdoor beauty California offers many outdoor activities thanks to the Pacific Coast Trail’s 2,650 miles and over 200 public beaches. Beautiful landscapes are available year-round, from sunbathing by the ocean to admiring snow-capped mountains.
The state also boasts a Mediterranean climate in regions like Sonoma and Napa counties, perfect for camping, gardening, and even foraging.
Exquisite food options
California is responsible for producing over a third of the country’s vegetables and three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts. Fresh, local produce is readily available in grocery stores and farmers’ markets.
California’s farm-to-table movement, ignited by Chef Alice Waters and her Berkeley restaurant Chez Panisse, has influenced numerous chefs nationwide, resulting in various healthy, seasonal, and organic food options.
A golfer’s paradise and exceptional wineries Golf enthusiasts will love the vast selection of courses available, with California boasting over 950 golf courses, the second-highest in the country. Riverside and Los Angeles counties alone host hundreds of golf facilities.
Over 4,000 wineries dot the state for wine lovers, offering scenic vineyard tours, wine tastings, and opportunities to buy directly from vineyards. With a booming wine industry that produces about 90% of U.S. wine, you’re guaranteed to find a new favourite bottle.
So, with these myriad attractions and the culinary legacy of Julia Child, who hailed from Pasadena, California, retirement here promises delightful food and wine. So, bon appetit and cheers!
Retirement in California is about more than just sunshine. From its underrated smaller cities to the diverse theatre and music scene, it’s literary heritage and educational opportunities, breathtaking outdoor beauty, exquisite food, world-class golf courses, and exceptional wineries, the Golden State offers various attractions to enrich your golden years. If you’re considering where to enjoy the fruits of your labour, don’t overlook California – it may be the perfect place to hang your hat and call home.
