Other senior care options in California:

Page 13 of Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 648 independent living communities in CA using CA Dept. 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
648 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: 59/ 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

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.

Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Pomona
520
Facility 520
CA AVG 104
Rank #16 / 1646
No 45
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #212 / 1475
14
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #443 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #88 / 1504
84.0% -Congregational Homes, IncorporatedStudio
Vi at La Jolla Village
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (University City)
783
Facility 783
CA AVG 104
Rank #5 / 1646
No
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 59
Rank #218 / 2058
84
Facility 84
CA AVG 81
Rank #732 / 1475
34
17
Facility 17
CA AVG 13
Rank #1057 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #155 / 1504
69.3% -Ccw La Jolla LLC, Cc La Jolla LLC, And Classic Res MgmtSuite / Penthouse / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vi at Palo Alto
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Palo Alto
876
Facility 876
CA AVG 104
Rank #1 / 1646
No
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 59
Rank #416 / 2058
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #461 / 1475
24
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #846 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #362 / 1504
73.1% -Cc Palo Alto LLC And Classic Res. Mgmt. Ltd. Partner1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
The Reutlinger Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Danville
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 104
Rank #560 / 1646
No
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 59
Rank #1717 / 2058
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #649 / 1475
27
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #886 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1434
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #155 / 1504
65.0% A+Reutlinger Community, The And Eskaton Properties IncStudio / 1 Bed
Canterbury Woods
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Pacific Grove
190
Facility 190
CA AVG 104
Rank #180 / 1646
Yes
81
Facility 81
CA AVG 59
Rank #383 / 2058
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #408 / 1475
13
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #326 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1434
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 13
Rank #33 / 1504
72.6% A+Front Porch Communities And Services1 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 / 1646
Yes 57
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 81
Rank #563 / 1475
20
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #526 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1434
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #105 / 1504
57.2% A+Humangood & Humangood Norcal & Humangood Fresno-
Webster House
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Palo Alto (Crescent Park)
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 104
Rank #1116 / 1646
Yes
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 59
Rank #171 / 2058
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #212 / 1475
7
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #652 / 1504
90.7% -Front Porch Communities And Services1 Bed / 2 Bed
O‘Connor Woods
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Stockton (Sherwood Manor)
499
Facility 499
CA AVG 104
Rank #23 / 1646
Yes
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 59
Rank #1824 / 2058
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #212 / 1475
13
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #326 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 13
Rank #79 / 1504
0-O'connor Woods HousingStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
University Retirement Community
IL
AL
HC
MC
NH
SNF
Davis (West Davis)
500
Facility 500
CA AVG 104
Rank #22 / 1646
No 54
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #408 / 1475
15
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #526 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1434
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #155 / 1504
0-Univer Retire Com At Davis/Pacific Retire Services1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
The Vineyards – California Armenian Home
IL
AL
MC
NH
RESC
SNF
Fresno (Roosevelt)
412
Facility 412
CA AVG 104
Rank #27 / 1646
Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 59
Rank #1795 / 2058
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #408 / 1475
18
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #759 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
41
Facility 41
CA AVG 13
Rank #36 / 1504
54.1% -California Home For The Aged IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Spring Lake Village
IL
NH
AL
MC
Santa Rosa (Melita)
679
Facility 679
CA AVG 104
Rank #8 / 1646
Yes
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 59
Rank #1924 / 2058
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 81
Rank #563 / 1475
14
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #652 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1434
40
Facility 40
CA AVG 13
Rank #42 / 1504
0A+Front Porch Communities And Services1 Bed / 2 Bed
Town & Country
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Ana (East Memory Lane)
328
Facility 328
CA AVG 104
Rank #45 / 1646
Yes 67
60
Facility 60
CA AVG 81
Rank #1332 / 1475
39
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #1237 / 1388
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #1157 / 1434
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 13
Rank #22 / 1504
32.9% A+Christian And Missionary Alliance-
Hillcrest Care
IL
AL
MC
NH
RESC
SNF
Arrowhead Farms
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 104
Rank #1319 / 1646
Yes
29
Facility 29
CA AVG 59
Rank #1732 / 2058
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1475
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 13
Rank #423 / 1504
100.0% -Angelita Perez-
Bayshire Torrey Pines
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (Carmel Valley)
125
Facility 125
CA AVG 104
Rank #525 / 1646
Yes
81
Facility 81
CA AVG 59
Rank #383 / 2058
95
Facility 95
CA AVG 81
Rank #123 / 1475
7
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #443 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1234 / 1504
84.8% A+Hartfield Care LLC-
Ararat Gardens
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Glendale (Somerset)
175
Facility 175
CA AVG 104
Rank #234 / 1646
Yes
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 59
Rank #267 / 2058
75
Facility 75
CA AVG 81
Rank #964 / 1475
22
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #920 / 1388
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1011 / 1434
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1234 / 1504
46.3% -Ararat Home Of Los Angeles, IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / Cottage
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Cottages at Palm Springs

1780 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Overview of Cottages at Palm Springs

Cottages at Palm Springs is a premier care facility where its residents can have it all. They offer memory care, independent living, respite care, and assisted living services tailored to seniors’ needs and preferences. The community provides a wide range of engaging activities and programs, creating a beautiful and serene environment for residents to enjoy with a comprehensive array of services and amenities, including round-the-clock staff support, housekeeping, and laundry services.

