Inspection Reports for
Watermark Laguna Niguel

CA

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Citations (last 3 years)

Citations (over 3 years) 0.7 citations/year

Citations are regulatory findings recorded during state inspections.

83% better than California average
California average: 4 citations/year

Citations per year

4 3 2 1 0
2023
2024
2025

Occupancy

Latest occupancy rate 45% occupied

Based on a December 2025 inspection.

This facility has shown a steady increase in demand based on occupancy rates.

Occupancy rate over time

0% 30% 60% 90% 120% Oct 2023 Aug 2024 Aug 2025 Dec 2025

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 61 Capacity: 135 Citations: 1 Date: Dec 30, 2025

Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced complaint investigation visit triggered by allegations received on 07/10/2024 regarding staff not ensuring residents took medication as prescribed, did not ensure meals were consumed, and did not protect a resident from financial exploitation.

Complaint Details
The complaint investigation involved three allegations: staff did not ensure resident took medication as prescribed (substantiated), staff did not ensure resident's meals were consumed (unsubstantiated), and staff did not protect resident from financial exploitation (unsubstantiated). The resident moved out and subsequently passed away; responsible parties and family members did not respond to interview requests.
Findings
The investigation substantiated the allegation that staff did not ensure a resident took prescribed medications for 12 days, missing multiple routine medications on March 8, 2024. The allegations that staff did not ensure meals were consumed and did not protect the resident from financial exploitation were deemed unsubstantiated due to lack of preponderance of evidence.

Citations (1)
Failure to ensure resident received prescribed medications on March 8, 2024, missing four routine medications during the 9:00 am medication pass.
Report Facts
Resident census: 61 Facility capacity: 135 Missed medication days: 12 Missed medications: 4 Plan of Correction due date: Jan 9, 2026

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Joseph AlejandreLicensing Program AnalystConducted the complaint investigation and delivered findings
Johnny OrtizExecutive DirectorMet with Licensing Program Analyst during investigation
Christopher TharpAdministratorFormer Administrator mentioned in relation to financial exploitation allegation

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Census: 58 Capacity: 135 Citations: 0 Date: Aug 25, 2025

Visit Reason
The inspection was an unannounced required annual inspection conducted by Licensing Program Analysts to assess compliance with licensing requirements.

Findings
The facility was found to be in compliance with no deficiencies noted. The physical plant, resident rooms, medication storage, staff files, and safety systems were all inspected and found satisfactory.

Report Facts
Licensed capacity: 135 Current census: 58 Water temperature range: 115.7-118.5 Memory care resident rooms: 38 Assisted living resident rooms: 78 Hospice waiver: 25 Fire safety testing date: Jul 25, 2025 Resident files reviewed: 6 Staff files reviewed: 5

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Ashley DavidsonResident Care DirectorMet with Licensing Program Analysts during inspection and toured facility
Ruth MartinezLicensing Program AnalystConducted the inspection and signed the report
Garlli TatLicensing Program AnalystConducted the inspection
Armando J LuceroLicensing Program ManagerNamed as Licensing Program Manager on report

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Census: 42 Capacity: 135 Citations: 0 Date: Aug 12, 2024

Visit Reason
Licensing Program Analyst Joseph Alejandre made an unannounced visit to conduct the required annual inspection of the facility.

Findings
No deficiencies were observed during the inspection. The facility was found to be clean, organized, and compliant with all requirements including secured memory care, operational smoke detectors, proper food storage, and staff training.

Report Facts
Resident rooms: 78 Resident rooms: 38 Emergency drill date: Jul 9, 2024 Resident medications reviewed: 4 Resident files reviewed: 5 Staff files reviewed: 5 Hot water temperature: 112 Perishable food supply: 2 Non-perishable food supply: 7

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Joseph AlejandreLicensing Program AnalystConducted the annual inspection and made observations
Lee KaufmannManaging DirectorMet with Licensing Program Analyst during the inspection and toured the facility

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 3 Capacity: 135 Citations: 1 Date: Oct 6, 2023

Visit Reason
An unannounced complaint investigation visit was conducted following a complaint received on 2023-10-04 regarding the facility's failure to issue a refund to a resident.

Complaint Details
The complaint was substantiated based on the preponderance of evidence standard. Resident 1 did not receive the refund they were entitled to despite the facility processing it. The allegation was substantiated.
Findings
The investigation substantiated that Resident 1 did not receive a refund of $2500 for their reservation fee despite a pre-appraisal and the resident being informed they would receive a full refund. Facility documents showed the refund was processed but not issued at the time of the visit.

Citations (1)
A refund of at least 80 percent of the preadmission fee in excess of $500 shall be provided if the applicant does not enter the facility after a preadmission appraisal is conducted, or the resident leaves the facility during the first month of residency. This requirement was not met as a refund was not issued to Resident 1 for their reservation fee.
Report Facts
Refund amount: 2500 Capacity: 135 Census: 3

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Joseph AlejandreLicensing Program AnalystConducted the complaint investigation visit and authored the report
Christopher TharpExecutive DirectorMet with Licensing Program Analyst during the investigation

Inspection Report

Original Licensing
Capacity: 135 Citations: 0 Date: Aug 9, 2023

Visit Reason
The visit was an announced pre-licensing inspection conducted to evaluate the facility's readiness to operate as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly with a capacity of 135 residents.

Findings
The facility was found to have appropriate accommodations including furnished apartments, secured storage for toxins and medications, operational fire extinguishers, approved fire clearance, working plumbing and hot water, posted emergency plans, sufficient food supply, operational smoke detectors and appliances. No deficiencies were noted in the report.

Report Facts
Facility capacity: 135 Fire extinguisher service date: Jan 6, 2023 Fire clearance date: Jul 28, 2023 Hot water temperature range: Measured between 105 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit Non-perishable food supply duration: 7

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Christopher TharpAdministratorGreeted Licensing Program Analyst and participated in inspection
Dwayne Mason Jr.Licensing Program AnalystConducted the pre-licensing inspection
Armando J LuceroLicensing Program ManagerNamed as Licensing Program Manager in report

Inspection Report

Original Licensing
Capacity: 135 Citations: 0 Date: Jul 26, 2023

Visit Reason
The visit was an initial licensing evaluation conducted via telephone interview to verify the applicant/administrator's understanding of California Code Title 22 regulations and readiness for licensing.

Findings
The applicant and administrator demonstrated understanding of facility operation, admission policies, staffing requirements, restricted health conditions, general provisions, emergency preparedness, complaints and reporting, and pre-licensing readiness. No clients were in care at the time of the visit.

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Christopher TharpAdministratorApplicant/administrator who participated in the licensing evaluation and interview.
Michael HughesParticipant in the COMP II telephone interview.
Jude De La ConcepcionLicensing Program ManagerNamed as Licensing Program Manager on the report.
Bethany HunterLicensing Program AnalystNamed as Licensing Program Analyst on the report.

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