La Vida Real
Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · El Cajon, CA

La Vida Real

Assisted Living, Independent Living & Memory Care · El Cajon, CA

Overview of La Vida Real

Experience the beauty of a Spanish village with La Vida Real located in Rancho, San Diego, CA. An astounding senior living community that provides a spectrum of living options including Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Integrated Health Care, and The Club. With a spacious and ethereal setting, La Vida Real offers various accommodations such as studio to two-bedroom deluxe for independent living residents, and studio to one-bedroom apartments for residents in assisted living. 

Integrating the community’s very own Zest wellness program that combines the mind, the body, and the spiritual, La Vida Real ensures the wellness of the seniors. The community also fosters meaningful and powerful connections among its residents to further ignite their passion. Here, top-notch meals are served to satisfy the cravings and dietary needs of the seniors. Amenities include spa and beauty services, live music, an onsite cinema, an art studio, and many more entertainment and enrichment-related activities.

Bed community size
177-bed community
A large-scale community that may provide a wide range of amenities, services, and structured programs.
Years in operation
11 years in operation
A community with a solid operating history and experience delivering ongoing care.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 69 / 100
Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate
70%
Rank #934 / 1506Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 934th out of 1506 homes in California for Occupancy. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the California average, with its Statewide rank out of 1506. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Similar to the California average: 72.8%
Occupied beds
124 / 177
Average occupied beds in California homes 87 beds

License Details

Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly
IssuanceDecember 30, 2014
CountySan Diego
License Number374603565

Ownership & Operating Entity

La Vida Real is legally operated by Lvr Subtenant LLC and Srg Managment LLC, and administered by Kimberly Garcia.

Staffing

Key information about the people who lead and staff this community.

Staffing(Specialized Dementia)

Specialized Dementia Live-in Staff
Specialized Dementia Separate Housekeeping Staff

Facility Details(Specialized Dementia)

No Admission Fee

Contact La Vida Real

Inspection History

In California, the Department of Social Services (for assisted living facilities) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.

Inspection Score Info A composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. The score below shows how many points this facility sits above or below the typical California assisted living residence score (the benchmark); higher is better.This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.

13 points below the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Inspection score: 68 out of 100. Letter grade D+. 13 points below the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Inspection Scorecard Info This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the California state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Since 2020 vs. California state average
Overall vs. CA average 8 Worse Metrics worse than California average:
• Total citations (60% above)
• Moderate citations (Type B) (250% above)
• Citations per year (59% above)
• Total visits (188% above)
• Complaint visits (138% above)
• Other visits (43% above)
• Official inspections (25% above)
• Complaint investigations (170% above)
2 Better Metrics better than California average:
• Serious citations (Type A) (33% below)
• Citations per inspection (91% below)
Latest Inspection January 21, 2026

Citations Info Citations are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.

This Facility CA Average vs. CA Avg
Total citations Info Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types. 16 10 This facility has 60% more total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (16 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 60% worse
Serious citations (Type A) Info Citations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action. 2 3 This facility has 33% fewer serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 3).↓ 33% better Rank #599 / 1160 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 599th out of 1160 homes in California for # of serious citations. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1160 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Moderate citations (Type B) Info Citations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards. 14 4 This facility has 250% more moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (14 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 250% worse
Citations per year Info Average citations per year since 2020. 2.7 1.7 This facility has 59% more citations per year than a typical California assisted living residence (2.7 vs. CA avg 1.7).↑ 59% worse
Citations per inspection Info Average citations per inspection. 0.3 3.3 This facility has 91% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.3 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 91% better

Inspections & Visits Info State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.

This Facility CA Average vs. CA Avg
Total visits Info Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections. 46 16 This facility has 188% more total visits than a typical California assisted living residence (46 vs. CA avg 16).↑ 188% worse
Complaint visits Info On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff. 31 13 This facility has 138% more complaint visits than a typical California assisted living residence (31 vs. CA avg 13).↑ 138% worse Rank #1263 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 1263rd out of 1388 homes in California for # of complaint visits. Shows this facility's # of complaint visits compared to the California average among 1388 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Other visits Info Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits. 10 7 This facility has 43% more other visits than a typical California assisted living residence (10 vs. CA avg 7).↑ 43% worse
Official inspections Info Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards. 5 4 This facility has 25% more official inspections than a typical California assisted living residence (5 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 25% worse
Complaint investigations Info On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators. 27 10 This facility has 170% more complaint investigations than a typical California assisted living residence (27 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 170% worse

Inspection Reports Summary Info An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.

  • The December 8, 2025 annual inspection found no deficiencies, with the facility clean, sanitary, and in good repair.
  • The December 19, 2025 complaint investigation substantiated lack of supervision causing a resident’s serious injury and improper billing, citing two deficiencies and civil penalties.
  • Multiple investigations from August to December 2025 substantiated staffing shortages, delayed call button responses, and medication disposal failures, posing potential health and safety risks.

