Other senior care options in California:

Page 15 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
Rows per page:
View all Nearby Homes
Overview of Canyon Villas

Where Vonda Boller serves as administrator, Canyon Villas is a multi-care senior living community in San Diego’s Clairemont neighborhood. It delivers assisted living, independent living, respite care, and hospice services under San Diego Christian Foundation’s operation. Operating for 35 years, the home maintains 133 apartments, with current occupancy near 68 percent.

The location on Balboa Avenue offers a somewhat walkable neighborhood environment, with a Walk Score of 65, meaning some daily errands can be done on foot while others demand a quick drive. The surrounding area offers a blend of nearby conveniences and parks.

State inspections have targeted care documentation and resident care practices, particularly around medication administration recordkeeping, timely assistance with personal care needs, and emergency preparedness protocols. Canyon Villas has addressed the flagged areas through correction plans.

An on-site visit by families considering Canyon Villas is valuable to tour the available room options, meet the staff, and discuss the specific services and support available within each care level offered.

Contact Canyon Villas

Gold Country Senior Living

6041 Golden Center Ct, Placerville, CA 95667
Overview of Gold Country Senior Living

Gold Country Senior Living in Placerville offers older adults a home to continue to live purposefully, thrive indepnedently, engage actively in a nurturing environment surrounded by California’s scenic views. The premier senior living home in the city provides an unmatched level of senior care that exceeds expectations. Gold Country creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that enhanced the senior living experience of its residents by striving to meet their holistic needs.
The retirement community is built on the seamless blend of independence and support, allowing its residents to take advantage of the wonderful Southern California living offered by its luxurious community features. These include an expansive courtyard, furnished apartments with breathtaking views, 24-hour care with an emergency call system, a grand restaurant-style dining room, a library, and a patio. Exclusive services include 24-hour care, personalized meals plans, customized care plans– all offered for an enhanced senior living experience.

Contact Gold Country Senior Living

Overview of Rancho Ontario 55+ Community

Live the retirement of your dreams at Rancho Ontario 55+ Community, an astounding community in Ontario, CA, offering independent living. The community features beautifully furnished and spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments, ensuring residents can find the accommodation that best matches their preferences. Residents can feel a sense of belonging in a vibrant and welcoming environment.

Residents have easy access to leisure and necessities with cozy communal spaces and proximity to thriving local amenities. Pets are also welcome to accompany residents to ease their loneliness. Other amenities include a tennis court, a clubhouse, a heated pool, a fitness center, and a dog park, creating the ideal setting for residents to spend their golden years actively.

Contact Rancho Ontario 55+ Community

Overview of Atria Encino Terrace

Located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley, Atria Encino Terrace provides independent living and assisted living options in Encino, CA. The community features a range of spacious studio and one-bedroom apartments equipped with an emergency alert system and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Atria’s Engage Life program encourages residents to engage in social, physical, and intellectual activities that provide residents with an enriched and meaningful life.

Atria Encino Terrace is dedicated to creating a fulfilling and vibrant living experience for its residents, offering them round-the-clock support, three chef-prepared meals daily with vegetarian dining options, and housekeeping services to make residents’ lives easier. The community provides wonderful amenities, including walking trails, a courtyard, an outdoor grill, off-site pool access, a game room, a salon, a library, and wifi access for entertainment and long-distance communication with their families.

Contact Atria Encino Terrace

Atria Hacienda

44-600 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Overview of Atria Hacienda

With more than 31 years of operation, Atria Hacienda is a residential care community in Palm Desert, California, that provides skilled nursing and post-acute rehabilitation. Along with a 266-bed capacity, its two-story building offers studio, suite, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences. Located in a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 75, the community also gives residents and visiting families convenient access to nearby services and amenities.

Additionally, the community maintains about 60% occupancy with an average length of stay of 66 days, highlighting its focus on short-term recovery after illness, injury, or hospitalization. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are also accepted, providing families with flexible payment options.

