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Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 652 independent living communities in California using California Department of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in CA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
652 homes
Other senior care options in California:

Video Tour: Top-rated Independent Living facilities in California.

Watch this Video to see California's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg Walk Score: 57/ 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: 104The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in California. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Independent Living around California

The Reutlinger Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Danville
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 104
Rank #561 / 1648
No
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 57
Rank #1715 / 2087
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #630 / 1399
22
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #884 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 13
Rank #217 / 1494
65.0% A+ Reutlinger Community, The And Eskaton Properties Inc Studio / 1 Bed
Spring Lake Village
IL
NH
AL
MC
Santa Rosa (Melita)
679
Facility 679
CA AVG 104
Rank #8 / 1648
No
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 57
Rank #1921 / 2087
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 81
Rank #513 / 1399
13
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #650 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #599 / 1160
39
Facility 39
CA AVG 13
Rank #45 / 1494
0 A+ Front Porch Communities And Services 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Mission Commons – A Provincial Senior Living Community
IL
NH
Redlands (Live Oak Canyon)
-
Facility -
CA AVG 104
Rank #1287 / 1648
Yes
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1240 / 2087
-----0 - - Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Pomona
520
Facility 520
CA AVG 104
Rank #16 / 1648
No
45
Facility 45
CA AVG 57
Rank #1470 / 2087
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #185 / 1399
12
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #441 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #92 / 1494
84.0% - Congregational Homes, Incorporated Studio
O‘Connor Woods
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Stockton (Sherwood Manor)
499
Facility 499
CA AVG 104
Rank #23 / 1648
Yes
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 57
Rank #1821 / 2087
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #185 / 1399
11
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 13
Rank #82 / 1494
0 - O'connor Woods Housing Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vi at Palo Alto
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Palo Alto
876
Facility 876
CA AVG 104
Rank #1 / 1648
No
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 57
Rank #416 / 2087
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #398 / 1399
20
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #336 / 1494
73.1% - Cc Palo Alto LLC And Classic Res. Mgmt. Ltd. Partner 1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Vi at La Jolla Village
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (University City)
783
Facility 783
CA AVG 104
Rank #5 / 1648
No
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 57
Rank #218 / 2087
84
Facility 84
CA AVG 81
Rank #730 / 1399
29
17
Facility 17
CA AVG 13
Rank #1056 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 13
Rank #184 / 1494
69.3% - Ccw La Jolla LLC, Cc La Jolla LLC, And Classic Res Mgmt Suite / Penthouse / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
University Retirement Community
IL
AL
HC
MC
NH
SNF
Davis (West Davis)
500
Facility 500
CA AVG 104
Rank #22 / 1648
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1240 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
12
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #159 / 1494
0 - Univer Retire Com At Davis/Pacific Retire Services 1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Canterbury Woods
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Pacific Grove
190
Facility 190
CA AVG 104
Rank #180 / 1648
No
81
Facility 81
CA AVG 57
Rank #383 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 13
Rank #34 / 1494
72.6% A+ Front Porch Communities And Services 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens a CCRC
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Fresno
652
Facility 652
CA AVG 104
Rank #9 / 1648
No
57
Facility 57
CA AVG 57
Rank #1155 / 2087
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 81
Rank #513 / 1399
4
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #599 / 1160
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #108 / 1494
57.2% A+ Humangood & Humangood Norcal & Humangood Fresno -
Town & Country
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Ana (East Memory Lane)
328
Facility 328
CA AVG 104
Rank #45 / 1648
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #829 / 2087
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 81
Rank #1246 / 1399
23
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #1237 / 1388
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #829 / 1160
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 13
Rank #22 / 1494
32.9% A+ Christian And Missionary Alliance -
The Vineyards – California Armenian Home
IL
AL
MC
NH
RESC
SNF
Fresno (Roosevelt)
412
Facility 412
CA AVG 104
Rank #27 / 1648
Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 57
Rank #1793 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
14
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #758 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
41
Facility 41
CA AVG 13
Rank #38 / 1494
54.1% - California Home For The Aged Inc Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Webster House
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Palo Alto (Crescent Park)
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 104
Rank #1116 / 1648
No
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 57
Rank #171 / 2087
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #185 / 1399
7
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #614 / 1494
90.7% - Front Porch Communities And Services 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Miranda Villa
IL
San Jose (Bascom - Forest)
-
Facility -
CA AVG 104
Rank #678 / 1648
No
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 57
Rank #509 / 2087
-----0 - - Studio / 1 Bed
Redlands Healthcare Center
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
PC
RC
SNF
Redlands (South Redlands)
78
Facility 78
CA AVG 104
Rank #935 / 1648
No
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 57
Rank #1771 / 2087
----- 92.3% - - Private / Shared Rooms
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Overview of The Reutlinger Community

