2023 Best Cities to Live in California

• City in California

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  206 reviews

Current Resident: Berkeley is a diverse and inclusive city with a mix of residents from various ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. This diversity enriches the community and contributes to a wide range of cultural experiences. Also, Berkeley is situated in a picturesque setting with the Berkeley Hills to the east and the San Francisco Bay to the west. The city has numerous parks, hiking trails, and beautiful viewpoints.... Read 206 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 119,607

• City in California

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  Rating 4.38 out of 5  598 reviews

Nearby Resident: I love Irvine! I went to UCI for my bachelors degree and it was a beautiful area. There are many activities to do beyond campus life. My friends and I would ride our bikes in the park and then get food from the University Town center. Irvine became a second home for my friends and I. We would study all day and night in the library and then we would go to the movies in the town center. On the weekend, when we did not have much studying to do, we would go to university town center to interact with other college students. Irvine is not only a great place to raise a family, it is also one of the safest neighborhoods around the area. Additionally, because Irvine is a college town there are many job opportunities If I could, I would live in Irvine to pursue my future buying a house and raising children. To add the cost of living in Irvine is high and over the years has gone up; however, I believe that the cost of living is worth the amazing lifestyle one with achieve by living in Irvine.... Read 598 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 297,868

• City in California

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  272 reviews

Current Resident: The city of Sunnyvale is beautiful. I am privileged to live near downtown and have convenience accessible, such as transportation traveling from city to city by train, entertainment districts for adults and children to enjoy themselves, and also has stores ranging from farmer's market to retail. Though the city might sound all great, I worry that this beautiful city is being taken advantage of by some people who leave feces, tents, and piles of trash on the sidewalk. I am concerned for visitors and locals walking into places they might feel unsafe and unsanitary. I still have high hopes for Sunnyvale, for the city is still expanding with ongoing construction plans of building apartments and stores. I believe that my love for the city of Sunnyvale will grow as the city grows.... Read 272 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 155,550

• City in California

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  Rating 4.15 out of 5  1,008 reviews

Current Resident: San Francisco is the best City in the World. It has water, trees, good food, great museums, gorgeous views everywhere you go. I know people give it a hard time but I have lived in the Bay Area my entire life and moved to San Francisco when I was 19 years old. I have lived here for nearly 20 years and its my home. I am lucky to have been raised by San Francisco. I spent all my 20s seeing live bands 3-7 times a week, walking everywhere and feeling safe, meeting my absolute best friends and being surrounded by a loving group of people and society. SF is accepting, its open, its free. No where else is like this and with the perfect weather we have. The only thing I would want to change are our failures to keep rent affordable and to use vacant space to house everyone! No one needs to be homeless here.... Read 1,008 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 865,933

• City in California

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  208 reviews

Current Resident: I am in love with Santa Clara, it's culturally diverse. Hospitals are close and roads are close to freeways. The stores are walking distance. Santa clara electric system is separate from PG&E, making prices cheaper. Water is included in rent. The areas to rent are pet inclusive allowing for people to be with loved ones and having understanding neighbors. There's always a good location to dine in or to even have drinks. Public school systems have pretty well maintained fields and have alot of opportunities. Real estate is expensive however for living costs. Renting is more affordable. Jobs are available and competitive.... Read 208 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 127,922

• City in California

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  320 reviews

Niche User: I have had an amazing experience living in Torrance. I've lived in Torrance for most of my life and I have met many nice people. Going to school in Torrance was the best school experience I have ever had. When I first went to Madrona Middle School, I was greeted by many nice and respectful students. I have also met very nice teachers who were always there to help me when I needed help. When I transitioned over to high school, it almost felt like I never left middle school because the students are very nice and caring. Torrance will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to making friends and having an education.... Read 320 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 147,156

