Northern California Retirement Communities

Article about California Retirement Areas:

Bay Area Retirement Communities The Bay Area is a special place--also known as Silicon Valley. Find retirement communities here.

California Manufactured Homes CommunitiesThere are many manufactured homes communities in California which can be a low-cost choice.

Northern California retirement communities on the coast are characterized by the cool and fresh air. When it gets hot inland the fog literally rolls in off the ocean onto coastal areas meeting the warm inland air and creating a mist of coolness and relief. For these areas it is like a natural air conditioner. Depending on where you are along the coast, this unique climate can make some summer days in California coastal towns cool especially in San Francisco and Monterey. Inland summers are hot but not humid.

I can't imagine anyone not wanting to live here. Of course, it is far from the East Coast where family may reside. All of California is a great place for retirement living but some places are particularly appealing for seniors. We have highlighted the main ones here.

I lived in Santa Cruz County for over twenty years and found it perfect for anyone wanting to retire there because it is right on the Coastline. It has small-town appeal and big city amenities. Lots of restaurants, casual sophistication, and an outstanding college and junior college located here. Cabrillo Community College hosts the annual Santa Cruz Jazz Festival. Capitola has it's Begonia Festival and Santa Cruz has its fantastic Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Not to be missed is the year-round Saturday farmer's market at Cabrillo for the freshest produce from coastal farms. And it's a short drive to Silicon Valley, Monterey or San Francisco.

The upscale Seascape area in Aptos (7 miles south of Santa Cruz) features the beautiful Seascape Resort situated on the cliff overlooking the beach and Seascape Sports Club with celebrity tennis tournaments.

Agricultural areas of Watsonville and Salinas nearby provide a wonderful array of produce year-round and there is fresh seafood from the pristine waters of Monterey Bay all readily available to Northern California Retirement Communities residents in the Santa Cruz and Monterey County areas along the Northern California coast.

Santa Cruz County and the City of Santa Cruz are located about midway between San Francisco and Monterey on the Northern California Coast. This area is characterized by many retirement mobile home parks and apartment communities.

The main cities in Santa Cruz County are Santa Cruz (the University of California at Santa Cruz is here), Scotts Valley, Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, and Watsonville.

Dominican Oaks - Apartment retirement living in Santa Cruz in quiet setting behind Dominican Hospital. Affordable month/month rent. Independent living while providing a service package. Nearby Pacific Ocean. Santa Cruz provides healthy living and is one of the best towns for Northern California Retirement Communities. Half hour drive to Monterey and Carmel. Dominican Oaks

Brookdale at Oak Tree Villa - Scotts Valley near Santa Cruz. Now owned by Brookdale Living Communities. Also offers assisted living as well as independent living. This is one of those communities where the surrounding environment is almost more important than the community because it offers so much. Brookdale at Oak Tree Villa

Pajaro Village 800 small and mid-sized homes for over 55. Quiet, small-town feeling. Resales. Check with local Realtors. Watsonville area is a more affordable area 15 miles to Santa Cruz. Always check California homes for any geologic hazards. 739 Bronte Ave. 1-831-761-3855

Valley Heights for over 65. Independent living apartment complex offers amenities including 2 meals/day, housekeeping, 24-hour security, market rate rents. 925 Freedom Blvd. Watsonville Valley Heights Retirement apartments Seapines In Aptos 7 miles to Santa Cruz. This is a unique affordable not luxury apartment community even though it is across the street from the ocean with trails down to the shore. Luxury condominium resort is across the street. 1806 Sumner Rd. for over 62. 831-662-3055.

Piedmont Court Historic Co-op building for over 55 - Prices vary. Contact local Realtors or contact me for recommendations of Realtors. 260 High St, Santa Cruz

There are a few unique manufactured home retirement communities in this area and many senior mobile home parks.

The Santa Cruz mountains separate the Bay Area from Santa Cruz County. The climate is very different from the coastal areas and can get very hot in the summer occasionally, but most of the time it is very delightful to live in.

The major cities in Silicon Valley area (Bay Area) are Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Redwood City, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Santa Clara, Campbell, Milpitas, Saratoga, Los Gatos, San Jose, and Fremont. There are numerous smaller retirement communities here to serve the aging population. San Francisco and Oakland are also considered part of the Bay Area.

Silicon Valley began its huge development over 30 years ago now and that population that came in the sixties, and is in their 60's now, is creating a demand for retirement communities locally to be near family or are moving to the coast or mountains. The larger communities with lots of amenities are few due to how expensive land is in this area. Los Altos, Palo Altos and Los Gatos are the most expensive areas.

Rossmoor Retirement Community - Walnut Creek just outside San Francisco. Beautiful area for a Northern California retirement community. Easy drive to the wine country, San Francisco or major Bay Area attractions. Rossmoor Realty

Trilogy at the Vineyards - Brentwood - 481 acres. Single story homes, adjacent winery and golf. Unique features. East Bay foothills one hour from San Francisco. Start approx. $400,000's

Ask about Shea Green Certified Homes
Trilogy at the Vineyards
More Northern California Retirement Communities:

Always has been popular for "Boomers" to get away from urban areas like the Bay Area. Lake Tahoe is a mere 2 hours drive away. Being so close to the mountains, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite is what makes Northern California communities so great.

