Page 2 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
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in California our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in California.
648 homes
Other senior care options in California:

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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: 103The 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-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our 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. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. 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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
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.
The ALM Inspection Grade — our own 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. It is not a government rating. A dash means we do not publish a grade for that facility: either its public record is too thin to be fair, or we hold nothing for it at all.
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).
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.
Wesley Palms Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
San Diego (Pacific Beach)
511
Facility 511
CA AVG 103
Rank #20 / 1,492
Yes
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,690 / 1,887
B+88 / 100 — 5 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)17
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1,387
31
Facility 31
CA AVG 13
Rank #97 / 1,452
65.0%
Facility 65.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #963 / 1,313
A+Front Porch Communities And ServicesStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Westmont of Culver City
IL
AL
MC
Culver City (Clarkdale)
160
Facility 160
CA AVG 103
Rank #264 / 1,492
Yes
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 57
Rank #140 / 1,887
A-90 / 100 — 7 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)8
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,270 / 1,452
90.6%
Facility 90.6%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #257 / 1,313
-Westmont Liv Inc, Wm Culver City Mgr, And Gp Culver CityStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Pomona
520
Facility 520
CA AVG 103
Rank #16 / 1,492
No
45
Facility 45
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,330 / 1,887
-14
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #67 / 1,452
84.0%
Facility 84.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #375 / 1,313
-Congregational Homes, IncorporatedStudio
Webster House
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Palo Alto (Crescent Park)
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 103
Rank #978 / 1,492
Yes
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 57
Rank #153 / 1,887
-7
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #611 / 1,452
90.7%
Facility 90.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #253 / 1,313
-Front Porch Communities And Services1 Bed / 2 Bed
Bayshire Carlsbad
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Carlsbad (Palamai)
125
Facility 125
CA AVG 103
Rank #478 / 1,492
Yes
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 57
Rank #974 / 1,887
-33
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,106 / 1,387
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #133 / 1,452
93.6%
Facility 93.6%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #207 / 1,313
A+Camino Real Care LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Peninsula Del Rey
IL
AL
MC
Daly City
150
Facility 150
CA AVG 103
Rank #312 / 1,492
Yes
76
Facility 76
CA AVG 57
Rank #481 / 1,887
A93 / 100 — 10 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)17
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1,387
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 13
Rank #387 / 1,452
70.7%
Facility 70.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #782 / 1,313
A+Pdr Subtenant LLC, Srg Califorina Mgmt LLCSuite / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vista Del Monte Retirement Community
IL
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley)
266
Facility 266
CA AVG 103
Rank #69 / 1,492
Yes
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,707 / 1,887
A-90 / 100 — 7 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,387
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #133 / 1,452
75.6%
Facility 75.6%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #670 / 1,313
A+Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, DougStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Oak Tree Lodge of Mt. San Antonio Gardens
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Pomona
520
Facility 520
CA AVG 103
Rank #16 / 1,492
No
53
Facility 53
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,152 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)14
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #67 / 1,452
84.0%
Facility 84.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #375 / 1,313
-Congregational Homes, IncorporatedStudio
Harbor Terrace Retirement Community
IL
AL
San Pedro
202
Facility 202
CA AVG 103
Rank #139 / 1,492
No
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 57
Rank #78 / 1,887
A-90 / 100 — 7 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)7
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,387
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 13
Rank #106 / 1,452
34.7%
Facility 34.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,284 / 1,313
-Harbor Terrace Retirement Center Of San Pedro, LLCStudio / 1 Bed
Casa de Mañana
IL
AL
RC
La Jolla
249
Facility 249
CA AVG 103
Rank #90 / 1,492
Yes
79
Facility 79
CA AVG 57
Rank #414 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)13
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #651 / 1,387
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #566 / 1,452
88.0%
Facility 88.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #302 / 1,313
-Front Porch Communities And ServicesStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 648 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of Wesley Palms Retirement Community

Front Porch Communities and Services operates Wesley Palms Retirement Community, a 511-bed senior living property located on Loring Street in San Diego, California. Justin Weber serves as the administrator for the complex, which has been in business for 31 years and currently maintains a 65 percent occupancy rate. The single-story layout ensures that residents can walk between their studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom units and the common dining spaces without climbing stairs.

