Explore the Best Places to Retire in the Bay Area

Brought to you by Del Webb®

Shoreline with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop, near the best places to retire in the Bay Area
Shoreline with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop, near the best places to retire in the Bay Area

With its mild climate, incredible natural beauty, and well-developed communities, Northern California offers an ideal backdrop for your next chapter, and the best places to retire in the Bay Area can make it easy to enjoy a full, active, and engaged lifestyle. Whether exploring new hobbies, enjoying the outdoors, or spending more time with loved ones and friends, the Bay Area has a little something for everyone. Here’s a look at some of the top cities where you can find the freedom, connection, and quality of life you desire.

Summary:

  • Why Choose the Bay Area for Retirement? 

  • Best Places to Retire in the Bay Area

  • Active Adult Communities in the Bay Area

  • Conclusion


Why Choose the Bay Area for Retirement? 

The reasons why so many people choose Northern California for retirement are plentiful: it’s beautiful, offers convenient amenities, and is packed with opportunities to stay active, social, and fulfilled. Additionally, you benefit from easy access to iconic outdoor recreation spots, charming towns, and quality healthcare providers like UCSF Health, Stanford Medical, and John Muir Health.

While the Bay Area can be more expensive, the area’s communities offer excellent value for the price and a lifestyle where you can thrive, especially when you know where to look. Let’s explore the Bay Area and uncover some of the best cities to retire in Northern California. 


Best Places to Retire in the Bay Area

From quaint small towns to serene coastal enclaves, each Bay Area locale offers unique opportunities for social engagement, wellness, and leisure. Whether you're drawn to cultural attractions, outdoor adventures, or close-knit neighborhoods, the Bay Area stands out as one of the best places to retire in Northern California.


Walnut Creek

Walnut Creek is often named one of the best places to retire in the Bay Area. It checks all the boxes for recreational activities, dining, and connection, as well as easy access to John Muir Health. 


Just 26 miles from San Francisco, Walnut Creek features a busy downtown, the lovely Heather Farm Park, and Broadway Plaza, a top-tier outdoor shopping center with cafés and restaurants perfect for lunch with friends. Catch a show at the Lesher Center for the Arts or explore Lime Ridge Open Space. Walnut Creek is perfect for active adults who seek easy access to everyday amenities and big-city attractions while enjoying peaceful surroundings.


Pleasanton

If you love farmers markets, winery tours, and evenings on a quaint main street, Pleasanton is for you. With small-town charm and a sophisticated feel, Pleasanton offers community events, day trips, and a relaxed yet upscale vibe, ideal for retirees who want to settle down without slowing down.

Explore Downtown Pleasanton, packed with locally owned boutiques and restaurants, or catch live music and events at Lions Wayside Park. You’re also conveniently close to Livermore Valley Wine Country, with over 50 wineries that feature tastings and tours. Fans of the fairway can tee off at Callippe Preserve Golf Course while hikers and cyclists enjoy the Arroyo Trail system. Pleasanton truly earns its spot among the best small towns in Northern California to retire.
Grapevines at a Sonoma vineyard, near some of the best places to retire in Northern California
Grapevines at a Sonoma vineyard, near some of the best places to retire in Northern California


Mill Valley

For active adults craving fresh air, coastal beauty, and artistic flair, Mill Valley is a dream. Tucked beneath Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, this town is known for its scenic charm, picturesque downtown, and a strong sense of well-being, especially with MarinHealth® Medical Center within an easy drive.

Stroll the Mill Valley Depot Plaza, catch a show at the Throckmorton Theatre, or hike the Dipsea Trail, one of the most famous coastal paths in the country. You’re also only 4 miles from Muir Woods National Monument, home to soaring redwoods, and can easily access the Bay Area’s best kayaking and biking spots. And when you want a taste of city life, San Francisco is just over 14 miles away over the Golden Gate. 


While home prices can be higher in Mill Valley, the quality of life is unmatched, especially for active adults who appreciate nature, privacy, and a strong local arts scene.


Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa offers all the perks of Sonoma County living without the Napa Valley price tag. It’s one of the best places to retire in Northern California for good reason: gorgeous scenery, quality healthcare access, and a lifestyle that blends relaxation with recreation. Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente make healthcare in Santa Rosa convenient and accessible, and residents here enjoy a lower cost of living compared to some other Bay Area coastal towns.

You’ll find trails to roam at Spring Lake Park, fresh produce at the Santa Rosa Original Farmers Market, and arts and culture at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts. Plus, there are more than 425 vineyards across Sonoma County, so you have plenty of opportunities for weekend outings in wine country.


Lathrop

Lathrop is located on the edge of the Bay Area in San Joaquin County. It offers a fresh and friendly community atmosphere with easy access to the I-5 and nearby cities like Livermore, Stockton, and the East Bay.

Here, you can enjoy lake views, wide open spaces, and a relaxed pace, all without sacrificing convenience. Plus, with shopping options like the River Islands Farmers Market and local attractions like the Dell’Osso Family Farm, Lathrop balances lifestyle and value beautifully. Explore Del Webb active adult communities in Lathrop, CA, built around wellness, accessibility, and social connection and featuring pickleball courts, trails, and a variety of clubs to join.
The kitchen in a new construction home in Lathrop, one of the best places to retire in the Bay Area
The kitchen in a new construction home in Lathrop, one of the best places to retire in the Bay Area


Active Adult Communities in the Bay Area

If you’re exploring areas for your next life chapter, Del Webb communities in Northern California are designed with you in mind, featuring modern homes, friendly neighbors, and a full calendar of social opportunities, fitness classes, and events.


Del Webb at River Islands

Get ready to make the most of your retirement at Del Webb at River Islands. An easy drive from both the Bay Area and Sacramento, residents in this 55+ community enjoy a resort-style clubhouse packed with amenities like a fitness center, aerobics room, billiards room, and social lounges. Step outside and take a dip in the sparkling pool with lap lanes, get active on the pickleball and bocce ball courts, stroll the trails, or relax under shaded terraces. There’s even a lake dock. From fitness classes and card games to just taking in the waterfront views, there's always something to do—or not do; the choice is yours! 


Conclusion

Retirement is a shift into a new, exciting stage of life, and the best places to retire in the Bay Area can help you get the most out of it. From Walnut Creek’s social energy to Pleasanton’s charm, Mill Valley’s natural beauty to Santa Rosa’s wine country warmth, plus the community-oriented lifestyle in Lathrop, the Bay Area has so much to offer and plenty of cities to explore to find the right fit for you.  

Explore active adult communities in the Bay Area today or browse more Del Webb blogs. 



Written By: Jordan Thomson, Freelance Writer

Last Updated: 12/16/25