The community prioritizes the independence and well-being of its residents, ensuring that their unique care needs are met with personalized attention—the elegant and inviting atmosphere that promotes self-care and encourages residents to engage in physical activity. The beautiful outdoor courtyard offers residents a peaceful place to stroll and connect with nature. Combined with exceptional services and world-class amenities, Cottages at Palm Springs provides peace of mind to families in the community.

Contact Cottages at Palm Springs

Overview of Avila Senior Living at Downtown Slo

Avila Senior Living of the Aura Collection of Communities is an independent living and assisted living home for seniors in SLO. Considered the premier retirement home in the city, the residences provide the best convenience and comfort for seniors who want to stay active and have a quaint lifestyle. The nurturing environment empowers and enhances the quality of life for residents to relax, enjoy, and be engaged in the delightful coastal breeze of SoCal living.
The Aura Senior Living difference is committed to delivering quality care and service for each individual to be enriched and engaged in a warm Mediterranean-like atmosphere. Accommodations comprise delightful amenities and services such as enhanced floor plans, 24-hour care and supervision, gourmet meals at the restaurant-style dining room, and an in-home emergency call pendant.

Contact Avila Senior Living At Downtown SLO

Overview of The Commons at Woodland Hills

The Commons at Woodland Hills is a luxury senior living community, located in the vibrant area of Woodland Hills, CA, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services to help residents successfully age in place. Residents are welcomed into the comfort and security of carefully curated apartments with various floor plans and premium features, such as convenience of weekly linen services and 24-hour emergency response systems. A 24-hour care team is available to provide residents needing extra care a wide range of care services, including medication supervision, personal laundry, bathing and grooming, and other daily living activities.

Dedicated to providing a fun and unique living experience to its residents, the community provides an abundance of interesting and engaging activities and programs, including group fitness classes, art lessons, or scenic drives. Delicious and nutritionally balanced meals are provided to make sure residents’ cravings and needs are always satisfied. Amenities, such as a card room, library, arts & crafts room, beauty shop, and onsite laundry facilities, are available to provide residents with more convenience and spaces for relaxation and entertainment.

Contact The Commons at Woodland Hills

Overview of A Place Called Home – Quail Lake

A Place Called Home – Quail Lake, conveniently situated in 2238 Montana Ave, Clovis, CA, is an esteemed senior living community providing assisted living, dementia and memory care, alzheimer’s assisted living, parkinson’s care services. With a highly equipped and dedicated team, residents can receive round-the-clock care and support that they deserve throughout their stay.

With its above-and-beyond amenities and services, residents can avail of homemade meals, medication management, and general assistance with daily activities. Explore its beautiful gardens, formal dining area, and swimming pool, and meet new companions along the way. With a jam-packed schedule of activities and programs, residents can enjoy opportunities to socialize and build friendships. A Place Called Home – Quail Lake is an ideal place where seniors can truly thrive and enjoy a living experience worth remembering.

Contact A Place Called Home – Quail Lake

Overview of Linda Valley Assisted Living

When it comes to exceptional care, Linda Valley Assisted Living stands out from the rest. Nestled in scenic Loma Linda, enjoy the clean Californian air confident in the fact that you’re taken care of by highly trained caretakers and state-of-the-art amenities. Whether you need minimal help with certain tasks or comprehensive care with memory issues, Linda Valley Assisted Living ensures you receive the attention you deserve without compromising on your freedom and independence.

Their beautifully designed studio and one-bedroom apartment offer both privacy and a sense of community, allowing you to foster meaningful connections among residents. They also prioritize safety and well-being, ensuring round-the-clock monitoring and access to medical services with three major hospitals nearby. Residents can also expect delicious cuisine, high-class amenities, and a plethora of engaging activities and wellness programs to enrich daily life, encouraging them to stay active and pursue their interests. At Linda Valley Assisted Living, you can live your golden years with help and expert attention always at hand.

Contact Linda Valley Assisted Living

Overview of Huntington Terrace North Senior Apartments

Experience the retirement of your dreams at Huntington Terrace North Senior Apartments, a distinguished 55+ community in Huntington Beach, CA, that offers independent living. Beautifully furnished and cozy studio to two-bedroom floor plans are available in a bright and friendly environment, dedicated to residents’ comfort and safety. Residents maintain their independence without the busy work, with on-site maintenance, management, and laundry spaces.

