You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in California. Best sururbs in California. Best counties in California.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Golden State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in California based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in California ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In California For 2025
- Del Mar
- Mount Hermon
- Mission Canyon
- West Menlo Park
- Emerald Lake Hills
- Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Castle Hill
- Loyola
- Ladera
- Cambrian Park
- Broadmoor
- Monte Sereno
- Los Ranchos
- Belvedere
- Ross
What’s the best small town in California? Del Mar is the best small town in California based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Del Mar, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Golden State check out:
- Best Places To Live In California
- Cheapest Places To Live In California
- Most Dangerous Cities In California
The 15 Best Small Towns In California For 2025
1. Del Mar
/10
Population: 3,921
Median Income: $192,845 (27th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
2. Mount Hermon
/10
Population: 1,203
Median Income: $161,821 (38th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,032,800 (57th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
3. Mission Canyon
/10
Population: 2,296
Median Income: $211,375 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,890,900 (23rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.2%
4. West Menlo Park
/10
Population: 3,382
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.5%
5. Emerald Lake Hills
/10
Population: 4,396
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%
6. Carmel-By-The-Sea
/10
Population: 3,186
Median Income: $115,729 (98th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
7. Castle Hill
/10
Population: 1,303
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%
8. Loyola
/10
Population: 3,883
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
9. Ladera
/10
Population: 1,160
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 8.8%
10. Cambrian Park
/10
Population: 3,752
Median Income: $193,933 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.5%
11. Broadmoor
/10
Population: 4,467
Median Income: $161,572 (39th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,206,800 (36th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%
12. Monte Sereno
/10
Population: 3,459
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
13. Los Ranchos
/10
Population: 1,521
Median Income: $146,667 (50th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,231,000 (34th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.3%
14. Belvedere
/10
Population: 2,415
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.4%
15. Ross
/10
Population: 2,626
Median Income: $250,001 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.7%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In California
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in California possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 343 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 343, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in California. Top of that list — Del Mar.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in California.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in California are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in California are Del Mar, Mount Hermon, Mission Canyon, West Menlo Park, Emerald Lake Hills, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Castle Hill, Loyola, Ladera, and Cambrian Park.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in California:
- North Edwards
- Oasis
- Homestead Valley
For more California reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In California
- Safest Places In California
- Worst Places To Live In California
Best Small Towns In California
Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Del Mar, CA | 3,921 | $192,845 | 2.5% | |
2 | Mount Hermon, CA | 1,203 | $161,821 | 0.0% | |
3 | Mission Canyon, CA | 2,296 | $211,375 | 2.2% | |
4 | West Menlo Park, CA | 3,382 | $250,001 | 5.5% | |
5 | Emerald Lake Hills, CA | 4,396 | $250,001 | 2.5% | |
6 | Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA | 3,186 | $115,729 | 3.5% | |
7 | Castle Hill, CA | 1,303 | $250,001 | 0.0% | |
8 | Loyola, CA | 3,883 | $250,001 | 3.7% | |
9 | Ladera, CA | 1,160 | $250,001 | 8.8% | |
10 | Cambrian Park, CA | 3,752 | $193,933 | 0.5% | |
11 | Broadmoor, CA | 4,467 | $161,572 | 4.2% | |
12 | Monte Sereno, CA | 3,459 | $250,001 | 4.3% | |
