2022 Best Cities to Live in California

• City in California

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  191 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Berkeley has been an extremely eye-opening experience. I am currently attending the University of California Berkeley so I have been able to experience the city first hand. The public transportation is excellent and punctual. The city is dense. but not so much that it feels congested. This makes it easy to get around with or without a car, which is important for young students. The northside seems like a great place to raise a family, while the southside provides a range of shops and nightlife to engage in. It is truly a city that has something for everyone.... Read 191 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 123,065

• City in California

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  Rating 4.37 out of 5  539 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 539 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 272,694

• City in California

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  Rating 4.18 out of 5  933 reviews

Current Resident: Overwhelming! There are so many things to see, do, smell, and eat! So many opportunities that were never presented to me before. I spent half of my life in Hawaii and the other half in the desert of New Mexico. There's literally nothing in New Mexico so you can understand my excitement about living in San Francisco! I can't even count how many new and fresh things I can experience in this big city! The only issue that I have is that it can be a little smelly and dirty at times and the homeless people can be absolutely terrifying. But that's the balance of it, positive and the negative!... Read 933 reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• Population 874,784

• City in California

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  Rating 4.1 out of 5  256 reviews

Current Resident: Located within a bustling metropolis, Sunnyvale contains opportunities of all kinds. There are many companies in the tech sector in Sunnyvale. It is a beautiful city with lots of parks and amenities as well as having a mild climate.... Read 256 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 152,569

• City in California

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  303 reviews

Current Resident: I believe the city of Torrance is a diverse and safe city in Southern California! The Torrance unified school district is one of the best districts, and also has the best hospitals in the area. A very family friendly town with so many parks and things to do, not to mention all of the good food that comes out of this town.... Read 303 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 144,430

• City in California

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  205 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 205 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 126,723

• City in California

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  Rating 4.4 out of 5  365 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up in NYC, lived in L.A. and Marin County, CA and then moved to Carlsbad when it was time to start a family. We've lived in Carlsbad for 25 years now, first in La Costa Valley and now Olde Carlsbad, which is my favorite area of town (custom homes! no sidewalks! no HOAs! ocean views!). I love this city, and my neighbors. Unlike most of coastal California Carlsbad still leans conservative, meaning that I'm still able to find others who share my values. The local beaches are beautiful and I love being able to walk and bike along the local beach without needing to sit in traffic or struggle to find somewhere to park, all year round. Carlsbad's downtown area is fun with great restaurants, a farmer's market, and a huge biannual street fair. I feel lucky every day to live here.... Read 365 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 114,411

• City in California

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  Rating 4.54 out of 5  263 reviews

Former Resident: Pasadena is a beautiful town with great people. There are a lot of great historical buildings to admire especially near Old Pasadena. They do a great job of preserving their culture and history! The downside to that is that some apartment buildings around town are starting to show their age quite a bit. If you can get past that though, there's so much going for Pasadena. The restaurants are all AMAZING. So diverse and so high quality. There's lots of specialized grocery stores for whatever kind of cuisine you cook. The people here are some of the friendliest I've ever met. It really has all the amenities of a big city but with small town vibes. People will smile and say hi to you on the street. People remember you around town and genuinely care about how you're doing. If the cute historic charm of Pasadena doesn't win your heart, the people there definitely will.... Read 263 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 142,017

• City in California

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  Rating 4.15 out of 5  358 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 358 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Population 127,648

• City in California

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  Rating 4.51 out of 5  1,032 reviews

Current Resident: Since moving here in 2015 right out of high school, I found this magical city that I call home. The perks are endless. There are loads of activities to get into, many of them being outdoors. There is hiking, roller skating, walking the boardwalk at the beach, surfing, kayaking in the open ocean, walking around Balboa Park, going to the zoo, etc. I have felt safe throughout my time living here, and I have made many new friends. It is a small city and coincidentally, I run into the same people often! The commute to virtually any location in San Diego is 15-20 minutes or less! There are many job/career opportunities. I found and molded myself while living in San Diego, and I feel ready to take on what life has to throw at me. Overall, my time in this city and the state of California has been magical, and I do not plan on leaving anytime soon.... Read 1,032 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Population 1,414,545

