Top 10 Senior Communities in Southern California
Southern California might be full of the young and the restless, but it’s also a haven for the 55 and better crowd. What’s not to love about the beach, year-round sunny weather, and lots of gorgeous scenery? Many potential residents might think they can’t afford to live in style in the area between Los Angeles and San Diego, but we have compiled a list of the top 55+ active communities for a well-earned retirement. The list has price points for every budget. Since it is Southern California, the sky’s the limit.
1 Ocean Hills Country Club, Oceanside
Price range: low $700s—mid $1M
Ocean Hills is a fully built community a few minutes from the beach. This country club neighborhood has an 18-hole golf course, a large clubhouse, tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, and pickleball courts.
Homes in Ocean Hills range from duplexes to larger single-family homes with 17 different floor plans. Smaller duplexes are a cozy 900 square feet, while the larger homes are a roomy 2,800 square feet. All the homes in Ocean City feature a central alarm system.
2 Breakwater Village, Redondo Beach
Price range: High $400s—Mid $600s
If a low-maintenance condo living a couple of miles from the beach is your thing, then Breakwater Village is worth a look. Nine different models range from 782 to 1,336 square feet, with floor plans in one, two, or three bedroom models. Underground parking is included in this gated community. The upscale condos feature upgrades like granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and chef’s kitchens.
There’s an outdoor pool, community and theater rooms, an exercise room, and a catering kitchen for special events. Hikers enjoy scenic trails, and shoppers can hit the nearby South Bay Galleria for dining and retail therapy.
Pets are welcome in this community.
3 Costa Serena, Oceanside
Price range: $300-$400s
This is an older community of 696 homes, built in the early 1970s. It’s more of a neighborhood than a designated community—there’s no clubhouse, but residents have great ocean views. Homes are between 827 and 1,350 square feet, each with a single-car garage and large private yards.
Many residents of Costa Serena choose this neighborhood because there are no HOA dues.
4 Huntington Landmark, Huntington Beach
Price Range: Mid $500s—Low $900s
Surfers love Huntington Landmark, a community in Surf City, USA. It’s only a mile from the beach, and besides the waves of the Pacific, there’s a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, and tennis courts for active adults.
Residents can choose among eight floor plans, with square footage ranging from 860 to 1,336. Each home has a garage or carport attached.
5 Trilogy at Monarch Dunes
Price range: $970,000 and up
This community near San Luis Obispo is not only for the 55 and up crowd but was built for this demographic. The amenities at Monarch Dunes put it squarely in the resort living category. The community has a golf course, spa, tennis courts, pools, and other amenities, and it’s close to riding stables and wineries.
Homes here are larger than most communities, ranging from 1,428 square feet to a 3,487 square-foot model with four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and a three-car garage. There are 36 floor plans with a wide range of custom options.
6 Oceana, Oceanside
Price range: $300s–$500s
Oceana is an older community a few miles from the beach, with single family and attached homes. Homes do have attached garages. They are on the smaller side (660 to 1,620 square feet) but perfect for people who don’t expect overnight guests. The clubhouse is where the action is, with activities from jewelry making to a dog park. There’s no golf course, but residents get discounted greens fees at an adjacent course.
7 Gavilan, Rancho Mission Viejo
Price range: Low $800s—high $1Ms
Gavilan is still being built out, so buyers can customize their homes. The standard amenities are present—a clubhouse, lap pools, and fire pits—but there’s also an arcade for the grandkids and the young at heart.
Several homebuilders are developing the neighborhoods and 1,200 homes in Gavilan, and homes average about 2,000 square feet.
8 Coronado Shores
Price range: $1M—$4M
If you crave the sand in your toes, Coronado Shores is a condo community on the beach on Coronado. Several buildings make up the 654-unit complex. There are no dedicated amenities, but residents integrate into the local community. The Hotel Del Coronado is adjacent to the Shores, as the locals call it. Condos range from 1,300 to 3,250 square feet.
9 Leisure World, Seal Beach
Price range: low $200s—low $600s
Leisure World is full of co-ops and condos spread over 542 acres. Amenities include a 9 hole golf course, pools, fitness rooms, and over 200 clubs for just about any interest. Security is on site 24 hours a day for the 6,600 residences. Leisure World is among the few 55+ communities that boast an onsite health center.
10 Sun City, Menifee
Price range: Mid $200s—$500s
Sun City is a small town—with 4,762 homes that are low maintenance and with open floor plans. Most residences have a garage or carport. There’s no clubhouse, but there are two large halls with catering kitchens for special events. Sun City has all the standard amenities and more—everything from mah-jongg to an amphitheater.
Move Quickly with Offercity
Offercity can help you get into the top 55+ communities in Southern California in no time. Rather than go the traditional route of a real estate agent, staging, and showing your home, Offercity will buy your house as is, and it’s a cash sale—no worries about a loan falling apart at the last minute. Contact us today to learn how we can get you into your next home with no drama or last-minute surprises.
