Other senior care options in California:

Page 29 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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Overview of Congregational Tower

Congregational Tower is a distinguished community in Chula Vista, CA, offering independent living. The community has accessible and purposely built studio and one-bedroom floor plans, ensuring residents can find the accommodation that best suits their preferences. Residents enjoy a convenient lifestyle with on-site management and maintenance.

Here, residents have quick access to leisure and necessities, with the community’s proximity to recreation sites and local amenities. Several restaurants are also set nearby, providing residents with a variety of dining options that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. The community is ideal for those looking to downsize in retirement, especially with its warm and welcoming environment.

Contact Congregational Tower

Overview of Heritage Park Apartments

Live the best of your golden years at Heritage Park Apartments, a distinct 55+ community in Oxnard, CA, offering independent living. With beautifully designed and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, residents are guaranteed comfort and safety. The community also promotes a vibrant and welcoming environment, so residents can feel a sense of belonging during their stay.

Residents also enjoy a worry-free lifestyle with on-site management, maintenance, and laundry. The community’s proximity to thriving local amenities and recreation sites, residents have quick access to their necessities and leisure. Pets are also welcome to accompany residents during their stay, ensuring the finest retirement experience.

Contact Heritage Park Apartments

Overview of La Colorado Terrace – a Senior 55+ Community Apartments

Enjoy a worry-free retirement at LA Colorado Terrace, a blissful retreat in Los Angeles, CA, offering independent living. Prioritizing the comfort of those 55+, the community features cozy and specially designed studio and one-bedroom floor plans. Residents can ease their worries with top-notch on-site services that aim to maintain their independence without the busy work.

Here, residents can easily access recreation and wellness with easy access to vast outdoor spaces and thriving local amenities. The community features a kitchen with many amenities, encouraging residents to prepare healthy meals that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. Combining a convenient location, thriving local amenities nearby, and state-of-the-art amenities, the community ensures residents thrive in their golden years.

Contact LA Colorado Terrace – A Senior 55+ Community Apartments

Five Points Seniors

18561 Florida St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Overview of Five Points Seniors

Live in the utmost comfort at Five Points Seniors, a distinct 55+ community in Huntington Beach, CA, offering independent living. The community has cozy and specially designed studio to two-bedroom accommodations, dedicated to residents’ comfort and familiarity. Residents enjoy a convenient lifestyle with top-notch amenities in each apartment.

With its proximity to recreation sites, entertainment options, and restaurants, residents can easily access their necessities and leisure. Residents are also welcome to bring their pets to accompany them during their stay. The community makes a great retirement destination, especially with its various state-of-the-art amenities and welcoming environment.

Contact Five Points Seniors

Overview of Courtyard at Venetian Terrace

Experience the best of your golden years at Courtyard at Venetian Terrace, an astounding 55+ community in Stockton, CA, offering independent living. The community has specially designed and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, dedicated to residents’ comfort and safety. Residents experience hassle-free living with a 24-hour on-call team and laundry spaces.

Exciting trips and engaging events are conducted, so residents can have a change of scenery and live actively. With its proximity to restaurants and local amenities, residents have access to several dining options that cater to their dietary needs and preferences. Amenities include a clubhouse, a sparkling pool, a library, secure courtyards, an onsite beauty salon, and patios.

Contact Courtyard At Venetian Terrace

Overview of Truewood by Merrill, Clovis

Truewood by Merrill, Clovis is a senior living community in Clovis, California, offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care under one roof. That full range means a resident can move in for one level of support and shift to another as needs change, without leaving a familiar setting. The community sits on West Alluvial Avenue, roughly a couple of miles from the center of Clovis, and has been in operation for 41 years, one of the longer track records in the area.

The two-story community offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, each wheelchair accessible with a private bath and kitchenette. A care team is on hand around the clock, and daily support covers medication management along with specialized services such as diabetic care and incontinence care. Meals are prepared to accommodate prescribed diets, which matters for residents managing specific health conditions.

Everyday life is rounded out by grooming services, on-site housekeeping and laundry, and transportation, so residents have help with the practical parts of the week. The community also runs fitness and recreation programming aimed at keeping residents active and engaged, and it welcomes pets. Eric Schuk serves as Executive Director. With a Walk Score of 60, the surrounding neighborhood is moderately walkable, so some errands can be handled on foot while others call for a short drive. Families weighing the three levels of care here may want to ask how the community handles a move between them.