What does this home offer?

Pets allowed icon
Pets allowed icon

Pets Allowed

Room sizes icon
Room sizes icon

Room Sizes: 473 - 498 / 587 - 670 / 825 - 1278 sq. ft.

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Alcove / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Building type icon
Building type icon

Building Type: 3-story

Restaurant Style Dining icon

Restaurant Style Dining

Club Lounge and Bistro icon

Club Lounge and Bistro

Social and recreational activities icon
Social and recreational activities icon

Social and Recreational Activities

Full-Service Beauty Salon/Barbershop icon

Full-Service Beauty Salon/Barbershop

Fully Equipped, State-Of-The-Art Fitness Center icon

Fully Equipped, State-Of-The-Art Fitness Center

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for La Vida Real

Places of interest near La Vida Real

Address 3.7 miles from city center Info Estimated distance in miles from El Cajon's city center to La Vida Real's address, calculated via Google Maps.

Calculate Travel Distance to La Vida Real

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Address

Compare Assisted Living around San Diego

The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.

The Glen at Scripps Ranch
AL
IL
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (Scripps Ranch) 684 No 8 954
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
12 81.3% A+ Glen At Scripps Ranch Ccrc LLC 1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Wesley Palms Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
San Diego (Pacific Beach) 511 Yes 19 914
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
31 65.0% A+ Front Porch Communities And Services Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Atria Collwood
AL
RC
San Diego (Talmadge) 185 Yes 79 594
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 13
Rank #1360 / 1388
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 3
Rank #895 / 1160
50 45.9% A+ Wg Collwood Knolls Sh LP And Atria Management Co LLC Studio / 1 Bed
La Vida Real
AL
IL
MC
El Cajon 177 Yes 69 685
31
Facility 31
CA AVG 13
Rank #1263 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #599 / 1160
11 70.1% - Lvr Subtenant LLC And Srg Managment LLC Alcove / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
BayView Senior Assisted Living
AL
HOS
MC
RC
San Diego (Point Loma) 17 No 85 954
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
15 76.5% A+ Bvsal, LLC Private Rooms

Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in California

La Vida Real is located in El Cajon, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.

Get Financial aid guidance

Multipurpose Senior Services Program

MSSP (Medi-Cal Waiver)

Age 65+
General California resident, Medi-Cal eligible, nursing home risk.
Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).
CA

County-managed; waitlists possible.

Benefits
In-home support (4-6 hours/day) Respite care (14 days/year) Meals (~$6/meal) Transportation (8 trips/month) Care management

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

California IHSS

Age 65+
General California resident, Medicaid-eligible or low-income.
Income Limits ~$1,732/month individual, Medi-Cal threshold
Asset Limits $2,000 individual
CA

Can hire family as caregivers.

Benefits
Personal care (up to 283 hours/month) Homemaker services Respite (varies)

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

CA MSSP

Age 65+
General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible but community-capable.
Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 individual
CA

Available in 38 counties; waitlists common.

Benefits
Case management Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Minor home mods (avg. $500) Adult day care (~$50/day)

Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP)

CA PTP

Age 62+
General California resident, own and live in home, 40% equity.
Income Limits (2025) ~$51,500/year household, adjusted annually
Asset Limits Equity-based; no strict asset cap.
CA

Deferred taxes accrue interest (5% as of 2024); repaid upon sale/death.

Benefits
Property tax deferral (avg. $1,000-$3,000/year, varies by county)

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

CA ALW

Age 65+ or disabled
General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible.
Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual
Asset Limits $2,000 individual
CA

Available in 15 counties (e.g., LA, Sacramento); waitlists common.

Benefits
Personal care in ALFs (5-7 hours/day) Medication management Social services

California CARES Program

CA CARES

Age
General Caregivers of California residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.
Income Limits No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.
Asset Limits Not applicable; need-based.
CA

High demand in urban areas; complements IHSS respite.

Benefits
Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Counseling (4-6 sessions/year) Training (2-3 workshops/year) Supplies (~$200/year)

Frequently Asked Questions about La Vida Real

Who is the owner of La Vida Real?

La Vida Real is legally operated by Lvr Subtenant LLC and Srg Managment LLC, and administered by Kimberly Garcia.

Is La Vida Real in a walkable area?

La Vida Real has a walk score of 69. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.

What is the license number of La Vida Real?

According to CA state health department records, La Vida Real's license number is 374603565.

What is the occupancy rate at La Vida Real?

La Vida Real's occupancy is 70%.

Who is the administrator of La Vida Real?

Kimberly Garcia is the administrator of La Vida Real.

How many beds does La Vida Real have?

La Vida Real has 177 beds.

Has La Vida Real had any citations?

La Vida Real has had 16 reported citations since 2020 according to records from California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

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