Page 7 of Best Assisted Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 1,430 assisted living communities in CA using CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in CA
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We analyzed These are the facilities in California our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in California.
1,430 homes
Other senior care options in California:

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Info below is compiled from the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Visits or investigations linked to complaints, as counted in the state record (may differ from routine annual surveys).
Count of California state "Type A" citations — the state's most serious citation category (immediate or serious harm to residents), from California state inspection data.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
Name of the licensed owner, operator, or managing entity as filed with the state. Useful for grouping facilities under the same organization.
Housing or bed configuration options (e.g. studio, shared), often from facility-reported amenities and licensing details.
Harbor Terrace Retirement Community
AL
IL
San Pedro
202
Facility 202
CA AVG 103
Rank #129 / 1,350
No
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 56
Rank #56 / 1,411
A-7
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #310 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 13
Rank #96 / 1,299
34.7%
Facility 34.7%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #1,173 / 1,202
-Harbor Terrace Retirement Center Of San Pedro, LLCStudio / 1 Bed
Golden Moments Care Home, Inc.
AL
MC
RESC
Sacramento (Arden-Arcade)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,036 / 1,350
No
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 56
Rank #288 / 1,411
B+8
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #310 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 13
Rank #355 / 1,299
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #1 / 1,202
-Golden Moments Care Home Building 1 IncPrivate / Semi-private Rooms
Merrill Gardens at Lafayette
AL
IL
MC
Lafayette
100
Facility 100
CA AVG 103
Rank #600 / 1,350
Yes
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 56
Rank #146 / 1,411
A-10
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #498 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #615 / 1,299
87.0%
Facility 87.0%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #266 / 1,202
-Shi-III Lafayette And Merrill Gardens Shi-III Mg GpStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
La Vida Del Mar
AL
IL
MC
Solana Beach (Eden Gardens)
130
Facility 130
CA AVG 103
Rank #418 / 1,350
Yes
61
Facility 61
CA AVG 56
Rank #642 / 1,411
A-13
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #498 / 1,292
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #451 / 1,338
39
Facility 39
CA AVG 13
Rank #25 / 1,299
91.5%
Facility 91.5%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #206 / 1,202
-La Vida Del Mar Associates And Srg Servco Management1 Bed / 2 Bed
Aegis Living Pleasant Hill
AL
HOS
MC
RC
Pleasant Hill (Pleasant Valley)
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 103
Rank #688 / 1,350
Yes
74
Facility 74
CA AVG 56
Rank #397 / 1,411
B-18
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,292
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #679 / 1,338
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #76 / 1,299
81.1%
Facility 81.1%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #472 / 1,202
FOak Park Blvd Pleasant Hill LLC And Aegis Senior Et AStudio / Suite / 1 Bed
Canyon Trails Assisted Living & Memory Care
AL
MC
Canoga Park
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 103
Rank #484 / 1,350
Yes
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 56
Rank #343 / 1,411
B-39
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,135 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #120 / 1,299
85.0%
Facility 85.0%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #296 / 1,202
A+Canoga Park Sh LLC And Seasons Management LLCStudio / 1 Bed
The Carlotta
AL
Palm Desert
250
Facility 250
CA AVG 103
Rank #75 / 1,350
Yes
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 56
Rank #1,366 / 1,411
A+13
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #709 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,056 / 1,299
76.0%
Facility 76.0%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #589 / 1,202
A+Well Oak Ccrc Tenant LLC And Oakmont Et AlStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Pacific Gardens
AL
MC
Santa Clara
104
Facility 104
CA AVG 103
Rank #589 / 1,350
No
63
Facility 63
CA AVG 56
Rank #606 / 1,411
A+15
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #556 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 13
Rank #281 / 1,299
68.3%
Facility 68.3%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #759 / 1,202
-Community Home Partners LLCStudio / 1 Bed
Brookdale San Marcos
AL
CCRC
IL
MC
NH
SNF
San Marcos
245
Facility 245
CA AVG 103
Rank #83 / 1,350
Yes
75
Facility 75
CA AVG 56
Rank #376 / 1,411
A+20
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 13
Rank #890 / 1,292
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #451 / 1,338
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #214 / 1,299
66.5%
Facility 66.5%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #851 / 1,202
-Blc-Brookdale Place Of San Marcos LPAlcove / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cathy’s Cottage – Assisted Living and Memory Care
AL
HOS
MC
Corona
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,036 / 1,350
No
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 56
Rank #1,134 / 1,411
A-6
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #199 / 1,292
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,338
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #857 / 1,299
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.1%
Rank #1 / 1,202
A+Cottage Care Homes, LLC1 Bed / Semi-Private Rooms

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each assisted living community is ranked against every other CA assisted living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 1,430 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Harbor Terrace Retirement Community

Two hundred and two beds, thirty years of history, and a Walk Score of 94: Harbor Terrace Retirement Community occupies a mid-rise building at 435 W 8th St in San Pedro, California, offering studio and one-bedroom units. That Walk Score puts the surrounding area solidly in walker’s-paradise territory, so daily errands rarely require a car.

