Page 2 of Best Assisted Living in San Francisco, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 28 assisted living communities in San Francisco, 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 San Francisco, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in San Francisco, CA.
28 homes
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Avg Walk Score: 91/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in San Francisco, CA. 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: 112The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in San Francisco, CA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

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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 to lowest based on our ranking 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. 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.
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 composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. See the benchmark below for the typical California score; higher is better. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.
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.
Portola Gardens
AL
San Francisco (University Mound)
132
Facility 132
CA AVG 103
Rank #473 / 1,645
No 61
62
Facility 62
CA AVG 81
Rank #1,296 / 1,474
42
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,172 / 1,387
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,010 / 1,433
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #843 / 1,505
74.2% -Portola Gardens LLC And Portola Mgmt Bsd, LLCPrivate / Shared Rooms
Sunset Gardens
AL
RESC
San Francisco (Sunset District)
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,297 / 1,645
Yes-
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1,474
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #604 / 1,505
76.9% -Tredici, LLCPrivate / Shared Rooms
Buena Vista Manor
AL
MC
San Francisco (Buena Vista)
87
Facility 87
CA AVG 103
Rank #869 / 1,645
Yes
84
Facility 84
CA AVG 59
Rank #319 / 2,057
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1,474
3
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
- 78.2% -Buena Vista Manor House Co-
Providence Place
AL
MC
RC
San Francisco (Lower Pacific Heights)
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,237 / 1,645
No
95
Facility 95
CA AVG 59
Rank #66 / 2,057
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #213 / 1,474
7
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 13
Rank #247 / 1,505
100.0% C+Knop, Roman & Knop, GalinaStudio / Semi-Private Rooms
Autumn Glow Alzheimer’s Care Home
AL
San Francisco (Hayes Valley)
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,285 / 1,645
No
98
Facility 98
CA AVG 59
Rank #13 / 2,057
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #462 / 1,474
4
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #268 / 1,505
100.0% -Autumn Glow Alzheimer's Home, IncPrivate / Semi-Private Rooms
Kokoro Assisted Living
AL
IL
RC
San Francisco (Japantown)
61
Facility 61
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,061 / 1,645
Yes
98
Facility 98
CA AVG 59
Rank #13 / 2,057
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #462 / 1,474
11
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 13
Rank #344 / 1,505
67.2% -Kokoro Assisted Living Inc And Northstar Snr Lvg MgtStudio / 1 Bed
Fook Hong Sf Care Home, Inc.
AL
San Francisco
40
Facility 40
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,199 / 1,645
No
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 59
Rank #87 / 2,057
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1,474
3
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 13
Rank #565 / 1,505
97.5% -Fook Hong Sf Care Home, Inc-
AlmaVia of San Francisco
AL
MC
San Francisco (Lakeshore)
175
Facility 175
CA AVG 103
Rank #233 / 1,645
Yes 59
82
Facility 82
CA AVG 81
Rank #784 / 1,474
18
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #716 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #156 / 1,505
72.6% B-Elder Care Alliance Elder Care Alliance Of Sf-
Merced Three Residential Care Facility
AL
RESC
San Francisco (Mission District)
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,241 / 1,645
No
99
Facility 99
CA AVG 59
Rank #2 / 2,057
89
Facility 89
CA AVG 81
Rank #521 / 1,474
4
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #361 / 1,505
100.0% ---
Merced Three Residential Care
AL
San Francisco
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,241 / 1,645
No
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 59
Rank #155 / 2,057
89
Facility 89
CA AVG 81
Rank #521 / 1,474
4
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #361 / 1,505
--Hafco Elder Care, Inc-

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 28 analyzed for San Francisco.

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Portola Gardens

350 University St, San Francisco, CA 94134
Overview of Portola Gardens

Peacefully nestled near Louis Sutter Playground Park and Parega Recreation Center in University Street, San Francisco, CA, Portola Gardens is an idyllic haven that offers assisted living. Residents enjoy the highest quality of care with a respectful and well-trained team helping with their daily living activities 24/7. With its refurbished accommodations, this community strives to accommodate up to 74 residents and ensure their comfort and safety.

Residents will not run out of things to do with a jam-packed calendar of recreational activities and exciting events that highlight their interests and strengths. Delightful and healthy dining options are served for residents to enjoy a satisfactory dining experience that satisfies their nutritional needs and preferences. The community also provides medication management, mental health support, and hospice coordination to ensure residents age gracefully.

