2023 Best Counties for Families in California

• County in California

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  153 reviews

Former Resident: From my experience, santa clara county is beautiful and I would always consider it as my “real” home. I always felt safe walking around my area or at least in my neighborhood (i used to live in Santa clara and Milpitas). A lot of job opportunities available and I never really had a hard time looking- I’m talking about basic jobs that are fit for those who are studying. But the affordability tho! I feel like I was already lucky enough to find a private room for just 750$ utilities included and shared bathroom. Groceries are expensive too. But one of the things I like the most is that people here are diverse. Maybe that’s why I feel more comfortable here than where I’m currently living at.... Read 153 reviews

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• Population 1,932,022

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  59 reviews

Current Resident: Alameda County is a nice county nestled in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. The area is diverse both economically and racially, and the culture from various background melt together with local residents to people from other parts of the world studying in our local colleges and universities.... Read 59 reviews

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• Population 1,673,133

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  Rating 4.33 out of 5  212 reviews

Current Resident: From modern to historical, Orange County has got is all! Orange county is home to one of the well known missions, San Juan Capistrano, bringing all sorts of people down to the region to become acquainted with the history of our lovely state. Moreover, Orange County spans along a cost with beautiful scenic beaches, such as Corona Del Mar and Thousand Steps. The food is outstoudning, with a variety of options from all over the world.... Read 212 reviews

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• Population 3,182,923

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  34 reviews

Current Resident: There are good public schools and a lot of protected habitat. There's a lot of local businesses and the county is fairly close to both San Francisco and the East Bay while maintaining a mostly small town atmosphere. There are cons to the small town atmosphere though, like very few establishments being open 24/7. The county lacks diversity; it's a predominately and historically white county. It is very safe though. There are many police and fire stations and hospitals, all very responsive. Cost of living is incredibly high and nightlife is mostly non existent because most establishments close before 9. It's a good location for families with lots of parks, good schools, and low crime rates.... Read 34 reviews

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• Population 262,387

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  Rating 4.39 out of 5  85 reviews

Visitor: I visited San Mateo multiple times and loved the environment, weather, and everything about it! There are a lot of fun places to visit and great restaurants as well.... Read 85 reviews

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• Population 762,488

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  Rating 4 out of 5  55 reviews

Current Resident: I've lived in Contra Costa County my entire life, and it has always been a community that feels like home. School districts, recreational clubs, and cities are all very interconnected, creating a strong sense of familiarity for residents. There's a wide array of activities available for families, individuals, and visitors.... Read 55 reviews

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• Population 1,161,643

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  Rating 4 out of 5  9 reviews

Current Resident: Pleasant rural living. Safe. Scenic. Ideal weather. Clean mountain air and water. Best retirement place in California for outdoor lovers. Mid-county foothills offer both rural privacy and easy accessibility via Interstate 80. Senior friendly supports, services, and activities abound. Better public transportation would be nice.... Read 9 reviews

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• Population 400,330

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  Rating 3.81 out of 5  610 reviews

Current Resident: Good place for family. Not many parks with fences, but lots and lots of great parks with nice grassy areas and play structures, and splash parks for the hot days. Elk Grove elementary is an excellent school district. Nice libraries in the area. Good housing options. Can’t speak to downtown much, but I have been to a nice restaurant there! Seemed like people were getting ready for a fun night. Love the composting program- just use compostable bags in the kitchen, and throw it out with the green waste. Makes us feel much less bad about occasional food waste, and also we generate much less trash. People are sociable enough, without being intrusive. Fairly diverse population here, especially among our kids classes, and teachers, which we love!... Read 610 reviews

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• Population 1,571,767

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  Rating 4.48 out of 5  1,286 reviews

Current Resident: San Diego is my home, and I never plan to leave. We are known for our perfect weather, but there is so much more to us. Our culture is like none other. The people are so diverse and friendly. The mix of cultures result in incredible food, with many restaurants open late! If you’re craving great Turkish food—head to Main Street in National City. Great Italian? Villa Capri in Rancho Bernardo! As if those weren’t enough options to live here, we have even more. Skydiving, hot air balloon rides, the Del Mar Fair, designer stores and outlet malls, kayaking, the list is endless. You can even swim with dolphins at SeaWorld. San Diego is family friendly, young adult friendly with the nightlife, business friendly, and dog friendly too. It is not only my city, but like all the other residents here, it is my home.... Read 1,286 reviews

