If you rely on CVS for prescriptions, daily needs, or primary medical care in California, you should be aware of something. CVS is closing 270 locations nationwide by the end of 2025, and three of them are in California.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on, why it’s important, and which specific California CVS pharmacies will be impacted.
Why is CVS closing stores?
CVS is shutting down these stores as part of a broad plan to reimagine how it delivers healthcare. In its latest earnings report, CVS called this move a “strategic review” of its retail business. That is, the company is taking a hard look at which stores are worth preserving—and which ones aren’t.
They argue that it has nothing to do with cutting costs. What they want to do is make their operations more efficient and shift towards providing more digital, accessible, and community-focused health care. CVS has been opening new HealthHUB stores and expanding telehealth services, and all of this is part of the transition.
Closures are based on several local factors
CVS is not closing its stores randomly. A spokesperson told Newsweek that decisions to close are based on factors like consumer behavior, population dynamics, and how many other stores are present in a given space. They also consider whether the population has good access to healthcare and pharmacy services.
And so, if you live in an area with already multiple existing pharmacies or clinics, or where fewer inhabitants make use of in-store CVS services, your local CVS might be at risk.
Now, CVS insists that the vast majority of Americans—almost 85%—will still only be 10 miles from a CVS store once all the closings are completed.
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California CVS stores closing in 2025
Now, let’s talk about what matters most to you: which CVS stores in California are confirmed to be shutting down in 2025?
According to Newsweek and consumer site The Krazy Coupon Lady, here are the California locations on the closure list:
- 499 Haight Street, San Francisco
- 1701 K Street, Sacramento
One additional location in California is also expected to close in 2025, but details have not been released as of now.
If any of these locations are near your home or workplace, it’s worth thinking ahead now—whether that means switching prescriptions, looking for another nearby CVS, or looking into other local pharmacies.
What you should do next
If you currently shop at one of these closing pharmacies, CVS ought to inform you ahead of time and give you options for transferring prescriptions to an alternate store. However, it is a good idea to watch store news and consult your local pharmacist about your options.
CVS may be changing, but they assure us the mission is the same: convenient and trusted healthcare. Meanwhile, it’s good to know what’s on the horizon to prepare you and ease the transition a notch.
