Many people dream of retiring in California, and especially near San Francisco. It’s hard to beat the Golden State’s picture-perfect scenery, laid-back vibe, and Mediterranean-style climate with pleasant temperatures pretty much all year.
Here, the summers are generally clear and comfortable, while the winters are cold and cloudy, but also quick. While the city has had snow in the past, don’t count on any major accumulation. The last snowfall happened in the 1970s, with only 10 measurable accumulations of snow recorded since 1852.
Living in California, and specifically in the Bay Area, gives you access to all kinds of outdoor activities. Whether you’re into strolling sandy beaches or you want to marvel at towering redwood trees, you can do it all in San Francisco. The city ranks as the country’s fourth-best location for an outdoorsy lifestyle, according to Wilderness Times. The study also revealed that all San Francisco residents live within 10 minutes of a local park. The city also boasts an average of 254 days a year with good air quality — compared to just 66 days in Los Angeles.
Home to the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, and famously steep streets, San Francisco is the country’s 13th-largest city and California’s fourth-largest city. It’s also a sports lover’s dream destination. Here, you can cheer on the San Francisco 49ers, the San Francisco Giants, the Golden State Warriors, the San Jose Sharks, and many others.
Are you into food — really into food? San Francisco is a foodie’s paradise, boasting a bounty of cuisines to suit any appetite. The Bay Area is home to more than 4,000 restaurants, with 54 of these restaurants having Michelin stars. Angler is a San Francisco fine-dining destination, offering premium wines and spirits and a seafood-focused menu with views of the bay. Want something a little more low-key? Check out SPARK Social SF, a festive and fun outdoor dining and event venue with a rotating menu of local food trucks.
If you’re thinking about moving to San Francisco, you’ll have plenty of options. The Bay Area is home to many 55+ communities. Whether you want to downsize from a large family home, relocate to California, or you simply want a home near the water in San Francisco, you have several choices at all different price points.
Below, we’ve highlighted a few active adult communities near San Francisco. Take a look and then contact 55places.com to find your perfect community in the Bay Area.
Low $400s - Low $1Ms
Just 30 minutes from downtown San Francisco, The Peninsula Regent offers convenient access to all the entertainment and amenities in the city. This 55+ community contains 207 condominiums in eight different floor plans. Residences include one to two bedrooms and one to two bathrooms. Some floor plans include an extra space that can be used as a guest bedroom or office.
Residents benefit from carport parking. Standard features include private patios and primary suites with walk-in closets. Some homes offer views of the courtyard.
Amenities at The Peninsula Regent include a fitness center, library, an on-site dining room and bistro, and an indoor pool. The amenities continue outdoors with a courtyard walking area and bocce ball courts. Residents can easily zip around town with the community’s shuttle service.
Several restaurants, pharmacies, and shops are nearby, including Trader Joe’s, Draeger’s Market, CVS, Walgreens, and Safeway. Residents can take comfort knowing many health care providers are also located close by, including San Mateo Medical Center, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, and Stanford Hospital. With San Francisco International Airport only 10 minutes away, residents can easily get to and from their destinations.
Mid $300s - High $700s
Built between 1972 and 1978, Watergate is an active lifestyle community located just 20 minutes from San Francisco’s Financial District. This condominium community spans 26 acres of well-manicured land featuring a city and seaside vibe.
Residences range from 432 to 2,378 square feet, with some homeowners receiving assigned covered parking spaces. Units include private balconies with views of the coast and kitchens equipped with modern appliances. Some homes also feature open-concept floor plans, recessed lighting, and additional shelving in the walk-in closet.
A homeowners’ association covers landscaping, roof repair, trash removal, 24-hour security, and common area maintenance, giving residents more flexibility to enjoy the community. Watergate features a wealth of resort-style amenities, including a fitness center with steam and sauna rooms, several outdoor pools, tennis courts, and a boardwalk.
When it comes to food and fun, residents can travel down San Pablo Avenue to find multiple restaurants, bars, and shops. There are also a variety of attractions in the area, including the Oakland Zoo, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, and the Museum of Paleontology. When residents want to travel, San Francisco International Airport is just 25 minutes away.
Low $300s - Low $2Ms
Active adults looking for 55+ communities close to San Francisco can explore more than 6,600 homes spread across multiple neighborhoods at Rossmoor. This 55+ community is only 30 minutes from San Francisco and Oakland, and offers thoughtfully designed single-family homes, condominiums, and co-ops.
About half of the homes at Rossmoor are garden-style duplex to four-plex houses consisting of 3,247 condo units. One single-family home development contains 63 detached homes, with the rest of the community’s residences being co-op units in mid- to high-rise buildings. Residences range in size from 600 to 2,535 square feet. Some include a carport or street parking while others include a garage.
Living in Rossmoor gives residents all the benefits of a low-maintenance lifestyle thanks to a homeowners’ association. The active adult community offers more than 200 social clubs. A dedicated recreation department that arranges social events for residents, including weekly lunches, classes, and movies. Additionally, the community offers Alzheimer’s and bereavement support groups as well as special programs like the Friendly Visitors club and the Volunteer Exchange.
Low $600s - High $800s
Situated in Santa Rosa, Oakmont Village offers a variety of California homes for sale in multiple designs. Whether you’re looking for an apartment, a single-family home, or assisted living options, Oakmont Village has something for you.
Most of the community is made up of single-family homes, with attached homes making up 15% of the community. There are also about 5% of residents living in Oakmont Gardens, an independently owned assisted living facility within the community.
Single-family homes range in size from 941 to 2,749 square feet and feature one to four bedrooms. These homes are available on a new and resale basis. Some lots provide views of the golf course or mountains, while others provide views of the vineyards or Annadel State Park. If you enjoy gardening, you have the option to buy an owner-maintained lot. If you prefer more low-maintenance living, you can choose a home in a maintained area.
There’s no shortage of things to do in this 55+ community near San Francisco. Not only are residents only about an hour outside of San Francisco, but they can take advantage of all kinds of clubs and activities right in their own neighborhood. Oakmont Village features more than 100 clubs, including chess club, a Democrat and Republican club, a genealogy club, and Red Hat Society.
This active adult community also offers 36 holes of golf, three clubhouses each with a pool and outdoor spa, and an events auditorium. Active adults can have fun and meet neighbors over a game of bocce, shuffleboard, lawn bowling, or horseshoes.
High $500s - Mid $700s
RiverView in Healdsburg is a 55+ community that offers a relatively quick drive to San Francisco and San Jose. RiverView also private access to the Russian River for swimming, wading, paddling, and sunbathing. There are plenty of shaded picnic areas for enjoying the great outdoors.
Started in 1974, construction on this 55+ community wrapped up in 1977. RiverView contains 175 single-family homes that range in size from 1,032 to 1,704 square feet. Most homes feature hardwood floors throughout, first-floor primary suites, and low-maintenance exteriors. Residences typically have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage.
Active adults who call RiverView home can take advantage of numerous amenities. At the two clubhouses, which serve as the community’s central hubs for socializing, residents can host parties and other events. An exercise room means residents have access to workout equipment close to home. The two outdoor pools and spas let active adults enjoy the sunshine and pleasant climate all year long. Other amenities include a bocce ball court and walking and biking trails.