Residents receive approximately 4 hours and 54 minutes of nursing care each day, including 17 minutes from registered nurses, 2 hours and 41 minutes of hands-on assistance from nurse aides, and 17 minutes from licensed nurses to support a variety of medical needs.

Contact Atria Hacienda

Overview of Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga by Cogir

Situated in the harmonious neighborhood of Church St. Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga is an idyllic senior living community providing assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Enjoy unmatched convenience and security with carefully crafted and spacious accommodations, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. The community doubles its efforts to meet seniors’ needs and aspirations with a kind, compassionate, and highly skilled team lending support for maintenance and other mundane activities.

Seek new adventures and reignite passions with engaging activities and enjoyable events. The community empowers residents to flourish and reach their full potential, providing a vibrant environment. Enjoy restaurant-style dining with healthy and tasty meals to meet seniors’ dietary needs and tastes. Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga is ideal for seniors looking to live an active and well-rounded lifestyle embraced by a warm community and tranquil spaces.

Contact Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga by Cogir

Overview of Atria Park of Lafayette

Remain connected and engage with Atria Park of Lafayette located at Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette, CA. The blissful senior living community offers a spectrum of living options including assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Providing cozy and spacious floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom apartments, and shared suites, the community ensures comfort and safety, With 24/7 care and assistance from a kind, compassionate, and well-trained team of professionals and licensed nurses, residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Atria Park of Lafayette focuses on the wellness of its residents, orchestrating educational, social, cultural, and fitness programs daily. Enjoy healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals with various options including vegetarian options three times every day privately or with friends at the community’s scenic dining room. Amenities include a library, a fitness center, a salon and spa, a movie theater, a physical therapy center, a courtyard, peaceful walking paths, and a sunlit patio.

Contact Atria Park of Lafayette

Overview of The Watermark at Westwood Village

Soak up the sun in the blissful community of The Watermark at Westwood Village residing in the stunning Tiverton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, that offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, and short-term stays. Experience unrivaled comfort and convenience with beautifully designed and spacious accommodations in a wide range of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. The community goes above and beyond to provide top-tier care and support around the clock for seniors to live their best years without worries.

Focusing on seniors’ interests and strengths, The Watermark at Westwood Village orchestrates engaging activities and fun events. Eat well and feel good with healthy and tasty meals that cater to dietary needs and preferences. Filled with pet-friendly spaces and a vibrant environment, The Watermark at Westwood Village doubles its efforts to provide a haven for seniors who want to enjoy a luxurious retirement.

Contact The Watermark at Westwood Village

Overview of Cadence Millbrae by Cogir

Cadence at Millbrae has a solid reputation for offering quality assisted living and memory care with independent living care. The nurturing environment empowers and enhances residents’ quality of life by providing tailored care to each unique individual. The vibrant community follows a resident-centered approach to holistic wellness for seniors. Cadence at Millbrae is a pleasant, home-like environment where residents can boost their rich social life.

The premier senior home is known for being a different kind of retirement home; they ensure that residents keep their individuality while pursuing an enriched life. To keep the residents active and allow them to maintain a healthy lifestyle, the staff plans engaging activities and programs– recreational activities, fitness activities, and entertainment programs in the library, media room, or social areas.

Contact Cadence Millbrae by Cogir

Overview of Atria Santa Clarita

A classic senior living community settling in Lyons Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA, Atria Santa Clarita provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Relax in the variety of spacious floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and walk-in showers. With personalized 24-hour care and assistance from a kind and compassionate team of professionals, residents experience a worry-free and relaxing lifestyle.

Atria Santa Clarita fosters a bright and friendly environment, providing its residents with opportunities to enhance their physical, mental, emotional, and social welfare. Through its signature Life Guidance program, memory care residents enjoy a meaningful and joyful life. Catering to its residents’ dietary needs and preferences, the community serves three chef-prepared healthy meals daily. With wonderful amenities such as a library, a movie theater, a fitness center, a salon, a game room, a beautiful resident garden, an aesthetically landscaped courtyard, and walking paths, residents enjoy a better quality of life.

Contact Atria Santa Clarita

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
Submit a correction
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 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.