• City in California

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  342 reviews

Current Resident: Burbank is a very quite and somewhat isolated place. Many attractions lie near this area but it still tends to be a very relaxing environment. The attractions here are the WB studio, near disneyland, universal studios, and more! Plus the fact that it is around many amazing resturants! I love the air quality which is fresh and depending on your neighboorhood everyone is friendly.... Read 342 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Population 103,411

• City in California

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  Rating 4.37 out of 5  164 reviews

Current Resident: I love Costa Mesa! I moved here in March and my husband and I have loved it so much. It's close to the ocean without being as cold as living right at the beach. We are close to plenty of shopping, food, and various activities. It has been a wonderful experience. In terms of something that the city needs, it needs more reliable and easily accessible public transportation.... Read 164 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 112,958

• City in California

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  Rating 4.32 out of 5  230 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 230 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Population 138,860

• City in California

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  Rating 4.04 out of 5  1,258 reviews

Current Resident: I love how inviting it is and how there are so many things to do. a bunch of places to explore and close to many other cities to travel to and have fun. The San Jose area has so many things to do, you'll never run out. However, the housing prices are ridiculous and the Downtown area is really dirty, slightly eerie as there's some crime down there. Nevertheless, it feels like a nice neighborhood that's pretty average on the US scale, but more fun! San jose is known for is known for its unbeatable weather, incredible hiking trails, and safe suburban neighborhoods. looking for something to do? San Jose is an ideal destination for your next journey. Whether you're looking for nightlife, outdoor activities, or world-class shopping and dining options, this California city has it all... Read 1,258 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 1,029,409

• City in California

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  215 reviews

Current Resident: Safe neighborhoods, great schools, lots of small parks everywhere, beautiful and clean, plenty of entertainment options, restaurants and close to everything. Lots of culture and diversity, love everything about it, you're an hour away from the beaches, and the mountains, a couple hours from the deserts, palm springs, etc. Everything is close by yet not in your face, love it!... Read 215 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 199,357

• City in California

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  Rating 4.22 out of 5  500 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Temecula for 32 years. I moved from a small beach town in Orange County and I was looking for a more affordable place to live that still had a small town feeling to it. I love Temecula for so many reasons. The weather is close to perfect most of the year even though it gets hot in August, this beach girl can take it. There are tons of wineries and restaurants to choose from. We have a happening night life with live music. You can be at the beach or mountains within a 30 minute drive. We have incredible schools as well. This is a great place to raise kids!... Read 500 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Population 113,117

• City in California

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  Rating 4.2 out of 5  823 reviews

Nearby Resident: Besides being a calm and tourist beach city, it is a place with plenty to do such as restaurants, activities, exploring, and having a blast at the beach. Not only does it offer many day excitement, but this city also brings the party at night with plenty of bars and clubs. Long Beach is also the home to Cal State Long Beach where students can attend their studies, but also enjoy the exciting city. As a future Cal State Long Beach student, I will be looking forward to spending my days here in this marvelous city. Long Beach is also very close to neighboring beaches such as Huntington Beach, Newport, and even Laguna Beach, which are gorgeous beach staples here in Southern California. This city can offer a great time for anybody who wants to have a California beach style getaway or just a place to be. Long Beach is also the home to great tourist attractions like the Queen Mary, Aquarium, Convention Center, Performing Arts Center, and of course, the beach itself. This place is joy.... Read 823 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 462,081

• City in California

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  Rating 4.02 out of 5  286 reviews

Current Resident: Orange is a superb Californian town. From it's historical homes and Old Towne to it's prime location in the heart of Orange County just minutes from Disneyland, Angel's Stadium, Newport and Laguna Beaches, concert venues, and more! It's relaxing yet thrilling and a safe place for everyone to enjoy.... Read 286 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 139,322

• City in California

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  Rating 3.93 out of 5  775 reviews