The everyday schedule combines standard housing, prepared meals, and personal care assistance. State regulatory oversight includes a recent inspection in February 2026 to monitor ongoing operational standards. The area carries a walkability score of 19 out of 100, indicating a car-dependent location where staff, residents, and visitors will need a vehicle for standard shopping and medical errands.

Interested individuals looking into regional senior housing can call the main office to check on current room vacancies. Planning an on-site walkthrough is an effective way to inspect the single-level campus, meet the management team, and review the monthly care fees.

Contact Wesley Palms Retirement Community

Overview of Westmont of Culver City

Nestled in the neighborhood of Culver City, CA, Westmont of Culver City is a warm and welcoming senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care options. Residents are offered their preferred accommodations with convenient features like full kitchens, emergency response systems, and housekeeping services for their comfort and convenience. Ensuring residents are well-cared for, the community provides the right amount of care and support without interfering with their independence.

Residents enjoy an array of amenities, including a bistro, fitness center, and theater, while a wide array of activities are organized to keep them active and entertained. The community also offers restaurant-style dining featuring healthy and delicious meals to ensure residents eat healthily. At Westmont of Culver City, residents have access to the necessities they need to stay comfortable.

Contact Westmont of Culver City

Overview of Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing in Pomona, California. Having several care levels in one community may suit someone whose needs increase over time, because moving to another level could be possible without leaving the community, subject to assessment, availability, and community policies. Assisted living supports daily activities, memory care provides supervision for residents with dementia related needs, and nursing home or skilled nursing care addresses more intensive nursing needs.

Rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation give someone recovering from an illness, injury, hospitalization, or procedure a temporary setting focused on regaining function. Respite care offers a temporary stay when a usual caregiver needs relief or is unavailable. High Acuity Assisted Living may suit residents who need more help or have greater care complexity than standard assisted living, and the community also has a Wellness Center.

Staffing is available around the clock, including overnight. Total nurse staffing is 6 hours and 37 minutes per resident per day, including 2 hours and 28 minutes from licensed nurses; this describes average nursing staff time rather than one nurse being assigned continuously to one resident. Medicare and private pay are accepted. Medicare applies when services meet Medicare eligibility and coverage rules, while private pay allows families to use their own funds.

A Walk Score of 45 is classified as car dependent, so someone who no longer drives will generally need a family member or another ride for most errands. Joyce Frempong is the administrator, and Congregational Homes, Incorporated operates the community. The range of care may be a good fit for someone whose needs could increase over time, particularly when remaining in the same community matters and the needed level has availability.

Contact Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Overview of Webster House

One of Palo Alto’s premier communities, Webster House creates a fulfilling intellectual diversity that seniors can immerse themselves in at the heart of Silicon Valley. From vibrant urban living to an engaged retirement experience, the tightly-knit home is a place for endless opportunities that await discovery for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing residents. Through its personalized care approach to senior care, residents will find a lifestyle that suits their needs and satisfies holistic wellness.

As a Front Porch Community, Webster House offers a forward-thinking Life Plan Advantage that encourages individuality and comfort supported by its well-trained professional care staff. From healthcare to delicious dining, residents can expect a range of comprehensive services that promote a lifestyle fulfilled by safety and convenience.

Contact Webster House

Overview of Bayshire Carlsbad

Bayshire Carlsbad offers nursing home, assisted living, continuing care retirement community, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Carlsbad, California. Assisted living helps with daily tasks while a resident maintains an apartment, whereas independent living provides private living with community services rather than daily care. Memory care is secured and supervised for someone at risk of wandering. Nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing on site around the clock.

A continuing care retirement community brings these care levels together. As a resident’s needs grow, they can move to another level without leaving the community or starting over socially. This range may suit someone whose needs may change over time and who wants to remain in the same community. Bayshire Carlsbad has 125 beds, with studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom housing. A studio offers one private living space, while a two bedroom layout can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.

The Walk Score is 59, meaning the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot. A resident who no longer drives may still be able to handle certain errands independently. Outdoor walking space gives residents an area to spend time outside, and the salon or spa provides personal grooming services on site. Mobile physician, podiatry, and dental services bring those appointments to the community, and pets are allowed. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted. Medicare can cover short term skilled care after a hospital stay, while Medicaid may help a family whose savings may not cover a long stay. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 31 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. Thomas Daynes serves as administrator, and Camino Real Care operates Bayshire Carlsbad. The community is in the Palamai neighborhood of Carlsbad, California.