13 | Los Ranchos, CA | 1,521 | $146,667 | 0.3% | |
14 | Belvedere, CA | 2,415 | $250,001 | 0.4% | |
15 | Ross, CA | 2,626 | $250,001 | 3.7% | |
16 | Blacklake, CA | 1,122 | $99,191 | 0.0% | |
17 | Del Rio, CA | 1,557 | $194,083 | 2.2% | |
18 | Fairbanks Ranch, CA | 2,794 | $250,001 | 0.0% | |
19 | Monument Hills, CA | 1,500 | $240,833 | 1.6% | |
20 | Portola Valley, CA | 4,329 | $250,001 | 2.2% | |
21 | Reliez Valley, CA | 3,006 | $250,001 | 6.4% | |
22 | Casa Conejo, CA | 2,640 | $142,708 | 6.4% | |
23 | Acalanes Ridge, CA | 1,025 | $172,667 | 9.0% | |
24 | Lake Sherwood, CA | 1,515 | $244,239 | 5.0% | |
25 | Moss Beach, CA | 3,016 | $128,333 | 0.0% | |
26 | Seacliff, CA | 3,488 | $121,845 | 4.2% | |
27 | Rose Hills, CA | 2,485 | $123,220 | 2.6% | |
28 | Rolling Hills, CA | 1,511 | $250,001 | 3.5% | |
29 | Del Monte Forest, CA | 3,576 | $154,730 | 3.7% | |
30 | Woodlands, CA | 2,005 | $160,694 | 0.0% | |
31 | Hidden Hills, CA | 2,079 | $250,001 | 4.7% | |
32 | Santa Rosa Valley, CA | 2,722 | $176,389 | 4.2% | |
33 | Bell Canyon, CA | 1,896 | $250,001 | 3.7% | |
34 | Felton, CA | 3,721 | $117,375 | 2.5% | |
35 | Fruitdale, CA | 1,203 | $128,750 | 4.9% | |
36 | Santa Venetia, CA | 3,937 | $138,085 | 6.2% | |
37 | Rancho Santa Fe, CA | 2,574 | $236,429 | 7.7% | |
38 | Lexington Hills, CA | 2,777 | $245,000 | 1.8% | |
39 | San Pasqual, CA | 2,014 | $138,542 | 3.5% | |
40 | Montara, CA | 2,897 | $201,367 | 9.5% | |
41 | Mather, CA | 4,729 | $140,941 | 3.0% | |
42 | Sleepy Hollow, CA | 2,644 | $196,630 | 7.3% | |
43 | La Honda, CA | 1,094 | $250,001 | 0.0% | |
44 | Dollar Point, CA | 1,319 | $94,141 | 6.0% | |
45 | West Bishop, CA | 2,697 | $117,609 | 3.5% | |
46 | Toro Canyon, CA | 1,736 | $177,879 | 6.8% | |
47 | Indian Wells, CA | 4,830 | $145,313 | 5.8% | |
48 | Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA | 1,658 | $121,154 | 0.0% | |
49 | Penryn, CA | 1,059 | $121,302 | 7.2% | |
50 | Summerland, CA | 1,248 | $133,083 | 10.7% | |
51 | Del Rey Oaks, CA | 1,556 | $130,909 | 10.8% | |
52 | Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, CA | 1,999 | $154,591 | 2.0% | |
53 | Cutten, CA | 3,214 | $93,500 | 2.6% | |
54 | Glen Ellen, CA | 1,084 | $213,261 | 4.7% | |
55 | Carmel Valley Village, CA | 4,435 | $164,167 | 5.0% | |
56 | Forestville, CA | 3,862 | $105,139 | 5.8% | |
57 | East Richmond Heights, CA | 3,311 | $126,042 | 8.7% | |
58 | La Selva Beach, CA | 2,519 | $159,094 | 3.1% | |
59 | Lake San Marcos, CA | 4,996 | $100,676 | 3.4% | |
60 | El Verano, CA | 3,154 | $119,527 | 10.6% | |
61 | Graton, CA | 1,819 | $108,750 | 1.8% | |
62 | Bishop, CA | 3,793 | $82,205 | 0.3% | |
63 | Corralitos, CA | 1,906 | $165,670 | 5.9% | |
64 | Aromas, CA | 2,846 | $184,667 | 3.6% | |
65 | Channel Islands Beach, CA | 2,936 | $103,219 | 2.4% | |
66 | North El Monte, CA | 4,115 | $105,590 | 2.2% | |
67 | Brisbane, CA | 4,718 | $151,593 | 9.1% | |
68 | Sea Ranch, CA | 1,200 | $121,731 | 0.0% | |
69 | Day Valley, CA | 3,514 | $150,256 | 4.5% | |
70 | Bolinas, CA | 1,176 | $95,192 | 1.1% | |
71 | Meadow Vista, CA | 3,343 | $95,998 | 3.1% | |
72 | San Antonio Heights, CA | 3,479 | $144,509 | 2.4% | |
73 | Angwin, CA | 2,774 | $127,115 | 7.2% | |
74 | East Sonora, CA | 2,823 | $85,461 | 0.0% | |
75 | Morada, CA | 3,337 | $94,464 | 3.9% | |
76 | Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, CA | 1,795 | $128,656 | 2.3% | |
77 | Black Point-Green Point, CA | 1,560 | $125,875 | 5.1% | |
78 | Penngrove, CA | 2,123 | $115,826 | 5.1% | |
79 | Tuolumne City, CA | 1,404 | $60,694 | 0.0% | |
80 | Mission Hills, CA | 3,794 | $106,455 | 4.4% | |
81 | Woodacre, CA | 1,574 | $225,521 | 5.3% | |
82 | Yountville, CA | 3,396 | $79,696 | 5.3% | |
83 | Avalon, CA | 3,373 | $91,713 | 0.0% | |
84 | Cayucos, CA | 2,517 | $82,778 | 1.9% | |
85 | Callender, CA | 2,764 | $136,458 | 8.0% | |
86 | Camanche Village, CA | 2,233 | $156,480 | 1.1% | |
87 | Leona Valley, CA | 1,559 | $134,625 | 1.5% | |
88 | East Oakdale, CA | 2,346 | $122,647 | 3.6% | |
89 | Newcastle, CA | 1,594 | $110,446 | 4.3% | |
90 | Tara Hills, CA | 4,912 | $116,415 | 6.3% | |
91 | Freedom, CA | 3,211 | $139,722 | 2.3% | |
92 | San Juan Bautista, CA | 2,120 | $108,750 | 3.1% | |
93 | Forest Meadows, CA | 1,485 | $88,250 | 4.0% | |
94 | Arnold, CA | 2,276 | $92,589 | 6.3% | |
95 | Hartley, CA | 1,966 | $120,354 | 0.1% | |
96 | Woodbridge, CA | 3,868 | $100,682 | 3.5% | |
97 | Mountain View, CA | 2,072 | $84,818 | 4.0% | |
98 | Coronita, CA | 2,782 | $106,815 | 1.0% | |
99 | Lincoln Village, CA | 3,954 | $88,305 | 5.6% | |
100 | Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente, CA | 3,441 | $116,667 | 3.5% |