• City in California

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  Rating 4.41 out of 5  375 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived here my whole life, so I may be a bit biased in my review. I love it here, and I think it's an amazing community filled with amazing people, cute restaurants, shops, etc. My reasoning for removing a star is because of the inability to live here if you aren't rich. My parents bought our house almost 20 years ago, so the market was much better. Over the past couple years, many neighborhoods have been gentrified, as well as the small cute village. Low-income families are being bought out of their houses, where developers are building as many condos as they can fit onto a small space of land. No yards, no cuteness, just plain cramped housing. The city gets most of it's revenue from tourism, so I understand why they've been making these developments, but its just heartbreaking to watch my hometown get turned into an urbanized tourist town.... Read 375 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 114,858

• City in California

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  Rating 4.53 out of 5  288 reviews

Current Resident: Pasadena gives a small town feel to a big city. There is so much history here, and there are always events going on. Great variety in shopping, food, and recreation. The mountains are so close and have great lookout points. I would recommend Pasadena even for a quick visit!... Read 288 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 138,771

• City in California

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  Rating 4.51 out of 5  1,124 reviews

Current Resident: San Diego is a complicated city. It is old, and needs repair. It is built almost exclusively for tourism, which while living here is an odd experience! I really do enjoy the parks, the beaches, and my lord, THE FOOD! I would like to see greater emphasis on the locals - our crumbling infrastructure needs help. Roads are falling apart, services are too full to use. IN the end, its too beautiful to pass up.... Read 1,124 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 1,385,398

• City in California

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  369 reviews

Current Resident: Not only was I born and raised in Thousand Oaks (husband as well), I’ve raised my 5 kids here! The schools are excellent, sports programs are top notch, great training facilities such as Mamba Academy, tons of community events organized Conejo Parks and Rec, a teen center, a senior center and a large city library. Surrounded by the beautiful Santa Monica mountains, there’s plenty of hiking trails that are especially beautiful in the late winter/early spring and close to the beach. The weather is nearly perfect! Not nearly as hot as the San Fernando Valley, yet you get nice cool ocean breezes in the afternoon. It was lacking diversity when I was growing up but that has changed in recent years. It’s still very safe although some LA crime is starting to creep in. Luckily we have a very proactive police department that takes crime and homelessness seriously. We absolutely love it here!... Read 369 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 127,274

• City in California

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  348 reviews

Current Resident: We love living in Burbank! It is a small-town vibe in a place that is the headquarters for some of the world's most well-known media companies. Burbank's municipal services are independent from the city of LA. The schools are highly rated but teachers are poorly paid. As the teacher shortage continues, I am sure that we will lose good teachers to higher-paying districts.... Read 348 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 107,364

• City in California

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  Rating 4.34 out of 5  246 reviews

Former Resident: I loved living in W. Roseville. The schools are top notch, the police dep’t is excellent, and people have a great sense of community. What I hated was the amount of Bay Area xplants coming here and driving the cost of homes up, even out-pricing original residents. Yes, they take their politics with them! Grrr… I also don’t like that there isn’t much land available, and the homes are packed on top of each other, including the gated communities. Traffic is Nuts and the city seems determined to use up every slab of land available. We recently moved north a bit and we have a ton of property, now! Bay Area xplants may soon have a tax to pay if moving here, due to the irreversible economic & political shift they impose on us. Gone are the days of Roseville being a small train town with a Denio’s flea market.... Read 246 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 145,687

• City in California

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  Rating 4.36 out of 5  176 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived here for about 2 years, I’m originally from the Bay Area but moved here from the central coast. Costa Mesa is ok as far as OC towns go, there are walking trails, Newport and Huntington Beaches are a short drive or bike ride away, there is a large shopping mall-South Coast Plaza, nearby. We have everything you need here, without ever needing to leave town. John Wayne airport is 10 minutes away, and a 40 minute drive to LAX. As others have mentioned though, there’s a large homeless population with addiction problems and untreated mental health disorders. It really sad to see, especially when I’m doing late night food deliveries because my rent is so freaking high I can barely pay my bills every month. I see so many people wandering the streets and shouting. You must make $80k a year to just barely cover the cost of living expenses. My 1 bedroom is on a really bad street near the OC fairgrounds. It’s dirty, there’s no street parking, Avocado street needs a deep pressure wash!... Read 176 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 112,148

