10 Best Places to Live in California

Finding your place in The Golden State

When most people think of California, they picture beaches, Hollywood movie stars and places without snow. It’s no wonder you’re considering moving there!

As you figure out where to live, consider one of the following Golden State cities. We based our list on several factors, including employment and educational opportunities, work-life balance and amenities (and yes, there are beaches!). 

Where to live in California: 10 cities to consider

Check out these towns that made our top 10. We’ve listed them alphabetically.

1. Dublin

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dublin offers suburban convenience with job opportunities in healthcare and technology. Some residents commute for work in nearby cities like Livermore, Oakland, Pleasanton and San Francisco.

Named for Dublin, Ireland, the town offers suburban living, shopping centers, parks and community amenities while staying close to major cities. Dublin is served by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), providing a rail connection to other parts of the region.

• Population: Around 73,000
• Ideal for: Families and professionals wanting a suburban lifestyle with easy access to Bay Area jobs and transit.
• Education: Dublin Unified School District, nearby community colleges and access to Bay Area universities.
• Fun fact: A rogue cannonball crashed through two homes and landed on a car during a 2011 filming of the television series MythBusters. Thankfully, no one was injured. 

2. Elk Grove

It sounds like a town you might find in Colorado or Montana; in fact, there is an Elk Grove in the latter. However, Elk Grove, California, was named after a town in Missouri when the Elk Grove Hotel and Stage Shop was built in 1850 by Missourian James Hall.

The city is located in the Sacramento metropolitan area and is known for wineries and vineyards. Besides fields related to winemaking, there are job opportunities in education, healthcare, government and retail. 

• Population: Approximately 185,000 (up from 176,000 in the 2020 U.S. Census)
• Ideal for: Families seeking suburban life, community activities and easy access to Sacramento.
• Education: Elk Grove Unified School District and access to Sacramento-area colleges
• Fun fact: Elk Grove is home to the first large-scale rain garden in California. The site was designed to educate visitors about conserving natural resources.

3. Folsom

Located east of Sacramento, the city has residential neighborhoods, community amenities and multiple opportunities for residents to hike, bike, boat and spend time outdoors.

Folsom Lake and the surrounding areas are major attractions. The city also has a vibrant historic district. Many residents work in education, government, healthcare, professional services and technology.

• Population: Around 96,000
• Ideal for: Outdoor enthusiasts, professionals and families seeking a suburb with access to recreation.
• Education: Folsom-Cordova Unified School District, nearby colleges and access to Sacramento-area universities.
• Fun fact: Despite having never served time there, late musician Johnny Cash wrote the song “Folsom Prison Blues” in 1955 and later recorded the song live at the prison in 1968.

4. Fresno

Among California’s largest cities, Fresno is a major Central Valley city with access to agricultural regions and the Sierra Nevada. It often provides more attainable housing options than many coastal markets.

Several industries shape the city's economy. Healthcare and education are major employers, and agriculture, logistics, government and public services also support the local job market. 

• Population: Approximately 556,000
• Ideal for: People seeking more affordable housing and lower living costs than other large cities in the state, with access to Central Valley employment.
• Education: California State University, Fresno, and Fresno City College offer higher education and career training. Multiple public and private Pre-K–12 school options.
• Fun fact: Fresno is the raisin capital of the world due to its perfect environment for growing grapes to produce raisins.

5. Irvine

Located in central Orange County and part of the Los Angeles metro, Irvine is a planned city with extensive parks and near Southern California beaches. The city has a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks and bike trails.

The local economy is based on biotechnology, education, finance, healthcare, professional services and technology. Its location also provides access to employment throughout Orange County and the wider Los Angeles region.

• Population: Around 319,000
• Ideal for: Those who prioritize education, well-maintained public spaces and a thriving job market.
• Education: University of California, Irvine; Irvine Unified School District; nearby colleges and universities
• Fun fact: Irvine is home to Taco Bell's global corporate headquarters.

6. Long Beach

The coastal city of Long Beach is in southeastern Los Angeles County. It’s known for its waterfront businesses and attractions as well as its mixture of urban and coastal vibes.