Contact Truewood by Merrill, Clovis

Overview of Alder Bay Assisted Living

Situated on the peaceful grounds of Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA, Alder Bay Assisted Living is a distinguished senior living community providing assisted living, independent living, and respite care. The community features cozy and sophisticated residences in a wide selection of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans to ensure seniors live comfortably within its premises. A trustworthy and well-trained team strives to deliver the highest quality of care and support for seniors to thrive and optimize their freedom.

Explore new hobbies and rekindle passions with engaging activities and exciting programs conducted for leisure and wellness. Feel good with healthy and tasty meals that satisfy nutritional needs and preferences. Alder Bay Assisted Living is a haven for seniors seeking solace in their golden years with its signature programs and pet-friendly spaces.

Contact Alder Bay Assisted Living

Overview of Melrose Gardens

Operated by Danmar Villas LLC, Melrose Gardens is a 100-bed assisted living and memory care community in the heart of Los Angeles on Martel Avenue in a Walker’s Paradise neighborhood, scoring 94 for walkability. Administered by Marco Villegas, it welcomes older adults needing daily support while maintaining their independence, plus those with memory-related conditions requiring specialized care.

The community is built around a full care continuum. It serves independent living occupants alongside those in assisted living, offers Club Melrose as a dedicated memory care program, and runs a Mild Cognitive Impairment Program and The Cottages, an Alzheimer’s care community. This breadth of options means a resident’s needs can often be met within one community should care requirements shift over time. Currently at 52 percent occupancy, Melrose Gardens is a 100-bed community now two years in operation. Licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants provide diligent daily support and medication management. The on-site medical team supplies respite care for families needing short-term placement as they navigate a transition. The highly walkable neighborhood location means visiting family members can easily reach the community on foot and explore nearby shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

State inspections affirm the home’s care standards and safety focus. The latest inspection found no deficiencies and verified compliance across fire safety, medication management, laundry safety, and staff recordkeeping. An earlier investigation from 2024 identified issues with medication refill timing, which the community addressed. Resident and family concerns around food service, medication procedures, privacy, and visitation have all been found without merit following subsequent investigations.

To learn more about specific living arrangements, programming, and how the care continuum operates at Melrose Gardens, interested families should tour in person. This is the best way to see the different environments and ask how the community tailors the support to individual preferences.

Contact Melrose Gardens

Overview of The Ivy at Wellington

Nestled on an expansive 8-acre estate, The Ivy at Wellington offers a serene and flexible senior living experience with an array of services catering to each stage of retirement. Whether it’s through a diverse range of activities and tranquil outdoor spaces or comprehensive assisted living services for those in need, The Ivy team is steadfast in its mission to support residents in living their best lives.
At Ivy Living, the primary aim is to tailor services to the unique needs and interests of every resident, providing personalized care options for those who require it. The dedicated team collaborates closely with each resident to empower them to achieve maximum independence and fulfillment in areas that matter most to them. This often entails fostering meaningful connections among residents, assisting with life organization or simplification, and more.

Contact The Ivy at Wellington

Overview of Villa Lorena Senior Living

A boutique-style community in North San Diego is the Villa Lorena Senior Living which offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The elegant community in San Diego gives off a homelike atmosphere for residents to feel a sense of belonging. Villa Lorena Senior Living offers endless opportunities for seniors to discover. The staff at Villa Lorena is committed to providing the highest quality of senior living care. Villa Lorena is a vibrant community that provides exceptional service while maintaining a safe and secure environment that residents can call home. 
Independent living encourages an active lifestyle providing activities that include outings and programs while experiencing state-of-the-art amenities. Assisted living prioritizes that residents can still be free while receiving assistance from day-to-day activities. Memory care strives to provide a well-trained nurse staff that is guaranteed to help the resident’s wellness, safety, and security. Regardless of what background the resident comes from or where they used to live, residents are treated like family– which is why many families choose to entrust their loved ones at Villa Lorena Senior Living and hurry because there’s only a ten-percent vacancy rate! 

Contact Villa Lorena Senior Living

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
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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.