• City in California

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  231 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve only lived in Glendale for about 8 months, and I love it! It’s the perfect spot in between all of my work locations and I’m within a 20 minute driving distance to most places in LA and Hollywood. As a single female, I find Glendale to be a safe location to live. I haven’t felt uncomfortable in any neighborhood I’ve visited within the city. It’s also the perfect transition spot for someone moving to a big city that comes from a rural or suburban area. I’m from Alabama and definitely think that if I had chosen to live in Hollywood or DTLA I would be way too overwhelmed with all the changes!... Read 231 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 196,512

• City in California

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,375 reviews

Current Resident: San Jose is a bright technology hub of a city with an amazing education system and financial opportunities. On the surface, San Jose plays the role as the heart of the Silicon Valley and a cultural and technological epicenter. However, in regions like the downtown, streets are poorly maintained and many bedraggled looking people wander the streets aimlessly. Just last week when I visited, homeless laid on cardboard mats and under bridges. It reminded me of Gotham City from Batman. Moreover, the courts system is severely backed up with cases that had occurred pre-pandemic! And while the city has provided counseling services and invested in affordable housing, the crime and homelessness unfortunately prevail. I would love to see a cleaner and better maintained downtown area with more housing for those wanting to get off the streets.... Read 1,375 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 1,013,337

• City in California

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  531 reviews

Current Resident: In my experience, Temecula offers a great balance of scenic beauty, warm weather, and high-quality education. The city is known for its picturesque wine country and has a reputation for being a safe and clean place to raise a family. The schools in Temecula are excellent and provide a wide range of options for families with children of all ages. The city also boasts a low crime rate which gives a peace of mind to the families. Additionally, Temecula offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and entertainment, with many parks and recreational areas, as well as cultural events and venues. Plus, its proximity to major cities like San Diego and Los Angeles provides additional options for education, entertainment, and career opportunities. Overall, in my opinion, Temecula is an ideal choice for families seeking a high-quality school district and a well-rounded community... Read 531 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 109,376

• City in California

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  298 reviews

Current Resident: I love Orange! I was born and raised there, played Little League, arena roller hockey, studied karate, spent time in CHOC, went to school, graduated from Villa Park High School, attended Santiago Canyon College, listened to the Fenians and the American Wake on Irish Street at the International Street Faire, tasted any number of craft beers at the new breweries and pubs and dined at almost all of the restaurants in the Plaza. If one is booked, all you need to do is walk down the block until you find another spot.... Read 298 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 139,195

• City in California

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  Rating 4.19 out of 5  879 reviews

Current Resident: Long Beach is an incredible place to live and raise kids, and is kind of a hidden gem tucked in between LA and OC. The best things about living here in no particular order are: fabulous parks; tons of diversity in people, neighborhoods, architecture, events, and activities; friendly and welcoming people; reasonable home prices (by SoCal standards); wide variety of schools with the ability to go outside your neighborhood in order to access magnet programs, such as art or math & sciences; incredible restaurant scene; tons of civic, entertainment, and community events; generally informed and involved population; natural beauty at the beach and at the El Dorado Nature Center; great mix of local and chain stores; and tight-knit neighborhoods with people who care for one another. The downsides are an increase in homelessness (as is true literally everywhere); risk of petty crime (and the very occasional violent crime); not as much access to nature as less urban areas; some iffy schools.... Read 879 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 466,565

• City in California

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  Rating 3.9 out of 5  569 reviews