NewDestinations at Vineyard Point Sacramento - By national homebuilder Lennar - gated resort-styled community of 2- and 3-bedroom smaller homes (and smaller prices) starts at mid-$100's - a private clubhouse for over 55's - This community is in Lennar's "Everything's Included" program which adds special features to your purchase. (verify information) Destinations at Vineyard Point

Glenbrookeby Del Webb at Elk Grove near Sacramento. From $199,990. Glenbrooke by Del Webb

Four Seasons at Westshore Sacramento - Gated community by K Hovnanian - California-styled architecture. 26-acre lake. Start mid-$200,000. Pool,spa,outdoor fireplace and barbeques, bocce and much more. Resales only. Please check with local Realtors.

Del Webb's Sun City at Lincoln Hills - By Del Webb single-story living condominium homes, villas and single family homes. Four mild seasons. Fishable lake and pier. Massage rooms. Halfway between Lake Tahoe and San Francisco. Resales only - check with local Realtors.

The Club Roseville near Sacramento - By Del Webb - 2 and 3 bedroom homes starting at $273,990. Amenities for those seniors still working such as on-site concierge, 24 hr fitness center, wi-fi hot spots. The Club

Sun City Roseville Roseville - Sun City is an older over 55 community developed by Del Webb now with resales only. 1200 acres of single family homes from 900 to 2600SF. 27 holes of championship golf, Timber Creek Lodge (clubhouse) is center of activity. Restaurant and sports bar, library, indoor and outdoor pools. Sun City Roseville Over 55 Community

The Oaks of Auburn - Holiday Retirement Corp. - Auburn is in the Sierra foothills and easy drive to Lake Tahoe.

Between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe-Sierra foothills area is very popular with seniors. It is warmer than living in the higher elevation mountains in the winter yet close to mountains for lakes, fishing trips and other outdoor activities. The Oaks of Auburn by Holiday Touch

Trilogy at Rio Vista - by Shea Homes - East of San Francisco - Gated resort community near Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Explore their Center for Higher Learning. Some of the possible subjects are: computers/internet, digital photography, foreign languages, pottery.

Golf Vista Club features facilities for pool, indoor running track, aerobics, cardio equipment, weight training machines, personal instructions and Fitness Studios for classes. These homes start at only upper $100,000's. Trilogy at Rio Vista by Shea Homes

Four Seasons at El Dorado Hills - by K. Hovnanian - gated community in Sierra foothills - within 90 minutes to Lake Tahoe.

Woodbridge By Del Webb in Manteca, country area between Sacramento and Bay Area. 2 bedroom homes from $227's. Community has all the great Del Webb amenities. Woodbridge by Del Webb

Sycamore Glen Chico - The town of Chico is in a beautiful location north of Sacramento and 1 1/2 hours from Lassen National Volcanic Park known for beautiful scenery, area hunting and fishing.

This retirement community could be listed in our apartment category since it is on a month-to-month lease basis but has so many community amenities.

Free yourself from worry about mortgages, selling a home, property taxes, and utility bills.

Included in monthly rate is all-day restaurant-style dining. "Our residents can eat whenever they want with over 20 different meal options." Also weekly housekeeping, laundry facilities, utilities except phone, 24-hour staff available, emergency response system. They have available for you a library, beauty shop, exercise room, theater, and cozy area with fireplace. Studio and one-bedroom units. Their website lists the rates. Sycamore Glen

Sierra Regency Roseville - What a great location if you want to make those occasional trips to Lake Tahoe. So many retirement community amenities and on a month-to-month basis. Fee includes meals, housekeeping, community amenities and more.Sierra Regency

Another personal favorite area. I highly recommend this area for Northern California retirement communities. Great climate, clean air and water, country ambience, wineries and gourmet dining. Luther Burbank, who resided in Santa Rosa, said of Sonoma County "the chosen spot of all earth."

The Meadows of Napa Valley - In the midst of the wine country. Rental apartments, amenities and services. The Meadows of Napa Valley

Oakmont Village Santa Rosa - 30 minutes to Pacific Ocean - one hour to San Francisco in the wine country of Sonoma County. North of Napa. Approximately 3000 homes - 35 years community for over 55. Newest part of the community is now under construction and will be the last neighborhood built on Oakmont's 1255 acres--called The Orchard at Oakmont.

Sonoma Hills Retirement Center Sonoma - new 80-unit apartment complex in this beautiful area. So many community amenities yet is on a month-to-month rental basis. Fee includes meals, housekeeping and more. There is an on-site Activity Director.Sonoma Hills Retirement Center

Northern California retirement communities provide a healthy lifestyle, many area attractions, generally cleaner air quality, and a generally slower pace, all good for seniors.

Any prices quoted or information given for Northern California retirement communities are subject to your personal verification. In the current real estate market, there have been price adjustments at some communities.

Northern CaliforniaRetirement Communities for Over 55

Northern California
Retirement Communities for Over 55