Best Assisted Living in San Marcos, CA

Undoubtedly a sight to behold thanks to its stunning nature, San Marcos, California, features an abundance of well-known attractions, scenic botanical gardens, and delightful cuisine. Here, residents will surely enjoy the highest quality of life with its top-rated schools, plenty of recreation opportunities, and good healthcare, all at a budget-friendly price due to the city’s affordable cost of living. Assisted living communities are available for residents to find the care and support they need with personalized care and incredible amenities offered for their welfare. The city creates an ideal setting for residents to experience a glorious retirement.

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Comparison Chart

Compare Assisted Living around San Marcos
Gary and Mary West Pace
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

SNF

24/7 care needed

San Marcos
Private Rooms
-
No
-
71
-
-
Brookdale San Marcos
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

San Marcos
Alcove / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
245
Yes
-
75
BLC-BROOKDALE PLACE OF SAN MARCOS LP
65.3%
Meridian At Lake San Marcos
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

San Marcos
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
170
No
B-
51
PACIFICA L 24 LLC; SAN MARCOS MGR LLC
58.8%

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.

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.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Housing Options: Alcove / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: 3-story

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living
Contact Brookdale San Marcos

Gary and Mary West Pace

1706 Descanso Ave, San Marcos, CA 92078

Age gracefully in the comforts of your home with the extraordinary senior living community, West Pace based in Descanso Avenue, San Marcos, CA, that provides in-home care, a day center, medication management, meal preparation, transportation, and therapy. The community prides itself on a team of reliable, trusted, and well-trained professionals delivering top-notch care and support.

Let go of your woes and live a blissful retirement without the need to leave your comfort zone. West Pace strives to provide accessible care and assistance, collaborating with seniors and their loved ones to devise a care plan that best matches their needs and preferences. Live with dignity and maximize your autonomy with a team that respects the boundaries in lending extra hands of support. The community ensures seniors remain actively engaged with their surroundings, encouraging meaningful and inspiring interactions.

Overview of Gary and Mary West Pace

Age gracefully in the comforts of your home with the extraordinary senior living community, West Pace based in Descanso Avenue, San Marcos, CA, that provides in-home care, a day center, medication management, meal preparation, transportation, and therapy. The community prides itself on a team of reliable, trusted, and well-trained professionals delivering top-notch care and support.

Let go of your woes and live a blissful retirement without the need to leave your comfort zone. West Pace strives to provide accessible care and assistance, collaborating with seniors and their loved ones to devise a care plan that best matches their needs and preferences. Live with dignity and maximize your autonomy with a team that respects the boundaries in lending extra hands of support. The community ensures seniors remain actively engaged with their surroundings, encouraging meaningful and inspiring interactions.

What does this home offer?

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Housing Options: Private Rooms

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Building Type: Single-story

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living Nursing Home

Meridian At Lake San Marcos

1177 San Marino Dr, San Marcos, CA 92078

Meridian at San Marcos Senior Living offers a luxurious environment that creates a lifestyle filled with endless possibilities for seniors to discover. As a member of the Aura Collection of communities, the luxury retirement home strives to deliver quality care and service for each individual to be enriched and engaged during their stay. Meridian at San Marcos is a vibrant community that encourages residents to thrive independently, flourish actively, and live purposefully.
The premier independent living, assisted living, and memory care home provides a list of amenities and services that make a comfortable and secure environment for residents. Accommodations comprise delightful amenities and services such as housekeeping, laundry, engaging programs, social events, recreational activities, fitness classes, gourmet meals at the restaurant-style dining hall, beautifully furnished apartments, and an in-home emergency call pendant.

Overview of Meridian At Lake San Marcos

Meridian at San Marcos Senior Living offers a luxurious environment that creates a lifestyle filled with endless possibilities for seniors to discover. As a member of the Aura Collection of communities, the luxury retirement home strives to deliver quality care and service for each individual to be enriched and engaged during their stay. Meridian at San Marcos is a vibrant community that encourages residents to thrive independently, flourish actively, and live purposefully.
The premier independent living, assisted living, and memory care home provides a list of amenities and services that make a comfortable and secure environment for residents. Accommodations comprise delightful amenities and services such as housekeeping, laundry, engaging programs, social events, recreational activities, fitness classes, gourmet meals at the restaurant-style dining hall, beautifully furnished apartments, and an in-home emergency call pendant.

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living Independent Living Memory Care Respite Care

Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology

View Full Ranking Methodology

How We Score & Rank Senior Living Communities

At Assisted Living Magazine, our rankings are designed to help families compare senior living communities with clarity and confidence.
Each community is evaluated and ranked based on reputation, transparency, digital trust, and on-site quality signals.
Below is the full explanation of every factor and the exact weight it contributes to the final score.

Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.

What We Prioritize Most

The largest portion of every community’s score comes from resident feedback and online reputation (40%), which reflects real experiences shared by families and caregivers.
An additional 45% of the score comes from a combination of transparency and operational quality signals, including:

  • Photos, videos, and virtual tours (visual transparency)
  • Website quality and digital trust indicators
  • Occupancy levels and number of units (community scale & stability)

These factors help us evaluate how well a community presents itself and how consistently it meets resident needs.

Balancing Additional Factors

The final 15% of the score comes from supportive context data, including:

  • Walkability and local accessibility
  • Estimated property value
  • Pricing information

These elements provide helpful context but carry less weight because our rankings prioritize real-world satisfaction and care consistency first.
The result is a fair, clear, and data-driven ranking system for families researching senior living options.

What Families Search for Most in San Marcos

A quick look at the senior living and care categories people explore the most. Find the options that matter to you in one place.

Best Nursing Homes in San Marcos
Best Independent Living in San Marcos
Best Memory Care in San Marcos
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

Frequently Asked Questions

What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos

Check out our photo album

Check out our virtual tours

Check out our home videos

Resident interviews at our senior living facilities

Check out our resident interviews

Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.

Check out our cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions from families.
What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.

Check out our cost guide.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos

Check out our photo album

Check out our virtual tours

Check out our home videos

Resident interviews at our senior living facilities

Check out our resident interviews