Current Resident: Born and raised in Oakland, California. Throughout the nation, Oakland is known for the violence in the poorer areas, mainly in black and brown communities. But, growing up as a black woman in Oakland, its one of the very places I actually feel safe in. Oakland has a record for protecting black women, as seen through the Black panther Party that was founded in this very city. But, Oakland is rapidly experiencing gentrification. One of the every quotes about Oakland that I recently heard was, "Oakland is the last place in Northern California that black people can still call home". Oakland is the only place that I've been able to walk around and see large groups of black people being able to get together and play games outside. If you've ever been there, it'll remind you of your classic 90s West Coast movie. Yet, my dreams of college are away from Oakland. I love Oakland with my whole heart, but need to experience something new. Growing up in Oakland is a true experience.... Read 569 reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• Population 437,548

• City in California

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  846 reviews

Current Resident: I've been living in Sacramento for the majority of my life. When I first moved I was unaware of the people and area itself, though the community parks always had a welcome for all children with a neighborhood of smiling faces. As I grew older I became more aware of the shops and locals which have always provided a safe feeling. All neighborhoods have had their own experiences, though one thing I love about my community is the involvement it has for young children. Community parks around Sacramento are always hosting fun public events that create an enjoyable space for children even in the modern era of technology where most kids prefer staying home. I appreciate the safety provided by the Sacramento police department during such events .... Read 846 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 518,605

• City in California

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  182 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Ventura for 30 years now and I live on the West side of Ventura close to the Pepsi Plant and also the E. P. Foster Elementary school. Growing up and attending these schools I've felt safe enough to walk home from school; the streets are clean, criminal activity low, and the air so clean. I love that I can drive to Los Angeles or Santa Barbara to attend concerts and have fun but I love coming back to Ventura because it's so quiet and peaceful. Ventura has it's own events too, like the Ventura County Fair, street concerts, beautiful beaches and parks. I like that I can go down our Main St and see the streets blocked off from traffic so that pedestrians can walk down the street from one venue to the next.... Read 182 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 110,572

• City in California

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  Rating 4.03 out of 5  1,791 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Los Angeles for 3 years now, and it has become home. Of course I love the weather, but what I like most about my life here is the people I have met and continue to meet. There is such a diverse range of people with endless intersections of identity, interests and goals. It's been a wonderful place to find and continuously grow a community. There is also abundant opportunities to get involved with different local communities and activities. Almost anything one would like to do is possible to make happen here! Like any great city, LA does come with it's challenges. I would love to see some progress made in the on-going struggle for affordable housing and resources for the homeless and unsheltered, as well as those experiencing mental health issues, addiction and dependency disorders, and growing displacement due to gentrification and cost of living. These issues are present across most U.S. cities, but is a particularly heavy issue on the hearts of us Angelenos.... Read 1,791 reviews

• grade B

• grade B minus

• Population 3,902,440

• City in California

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  471 reviews

Current Resident: Visalia is very alive and continually growing to become a desirable metropolitan area that is a great place for anyone to thrive. It offers a respectable agricultural feel along with major cities south and east, not to mention, the beautiful Sequoia National Park to the east and stunning west coast beach the length of the state!... Read 471 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 140,109

• City in California

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  745 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, the city is a safe place for families and a great place if you tend to be a picky eater. There are restaurants for every culture and they all tend to taste great! The area also has a lot of great schools. At Santiago High School, they send about 3-6 kids to UCLA every year. However, I must warn you, the area is quite expensive to be in. There also isn't a nightlife for anyone who's interested in that.... Read 745 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 157,844

• City in California

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  509 reviews

Current Resident: Santa Rosa, California, is a charming city located in the heart of Sonoma County, known for its wine country and scenic beauty. One of the most likable things about Santa Rosa is its vibrant downtown area, with a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. The area is also home to the famous Russian River Brewing Company, which offers a unique selection of craft beers and delicious pub fare. Additionally, Santa Rosa is surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes, such as Annadel State Park and Spring Lake Regional Park, which offer hiking, biking, and water sports. The city also boasts an excellent cultural scene, with several art galleries and museums, such as the Sonoma County Museum and the Charles M. Schulz Museum, which celebrates the life and legacy of the creator of Peanuts. Overall, Santa Rosa has something for everyone, whether you're a foodie, outdoor enthusiast, or lover of the arts.... Read 509 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 179,213