Page 3 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. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment. 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).
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.
A Place Called Home – Quail Lake
IL
AL
MC
NH
Clovis
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,166 / 1,492
Yes
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,832 / 1,887
A-92 / 100 — 9 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)6
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #566 / 1,452
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1 / 1,313
A+David MurchisonPrivate Rooms
Bellara Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
Hayward
175
Facility 175
CA AVG 103
Rank #215 / 1,492
Yes
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 57
Rank #78 / 1,887
B-81 / 100 — 2 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)13
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #758 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #972 / 1,452
80.0%
Facility 80.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #555 / 1,313
A+Srmhayward LLC And Integral Senior Living Mgmt LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
NOHO Senior Arts Colony
IL
Los Angeles (North Hollywood)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,166 / 1,492
Yes
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 57
Rank #197 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)4
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,270 / 1,452
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1 / 1,313
-Elegant Senior Living LLC1 Bed / 2 Bed
Merrill Gardens at Lafayette
IL
AL
MC
Lafayette
100
Facility 100
CA AVG 103
Rank #636 / 1,492
Yes
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 57
Rank #197 / 1,887
A-91 / 100 — 8 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)10
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #698 / 1,452
87.0%
Facility 87.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #319 / 1,313
-Shi-III Lafayette And Merrill Gardens Shi-III Mg GpStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vi at Palo Alto
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Palo Alto
876
Facility 876
CA AVG 103
Rank #1 / 1,492
No
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 57
Rank #383 / 1,887
-24
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,452
73.1%
Facility 73.1%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #726 / 1,313
-Cc Palo Alto LLC And Classic Res. Mgmt. Ltd. Partner1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Atria Tarzana
IL
AL
RC
Tarzana
136
Facility 136
CA AVG 103
Rank #411 / 1,492
Yes
78
Facility 78
CA AVG 57
Rank #444 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)8
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,081 / 1,452
86.8%
Facility 86.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #321 / 1,313
-Wg Tarzana, LP And Atria Management Company, LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Sterling Court
IL
AL
San Mateo (North Central)
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,120 / 1,492
Yes
89
Facility 89
CA AVG 57
Rank #176 / 1,887
D+68 / 100 — 15 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)5
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,387
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #898 / 1,433
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 13
Rank #47 / 1,452
87.5%
Facility 87.5%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #310 / 1,313
A+Webcor Builders, Inc. & Fifty Peninsula Partners1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vi at La Jolla Village
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (University City)
783
Facility 783
CA AVG 103
Rank #5 / 1,492
No
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 57
Rank #197 / 1,887
-34
17
Facility 17
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,056 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #133 / 1,452
69.3%
Facility 69.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #818 / 1,313
-Ccw La Jolla LLC, Cc La Jolla LLC, And Classic Res MgmtSuite / Penthouse / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Baywood Court
IL
AL
HOS
NH
SNF
Castro Valley
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 103
Rank #860 / 1,492
No
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,619 / 1,887
-7
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
35
Facility 35
CA AVG 13
Rank #52 / 1,452
72.2%
Facility 72.2%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #744 / 1,313
A+Baywood Court-
Bayshire Torrey Pines
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (Carmel Valley)
125
Facility 125
CA AVG 103
Rank #478 / 1,492
Yes
81
Facility 81
CA AVG 57
Rank #352 / 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
84.8%
Facility 84.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #356 / 1,313
A+Hartfield Care 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 A Place Called Home – Quail Lake

Residing in the serene neighborhood at 4085 North Newport Bay, Clovis, CA, A Place Called Home – Quail Lake is a one-of-a-kind senior living community providing assisted living, memory care, and Parkinson’s care. The community features snug and sophisticated residences, ensuring seniors experience unparalleled comfort and care. Keep peace of mind with a team of kind and reliable professionals attending to your daily living activities and personal needs.

The community also features fall recovery and rehabilitation to ensure residents’ safety. With seniors’ tastes and dietary needs in mind, the community serves healthy and delicious meals for the finest dining experience. A Place Called Home – Quail Lake is a good place for seniors to receive the utmost care and assistance they deserve.

Contact A Place Called Home – Quail Lake

Overview of Bellara Senior Living

Situated in Hayward, CA, Bellara Senior Living is an idyllic senior living community that offers flexible independent living, assisted living and memory care services. Here, residents can freely maintain their independence with the comfort of knowing a team of caring individuals is always available. The community provides a wide selection of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments to choose from, allowing residents to find the ideal residence that best fits their lifestyle and needs.

