Page 24 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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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. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
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.
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.
Brookdale Sunwest
IL
AL
MC
Hemet
60
Facility 60
CA AVG 103
Rank #935 / 1,492
Yes
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,848 / 1,887
11
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #651 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #611 / 1,452
66.7%
Facility 66.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #867 / 1,313
-Summerville At Cobbco Inc And Emeritus CorporationStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / Villa
Chateau III
IL
AL
MC
Pleasant Hill
175
Facility 175
CA AVG 103
Rank #215 / 1,492
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,116 / 1,887
16
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #716 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
29
Facility 29
CA AVG 13
Rank #121 / 1,452
79.4%
Facility 79.4%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #569 / 1,313
-Carlton Senior Living, LLC-
Westhaven Assisted Living
IL
AL
HOS
MC
Orland
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,044 / 1,492
No
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 57
Rank #462 / 1,887
3
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,363 / 1,452
69.0%
Facility 69.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #825 / 1,313
-Westhaven Senior Living, A California Corporation-
Lantern Crest
IL
AL
MC
Santee
180
Facility 180
CA AVG 103
Rank #195 / 1,492
Yes
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,756 / 1,887
16
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #716 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 13
Rank #501 / 1,452
76.7%
Facility 76.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #639 / 1,313
-Santee Snr Ret I LLC(Owner)/Lcm, LLC (Mngt)-
Town & Country
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Ana
328
Facility 328
CA AVG 103
Rank #42 / 1,492
Yes
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #746 / 1,887
39
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,236 / 1,387
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,156 / 1,433
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 13
Rank #11 / 1,452
32.9%
Facility 32.9%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,301 / 1,313
A+Christian And Missionary Alliance-
Ararat Gardens
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Glendale (Somerset)
175
Facility 175
CA AVG 103
Rank #215 / 1,492
Yes
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 57
Rank #240 / 1,887
22
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #919 / 1,387
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,010 / 1,433
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,186 / 1,452
46.3%
Facility 46.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,233 / 1,313
-Ararat Home Of Los Angeles, IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed / Cottage
Meadowbrook Village Christian
IL
AL
SNF
Glen Escondido
200
Facility 200
CA AVG 103
Rank #141 / 1,492
No
35
Facility 35
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,490 / 1,887
4
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #479 / 1,452
--Meadowbrook Village Christian Retirement Community-
Westminster Terrace
IL
AL
Westminster
152
Facility 152
CA AVG 103
Rank #307 / 1,492
Yes
78
Facility 78
CA AVG 57
Rank #444 / 1,887
38
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,224 / 1,387
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #898 / 1,433
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,186 / 1,452
76.3%
Facility 76.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #656 / 1,313
-Westminster Terrace LLCStudio
Kingsley Manor
IL
AL
Los Angeles (East Hollywood)
299
Facility 299
CA AVG 103
Rank #55 / 1,492
Yes
93
Facility 93
CA AVG 57
Rank #99 / 1,887
65
47
Facility 47
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,339 / 1,387
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,156 / 1,433
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 13
Rank #526 / 1,452
54.8%
Facility 54.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,123 / 1,313
-Front Porch Communities And ServicesStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Gables of Ojai
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Ojai
118
Facility 118
CA AVG 103
Rank #544 / 1,492
No
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 57
Rank #153 / 1,887
24
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 13
Rank #992 / 1,387
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,287 / 1,433
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #235 / 1,452
55.9%
Facility 55.9%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,111 / 1,313
A+Gables Of Ojai, LLC And Parsons Family Mgmt, LLC-

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 Brookdale Sunwest

Greeting seniors and guests with a blissful environment, Brookdale Sunwest is an exceptional senior living community situated on North Lyon Avenue, Hemet, CA that provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community offers a variety of well-designed floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments and villas. Enjoy independence and a maintenance-free lifestyle with genuine helping hands from Brookdale Sunwest.

The community strives to know every resident individually to provide them with carefully curated activities to hone their interests and interactions better. With residents’ dietary needs and preferences in mind, the community serves healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals all day while fostering a sense of belonging and familiarity for memory care residents with scheduled meal times. Brookdale Sunwest ensures seniors remain active and connected with a pet-friendly environment and wonderful amenities including a library, a beauty and barbershop, a theater, a game room, a fireside living room, beautifully manicured grounds, and serene walking paths.

Contact Brookdale Sunwest

Chateau III

175 Cleaveland Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Overview of Chateau III

Chateau III provides assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Pleasant Hill, California. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care. Assisted living adds help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps an apartment. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, and the three care levels can support a resident whose needs grow over time without leaving the community.

With 175 beds, Chateau III is a larger community with more residents, staff, and typically more programming. A garden gives residents outdoor space, while the pool provides an on site place for swimming. The community may be a good fit for someone who wants access to multiple care levels in one setting.

The area has a Walk Score of 54, described as somewhat walkable. Some errands can be done on foot, and a resident who no longer drives may have nearby destinations available without a ride. Chateau III opened in 1805, is administered by Tracey Ingleman, and is operated by Carlton Senior Living.

Contact Chateau III

Overview of Westhaven Assisted Living

Westhaven Assisted Living offers assisted living, hospice care, independent living, and memory care in Orland, CA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while the resident keeps their own living space. Independent living provides private living with community services for residents who do not need daily care, while memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Hospice care supports residents who need end of life care, and respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. Having several care types in one community may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since changing care levels does not require leaving the community. Westhaven has 42 beds, which may suit someone who prefers a smaller community.

The starting price is $795. The area has a Walk Score of 77, meaning it is very walkable and most errands can be completed on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still reach nearby shops or services independently. Aaron Elliott serves as the administrator.

