California is one of the most popular retirement states in the U.S. Retirees love the state’s diverse climate and landscape as well as its variety of distinct 55+ communities that cater to many different lifestyles. Some of the hottest active adult communities in the Golden State offer an impressive lineup of world-class amenities, innovative home designs, exciting social atmospheres, and prime locations near urban attractions and entertainment.
Retirees can find their ideal retirement destination based on exactly what they are looking for, whether it’s an established rural neighborhood within a tranquil Northern California location or an award-winning golf course community in Southern California.
55places.com determined the most popular 55+ communities in California according to unique pageviews between September 1, 2016 and August 31, 2017. Check out the list of the 10 hottest 55+ communities in California.
1. Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA
Laguna Woods Village is one of the largest active adult communities on the West Coast. This age-restricted community is popular among retirees because of its attractive views, world-class amenities, prime location in Orange County, and beautiful year-round weather. Laguna Woods Village is sprawled across 2,100 acres of rolling hills and has more than 12,700 homes that were developed between 1964 and 1985.
This 55+ community boasts seven unique clubhouses that are all filled with top-notch amenities as well as 36 holes of golf, five swimming pools, an equestrian center, and more than 250 clubs and special interest groups. With so many amenities and clubs, residents are always keeping busy in this welcoming and picturesque active adult community in Southern California.
2. Sun City Lincoln Hills – Lincoln, CA
Sun City Lincoln Hills is a premier age-restricted community in Northern California. It offers boomers world-class amenities, innovative Del Webb home designs, and an exciting low-maintenance lifestyle. Sun City Lincoln Hills hosts 6,783 homes that were built between 1999 and 2008. Homebuyers can choose from more than 40 distinct floor plans that range in styles, sizes, and prices.
These low-maintenance homes come as single-family or attached villas and feature spacious layouts and have one to four bedrooms, one to three-and-a-half bathrooms, and one- to three-car garages. In addition to a variety of home designs, Sun City Lincoln Hills is known as a golfer’s paradise thanks to its 36 holes of challenging championship golf. The community also has multiple clubhouses and outdoor recreational facilities that promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
3. Rossmoor – Walnut Creek, CA
Rossmoor is an award-winning, 55+ community in Northern California that attracts the retiree crowd because of its natural beauty and rich lineup of amenities. Boomers can also choose from a variety of resale homes such as condos, single-family homes, and co-ops that are designed in various architectural styles. All homes are situated within the community’s hillsides and surrounded by mature landscaping and natural open spaces.
Residents also enjoy 27 holes of NCGA-rated golf, five luxurious clubhouses, multiple indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, and miles of beautiful hiking trails. There are also more than 200 clubs that offer a range of activities and hobbies that cater to many different backgrounds and lifestyles.
4. Sun City Palm Desert, CA
Nestled in the Coachella Valley in Southern California, Sun City Palm Desert is a prime active adult community that has everything retirees could want or need. The community is surrounded by stunning views of its 36-hole golf course as well as its beautiful grounds filled with resort-style amenities that create a luxurious oasis. Besides impressive amenities and recreational facilities, Sun City Palm Desert also offers homebuyers more than 45 different floor plans ranging in size from 1,000 to 3,200 square feet.
Developed by Del Webb between 1992 and 2003, Sun City Palm Desert features a wide selection of resale homes that come as single-family or attached homes. All homes in this 55+community feature single-level living and include two-car garages with golf cart storage. Some homes also feature upgrades and finishes like granite countertops, gourmet kitchens, and spa-like bathrooms.
5. The Colony – Murrieta, CA
The Colony is a 1,500-home active adult community in Murrieta, CA. Retirees love this community’s prime location in Southern California that allows them to have easy access to the beaches and oceans as well as towering mountains, scenic lakes, and the desert. Active adults also enjoy The Colony’s superb amenities, which include a well-appointed clubhouse that has plenty of social spaces and recreational facilities that promote an active and social lifestyle.
In addition to an impressive clubhouse, residents also have access to the California Oaks Golf Course that’s adjacent to The Colony. It offers a par-70, 5,218-yard golf course as well as a pro shop, on-site restaurant, and driving range and putting green. The golf course is open to the public, but residents of The Colony enjoy a discounted rate.
