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2019 Best Suburbs to Live in CaliforniaAbout this List

Explore the best suburbs to live in the U.S. based on crime, public schools, cost of living, job opportunities, and local amenities. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, FBI, BLS, CDC, and other sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 556
Best Places to Live
556 results

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  1. Berkeley

    • City in California
    • 134 reviews
    #1 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Berkeley is a wonderful city full of an interesting, open-minded and intelligent group of people. The city is very culturally diverse and open to accepting anyone from anywhere. The food scene is to die for and if organically grown is what you live by, look no further than Berkeley grocery stores, farmers markets and more. One small down side would be the lack of club life (for the younger folks), there are however many perfectly adequate bars as well a little college student scene on Telegraph Avenue. Overall, I highly recommend living here or going to school here if accepted!
    Read 134 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 120,179 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Santa Monica

    • Town in California
    • 100 reviews
    #2 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Santa Monica is fabulous! I've lived in or around this neighborhood for nearly 7 years and it just keeps getting better. The bike/scoot/walkability is phenomenal - and it's only steps to the beach. The community is warm and friendly, full of art and music, and the FOOD IS AMAZING. Seriously, you've got some of the best food in some of the most beautiful locations to be found anywhere. 10/10 love my home.
    Read 100 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 92,495 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Albany

    • Suburb of Oakland, CA
    • 45 reviews
    #3 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Nearby Resident: Lovely & walkable - If you can't afford Albany, look at the Richmond hills and at the little portion of San Pablo that is East of 1-80 - a hidden gem - we paid $500,000 less than you would for a small cottage in Albany for a spacious home off Alpine in San Pablo w/ panoramic views of the Bay - but Albany is just 5 min away and we love it! There's plenty of free street parking so its easy to drive there and walk. Great restaurants and cafes and a great indie movie theater too. And good schools.
    Read 45 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 19,682 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. Mountain View

    • Town in California
    • 100 reviews
    #4 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: I live near downtown Mountain View, very close to the famous Castro Street where much of Mountain View's interesting shops and restaurants are located. Unfortunately, the restaurants have almost universally disappointing food (with some exceptions). I haven't lived in Mountain View very long (about seven months) but I do know that it's a prohibitively expensive place to live. It's a part of what is now called Silicon Valley, and so is inhabited mostly by engineers. Mountain View is very family-friendly, with monthly or bi-monthly open streets festivals with many activities for children. If I was looking to raise a family, this would be an amazing place.
    Read 100 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 80,076 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Manhattan Beach

    • Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
    • 78 reviews
    #5 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: There is an excellent school district in this city, MBUSD provides great opportunities for K-12 students. The beach is beautiful and the strand is always well taken care of. The small community allows for a great social aspect too! It's very safe and provides a great location for opportunities.
    Read 78 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 35,698 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Palo Alto

    • Town in California
    • 69 reviews
    #6 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: The community is very welcoming! The schools are all very good quality, and the education is amazing. There is a lot of pressure for students going to schools in this area, especially the high schools. The neighborhood is very safe; there are so many children that every driver is contentious of kids. There are many bike lanes to keep bikers safe, too. Many students end up biking, walking or taking the bus to school.
    Read 69 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 67,082 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  9. Solana Beach

    • Suburb of San Diego, CA
    • 32 reviews
    #7 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: A slow paced beach town, Solana Beach is full of athletes, entrepreneurs and craftsmen. With craft coffee shops, organic cafes, and microbreweries, the dining experience is nothing less than excellent. The kids grow up surfing and swimming and are beautifully connected to the ocean. People are open and friendly, making it a delight to establish new relationships throughout town.
    Read 32 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 13,362 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Irvine

    • City in California
    • 359 reviews
    #8 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Irvine, ranked one of the safest cities in America, is also a master-planned community, which allows all residents easy access to parks, hiking trails, and shopping centers. Furthermore, Irvine has seen an increase in new developments in the past decade, so most houses that are being sold are recent constructions. It also boasts an education system that prides itself on rigor and quality. Living in Irvine means everything is nearby, usually within walking distance, which promotes developing a healthy lifestyle and attending all the exciting community events that Irvine has to offer.
    Read 359 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 256,877 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Los Altos Hills

    • Suburb of San Jose, CA
    • 5 reviews
    #9 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: A lot of animals around, quiet neighborhood. Very nice place to bike or hike or just walk and jog around. Great neighborhood overall
    Read 5 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 8,490 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Hermosa Beach

    • Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
    • 45 reviews
    #10 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Hermosa is a beautiful place to live! The beach community is wonderful and people are laid back. Overall, it is a safe area to live and I am comfortable walking around at any hour of the night. Like any place in Southern California near the beach, the cost of living is very high.
    Read 45 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 19,750 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  13. West Menlo Park

    • Suburb of San Jose, CA
    • 1 review
    #11 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: I love West Menlo Park, I grew up here and it was a great, family friendly fun enviornment. It has the best weather and is only 45 minutes from the best city San Francisco and only 30 minutes from a beach, Half Moon Bay and an hour from Santa Cruz. The people here are all so nice and caring in my opinon
    Read 1 Review

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 3,744 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Moraga

    • Suburb of Oakland, CA
    • 44 reviews
    #12 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Reading some of the average to poor reviews Moraga received you can tell fairly quickly those reviews are more about what someone is looking for rather than a review of Moraga. Sure the place is quiet, a bit off the freeway, small and lacking major shopping / dining. But it is also safe, has excellent schools, great parks, close proximity to places with better nightlife and friendly family oriented people. Quite literally what most young families are looking for. If you can afford it, there is not much better.
    Read 44 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 17,231 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Piedmont

    • Suburb of Oakland, CA
    • 30 reviews
    #13 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: I'm only 11 years old, but I have lived here for more than 7 years and has really been a welcoming community for me! It welcomed me well in preschool, I went to Wildwood school and I can strongly say that all the teachers were very friendly and nice. I have also made a ton of friends throughout the years! I think that my experience in Piedmont has been very good and I have really enjoyed living here and hope to keep living here throughout the years.
    Read 30 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 11,296 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Los Altos

    • Suburb of San Jose, CA
    • 52 reviews
    #14 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Los Altos California is a wonderful place to live, and especially to raise children! It is safe and the people are usually very kind. The community areas like Downtown Los Altos are very quaint and have many local shopping opportunities. The schools here are also amazing, and provide so many resources to the students. Although, if you are someone who likes a more busy night life, this is not the place for you. There are very few places that are open after around 10PM. Also the housing market is very expensive.
    Read 52 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 30,527 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  17. Davis

    • Suburb of Sacramento, CA
    • 311 reviews
    #15 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Live and work in Davis, this lovely quintessential college town! Never Drive in traffic, bike everywhere, enjoy warm summer nights spent in the quaint downtown, walking the greenbelt or enjoying the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market. A Second Farmers Market is held Saturday mornings. Excellent schools, an amazing Park system and ability to live your life car free if desired. Ranked "the most educated town in America" Davis has the highest concentration of PhDs anywhere in the United States. Just 15 minutes away, Midtown Sacramento is home to a burgeoning Art, Food, Beer and Music Scenes. Midtown Sacramento is full of Victorian Architecture and hosts more trees per City Block than almost any City in the World. Second only to Paris. With San Francisco just an hour away, Lake Tahoe only Two hours, the Napa Valley just 40 minutes and Lake Berryessa 15 minutes away, the ability to easily get away for a weekend of museums, skiing, wine tasting or outdoor recreations is unprecedented.
    Read 311 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 67,500 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Monte Sereno

    • Suburb of San Jose, CA
    • 3 reviews
    #16 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Former Resident: Monte Sereno is a great subsection of Los Gatos. Though it has a different name, Monte Sereno is basically incorporated into downtown Los Gatos, and is very centrally located in terms of grocery stores and Santa Cruz Ave with restaurants and shops. Because it is practically part of Los Gatos, still a great community to raise a family and to live.
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 3,551 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. South Pasadena

    • Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
    • 80 reviews
    #17 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: South Pasadena has been my home for fourteen years, and I am so grateful to have grown up in such an amazing community. This town is extremely appealing, family friendly and filled with afternoon activities. Some of these activities and places include three public parks with playgrounds, a golf course, skate park, dog park, a children's indoor playground, antique/thrift stores, restaurants, coffee shops, a Fourth of July Parade and a weekly Farmer's Market. South Pasadena is highly rated for its education system, and it has three Elementary Schools, a Middle School and a High School. Also known as the "City of Trees," South Pasadena is filled with life and culture, and I would never have wanted to grow up anywhere else.
    Read 80 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 25,974 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Burlingame