Contact Westhaven Assisted Living

Overview of Lantern Crest

Lantern Crest is a 180-bed independent living, assisted living, and memory care community operated by LCM, LLC at 800 Lantern Crest Way in Santee, California. Licensed by the California Department of Social Services since May 2012, the community has been operating for 13 years in San Diego County.

Five years of California DSS data show 2 citations across 16 oversight visits, 80 percent below the state average of 10, with 4 complaints over the period, well below California’s norm. The composite inspection score is above the state benchmark of 70. Routine inspection frequency ran slightly above California’s average, meaning the clean record reflects genuine regulatory attention.

The community offers a continuum from independent to memory care living with 24-hour staffing and respite care. Amenities include a heated outdoor pool, onsite restaurant, salon and spa, and a pet-friendly environment with scheduled transportation throughout Santee.

For older adults seeking an amenity-rich setting across the care continuum, from independent living to memory care, Lantern Crest in East San Diego County is suitable.

Contact Lantern Crest

Overview of Town & Country

Town & Country offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Santa Ana, CA. Nursing home and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Because Town & Country offers several care levels, it may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move to a different community. The community has 328 beds, and total nurse staffing is 5h 22m per resident/day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated per resident.

Payment options are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare applies to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay, and private pay means paying directly. Sara Modugno is the administrator, and Christian And Missionary Alliance operates the community.

A Walk Score of 67 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may still be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Pets are allowed, so a resident may keep a pet at the community.

Contact Town & Country

Overview of Ararat Gardens

Tucked in the serene lands of East Windsor Road, Glendale, CA, Ararat Gardens is an outstanding senior living community offering assisted living, independent living, and post-acute care. Experience comfort and convenience like no other with Ararat Garden’s snug and well-designed residences. Let go of your woes and spend your best years with top-tier care and assistance delivered by a compassionate and highly skilled team around the clock.

Ararat Gardens fosters a bright and inviting environment, ensuring seniors remain happy and well-engaged with their surroundings. With its desirable location near wonderful attractions and practical amenities, the community ensures seniors’ needs and amusements are within their reach. Awarded as US News and World Report’s Best Nursing Home Short-term Rehabilitation in 2024, Ararat Gardens continuously provides the highest quality of care for seniors to experience their best years without worries.

Contact Ararat Gardens

Overview of Meadowbrook Village Christian

Serving its area for 15 years, Meadowbrook Village Christian is a 200-bed senior living community. Administrated by Mark Memmelaar, it takes Medicare and private pay, giving families coverage options. With an 84 percent occupancy rate, the community maintains active programming alongside residential services, creating an engaged living environment for occupants.

The facility offers 24-hour staffing support with robust daily nursing care averaging 7 hours 23 minutes per resident, meaning hands-on help happens daily. That level of staffing supports stable residents and those convalescing through the on-site rehabilitation services. The mix of staff includes registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses, so occupants can access layered care support all the time. Daily life centers around comprehensive dining and a wide array of amenities. The full-service dining facility offers extensive menu options and will deliver meals for those who want to eat in their rooms. Residents can use the indoor pool and fitness facility, enjoy activities like water aerobics and Bible study, join educational programs and outings, and relax in the library, community rooms, or hobby shop. Housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and beauty salon services round out the everyday support. The community sits in an area with some walkability, scoring 35, meaning nearby services are partially accessible on foot, but most trips require a car. The average stay length is about 93 days, indicating a mix of residents.

Conducted regularly are state inspections.

Families visiting can inquire about the Meadowbrook Village Christian’s approaches to ongoing compliance and operations.

Contact Meadowbrook Village Christian

Westminster Terrace

7571 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683
Overview of Westminster Terrace

Westminster Terrace offers assisted living and independent living in Westminster, California. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment, while independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care.

The two care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time and who may be able to remain at the community while moving to a different level of support. Westminster Terrace has 152 beds, with studios, one bedroom units, and semi private rooms for someone who wants a private space or prefers to share a room.

Carmen Galicia serves as the administrator. A Walk Score of 78 places the area in the very walkable range, so most errands can be completed on foot and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Pets are allowed, so a resident may bring a pet to the community.

Contact Westminster Terrace

Kingsley Manor

1055 N Kingsley Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Overview of Kingsley Manor

Offering independent living and assisted living, Kingsley Manor is a retirement home in Los Angeles, California, with a large capacity of 299 beds. Operating for over 12 years, the community currently has 164 beds occupied. Regularly scheduled on-site physicians and a 24-hour care team are provided, along with pharmaceutical, laboratory, and podiatry services. The community also provides physical, occupational, and speech therapy for those needing specialized care.

Volunteer opportunities, cultural explorations, and resident-initiated programs are available to help maintain residents’ holistic wellness and promote socialization. Scheduled transportation, a wellness clinic, and walking paths are also available on-site, ensuring residents can move about and travel to appointments safely. The community is also set in a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 93, making it a Walker’s Paradise where amenities and services are conveniently accessible on foot. Kingsley Manor also accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, accommodating a variety of older adults and families seeking personal care.

Contact Kingsley Manor

Overview of The Gables of Ojai

The Gables of Ojai operates a 118-bed senior living location in Ojai, California, featuring independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Independent living accommodates self-sufficient seniors wanting community amenities, while assisted living helps with routine daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and managing medications. Memory care supplies a secured, supervised environment to assist residents with cognitive loss, and respite programs accommodate short-term stays.

Under administrator Deedee L Heninger, the property boasts a 90 walk score, placing local shops, cafes, and everyday errands within walking distance. On-site lifestyle amenities include chef-prepared dining with flexible meal options, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and regular exercise classes.

Interested individuals can get in touch with the administrative team at The Gables of Ojai to check current room availability, request fee details, or set up a guided walk-through of the grounds.

Contact The Gables of Ojai

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.