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• Population 3,296,317

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  123 reviews

Current Resident: From Watsonville all the way to Davenport. The area is so diverse ecologically speaking. Rolling hills along the coast to gigantic Redwood trees. Lovely mountain towns of Felton, Ben Lomond, and Boulder Creek to oceanic sweet coastal towns of Capitola, Rio del Mar, Seacliff, Seascape and up to the city of Santa Cruz. The most beautiful of coastlines I have ever seen. The weather is unbeatable. Never too hot, never to cold. daytime to long sleeve shirts with a light sweater during the day. Summers are lovely as much of the coast gets fog to keep it cool. The water is cold, but swimmable 60-65 degrees in the summer, and the marine life is out of this world. Monterey Bay boasts some of the most diverse marine life in the country!... Read 123 reviews

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• Population 272,138

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  Rating 4.56 out of 5  140 reviews

Current Resident: Everything about this area is absolutely wonderful. The weather is always great and the proximity to the ocean and mountains simultaneously allows for you to never be bored. Living in many places as a child I never seemed to find a place that fit but Santa Barbara definitely is amazing. The only thing would be living prices may be high especially when it comes to housing. The prices can be pretty expensive but the lovely area is worth it. This area does get somewhat touristy during summer times but nothing compared to other beach towns. Since there are other cities separating us and LA the number of people coming over during the summer is significantly smaller compared to other beach towns. Speaking of LA, however, the city life of Santa Barbara can seem too limited if you are looking for a larger city experience so having LA 2 hours away allows you to find more nightlife and larger city benefits if you so desire. Overall, Santa Barbara is a great place to live for any age range.... Read 140 reviews

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• Population 447,651

• County in California

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  43 reviews

Nearby Resident: Living here in Napa County is so beautiful to see the countryside and surrounded by many counties. The Sonoma, Angwin, Fairfield, Vallejo, and all certain areas here in Northern California have the exclusive experience to visit.... Read 43 reviews

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• Population 138,795

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  53 reviews

Current Resident: Sonoma County education is well respected for its dedication to excellence and innovation. The county offers various educational options, from preschool to higher education. The school system in Sonoma County is distinguished for its emphasis on holistic development, which fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration among students. The region has outstanding public and private schools emphasizing individualized learning and student participation. Furthermore, Sonoma County is home to a thriving community of educators committed to offering high-quality education by utilizing current teaching approaches and incorporating technology into the learning process. In addition, the county's rich natural surroundings and cultural traditions are frequently included in the curriculum, giving pupils a well-rounded education that fosters respect for the environment and local history.... Read 53 reviews

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• Population 492,498

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  Rating 4 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up here, then, after living in many other places, I found that there really is no place like home. Rural and gorgeous, yet with Highway 50, it's easy to get to Sacramento or Tahoe. If you love the country life, this is the best. Our schools are top notch, especially Ponderosa, Union Mine and Oakridge. We love our sheriff and police and support them. If you are looking for an exciting place with lots of night life, stay in the city. If you love things natural and not picky about the condition of the roads, this is the place to be.... Read 11 reviews

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• Population 190,568

• County in California

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  Rating 4.05 out of 5  1,166 reviews

Current Resident: Amazing venues, great food, and great experience! I’ve always loved Los Angeles because it’s a city that never sleeps. You will always find something amazing to do here. Whether you were into music, art, or just wanted to take a breather and check out some nice scenery, this is the place for you! I have lived here my entire life. I’ve never had any complaints. However, to be quite frank, there are a few need to knows when It comes to living here. You should definitely expect there to be a lot of people. This is one of the largely populated counties in the world. So you’re in for a treat when It comes to meeting new people. Also, with many people comes high gas prices. Gas prices fluctuate up and down all the time. You never know and can never predict when It will be at its lowest, or when It will sky rocket to a high price. So be prepared. It can get as high as $6 per gallon, or as low as $2 per gallon. Lastly, you will always be able to find a great place to live. Los Angeles awaits!... Read 1,166 reviews

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• Population 10,019,635

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  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: My expeirience in Yolo county has been very good. The enviorment is very safe and accepting. It also has really good weather.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 216,703

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  Rating 4.26 out of 5  68 reviews

