Aptly dubbed the City of Angels, this cultural haven is one of the coolest cities in California and is bespeckled with scenes to explore. You might have heard of Anaheim since it is the home of Disneyland as well as the Anaheim Ducks and Anaheim Angels. Located in Los Angeles County, Long Beach is one of the most popular tourist destinations in California. Best Places Or, you can enjoy one of the best nightlife scenes in the country. List of largest cities in California by population - Wikipedia 11. Pros and Cons: + Excellent amenities + Clean and safe area Astronomical home prices Limited public transportation. Additionally, the city has mild weather all year although it can get chilly during the winter. The only drawback we see here is the high cost of living. This upscale suburb of Los Angeles is a haven for the rich and famous, with notable residents such as Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Will Smith. Best Even though a LA suburb, the place is more tranquil, offering the perfect experience for student life. Residents here can enjoy the stunning beachfront or stroll around downtown Monterey and visit one of its many high-end restaurants or cozy cafes. The 12 Best Cities to Live in California in 2021 - First Team San Diego is one of the best places in California for young adults as the metro area has ample beach access and a vibrant social scene with a smaller population than Los Angeles. Meanwhile, homes here are priced at an average of around $350,000 to $400,000, which is an absolute steal in California. Lets dive into some of Californias top beach cities, listed from north to south, so you can find the right place for you. Rubys is known for their tasty milkshakes and appetizing burgers. Pennsylvania and Florida towns took top spots for places to retire, according to U.S. News & World Report. Visit the Santa Ana Zoo or one of many museums for prime entertainment. In addition to Forbes, his bylines have also been featured on Credible, Fox Business, Wallet Hacks, and Well Kept Wallet. Explore the most popular cities in California with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Carmel. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. And California's thriving cities, trend-setting cultural institutions, and booming industries make it a great place to live. 16 Best Girls' Weekend Getaways. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. Past performance is not indicative of future results. It is a quiet suburb of Sacramento that sits right on Folsom Lake that offers a high quality of living for virtually all ages. Pros and Cons: + Extremely affordable + Historic downtown Far from major cities Hot desert summers. It was not easy to narrow our list down to just 20 of the best places to live in California since there are so many desirable cities within the Golden State. He uses his professional and personal experience to help families save money and pay off debt faster. Santa Cruz We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. The data shows that Folsom has become one of the best places to live in California. From hundreds of eateries to incredible nightlife and beautiful beaches, there are so many fun things to do in Newport. Pros and Cons: + Perfect for nature lovers + Safe area Rising housing costs Far from Los Angeles. You can click here to see a full table of the full of the 100 biggest cities in Bankrate follows a strict Only one block from the beachfront, this is where you can find most Long Beach locals on the weekends. Oakland. All Rights Reserved. The crime rate is also relatively high versus other California cities. To help you decide, weve utilized data across five important categories to determine the Bankrate Best Places to Live lists: well-being, job markets, affordability, migration and diversity. She also has a thirst for solo adventuring and has hiked 400 consecutive miles by herself through the Arizona desert. No matter your preferences, the big and beautiful state of California has a plethora of towns and cities home to top-tier universities in a variety of different environments. Lafayette is an incredible small city across the bay from San Francisco. Best Pros and Cons: + Very affordable for California standards + Ideal for nature lovers Limited job market Very hot summers. Our ratings take into consideration the city size, crime rate, diversity, unemployment rate and cost of living. People may not be traveling to San Francisco with ">flowers in their hair anymore, but places The 18 best stores to find Midcentury Modern furniture in L.A. Additionally, there is the picturesque Balboa Island that features a peaceful and unspoiled neighborhood with upscale boutiques and pricey homes. The median sale price of a home here is the lowest on our list by far less than half of what a home runs in San Jose. At the top of the ranking are California's San Jose and San Francisco, which remain the center of the U.S. tech sector despite an incredibly high cost of living. However, traffic jams are a significant problem and its not always easy to bike or walk to work. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. It is famous for being close to Hollywood, a port for Catalina Island, and having great downtown nightlife. St. Augustine is home to Anastasia State Park, whose beach ranked among the 10 Best Beaches in the South. If youre wondering where the best places to live in California are, our guide can help you find your ideal community. Best this post may contain references to products from our partners. Santa Barbara While by far not the smallest city in California, Santa Barbara offers a real sense of escape. 