The best financial advisors in California, ranked
4 vetted advisors across Los Angeles, San Francisco— compared by fees, minimums, credentials, and specialty. Skip the guesswork: tell us your goals and we'll rank them for your situation.
Top advisors in California for 2026
Ranked by rating & fit signalsCFP® · Pacific Crest Planning · Los Angeles
Entertainment-industry professionals with uneven income
★ 4.9 (108+)0.80% AUM$250k minFee-only
CFP® · EA · Golden Gate Equity Planning · San Francisco
Startup employees deciding what to do with options
★ 4.9 (143+)$6,000/yr flatNo minimum minFee-only
CFA · CFP® · Presidio Wealth Group · San Francisco
Post-IPO wealth needing a full family-office setup
★ 4.8 (77+)0.60% AUM$2M minFee-only
CFA · Westside Capital Management · Los Angeles
Real-estate-heavy portfolios needing balance
★ 4.7 (82+)0.95% AUM$500k min
Rankings reflect network ratings and profile completeness, not investment performance. AdvisoryReviews is compensated by participating advisors, which may influence placement. Demo listings shown for template purposes.
What California advisors on the network specialize in
Choosing an advisor in California
How much does a financial advisor cost in California?
Among vetted California advisors in the AdvisoryReviews network, ongoing management runs roughly 0.65%–1.10% of assets per year, and flat-fee planning engagements run about $2,400–$6,000 per year. The industry all-in average is closer to 1.25%, which is why comparing before you commit matters.
How do I verify a financial advisor in California?
Look the advisor up on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site (adviserinfo.sec.gov) or FINRA BrokerCheck. Every profile on AdvisoryReviews links to the public record — check registration status, disclosures, and complaint history before engaging anyone.
Should I choose a local California advisor or work virtually?
Both work well. Local advisors offer in-person meetings and familiarity with state specifics; virtual advisors widen the pool to specialists who fit your exact situation. The matcher lets you require local, virtual, or best-fit-either.
What's a fee-only fiduciary, and does it matter?
A fee-only fiduciary is paid solely by you — never commissions — and is legally required to act in your best interest. Most people comparing advisors in California filter for fee-only first; the matcher makes that one tap.
Done browsing? Let the advisors compete.
Two minutes of questions, and every California advisor above — plus the national network — is screened against your goals.