Current Resident: I love how close this county is to the beach. No matter where you live it is a short/semi-short drive to the beach. The city Ventura has a very homey feel, and is kind of like a beach town out of the movies. Downtown is so fun, and is great at night because of the lights, restaurants and you can see the sunset. Ojai, is a great city to escape your crazy life. They have lots of great little restaurants, such as bocallis, and also they have lots of beautiful wineries. Their downtown is very fancy, and really beautiful with lots of neat stores and boutiques. Oxnard has established a great outdoor mall, called the Collection where people can shop, eat, paint, bowl, and watch movies. It's somewhat new and all the buildings and the overall area looks very nice and inviting. I was born and raised in Ventura, and I am so happy. I have loved growing up here because I can always go to the beach, go shopping, and my family especially loves to go camping at the different spots along the coast!... Read 68 reviews

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• Population 845,255

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  Rating 4.35 out of 5  72 reviews

Current Resident: The city of San Luis Obispo is only accommodating if you are of high socioeconomic status or a Cal Poly student. If you're neither, then the community feels very cold and unwelcoming. The cost of living is outrageous, and the homelessness crisis is huge here. No one seems very welcoming of babies, and daycare and housing is so impacted; the waitlists can take years. Because it is a college-community, employment opportunities are very competitive and the turn-around rate is high as students are always coming in to fill positions. Parking is almost impossible in most neighborhoods, and there is close to no shopping when it comes to fashion and clothing. The county of SLO as a whole is much better than the city. The county has wonderful access to beaches, hiking trails, and beautiful views and scenery. Eateries are abundant, and there are so many recreational activities to engage in.... Read 72 reviews

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• Population 282,771

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  Rating 3.22 out of 5  23 reviews

Current Resident: Solano county is a great place to live. It’s is very diverse and has very kind and social people. There’s also annually events such as fair and contest, which are found for all ages. It’s a great location to be because it close to Sacramento and the Bay Area. It’s also not to far away from Tahoe or Reno. The weather is perfect in fall and spring, hot in the summer and low 60’s to 50’s in the winter. Solano county also has a lot of great schools with awesome sports programs. A large amount of solan teams are know to be annually playoff contenders.... Read 23 reviews

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• Population 451,432

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  Rating 3.08 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: Great place to visit! Lodi is the place to go, for a fun time. Lots of winery’s to choose from, great restaurants and lovely ambiance.... Read 25 reviews

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• Population 771,406

• County in California

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

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• Population 99,080

• County in California

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  Rating 3.14 out of 5  43 reviews

Current Resident: It's the heart of the valley. Very agricultural area. Beautiful weather. Lots of pollen in the air during spring. A couple hours to the nearest beach on the pacific coast. A couple hours from the mountains and national parks.... Read 43 reviews

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• Population 550,842

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  Rating 3.6 out of 5  201 reviews

Current Resident: Fresno California is a city that has become a true metroplex over the last ten years and includes all of Fresno & Madera Counties and cities including Clovis, Madera, the new Riverstone, the new hill city Friant Ranch(to name a few). The Fresno area has a thriving economy, warm and accepting population, and a culture that places community with a focus on individuality at its core. Sought out by technology, scientific, and business for it’s highly educated residents, Fresno also possesses the States flagship University (CalState Fresno) which adds to the cities energy. The city is a wonderful combination of Urban, urban/suburban, Suburban, and rural areas that mesh well with each other and allow Fresnoians to live and experience many lifestyles within a short drive. Cost of living is expensive but so are salaries so most people live comfortably. The nicest areas have to be North Fresno with all the mansions. Fresno is a great place and the downtown keeps on remodeling!... Read 201 reviews

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• Population 1,003,150

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  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Niche User: I like the having a variety of things in the county of Butte. I like my school that I go to. I do not like the fact that there has been so much traffic since the CAMPFIRE on November 8th 2018.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 217,884

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  4 reviews

Current Resident: Nevada County is one of the most beautiful areas I've ever visited, the trees, lakes, people community feeling. You can walk down the street and strike up a conversation with anyone at anytime 😊. People out here are so friendly and welcoming we all feel like one big family, which in our world today i feel isn't as easy to come by anymore. If i was to say if I wanted anything to change here... it would be more activities for younger kids and adults to participate in together park events, communiry parties or gatherings.... Read 4 reviews

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• Population 102,090