1. In fact, the area is home to more than 1.5 million acres of farms (and 40 farmers markets). Best College Towns In California - WorldAtlas There are almost 500 cities in the state of California. The entire city of Santa Monica is worth a visit, but don't miss the iconic Santa Monica Pier while there. And while $714,000 is certainly not cheap, many people find it a fair price to pay for an address in the middle of all that Sonoma wine country has to offer. Population: 842,754 | Google Maps | Website | SF Travel Guides | Best Places to Stay in San Francisco | Browse Hotels in San Francisco on Booking. Population: 272,694 | Google Maps | Website | Browse Hotels in Irvine on Booking. Founded in 1797 by the Spanish, San Juan Bautista is a small CA city with historic roots and appealing Spanish-style architecture. Best College Towns In Southern California SoCal towns boast programs in all disciplines like engineering, business, and liberal arts. Thats not bad for those looking to settle in a nice little community that is also close to a big city. Our full-featured web hosting packages include everything you need to get started with your website, email, blog and online store. It is the ideal city for those looking for non-stop action and entertainment. Best Cities Best Places To Live In California 2023 - AreaVibes This doesnt mean affordable housing cant be found. Walnut Creek is a city of just under 70,000 people that sits only 30 minutes from San Francisco and 45 minutes from San Jose. Irvines cost of living is roughly 90% higher than the US average. Long Beach also hosts annual events like the One Love Cali Reggae Fest every summer and the Queen Marys Dark Harbor horror festival every Halloween season. Similar to Los Angeles, you will never run out of things to do in San Francisco. Apple, Meta, Alphabet and Google are all in the San Jose area as well, as is Stanford University. Boost your business with rewards, perks and more. San Francisco. Irvines school system is regarded as one of the best in the US. Irvines cost of living is roughly 90% higher than the US average, with home prices that are around $1 million. California Mar 9, 2022 San Luis Obispos prime location allows its residents to access the mountains, beaches, or ocean in just a short drive from the city. A small residential town that is known for its great weather year-round and its many outdoor activities. Compare trusted real estate agents all in one place. Los Altos also features a quaint little downtown area that is home to numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops. Clovis is the highest ranked place on our list of the best cities to live in California that is located in the states Central Valley. Vallejo also has a revitalized downtown district with several art studios and opportunities to enjoy the water in San Pablo Bay. The state of California has three cities that exceed population counts of over one million: Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. There are two performing stages inside, a small one for up-and-coming artists and a larger one for established performers. Forget the insane traffic in Los Angeles and the busy beaches of San Diego: If youre looking for a place where the relaxed SoCal vibes can really shine, check out Ventura. We compared the various California metropolitan areas using data from several platforms to measure variable criteria for home affordability, healthy employment and population growth. Santa Ana is a densely populated major city in California. It was even ranked the, 2nd best city to raise a family in the nation by WalletHub, Meanwhile, Irvine is quite safe, with about, 30% less crime than the national average for cities. 12 Most Stunning Santa Rosas low unemployment and high rate of employee growth are also solid draws. Population: 48,390 | Google Maps | Website | Best Places to Stay in Palm Springs | Browse Hotels in Palm Springs on Booking. Around an hour north of Oakland, it trades the Bay Areas crowds for the charm of a small downtown filled with farm-to-table dining. WebBest cities in California. Fresno is the biggest agricultural center in central California and many restaurant dishes are sourced locally. 23 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California - Travel Irvine is probably the best place to live in California for families. Pros and Cons: + Great for families + Lots of amenities and things to do Limited public transportation High home prices. Fresno is Californias largest inland city and 45 miles from the states geographic center. While the cost of living here is still higher than the national average, its much more affordable when compared with the rest of the state. Visit the 300-acre Woodward Regional Park to have a picnic or play a family-friendly game of soccer on a nice afternoon. Visit 2nd Street for the best bars and restaurants in Long Beach. The Golden State also ranks among the best places to attend college, and going to college in California can pay off. Newport Beach is one of the most popular Orange County beaches. 23 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California. Long Beach. Adults and children both love the Coin-Op, an 80s-themed arcade, and the California State Capitol Museum. Yet, the town's interior is equally inviting, ranking Santa Monica Pier. San Diego. Population: 142,017 | Google Maps | Website | Browse Hotels in Pasadena on Booking. U.S. Living up to its name, Palm Springs offers beautiful views of towering palm trees and gorgeous SoCal mountains from everywhere in the city. best California covers more than 163,000 square miles and is the biggest state in the country in terms of population. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence. Population: 1.415 million | Google Maps | Website | Browse Hotels in San Diego on Booking. Contact us at: hello (at) strategistico (dot) com. WebLos Angeles San Diego San Jose San Francisco Fresno Sacramento Long Beach Oakland Bakersfield Anaheim Stockton Riverside Santa Ana Irvine Chula Vista Fremont Santa The 3.2-mile loop is a Riverside, California landmark with views of the whole city from the top. Your email address will not be published. A Northern California city that combines culture, food, and fun attractions. Choose the best home insurance company for you. There are two main piers in Newport Beach, the Newport Pier, and the Balboa Pier. Meanwhile, the city itself offers many great community events, such as a farmers market, outdoor summer concert series at the amphitheater, and many annual events and festivals. Watch the pups play at the Huntington Dog Beach where the U.S. Open is held every year. Below, find the formula that we utilized to calculate the weighted sum score for each city: Weighted sum score = (Well-being * 0.30) + (Unemployment rate * -0.20) + (Total employees year-over-year * 0.05) + (Cost of living * -0.10) + (Average income * 0.05) + (Median home sale price * -0.05) + (Net migration * 0.15) + (Diversity * 0.10). In fact, many of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. are in California. Meanwhile, Clovis is really affordable compared to the rest of the state. Drive with peace of mind when you compare insurance carriers and find the policy thats right for you. California is truly an international place as millions of people have come from all over the world to call the Golden State home. After we tallied up all the numbers and processed all the data, we found that the best places to live in California for 2023 are: Our mission is to provide a digital resource with original insights on lifestyle and travel experiences. Many people love living in California for its laid-back culture and diverse climate featuring beaches, desert and mountains. University of California, Berkeley. It is just an hour and a half from San Francisco and only 2 hours away from Lake Tahoe. WebOver half of the states total population resides in just five of the counties: Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino. You can find some of the best authentic Mexican food and swap meets in the San Bernardino city center. 2023 Bankrate, LLC. San Francisco. Mexican culture is prevalent throughout California, but Native American and various Asian cultures have also had an impact on Californias cultural heritage. 1. Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, and Silverwood Lake are all excellent spots to escape busy city life and enjoy a relaxing day on the water. But thats the thing about this Silicon Valley hub: If youre looking to live here, youre probably working with more cash than most due to a high-paying tech job at Adobe, Cisco, eBay or one of the other high-tech companies based here. Pros and Cons: + Family friendly, tight-knit community + Affordable city near SF Bay Area traffic High housing costs. The cost of living here is about 30% lower than the California average. Thank you! 17 Best Places to Visit in California. The state is also home to several professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer teams. Image credit Ken Wolter via Shutterstock. Cities in California The city rose to fame during the 1800s Gold Rush, and San Francisco is now one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities in the United States. Best cities (1395) Yosemite Valley #1 - Yosemite Valley. Considered the oldest city in California, San Diego is the perfect blend of city and beach life. Los Angeles also offers a huge variety of outdoor activities. Sacramento. 17 Great Destinations for Foodies in California 1. Compare cards in one place to find the one for you. A romantic storybook village by the sea with beautiful hotels and excellent dining. While in the area, you must also visit San Diegos north county. San Diego tops our list of the best places to live in California by being one of the most well-rounded cities in the nation. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times) Lifestyle The 18 best stores to find Midcentury Modern furniture in L.A. By Lisa Boone Staff Writer June 27, 2023 5 AM PT For Subscribers 15 Best Cities in California | PlanetWare The Colorado River forms a natural border between California and Arizona, and the river is a vital source of water for Southern California and the southwest desert region. If youre looking for events to attend in Pasadena, the Rose Bowl is a great entertainment pastime. Life in Santa Rosa isnt simply about indulging your appetite, though. 18. r/California. Of course, we had to include San Francisco on our list of the best places to live in California in 2023. Population: 216,784 | Google Maps | Website | Browse Hotels in San Bernardino on Booking. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. You may also need a jumbo mortgage to buy a home due to its high home prices, so take that into consideration. For instance, this Gateway to the Sierras is right next to the mountains and is only 2 and a half hours from Yosemite National Park. best Its, cost of living is roughly 80% higher than the national average. It is also possible to take public transportation to get you into SF in about one and a half hours. St. Augustine is home to Anastasia State Park, whose beach ranked among the 10 Best Beaches in the South. Best Places St. Augustine is home to Anastasia State Park, whose beach ranked among the 10 Best Beaches in the South. Hi-tech, agriculture, aerospace, tourism, and Hollywood are the industries that drive Californias economy. People often stay in Los Angeles or San Diego when they visit the West Coast, but there are so many other great cities in California. The city of Dublin, California has been booming recently as more and more people have been moving to this Bay Area suburb. The Chase Law Group, LLC | 1447 York Road, Suite 505 | Lutherville, MD 21093 | (410) 790-4003, Easements and Related Real Property Agreements. 