Current Resident: Sacramento is a fantastic place to call home. Positioned perfectly in Northern California, we are a short drive away from the mountains, the ocean, and even the desert! If you are an outdoorsy individual, Sacramento would be a great place for you to live. The greater Sacramento area is sprawling with bike trails, hiking routes, lakes and rivers. If you want a more low-key outing, there are plenty of restaurants, stores and recreational spots to check out. Go to the drive-in movies, practice your golfing and bowling skills, visit a museum, or shop till you drop. The eateries in Sacramento are unparalleled. They don't call us the Farm-to-fork Capitol for nothing! Sacramento's historical victorian architecture can still be seen in the neighborhoods of Midtown and East Sacramento. Exploring the beautiful homes is an activity on its own. If you can handle the heat and the traffic in Sacramento, you will be gifted with friendly faces and endless opportunity!... Read 775 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 503,482

• City in California

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  529 reviews

Current Resident: I am originally from San Francisco and was a little hesitant about living in Oakland at first. But I am totally loving it! The weather is amazing, the people are friendly, diverse and active. There are tons of events, great food scene and nightlife (although since covid it's been a little harder to explore these areas). There is also tons of great outdoors activities, such as hiking in the Joachin Miller park. It's a great mix of city vibes, but chill and laid back at the same time. If you're thinking of moving to the bay area, I highly suggest choosing Oakland!... Read 529 reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• Population 422,575

• City in California

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  Rating 4.06 out of 5  1,629 reviews

Current Resident: LA has something for everyone - concerts, theme parks, regular parks, restaurant, night life, sports and all those venues that go with them! If I could change any one thing about LA, it would be the addition of viable and comprehensive public transit - it really pales in comparison to other cities of a similar size, like New York City or London. Another thing to consider is the weather. Most people love LA for its mild climate. Personally, I'm a fan of changing weather and seasons - having grown up in the midwest, it's something that I really miss about home. So if you like a variety from day to day (and also like to wear a variety of outfits), then Los Angeles may not be the place for you. However, even for someone like me who really hates the never-changing weather, there are still so many opportunities here - from jobs to recreation - that the cons are widely outshone by the pros.... Read 1,629 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 3,973,278

• City in California

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  Rating 4.27 out of 5  166 reviews

Current Resident: The beach is five minutes away from midtown, who doesn't love the beach? The weather is on average around the 70's during the spring and early summer. The temperature rarely goes above 85 degrees. But when it does, the beach is a few minutes away to help cool off and relax. There are a lot of other fun places to visit. Such as Grant Park Cross, where there is a view of the city along with the ocean, a great place to have a picnic while watching the sun set or to take nice pictures! The city is clean and has a lot of trees and greenery. Downtown is also a good place to get good food, I recommend Rice by Mama, which is Thai food. There are also cute boutiques downtown as well as thrift stores. There is also an art museum downtown. Overall, Ventura is a beautiful small city for a beach vacation.... Read 166 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 108,467

• City in California

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  449 reviews

Current Resident: Visalia is like the middle of California. You get the best of both sides of Cali! You are a few hours away from San Francisco, and a few hours from the famous, Hollywood! Of course you are near the Sequoias, and can walk amongst the giant Redwood trees. Most people are nice here, and so far this being my hometown, I think its a great place to raise a family.... Read 449 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 133,100

• City in California

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  482 reviews

Current Resident: Santa Rosa is a beautiful small town in Sonoma County and here the scenery is unbelievable. We have loads of agriculture like farms, wineries, local animal-made products and so much more! We face a lot of differences here and it can divide us most of the time, but overall we are a very connected community.... Read 482 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 178,391

• City in California

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  580 reviews

Current Resident: The overall experience that I have with living in riverside would be about a four star rating. I give this rating because how well the community bands together. Another reason why I enjoy Riverside is that there is a lot of activities to do in the county. Such as food, events, fairs, farmers markets, bowling, and sports.A big reason I did not give a five star is because of how many homeless people have shown up to Riverside and how much trash they leave. We as a community are trying to keep the city clean , but it is a struggle trying to keep up with the litter. Other than that, I love living in Riverside!... Read 580 reviews

• grade B

• grade B+

• Population 327,569