Contact Portola Gardens

Overview of Sunset Gardens

Sunset Gardens Assisted Living is a residential care community in San Francisco, CA, offering personalized assistance for older adults. With a boutique-style setting, the community ensures older adults can feel at home. Nutritious home-cooked meals, wellness activities, and assistance with daily living activities are also provided to help residents maintain their independence. As a family-owned and operated community, Sunset Gardens follows a hands-on, family-first approach to care dedicated to improving residents’ quality of life.

Light exercises and various activities are conducted for residents’ social and physical well-being. The community also features comfortable rooms and award-winning gardens, providing residents with more spaces for relaxation and socialization. Situated in the quiet residential area of San Francisco, the community guarantees a laid-back lifestyle. This residential care community has been trusted by families in San Francisco since 2013, making it a great choice for senior living in California.

Contact Sunset Gardens

Buena Vista Manor

399 Buena Vista Ave E, San Francisco, CA 94117
Overview of Buena Vista Manor

Settled in the neighborhood of San Francisco, CA, Buena Vista Manor is an upscale senior living community that provides a warm atmosphere for assisted living. Serving seniors for over 30 years, the community has built a trusted reputation in delivering exceptional care and reliable support with the help of an excellent care team available 24/7 to offer a wide range of care services. Here, residents are provided with a gracious, safe, and stress-free living environment surrounded by lush gardens and greenery for a more relaxing atmosphere.

Ensuring every needs of its residents are met and exceeded, the community also offers residents an array of opportunities to live an enriched lifestyle through a wide array of interesting activities and chef-prepared, nutritionally balanced meals. Residents are also provided with various maintenance services to ensure they live a worry-free life with more time to explore all the great things the neighborhood and the community offers.

Contact Buena Vista Manor

Overview of Providence Place

Surrounded by convenient local amenities in Geary Boulevard, San Francisco, CA, Providence Place is a distinguished community that offers assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Residents keep their peace of mind with a kind and highly trained team helping with their personal needs and household responsibilities 24/7. The community promotes a vibrant and welcoming environment, ensuring residents can feel at ease during their stay.

Residents are encouraged to live actively and interact with their surroundings with a robust calendar of engaging programs and exciting events. Delightful and well-balanced home-cooked meals are served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. The community also provides feeding assistance, incontinence care, and medication management for residents’ comfort and convenience. Here, residents age comfortably, accompanied by the community’s dedicated services and specially designed amenities.

Contact Providence Place

Overview of Autumn Glow Alzheimer’s Care Home

Receive compassionate memory care services in charming Victorian-style housing in Autumn Glow Alzheimer’s Care Home, a blissful community located in San Francisco, CA. The community fosters an intimate environment that caters to a few residents to guarantee personalized and focused care. They feature a professionally trained team of caregivers to assist residents with daily tasks, personal care, and medication management for a comfortable living experience.

There’s always something purposeful and enriching to do with an array of activities and events organized regularly by the community. The community also prioritizes residents’ health and nutrition by serving balanced meals with accommodations for special diets. Residents can focus on their well-being and passions without worrying about chores thanks to housekeeping and laundry services. From comfort to enriching experiences, Autumn Glow Alzheimer’s Care Home strives to deliver excellence in every aspect of life.

Contact Autumn Glow Alzheimer’s Care Home

Kokoro Assisted Living

1881 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Overview of Kokoro Assisted Living

Kokoro Assisted Living is a wonderful senior living community that embraces both Japanese and American heritage and culture. The community’s emphasis on cultural activities, celebrations, and cuisine is a great way to foster a sense of community and create a unique experience for its residents. Kokoro offers a variety of independent and assisted living apartment styles to fit the needs of its residents. The availability of one-bedroom apartments and some studio apartments for double occupancy is especially convenient.

The community’s peaceful sanctuary, outdoor courtyard, and library offer a relaxing and rejuvenating atmosphere. The focus on staying active through exercise, strength, and spiritual wellness programs is important for maintaining physical and mental health in older adults.

Contact Kokoro Assisted Living

Overview of Fook Hong Sf Care Home

Licensed since 2013, Fook Hong SF Care Home, Inc., is a 40-bed skilled nursing and assisted living community in the Cayuga Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are welcome. Operated by South Pasadena Care Center, LLC under administrator Sau Ting Josephin Leewong, the facility offers a culturally focused program geared toward the San Francisco Asian community, with meals and activities reflecting that mission.