Contact Bayshire Carlsbad

Overview of Peninsula Del Rey

Peninsula Del Rey offers luxury independent living and assisted living options. Its atmosphere is filled with genuine staff that provides unparalleled hospitality– the driving force of the senior home and SRG service. Families can rest easy knowing their loved ones are being prioritized, seen, and understood in a new community they can call home. Peninsula Del Rey in Daly City is about creating connections and providing engaging experiences among community members.
As an upscale community that aims to create a vibrant and innovative senior living facility, seniors can immerse themselves in exclusive specialized programs such as the Zest™ Wellness, Dine Your Way™, and SyneRGy™. These special programs focus on each resident’s wellness, health, and social aspects. The program services and the comprehensive amenities are offered to nurture seniors’ holistic wellness.

Contact Peninsula Del Rey

Overview of Vista Del Monte Retirement Community

Vista Del Monte is a cozy, comfortable, and oasis-like home with quality service. Offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services, residents continue to maintain their individuality. Vista Del Monte is undeniably a place where seniors belong to live on their terms. Seniors will discover an elevated lifestyle in its elegant and gracious approach to modern-day senior living.

As a member of the Front Porch group, a not-for-profit organization, it provides philanthropic support for its seniors to gain a wonderful experience during their stay. They also offer their exclusive Humanly Possible® program that focuses on the holistic wellness of its residents in a positive, person-centered approach to individual growth.

Contact Vista Del Monte Retirement Community

Overview of Oak Tree Lodge of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Oak Tree Lodge, located inside Mt San Antonio Gardens’ campus in Pomona, CA, is a senior living community that offers assisted living services to its residents. Their accommodations feature attractive studio apartments, each with a private bath. Additionally, the homes are enhanced by welcoming common areas and courtyards with blossoming flowers and shady trees. At Oak Tree Lounge, residents are provided round-the-clock staff availability for assistance as needed. This includes escorting or mobility assistance, as well as assistance with regular daily activities.

The campus features a number of amenities. The picturesque grounds and raised garden beds, provides areas for meditation or relaxation, and the three meals provided daily and are prepared to accommodate personal taste and dietary requirements. Life enrichment activities are also available for residents to participate in, and are designed around shared interests of the residents.

Contact Oak Tree Lodge of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Overview of Harbor Terrace Retirement Community

Two hundred and two beds, thirty years of history, and a Walk Score of 94: Harbor Terrace Retirement Community occupies a mid-rise building at 435 W 8th St in San Pedro, California, offering studio and one-bedroom units. That Walk Score puts the surrounding area solidly in walker’s-paradise territory, so daily errands rarely require a car.

Staffing runs around the clock here, and daily life includes restaurant-style dining and housekeeping handled for residents. The amenity list runs long: a coffee parlor, a library, a salon, and massage therapy services alongside a full calendar of educational, social, recreational, and wellness programming.

Occupancy currently sits at 35 percent, with 70 of the 202 beds filled. That’s a meaningfully lower number than what a facility this established and this well-located might suggest.

Harbor Terrace Retirement Center Of San Pedro, LLC operates the property, and Holly Rice serves as administrator. State inspections in California have tended to center on medication management, staffing credentials, and resident rights and protections.

Harbor Terrace brings together three decades of operating history, an unusually walkable location, and a wide amenity list, though the current occupancy rate is a detail worth factoring into how families weigh this community against others in the area.

Contact Harbor Terrace Retirement Community

Overview of Casa De Mañana

Perched above the Pacific Ocean in La Jolla, California, Casa De Mañana unfolds as a breathtaking retirement community that embraces its residents in the sunshine and the refreshing coastal salty breeze. With the ocean as its backdrop and La Jolla’s vibrant village just a block away, kindred spirits converge here to exchange ideas, share passions, and cultivate new experiences.

This multi-level retirement community seamlessly blends independent living and assisted living services. Each residence, whether oceanfront villas capturing sought-after sunset views or two-bedroom apartments with inviting patios for al fresco dining, celebrates the scenic setting uniquely. Casa De Mañana is an artful haven where the water sculpts the shore, and human connections flourish in an inviting and inspiring setting. At the heart of this community lies the Front Porch Family—a not-for-profit family of communities and partnerships dedicated to celebrating the spirit of the individual and the strength of the community.

Contact Casa de Mañana

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.