Top 10 cities in California best place to live in California

Is West Coast sunshine calling your name? From the rolling hills of Northern California’s wine country to the sandy beaches of Southern California’s oceanfront, the Golden State’s natural beauty and range of outdoor activities are simply unmatched. So if you’re California dreamin’, here’s a look at the 10 best cities to call home in this exceptionally large and diverse state.

Fremont
Fremont is one of the most popular places to call home in the San Francisco Bay Area – and we can certainly see why. With its friendly, healthy and affluent residents, this highly sought after community was recently named the number one happiest place to live in America by WalletHub, and the 11th best city in America for job seekers by NerdWallet. Due to its low crime rate, stable housing market and sunny weather, Fremont is also “exceptionally livable,” according to AreaVibes..
Irvine
Located in California’s Orange County, the affluent city of Irvine is known for its booming job market, family-friendly atmosphere, safe environment and beautiful weather. In addition, AreaVibes claims Irvine is “exceptionally livable” because of its high number of amenities and stable housing market. According to WalletHub, this Southern California city also happens to be the third happiest place to live in America.

Los Angeles
A city for dreamers, this sprawling Southern California metropolis offers something for everyone. From the Hollywood Walk of Fame to numerous iconic Hollywood production studios, Los Angeles is also the center of the United States’ booming film and entertainment industry. In addition, the city ranks highly by AreaVibes for its numerous big city amenities, sunny weather and stable housing market.
Mill Valley
Located 14 miles north of San Francisco, Mill Valley is considered “exceptionally livable” by AreaVibes due to its A+ amenities, stable housing market and low crime rates. The city’s many parks, beautiful surroundings and close proximity to a major urban center have made this city a popular choice for San Francisco commuters. Recently, Mill Valley received attention for being one of the safest cities in California, as well as for having some of the state’s most distinguished schools.
Palo Alto
While owning a home in Palo Alto is sure to cost you a pretty penny, residents of this Northern California city will tell you the price is well-worth the money. The city at the center of Silicon Valley is home to numerous booming companies, family-friendly museums and a top-rated school district. AreaVibes gives Palo Alto high ratings across the board for its sunny weather, great amenities, fabulous education system and exceptionally low crime rates. In addition, Livability also recently named Palo Alto the 10th best city in America for families.
San Diego
Known for its warm climate, outstanding restaurants, and surfable beaches, San Diego is without a doubt one of the best coastal cities to call home in California. According to WalletHub, it is also the seventh happiest place to live in America.
San Francisco
From the Golden Gate Bridge to the iconic cable cars, San Francisco is one of America’s most beloved cities. Those looking for a bustling urban environment, top restaurants and a thriving job market will find it in San Francisco. Review.
San Jose
Those searching for a happy and healthy place to call home will find it in San Jose. In fact, according to WalletHub’s latest study, this California city is the second happiest place to live in America, ranking first in the U.S. for overall emotional and physical well-being. According to AreaVibes, the city is “extremely livable” as well because of its A+ amenities, sunny weather and stable housing market. The city’s strong job market and impressive population growth are an additional two reasons why San Jose was named the third best place to live in America in 2017 by U.S. News.
Santa Monica
Year-round sunny weather, walkable streets and close-proximity to Los Angeles make this Southern California town a fantastic beach community for its residents. Livability.com has named Santa Monica a top 100 place to live in America for several years. In 2016, the city’s vibrant downtown was also included in Livability’s top 10 best downtowns list. Despite a pricey housing market, Santa Monica attracts a wide-ranging demographic with its high-end amenities, spectacular beaches and warm temperatures, according to AreaVibes.
Santa Rosa
Oenophiles and foodies alike will find what they’re looking for in Santa Rosa’s beautiful wine country. Located just north of San Francisco, this laid-back city offers a “very livable” place to call home according to AreaVibes. Santa Rosa boasts amazing restaurants, fabulous shopping, a stable housing market, sunny weather and a slew of high-end amenities. WalletHub also ranked Santa Rosa as the ninth happiest place to live in America because of its residents’ healthy emotional and physical well-being.