CMS grades the facility 2 stars overall, with health inspection, staffing, and quality measures each below California’s average. Nurse hours run 3h 38m per resident day, about 17 percent below California’s average of 4h 23m. Issued in 2023 were three civil money penalties totaling $6,000. Against that, the state RCFE inspection record since 2021 shows zero citations and complaints across three official inspections, earning an 84 out of 100 against California’s benchmark of 70.

An on-site Nurse Aide Training Program and an active Resident Council are available. Community admissions run 61 percent Medicare and 37 percent Medicaid, averaging a stay length of 152 days, a profile supporting both short-term post-acute and longer Medicaid-funded placements.

With Medicare and Medicaid placements serving most of admissions, Fook Hong SF Care Home, Inc., fits San Francisco residents who seek skilled nursing care in a culturally focused community.

Contact Fook Hong Sf Care Home, Inc.

Overview of AlmaVia of San Francisco

Greeting seniors with its peaceful setting, AlmaVia of San Francisco is an astounding senior living community in Thomas More Way, San Francisco, CA that offers assisted living and memory care. The community doubles its efforts to meet seniors’ needs and aspirations by providing them with top-tier care and assistance 24/7. AlmaVia of San Francisco is dedicated to improving seniors’ welfare with exceptional services.

Discover new interests and rekindle passions with a full slate of fun activities and engaging programs. With extensive amenities, residents have more opportunities to mingle with friends and maintain an active lifestyle. Moreover, diverse dining options are provided daily to meet dietary needs and preferences. AlmaVia of San Francisco strives to create a haven for seniors to make every moment of their best years memorable. The community was also recognized as Best Assisted Living by US News and World Report for its exceptional quality.

Contact AlmaVia of San Francisco

Overview of Merced Three Residential Care Facility

Licensed since 2005, Merced Three Residential Care Facility is a 33-bed assisted living and memory care community at 1420 Hampshire Street in San Francisco, California. Operated by Hafco Elder Care, Inc., under administrator Lee Joyce, the facility serves residents in San Francisco County with 24-hour individualized care, offering medication management, respite care, and wellness coordination with physicians and families.

Well above California’s average is the inspection record. Since 2021, Merced Three Residential Care Facility has totaled 6 citations, 40 percent below California’s average of 10, with 1 complaint against a state average of 14. No metrics fall below the state average. No serious citations exist. The community’s walk score of 99 ranks second among all 2,093 California senior living facilities tracked by ALM, placing Merced Three Residential Care Facility at the center of one of San Francisco’s most walkable neighborhoods.

Meals are prepared to meet individual dietary needs. Activity programming features Tai Chi, indoor walking, stationary bicycle, music, karaoke, and organized community outings, including Dim Sum at Koi Palace.

For older adults who need assisted living or memory care in a smaller, long-established community in San Francisco’s Mission District, the facility suits well. It’s where exceptional walkability and culturally engaged programming serve residents in the heart of the city.

Contact Merced Three Residential Care Facility

Overview of Merced Three Residential Care

Merced Three Residential Care operates a 33-bed community in San Francisco, California, providing both assisted living and nursing care options. Managed by administrator Lee Joyce under Hafco Elder Care, Inc., the facility has housed Bay Area seniors for over two decades. The surrounding urban neighborhood features a high walkability score, enabling visiting relatives to handle retail errands or access public transit stops entirely on foot.

The staff provides round-the-clock supervision and hands-on help with dressing, bathing, medication tracking, and routine healthcare coordination with outside physicians. Residents have access to physical activities like Tai Chi, indoor walking routines, and stationary bicycling, alongside social options including karaoke, movies, and group restaurant trips. The food service program focuses on nutritious, custom meals and snacks, while the floor staff handles daily linen rotations, laundry, and housekeeping chores.

The California Department of Social Services evaluates residential facilities through regular physical site inspections to monitor the environment and safety protocols. Public inspection logs show strong regulatory compliance records, with performance metrics trending better than the state average and minimal recorded resident complaints. You can ask to review their official inspection logs and recent safety reports with the supervisor during a physical tour.

Interested individuals can call the main office at (415) 584-2976 to check on current bed vacancies or to verify the clinical intake criteria.

Contact Merced Three Residential 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in San Francisco, CA

What is the average cost of assisted living in San Francisco, CA?

The average monthly cost of assisted living in San Francisco, CA is approximately $7,500. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for assisted living in San Francisco, CA?

Assisted living in San Francisco, CA typically ranges from $6,500–$9,500 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

What is the typical staff-to-resident ratio at assisted living facilities in San Francisco, CA?

Assisted living facilities in San Francisco, CA typically operate with a staff-to-resident ratio in the range of 1:6 to 1:12.

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.