Page 25 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.
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.
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.
Atria Walnut Creek
IL
AL
MC
RC
Walnut Creek
200
Facility 200
CA AVG 103
Rank #141 / 1,492
Yes
40
Facility 40
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,405 / 1,887
68
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,270 / 1,387
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #898 / 1,433
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 13
Rank #186 / 1,452
68.5%
Facility 68.5%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #836 / 1,313
Wg Montego Heights Sh LP And Atria Management Co LLCStudio / Suite / 1 Bed
Sakura Gardens of Los Angeles
IL
AL
MC
RC
Los Angeles (Central La)
183
Facility 183
CA AVG 103
Rank #190 / 1,492
Yes
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 57
Rank #140 / 1,887
37
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,083 / 1,387
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,353 / 1,433
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #698 / 1,452
68.3%
Facility 68.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #839 / 1,313
Pacifica Sl Boyle LLC And Northstar Senior Living IncStudio / 1 Bed
Westmont at San Miguel Ranch
IL
AL
MC
Chula Vista
105
Facility 105
CA AVG 103
Rank #617 / 1,492
Yes
51
Facility 51
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,195 / 1,887
45
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,253 / 1,387
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #898 / 1,433
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #611 / 1,452
84.8%
Facility 84.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #356 / 1,313
Westmont Manager Gp LLC And Westmont Living IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Belmont Village Senior Living Aliso Viejo
IL
AL
MC
Aliso Viejo
180
Facility 180
CA AVG 103
Rank #195 / 1,492
Yes
61
Facility 61
CA AVG 57
Rank #903 / 1,887
28
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #919 / 1,387
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,287 / 1,433
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #797 / 1,452
72.8%
Facility 72.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #733 / 1,313
Bmsh I Belmont Av Gp LLC And Belmont Three LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Pinnacles at Burton
IL
AL
MC
Los Angeles (Central La)
138
Facility 138
CA AVG 103
Rank #405 / 1,492
No
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 57
Rank #78 / 1,887
19
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 13
Rank #186 / 1,452
39.1%
Facility 39.1%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,277 / 1,313
Burton Way Carmel, Inc And Calson Care North LLC-
Cascades of Grass Valley
IL
AL
MC
RC
Grass Valley
65
Facility 65
CA AVG 103
Rank #912 / 1,492
Yes
92
Facility 92
CA AVG 57
Rank #125 / 1,887
19
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #809 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #879 / 1,452
86.2%
Facility 86.2%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #330 / 1,313
Cascade Lvg Grp-Grs Vly LLC And Kre Tgr Grs Vly Ops-
Golden Assisted Living
IL
AL
MC
RC
Sylmar
128
Facility 128
CA AVG 103
Rank #460 / 1,492
Yes
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 57
Rank #827 / 1,887
83
76
Facility 76
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,373 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #797 / 1,452
89.1%
Facility 89.1%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #285 / 1,313
Golden Living In Sylmar Inc-
Westmont of Chico-The Inn at the Terraces
IL
AL
MC
Chico
99
Facility 99
CA AVG 103
Rank #663 / 1,492
Yes
97
Facility 97
CA AVG 57
Rank #29 / 1,887
24
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1,387
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,094 / 1,433
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #734 / 1,452
79.8%
Facility 79.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #562 / 1,313
Inn Operations, LP, The And Westmont Living, Inc-
Channing House
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Palo Alto (University South)
264
Facility 264
CA AVG 103
Rank #72 / 1,492
No
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 57
Rank #42 / 1,887
12
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,010 / 1,433
-
81.1%
Facility 81.1%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #536 / 1,313
Channing House-
Watermark Laguna Niguel
IL
AL
MC
Laguna Niguel
135
Facility 135
CA AVG 103
Rank #420 / 1,492
Yes
53
Facility 53
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,152 / 1,887
7
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,186 / 1,452
45.2%
Facility 45.2%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,241 / 1,313
Us Alliance Holden Of Forbes Tenant LLC And Watermark-

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 Atria Walnut Creek

Providing top-tier care and assistance, Atria Walnut Creek is an exceptional senior living community settling at Montego, Walnut Creek, CA, offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Resident chooses floor plans including studio and one-bedroom that best suit their preferred lifestyle. The community ensures comfort and safety with 24-hour personalized care and assistance from a team of dedicated and well-trained professionals.