Everyday is a life-enhancing opportunity at The Reutlinger Community, a charming senior living community in Contra Costa County, Danville, CA, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. With its continuum of care services, residents are guaranteed to gracefully age in place with seamless transition should their needs evolve. Residents are welcomed into beautifully designed studios, one-bedroom apartments, and memory care units that perfectly align with their tastes and needs.

With 24-hour team availability, residents and their loved ones can rest easy knowing they will be constantly supported by care partners who are truly invested in their health and happiness. Residents are empowered to continue living life to the fullest with lifelong learning programs, activities and opportunities for socialization offered by the community. Beautiful community amenities, including cozy lounge areas, dining rooms, an art room and physical fitness studio, provides relaxing space for exploration and enjoyment.

Contact The Reutlinger Community

Overview of Spring Lake Village

Spring Lake Village is a natural retreat and life plan community in the vibrant setting of Santa Rosa, CA, embodying the essence of a beautiful place to call home. Rooted in the values of active living and positive aging, the community nestled in beautiful Sonoma County offers a dynamic lifestyle surrounded by parks, vineyards, and the tranquility of Santa Rosa Creek. Residents appreciate the diverse array of activities, classes, and intellectual pursuits, fostering a sense of community engagement since 2014.

The community boasts a range of amenities and facilities, creating an enriching environment for residents. From the expansive fitness center, indoor pool, and art studios to the theatre, library, and Creekside Lounge, Spring Lake Village offers a comprehensive array of spaces for residents to explore and enjoy. The commitment to well-being extends to services that cater to varying healthcare needs, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, memory care, and outpatient rehabilitation. The dining experience is a delight, featuring locally sourced meals served in friendly dining rooms or the Village Bistro, accommodating special diets, and offering personalized nutrition consultation. With an award-winning wellness program encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual fitness, Spring Lake Village ensures residents have abundant opportunities for holistic well-being.

Contact Spring Lake Village

Overview of Mission Commons – a Provincial Senior Living Community

Nestled amidst the picturesque city of Redlands, CA, Mission Commons is a trusted senior living community that offers excellent independent living services. The community provides its residents with comfortable and spacious accommodations, including spacious suites, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments equipped with a walk-in shower, modern kitchenette, and self-controlled heating and A/C. Offering supportive services, such as weekly housekeeping, linen service, maintenance, and transportation, the community warrants a convenient way of living.

A full calendar of enriching activities are available to keep residents active, engaged, and entertained. With three homestyle meals served daily, residents enjoy a convenient and nourishing dining experience. The community also offers an array of amenities for residents’ convenience and enjoyment, such as a library, business center, jacuzzi, heated swimming pool, health & fitness gym, spa services, and relaxing indoor and outdoor common areas.

Contact Mission Commons – A Provincial Senior Living Community

Overview of Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Harrison Villa, located inside Mt San Antonio Gardens’ campus in Pomona, CA, is a senior living community that offers assisted living services for residents in need of high-acuity care. Harrison Villa is modeled on the groundbreaking Green House® concept to create an authentic, caring home environment for residents to thrive in. The residents are provided individualized care and support, especially for activities of daily living.

Harrison Villa residents are not only provided quality healthcare, they also offer a variety of amenities designed to enhance their daily life. Such includes carefully prepared meals, indoor and outdoor common space for relaxation and socialization, and regular activities that promote the residents overall well being.

Contact Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Overview of O‘connor Woods

Situated in the vibrant Stockton, CA, O’Connor Woods provides a safe and supportive environment where independence and personal choice are celebrated. Their mission centers on providing holistic care that enriches the lives of residents, addressing their diverse needs and preferences through independent living and assisted living. Compassion, respect, and dignity guide their approach to senior living, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.

O’Connor Woods boasts resort-style amenities, including restaurant-style dining with locally sourced cuisine and social engagement opportunities. With pet-friendly residences and 24-hour staffing, residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle while receiving constant support. The community offers innovative educational, cultural, and social programs alongside spiritual care options, promoting overall well-being. Additionally, top-notch exercise classes and personalized assistance with daily activities ensure residents lead fulfilling lives tailored to their unique needs and desires through excellent assisted living.