Staffing runs around the clock here, and daily life includes restaurant-style dining and housekeeping handled for residents. The amenity list runs long: a coffee parlor, a library, a salon, and massage therapy services alongside a full calendar of educational, social, recreational, and wellness programming.

Occupancy currently sits at 35 percent, with 70 of the 202 beds filled. That’s a meaningfully lower number than what a facility this established and this well-located might suggest.

Harbor Terrace Retirement Center Of San Pedro, LLC operates the property, and Holly Rice serves as administrator. State inspections in California have tended to center on medication management, staffing credentials, and resident rights and protections.

Harbor Terrace brings together three decades of operating history, an unusually walkable location, and a wide amenity list, though the current occupancy rate is a detail worth factoring into how families weigh this community against others in the area.

Contact Harbor Terrace Retirement Community

Overview of Golden Moments Care Home

Conveniently located near Kaiser Permanente Sacramento Medical Center in Sacramento, CA, Golden Moments Care Home, Inc. is an astounding community that offers assisted living and memory care. Here, residents enjoy the utmost care for their unique needs with a compassionate and highly trained team available around the clock. The community promotes a vibrant and welcoming environment with an all-inclusive rate for residents’ comfort and convenience.

Residents are encouraged to live actively and meet new friends with a carefully curated calendar of fun activities and engaging programs for their enjoyment and wellness. Three delicious and healthy meals are served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Medication management, incontinence care, and transportation services are available for residents’ comfort and convenience. Here, residents experience the highest quality of life in retirement with the community’s dedicated services and beautifully furnished amenities.

Contact Golden Moments Care Home, Inc.

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Lafayette

Soak in the sun with the idyllic senior living community of Merrill Gardens at Lafayette situated in the tranquil grounds of Second Street, Lafayette, CA, offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Cherish personal time within the meticulously crafted and sophisticated residences of Merrill Gardens at Lafayette in variations of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. With care plans tailored to seniors’ needs and aspirations, the community strives to deliver top-tier care and support for them to gain meaningful experiences.

Fostering a bright and friendly environment, Merrill Gardens at Lafayette ensures seniors live an active and blissful lifestyle through engaging activities and exciting programs. Have intimate moments with friends and pamper yourself with the fabulous amenities and serene spaces of the community. Eat well and feel good with well-balanced meals available throughout the day to cater to nutritional needs and preferences. Merrill Gardens at Lafayette is a haven for seniors seeking a peaceful retirement in its beautiful campus.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Lafayette

La Vida Del Mar

850 Del Mar Downs Rd, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Overview of La Vida Del Mar

Explore an idyllic community with La Vida Del Mar located in Solana Beach, CA. The La Vida Del Mar is an inviting senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, and integrated health care. Known for its coastal setting, this community stands out from the crowd. A variety of resort-style, pet-friendly, and spacious accommodations are available depending on their living terms.

Experience its exceptional amenities and services, including locally-sourced delightful meals fine dining experience on the patio at Calypso Restaurant, three-dimensional approach to wellness, pool activities, and local attraction trips. In addition, philanthropic opportunities, lifelong learning seminars, concerts and social happy hours, and arts and creative writing classes make every moment count in the living experience. Thus, seniors are assured of a reliving retirement with La Vida Del Mar.

Contact La Vida Del Mar

Overview of Aegis Living Pleasant Hill

Located in the enticing town of Pleasant Hill, CA, Aegis Living Pleasant Hill is a welcoming senior living community that offers assisted living, memory care, and respite care services. A wide array of stunning and comfortable accommodations with several floor plans are available for its residents based on their preferences. The community ensures round-the-clock care and support for its residents through its well-equipped and dedicated team. As for memory care, those with cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can receive a spectrum of options tailored to their immediate needs and concerns.