Atria Walnut Creek is a vibrant community that ensures residents remain socially connected and physically and mentally active. With its signature Life Guidance, the community encourages its residents to live a fulfilling and happy life. The community serves multicultural meals and various meal options to cater to its residents’ dietary needs and preferences at different dining venues. Amenities include a movie theater, a game room, a library, a fitness center, a salon and spa, a courtyard, a sunlit patio, and walking paths.

Contact Atria Walnut Creek

Overview of Sakura Gardens of Los Angeles

Sakura Gardens of Los Angeles is a 183-bed senior living community located at 325 S Boyle Avenue in the Central Los Angeles area. Jointly operated by Pacifica SL Boyle LLC and Northstar Senior Living Inc under administrator Jina Maleksarkissians, the mid-rise building welcomes adults aged 55 and older, offering a range of services from independent and assisted living to memory care and short-term respite stays.

The community offers one-bedroom apartment floor plans and currently maintains an occupancy rate of approximately 68 percent. Residents enjoy access to on-site fitness and recreation programs, scheduled transportation, and a pet-friendly policy. The surrounding neighborhood is exceptionally pedestrian-friendly, carrying a walk score of 91, which enables residents and visiting family members to easily complete errands on foot. Medical care is also nearby, with PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital located just 2.65 miles away.

Interested families considering the community can ask administrative staff about current staffing levels, emergency protocols, and daily call signal monitoring during a tour.

Contact Sakura Gardens of Los Angeles

Overview of Westmont at San Miguel Ranch

Westmont at San Miguel Ranch is a luxury senior living community offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Chula Vista. It boasts world-class service and hospitality provided by its excellent team of caregivers. It’s a community that provides quality service based on your style and your choice. Westmont is a community dedicated to making a difference in the lives of every senior through its innovative approach to senior living.

Westmont at San Miguel Ranch promotes an active lifestyle for its residents, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. One of the pride and joys of the community is their Live You Way™  and Adult 55+, which essentially provides unique care and service for residents. Everyone is entitled to impressive amenities, such as world-class dining service, a fully-equipped fitness center, and furnished apartments.

Contact Westmont at San Miguel Ranch

Overview of Belmont Village Senior Living Aliso Viejo

Nestled in the serene lands of Freedom Lane, Aliso Viejo, CA, Belmont Village Aliso Viejo is a novel senior living community offering assisted living and memory care. The community features a wide selection of cozy and sophisticated floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for seniors’ convenience and safety. Boasting a team of compassionate and extremely talented professionals, the community strives to provide the highest standard of care and assistance 24/7.

Highlighting seniors’ interests and strengths, the community conducts exciting activities and fun programs. Moreover, the community ensures individuals living with dementia maintain their dignity and reach their full potential. Delicious and healthy meals are served to cater to residents’ dietary needs and tastes. Belmont Village Aliso Viejo goes above and beyond in fostering comfort and familiarity with its stunning amenities and kind community.

Contact Belmont Village Senior Living Aliso Viejo

Overview of The Pinnacles at Burton
The Pinnacles at Burton is a senior living community located in Beverly Hills, offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care services. The community features spacious apartments, delicious dining, and a variety of activities for residents. Family-owned and managed for over 50 years, it provides high-quality care in a luxurious setting.

Contact The Pinnacles at Burton

Cascades of Grass Valley

415 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945
Overview of Cascades of Grass Valley

Established 6 years ago and operating under Cascade Living Group, Cascades of Grass Valley is a 65-bed nursing home in Grass Valley, California. With administrator Haley Parker overseeing operations, the home is situated on Sierra College Drive in a neighborhood that scores 92 on walkability. The community offers ongoing skilled nursing care to residents who require daily medical support and supervision.