The Port of Long Beach and related maritime industries play an important role in the economy. Education, healthcare, logistics, professional services and tourism provide other job opportunities.

• Population: Approximately 450,000
• Ideal for: People who want coastal access with an urban atmosphere and the cultural amenities of a larger city.
• Education: California State University, Long Beach; Long Beach City College; local public and private schools
• Fun fact: The Port of Long Beach is one of the busiest container ports in the United States.

7. Palo Alto

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto offers access to leading educational institutions and one of the country's most prominent technology economies, which includes the nearby cities of Mountain View, Menlo Park and Sunnyvale.

The city combines established residential neighborhoods, a strong professional community and a downtown filled with restaurants, shops and local businesses. Stanford University is Palo Alto's most recognized educational institution.

• Population: Approximately 67,600
• Ideal for: Technology professionals, researchers and families who want access to Silicon Valley's career opportunities and local educational opportunities.
• Education: Stanford University, Palo Alto Unified School District and nearby colleges, plus a range of public and private K–12 schools.
• Fun fact: Palo Alto is known as the birthplace of Silicon Valley, as it is where Hewlett-Packard was founded in 1939 (and no, that date one year before 1940 is not a typo!).

8. Roseville

As the third-largest city in the Sacramento metropolitan area, Roseville offers a suburban lifestyle near the state capital. The town is historically associated with the railroad, which remains a major employer, and the growing city has become a commercial hub.

Roseville has a diverse employment base with health care as a major industry. Technology, professional services, retail and other sectors provide additional opportunities. Many residents also commute to Sacramento and other nearby areas.

• Population: Over 167,000
• Best for: Families, professionals and people who want suburban amenities with access to a larger regional job market.
• Education: Roseville City School District, Roseville Joint Union High School District and nearby colleges.
• Fun fact: The town was originally named Junction because the California Central Railroad tracks met there. The exact origin of Roseville's new name is still up for debate among residents and historians.

9. Sacramento

California's capital city, Sacramento, offers employment opportunities, outdoor recreation sites and urban amenities. The city also provides access to Northern California, with convenient travel toward the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe and the Bay Area.

The city has a significant government employment base, but the local economy also includes healthcare, education, technology, construction and professional services.

• Population: Over 536,000
• Ideal for: Families and professionals who want a broad job market, urban amenities and access to outdoor recreation with capital city vibes.
• Education: Sacramento State, UC Davis nearby, community colleges and a range of public and private K-12 schools
• Fun fact: A devastating flood in the early 1860s led to a revitalization of the city, including increasing street elevations and raising some buildings by up to 9 feet. Many businesses elected to turn their first stories into basements after they fell below street level. Many underground portions of the town still exist in the western part of the city.

10. San Diego

For access to the coast and the amenities and opportunities of a large city, San Diego is an excellent choice. Its beaches, waterfront areas, parks and more offer year-long outdoor recreation.

Defense and military-related industries play an important role in the city’s diverse economy. Biotechnology, education, healthcare, research, technology, and tourism provide opportunities in other fields. Several universities and research institutions also contribute to the regional economy.

• Population: Over 1.4 million
• Ideal for: Those who want beaches, outdoor activities, a mild climate and a diverse regional job market.
• Education: University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, University of San Diego, community colleges and public and private schools for K-12.
• Fun fact: The city’s Balboa Park, spanning over 1,200 acres, is larger than Central Park and is the world's largest urban cultural park.

More California towns worth exploring

These 5 communities, listed alphabetically, also offer attractive qualities if you’re considering a move to California.

• Clovis for suburban amenities near Fresno. Population: Approximately 129,000.
• Mountain View for technology careers and Bay Area access. Population: Around 85,000.
• Palm Desert for desert life and recreation. Population: Approximately 53,000.
• San Jose for technology and engineering career opportunities. Population: Around 990,000.
• Visalia for smaller-city living and outdoor access. Population: Over 146,000.

Moving long distance to California?

If you’re moving from another state to California, U-Pack® can help. We’re an out-of-state moving service with nearly 30 years of experience and locations in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. 

Call 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or request your free, no-obligation quote online. Let us know in the comments if you have questions!