Here, residents will surely make new friends and enjoy the best of their golden years. Residents spend their days as they please with a variety of specially designed amenities, including a clubhouse, a fitness center, a media room, a spa, a hot tub, a library, and beautifully designed community gardens. The community is ideal for those looking to downsize in retirement without hassles.

Contact Huntington Terrace North Senior Apartments

Overview of Brookdale Paulin Creek

Experience comfort and security like no other in the one-of-a-kind senior living community of Brookdale Paulin Creek at Range Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. Offering a diverse selection of living options including assisted living, independent living, and memory care, the community provides high-quality care and assistance 24/7. With cozy and meticulously-designed floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, residents enjoy a vibrant and friendly residence. Brookdale Paulin Creek focuses on the uniqueness and freedom of seniors, providing them with care and assistance that best suits their specific needs.

The community conducts fun activities and engaging programs to ensure residents experience a fulfilled life with joy and inspiration. Catering to the seniors’ dietary needs and preferences, the community serves healthy and delicious meals. Moreover, the community prepares scheduled meals for memory care residents to foster familiarity. The pet-friendly community provides wonderful amenities including an outdoor pool, an arts and crafts studio, a theater, a whirlpool, a therapy pool, a salon, a fitness center, a courtyard, a library, a garden, a game room, a therapy room, a porch, meeting rooms, a fireside living room, a piano, and tranquil landscaped grounds.

Contact Brookdale Paulin Creek

Overview of Carmel Village at Clovis

Carmel Village, is a vibrant senior living community nestled in Clovis, CA, offering a harmonious blend of assisted living, independent living, memory care services, and post-acute care. At Carmel Village, residents experience a lifestyle tailored to their needs, where compassionate and personalized 24-hour care is at the core of their well-being. The community’s dedicated staff ensures a helping hand is always within reach, providing support with daily tasks, from morning routines to medication reminders, granting residents and their families peace of mind. The apartments feature convenient kitchenettes with refrigerators and microwaves.

Carmel Village redefines senior living by offering a headache-free lifestyle, relieving residents from the burdens of housework, yard work, and cooking, unless they choose to indulge their culinary passions. Scheduled transportation, along with on-site amenities like a salon, fitness center, theater, and garden, provides opportunities for social engagement and relaxation. Culinary delights await in the dining room, where residents can enjoy three delicious meals a day, supplemented with snacks, and special dietary menus cater to individual preferences. The community’s Vitality Programming adds a meaningful touch to residents’ lives, offering a variety of activities and events that nurture their physical, social, and intellectual well-being.

Contact Carmel Village at Clovis

Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel

Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel, 720 W Camino Real Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
Overview of Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel

Two hundred beds, twenty-one years of history, and a location in Arcadia, California that scores a 79 on Walk Score: Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel covers a lot of ground for a single community. Assisted living, hospice care, independent living, memory care, and respite care are all offered here, at 720 W Camino Real Ave, and USC Arcadia Hospital sits just over a mile away.

Clinical support runs through licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, with respite care available for families who need coverage on a short-term basis rather than a permanent move. Daily life includes a dining program, volunteer opportunities, a fitness center, and resident gardens, giving residents both structured and unstructured ways to spend time.

Occupancy sits at 95 percent, with 189 of 200 beds filled. That’s well above what’s typical for a California community of this type, and it’s worth noting as a real signal of sustained demand.

Pamela Parsons administers the community, and Arcadia Gardens Management Corp operates the property. State inspections in California have tended to center on infection prevention, staffing credentials, care documentation, and fall prevention.

Arcadia Gardens brings together a wide range of care types, strong occupancy, and a location close to hospital care, the kind of combination that speaks to a community built for residents whose needs may shift over time, all without requiring a move to a different address.

Contact Arcadia Gardens Retirement Hotel

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Monterey

A distinct senior living community situated in the quiet lands of Iris Canyon Road, Monterey, CA, Merrill Gardens at Monterey provides assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Featuring a selection of 110 cozy and spacious studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences, the community aims to provide a welcoming abode for seniors to live in comfort and elegance. A competent and highly skilled team delivers top-tier care and assistance around the clock for seniors to enjoy their best years without worries.

With a jam-packed calendar of fun activities and exciting programs, seniors discover new interests and reignite old hobbies for leisure and wellness. Merrill Gardens at Monterey fosters a bright and welcoming environment, ensuring seniors maintain an active and well-engaged lifestyle. Committed to enhancing seniors’ well-being, the community serves well-balanced meals for dietary satisfaction. Surrounded by a serene courtyard, Merrill Gardens at Monterey is a good place to live a wondrous retirement.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Monterey

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 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 648 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.