The core services in this home are rehabilitation and respite care. Residents recovering from surgery, hospitalization, or other health events gain an advantage from the rehabilitation program. Respite care exists for families needing short-term placement while a loved one recovers or while family caregivers pause from hands-on duties. 24/7 staffing ensures that clinical support is present whenever needed. Dining at Cascades has an approach that balances nutrition with meals’ social and emotional aspects. The kitchen mixes fine-dining touches with the familiar comfort of family-style food. Residents then enjoy the preparation quality and the warmth of shared mealtimes.

The highly walkable setting in Grass Valley makes the community accessible to visitors and gives residents a connected neighborhood. Within easy reach are services and amenities, so visiting family can navigate the surrounding area on foot.

Contact Cascades of Grass Valley

Overview of Golden Assisted Living

With 24-hour staffing and four defined levels of medical support, Golden Assisted Living is a 128-bed assisted living and memory care community in Sylmar, California. The community offers assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and respite care. Operated by Golden Living In Sylmar Inc under administrator Monique Lopez, the facility has been licensed in Los Angeles County as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly since January 2019.

As a California RCFE, inspections are conducted not by CMS but by the Department of Social Services. The facility since 2021 has totaled 76 complaints, about five times California’s average of 14, with 76 complaint-triggered visits against a statewide norm of 13. Formal citations have run below the state average at 8 total compared to a California average of 10. No fines existed in May 2026, which was the latest inspection.

Amenities feature three chef-prepared meals every day, a greenhouse, a theater space, and an exercise and fitness area. Small pets are welcome. The Independent Living Plus program offers a care tier for residents with lighter support needs.

With a wide amenity in Sylmar, the community fits Los Angeles County older adults who seek assisted living or memory care in a larger community.

Contact Golden Assisted Living

Overview of Westmont of Chico-The Inn at the Terraces

Westmont of Chico, The Inn at the Terraces offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Chico, California. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and taking medication while the resident keeps an apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

The community has 99 beds, and having all three care levels in one place may suit a resident whose needs grow over time because moving to another level does not require leaving the community. A Walk Score of 97 out of 100 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, so daily errands do not require a car and a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Pets are allowed, and Cliff Keene serves as the administrator.

Contact Westmont of Chico-The Inn at the Terraces

Overview of Channing House

Channing House offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing in Palo Alto, California. Nursing home and skilled nursing include licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps an apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care.

The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since moving between care levels can happen without leaving the community or starting over socially. Located in the University South neighborhood, Channing House opened in 1964. It has 264 beds, placing it among larger communities with more residents, staff, and usually more programming.

Residents can take part in classes, fitness, and wellness offerings within the community. A Walk Score of 96 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, where daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Rehabilitation services are also available through the community’s care offerings.

Yadira Aldana serves as the administrator. Channing House may be a good fit for someone who wants private or apartment living now, with access to assisted living, nursing home, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services if care needs increase.

Contact Channing House

Overview of Watermark Laguna Niguel

Operated by US Alliance Holden of Forbes Tenant LLC in partnership with Watermark, Watermark Laguna Niguel is a senior living community in Laguna Niguel, California. It offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care in one location. Johnny Ortiz serves as the administrator.

The community is close to Providence Mission Hospital Mission Viejo, as well as nearby shopping and public bus service, making medical appointments and everyday errands convenient. It has been serving residents for 2 years. It has 135 beds, with a current occupancy rate of 45%.

Residents receive concierge services, housekeeping, and prepared meals. Support from staff is available around the clock. Individualized care plans are developed for each resident and updated as care needs change over time. Through this, the community supports residents across different levels of care without moving to another location.

Daily life emphasizes health and wellness through music programs, wellness activities, and fitness classes held in the on-site fitness studio. Residents also have access to a movie theater and an outdoor courtyard, providing comfortable places to relax, socialize, and spend time outdoors. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 53, which is moderately walkable. Some nearby shops and services can be reached on foot, but other destinations require driving.

Inspection records show that Watermark Laguna Niguel has generally maintained a strong history of regulatory compliance. Findings have included one isolated medication administration issue. The other is an administrative matter involving a resident refund rather than a pattern of ongoing concerns.

Families touring the community should ask how care plans are coordinated across independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care as residents’ needs change over time.

Contact Watermark Laguna Niguel

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
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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.