24 Best Cities to Visit in California - Go Travel California Pro Tip: Renting a car is the best way to see Santa Barbara, but if youre up for something a little more active, then this bike tour is also a great option. Although dogs arent allowed on the beach in Newport, they are allowed on the beach walkway. 19 Best Cities in California in 2023 (By a Local) - Travel Lemming Web15 Best Cities in California. Its by far one of the most romantic places to go in California. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Housing and rent prices throughout California are some the highest in the nation. Newport Beach is also known for featuring some of the best restaurants in the nation as well as a lively nightlife that can spill over to Huntington Beach if you ever get bored. There are also numerous family attractions like the zoo, the San Jose Museum of Art, and several parks that can be found around the city. If youre feeling adventurous, Carmel-by-the-Sea offers great scuba diving at the Carmel River State Beach. Pros and Cons: + Relatively affordable + Lots of outdoor and city activities Crime in certain areas Fewer amenities than other big cities. The city mayors office is currently revitalizing the downtown area. While the city isnt technically in Silicon Valley, its home to many tech startups and financial companies. Something went wrong. More than 125 languages are spoken in the city, according to VisitOakland.com, and the city earned the highest diversity score of any spot on our list. Login to Loopia Customer zone and actualize your plan. That brings us to our next point of affordability, which Newport Beach is not entirely known for. Vacaville is one of the best cities to live in northern California, you can consider neighborhoods named Brighton Landing, North Village, Ulatis Park, and Leisure Town for the best experience. Beautiful weather and has a lot of parks like Lagoon Valley Park, Andrew Park and more to enjoy. It is also one of Californias last urban farming communities. We would have ranked Los Altos a bit higher on our list of the best cities to live in California, but its super high cost of living dropped it down a few spots. Of course, Los Angeles makes our list of the best cities to live in California. Its sunny climate also makes San Diego solar-friendly. San Diego The average home here costs around $4 million. Why it stands out: Sacramento is proof that living in the Golden State doesnt require actually sitting on a mountain of gold. The 12 Best Cities to Live in California in 2021 - First Team It is one of the best free things to do in Irvine. Attorney Advertising. San Joses cast of high-paying employers make this a place for young professionals who want to leave their mark on the tech scene. Bankrates editorial team writes on behalf of YOU the reader. Here's an explanation for how we make money Santa Barbara is one of the best cities for introverts to live due to its proximity to nature and quiet streets. California cities like Pasadena are quite wealthy and San Francisco has some of the highest cost of living in the nation. Which California cities have the best mountain views? (Its not the The cost of living in Sacramento is pretty low compared to the rest of California, coming in at around 20% less than the state average. Riverside receives most of its visitors in the winter during the Mission Inn Festival of Lights. Best best cities According to Zillow, the, average value of a home in Palo Alto is about $3.6 million in 2022, But, San Jose is quite expensive to live in. Michele Petry is a senior editor for Bankrate, leading the sites real estate content. The largest city in California with thousands of things to do and something for everyone. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Pros and Cons: + Numerous outdoor activities + Energetic college town Worsening traffic Isolated location. 1. Pros and Cons: + Idyllic beach town vibes + Top dining and nightlife Expensive place to live Crowded during the summers. Irvine is a great city to visit in Orange County if you love shopping. California city among 'most livable' small cities in U.S., study says Learn about national parks, hotels, restaurants, beaches, mountains, cities, and more. It is tucked in between San Bernardino is one of the biggest counties in California, and makes our list of the top places to live in California. Sausalito. Located in southern California lies the picturesque city of San Diego. You may also enjoy beach communities like Long Beach or Santa Monica which are minutes from downtown but offer some respite as the Pacific Ocean is easy to reach. Cities In California in almost every assessment of the city, including its amenities, school system, and safety. Californias capital city is family-friendly, has ample educational opportunities and offers a reasonable cost of living. This Southern California beach is perfect for beachgoers who love to surf or get a good suntan. The yearly list of Best Places to Retire in the U.S. named Lancaster, Pennsylvania as the No. Its population of 1 million residents makes it the 3rd biggest city in California and it offers many things to do that you would expect from a city of this size. Population: 503,482 | Google Maps | Website | Browse Hotels in Sacramento on Booking.