Contact O‘Connor Woods

Overview of VI at Palo Alto

Enjoy the picturesque scenery of Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA, with the astounding senior living community of VI at Palo Alto offering assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The community features cozy and purposely built residences in variations of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom floor plans, ensuring relaxation and security at its finest. A kind and highly trained team lends extra hands for seniors to live their golden years doing what they love.

With the seniors’ well-being in mind, the community conducts engaging activities and enjoyable programs to ensure they maintain an active and happy lifestyle. Have an unforgettable dining experience with delectable and healthy meals catering to nutritional needs and preferences. VI at Palo Alto is a safe place for seniors seeking solace in their golden years with its serene spaces and friendly community guiding you every step of the way.

Contact Vi at Palo Alto

Overview of VI at La Jolla Village

Situated in Costa Verde Blvd., San Diego, CA, VI at La Jolla Village is an extraordinary senior living community providing assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing services. To ensure the quality of life of its residents, the community provides a round-the-clock concierge and on-site care and rehabilitation. The VI at La Jolla Village features a wide range of floor plans including one bedroom with a den, two bedrooms with a den, and a penthouse and suites.

The community promotes meaningful connections among its residents and orchestrates social activities. Here, the culinary team serves healthy and hearty meals that suit the palette and satiate the cravings of its residents. The VI at La Jolla Village offers luxurious amenities including private gardens, aesthetic walkways, a movie theater, a salt-filtered pool, a salon and spa, a library, an art studio, and many more areas for the seniors’ enjoyment.

Contact Vi at La Jolla Village

Overview of University Retirement Community

Located in the heart of Davis, CA, University Retirement Community is a luxury senior living community that offers its residents an extravagant independent living environment. The community provides its residents with stunning and snug accommodations with home maintenance and other household chores taken care of for a carefree living experience. Each residence is equipped with private decks, large windows, full kitchens, and large living and dining areas that foster a comfortable and convenient living environment.

Designed to nurture residents’ overall aspect of well-being, the community also offers an array of wellness initiatives and enriching activities. Residents keep their minds sharp with the community’s excellent range of lifelong learning opportunities that help stimulate their minds and cognitive abilities. Here at University Retirement Community, residents spend less time worrying about the small things, and more time pursuing the things they love.

Contact University Retirement Community

Overview of Canterbury Woods

Canterbury Woods sits on Renaissance Drive in Williamsville, a village in Erie County with a walk score of 81; that’s high. Residents’ families can park the car and actually walk to whatever they need nearby. The 50-bed nursing home has been open since 1999, and it runs as part of the Episcopal Church Home and Affiliates Life Care Community, a continuing care retirement network, under operator Shaida Behnam.

Right now, 41 of those 50 beds are filled, which puts occupancy at 82 percent. Residents get 5 hours and 6 minutes of combined nursing care every single day. For a nursing home, that’s a lot of hands-on time, and it tends to matter more to families than almost anything else on a profile like this one.

Canterbury Woods takes Medicare and private pay, so there’s some room for families figuring out how to cover the bill. And if your parent has a dog or a cat they refuse to leave behind? Good news: pets are allowed here.

As for the state inspections, they’ve generally circled around the stuff you’d expect a nursing home to get checked on: infection control, fire safety, whether staff are properly trained and credentialed, food service, resident rights, and basic upkeep of the building.

Put it all together and Canterbury Woods reads like a place built for real nursing care, not a lifestyle community with a nurse on call. The staffing hours back that up. Whether someone’s coming in for a few weeks of rehab or settling in for the long haul, the daily care hours are the thing that actually tells you what living here looks like.

Contact Canterbury Woods

Overview of The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens a CCRC

The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens has been a pioneer in making residents feel welcomed and comfortable for its independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing residents. Seniors live a vibrant lifestyle where they can pursue individual goals and needs with additional support. The Terraces is a safe and secure continuing retirement community that ensures seniors and their families the best senior care.

The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens maintain an active lifestyle for its residents to take advantage of– a dining experience that provides delicious meals created by an executive chef, wellness programs planned for those who want to stay active with social, intellectual, and cultural opportunities found in their yoga and dance classes. 

Contact The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens a CCRC

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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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in California

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 652 independent living communities in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community 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 independent living communities 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.