    • Suburb of San Francisco, CA
    • 32 reviews
    #18 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Burlingame is home! I moved here with my mom and dad when I was 2 1/2. My two little sisters were born here, this is home! Everywhere you go - you will see a friendly smile and friends who you grew up either in school or from the local softball team. Burlingame is clean, the people are kind and the weather is usually beautiful! Of course, I am so excited for August when I go away to school, but I will truly miss my town. I already cannot wait to come back to visit, because I know that I will be welcomed home with so many hugs and smiles!
    Read 32 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 30,401 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. La Cañada Flintridge

    • Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
    • 79 reviews
    #19 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Not too much happens in La Cañada Flintridge and it is a very peaceful town. What makes it special is the safety and friendliness of the community, the school in the area, and the convenient location. Little to no crimes occur in la Cañada, and the ones that happen are small and rare burglaries. The community funded school in the area is La Cañada high, a public school in the top 150 public schools in America. The town also contains Saint Francis and Flintridge Prep, two great private schools. La Cañada is extremely close to Pasadena and Glendale, meaning fun activities and good quality places are only a few minutes away! Overall, La Cañana Flintridge is not only my city, but my home.
    Read 79 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 20,474 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. San Carlos

    • Suburb of San Francisco, CA
    • 54 reviews
    #20 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Equidistant from SF, South and East Bays opening up a lot more job options compared to the rest of the bay, Beautiful downtown with wide range of restaurants. Johnston's Saltbox, Pazzo, Cusinett, My Breakfast House, Susie Cakes, Boba guys, Red Hot Chilli Pepper are some of my favorites!

    Extremely safe, residential neighborhoods with great schools. White Oaks Elementary and Central Middle School both have 10/10 ratings.

    Strong community feel. Neighbors are super friendly and helpful. Charming homes with distinctive styles. Trader Joe's, Lucky (supermarket), Home Depot, Tesla Supercharger are all close by. Many local book stores with lots of weekend activities for kids. Sunday farmers' market is something to look forward too.
    Read 54 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 29,954 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. San Ramon

    • Town in California
    • 145 reviews
    #21 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Super safe, quiet, and family friendly. Commuter town since there aren't many jobs in San Ramon but I love the amount of clean parks and community events. Perfect place to raise a family!
    Read 145 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 75,048 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Culver City

    • Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
    • 145 reviews
    #22 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: Culver City is a family-friendly city in the greater city of LA, and it is an amazing place for everyone. Not only do we have amazing schools and parks, but we also have the world famous Sony Studios and FOX Productions in our backyards! We are very diverse, our school district is recognized as one of the most diverse in the country, and our high school graduates have a very high rate of graduating and becoming very successful in the future. Our city is open to everyone, and is filled with just the most pleasant people and places!
    Read 145 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • 39,432 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Beverly Hills

    • Suburb of Los Angeles, CA
    • 67 reviews
    #23 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: I've lived in Beverly Hills for about 6 months now. I attend Beverly Hills High School, which is an excellent public school with friendly staff, accomplished teachers, and an abundant amount of opportunities. Also, the general energy of Beverly Hills promotes a healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of restaurants with fresh ingredients, and almost everything is within walking distance.
    However, to live in a place with such history and reputation comes with it's setbacks. The commute time to places that are just 2 miles away may be anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on the time of day. It is not a very safe place either. My apartment building had a robbery about a month back, and it's very common for people to sneak in and steal items from the parking garage. Other than these flaws, Beverly Hills is a great place to live.
    Read 67 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 34,506 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Los Gatos

    • Suburb of San Jose, CA
    • 46 reviews
    #24 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: We have lived in Los Gatos for 15 years. The public school system is excellent, my children are thriving, and the school and community are supportive and friendly. This is the perfect place to raise a family. Older teenagers most likely feel bored here but it is a safe family friendly area with a walking downtown and limited large franchises (although there is an Apple store downtown). Proximity to San Francisco is a big plus (40 minutes away) and David Kinch runs successful restaurants in this town because of the upscale tastes of a large proportion of the residents here. The biggest drawback is housing prices which are reflective of some of the most expensive in the Bay Area though not as expensive as Palo Alto or Atherton. The second biggest drawback is the increase in traffic congestion and population growth through the years with associated school crowding and residential developments. If you can afford to live here, it is perfect for families.
    Read 46 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 30,709 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Hillsborough

    • Suburb of San Francisco, CA
    • 7 reviews
    #25 Best Suburbs to Live in California

    Current Resident: I love the fact that Hillsborough is such a friendly place to live. All of the people are connected through a social media site called Nextdoor, and they people who post on the site are very active when it comes to warning their neighbors about stormy weather or recent break-ins.
    Read 7 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • 11,436 Population
    View Nearby Homes
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