Explore its top-tier amenities and services wherein residents can avail of tasty and healthy meals based on dietary needs prepared by a talented culinary team, concierge services, weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation, and many more. Meet new companions by visiting its bistro or gastropub as well as its arts, crafts, and music room. Participate in diverse social activities and life enrichment programs. At Aegies Living Pleasant Hill, seniors are guaranteed a wonderful retirement experience.

Starting Price $6,384/Month

Contact Aegis Living Pleasant Hill

Overview of Canyon Trails Assisted Living & Memory Care

Canyon Trails Assisted Living and Memory Care is dedicated to providing personalized and supportive care in a spacious and welcoming environment in West Hills, California. Offering top-of-the-line assisted living, memory care, and respite care, their committed staff, available 24/7, ensures residents’ needs are met with compassion and expertise, enhancing their experience through tailored programs and services.

Residents of Canyon Trails enjoy a wealth of assisted living amenities designed to promote comfort, convenience, and enjoyment. From spacious studio apartments and pet-friendly accommodations to weekly housekeeping and an emergency response system, every aspect is carefully crafted to foster a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle. Residents can indulge in various activities and socialize freely in community spaces like a beauty salon, game rooms, and outdoor areas that ensure the best quality of life.

Contact Canyon Trails Assisted Living & Memory Care

The Carlotta

41505 Carlotta Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211
Overview of The Carlotta

The Carlotta is an assisted living community in Palm Desert, California. Residents can receive help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication while living in their own apartment.

Housing includes studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom residences. A studio offers one private space, while a two bedroom layout can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion, making The Carlotta a possible fit for a resident who wants daily support with the option to live alone or with someone else. The community has 250 beds, allows pets, and is administered by John Brennan.

Contact The Carlotta

Overview of Pacific Gardens

Experience the best of your golden years with Pacific Gardens, a blissful community in Santa Clara, CA, offering assisted living and memory care. A compassionate and highly trained team provides exceptional care tailored to residents’ needs 24/7 to ensure their comfort and safety. Promoting a vibrant and welcoming environment, the community strives to maintain residents’ independence while helping with their personal needs and cognitive conditions.

Recreational activities are conducted according to residents’ interests and capabilities, ensuring they remain active and socially engaged. Delightful and healthy meals are served daily to cater to residents’ dietary needs and preferences. With state-of-the-art amenities and exceptional services, residents enjoy the highest quality of life in retirement.

Contact Pacific Gardens

Overview of Brookdale San Marcos

Brookdale San Marcos, found at 1590 W. San Marcos Blvd in San Marcos, California, delivers luxury assisted living in an elegant coastal setting. The community provides personalized care, genuine relationships, and a focus on helping residents enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle. At the community, residents can expect assistance with daily tasks such as housekeeping, meals, bathing, and dressing, all customized to their specific needs. The community offers a full calendar of events and activities, including shopping trips, art clubs, and fitness classes, allowing residents to explore old hobbies or discover new ones.

The community features vacation-style amenities, including an outdoor pool, fitness center, and transportation services. Apartments are spacious and pet-friendly, with options for studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Basic utilities and maintenance are typically included in the basic service rate, providing residents with peace of mind and fewer bills to worry about. They aim to meet residents where they are in life’s journey, making Brookdale San Marcos a top choice when looking for a community for your loved one.

Contact Brookdale San Marcos

Overview of Cathy’s Cottage – Assisted Living and Memory Care

Peacefully tucked away in Corona, CA, Cathy’s Cottage – Assisted Living and Memory Care is a relaxing community that specializes in memory care. Their living spaces are beautifully designed to create a warm and safe environment tailored to residents’ unique safety needs. Residents here receive compassionate care and support with their daily activities from an excellent team of dementia specialists available 24/7.

Apart from individualized care plans, residents enjoy the convenience of having no household chores to do, such as housekeeping and meal preparation. Fun and exciting activities are also held regularly to stimulate residents’ minds and keep them active and healthy. Here, they go above and beyond in creating a calming environment that fosters, fun, peace, and comfort.

Contact Cathy’s Cottage – Assisted Living and Memory Care

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Assisted Living in California at a glance

Avg Monthly Cost: $7,797The average monthly cost across facilities in California. Reflects published or estimated base rates and can vary with care level, room type, and amenities. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: $5,600
Avg Walk Score: 56/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in California. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 103The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in California. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in California

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in California?

Assisted living in California supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in California?

Assisted living in California is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does California Medicaid cover assisted living?

California Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including California) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.

How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?

This page features 1430 assisted living facilities in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right assisted living facility in California?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in California, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in California?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.