Everyday is rich in meaningful moments and vibrant atmosphere, thanks to the community’s wide array of engaging activities that foster meaningful connections and opportunities for living life the way residents want. The community takes care of the cleaning so residents can freely enjoy their retirement years. With round-the clock support, emergency call systems, and a plethora of convenient amenities, residents are guaranteed to thrive and fully enjoy their retirement.

Contact Bellara Senior Living

Overview of Noho Senior Arts Colony

Spend your best years doing what you love with the idyllic senior living community of Noho Senior Arts Colony residing in the quiet residential street of Magnolia Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, that offers senior housing. With its beautiful and elegant selection of one-bedroom and two-bedroom residences, the community ensures seniors aged 62 and above experience a vibrant and safe retirement. A reliable and skilled team lends extra hands for seniors to maximize their freedom.

Experience the bright and welcoming environment of Noho Senior Arts Colony through a wide array of engaging programs and fun activities. Have a satisfactory dining experience with healthy and tasty meals catering to dietary needs and preferences. Noho Senior Arts Colony strives to provide a haven for seniors seeking to enjoy their golden years surrounded by art and culture.

Contact NOHO Senior Arts Colony

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Lafayette

Soak in the sun with the idyllic senior living community of Merrill Gardens at Lafayette situated in the tranquil grounds of Second Street, Lafayette, CA, offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Cherish personal time within the meticulously crafted and sophisticated residences of Merrill Gardens at Lafayette in variations of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. With care plans tailored to seniors’ needs and aspirations, the community strives to deliver top-tier care and support for them to gain meaningful experiences.

Fostering a bright and friendly environment, Merrill Gardens at Lafayette ensures seniors live an active and blissful lifestyle through engaging activities and exciting programs. Have intimate moments with friends and pamper yourself with the fabulous amenities and serene spaces of the community. Eat well and feel good with well-balanced meals available throughout the day to cater to nutritional needs and preferences. Merrill Gardens at Lafayette is a haven for seniors seeking a peaceful retirement in its beautiful campus.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Lafayette

Overview of VI at Palo Alto

Enjoy the picturesque scenery of Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA, with the astounding senior living community of VI at Palo Alto offering assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing. The community features cozy and purposely built residences in variations of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom floor plans, ensuring relaxation and security at its finest. A kind and highly trained team lends extra hands for seniors to live their golden years doing what they love.

With the seniors’ well-being in mind, the community conducts engaging activities and enjoyable programs to ensure they maintain an active and happy lifestyle. Have an unforgettable dining experience with delectable and healthy meals catering to nutritional needs and preferences. VI at Palo Alto is a safe place for seniors seeking solace in their golden years with its serene spaces and friendly community guiding you every step of the way.

Contact Vi at Palo Alto

Overview of Atria Tarzana

Conveniently located in San Fernando Valey and near the local amenities of Etiwanda Avenue, Tarzana, CA, Atria Tarzana is an idyllic senior living community that provides assisted living and independent living. The community features various spacious floor plans including studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments equipped with kitchens and balconies. With 24-hour care and assistance from a friendly and dedicated team, residents live comfortably and safely.

Atria Tarzana promotes innovation, providing seniors with technologies such as the Atria InnerCircle App that keeps the seniors updated and engaged with the community and the CarePredict that monitors fall risks round-the-clock to ensure residents are safe and comfortable. Alongside various dining options including a restaurant and coffee bar, the community serves three chef-prepared and locally-inspired meals daily. The community includes a hot tub, a movie theater, a fitness center, a courtyard, a library, and a patio.

Contact Atria Tarzana

Sterling Court

850 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401
Overview of Sterling Court

Located in San Mateo, California, Sterling Court is an independent and assisted living community that offers rental residences for older adults seeking support while maintaining an active lifestyle. The community has served residents for 35 years and is operated by Webcor Builders, Inc. and Fifty Peninsula Partners under the leadership of Executive Director Sarah St. Charles.

A key feature of the community is its all-inclusive pricing model, with a single monthly fee that covers dining, housekeeping, maintenance, and transportation. This makes expenses more predictable and eliminates additional service charges. Residents also have access to over 150 activities, exercise classes, and scheduled shuttle outings, providing a variety of opportunities for recreation and social engagement.

Dining services include chef-prepared meals, offering variety and convenience without the need for separate meal planning. The community is also pet-friendly, allowing residents to bring their companion animals with them.

With 24 residences in a mid-rise building, the community offers a smaller-scale setting that may encourage closer connections among residents and staff. One- and two-bedroom floor plans are available to accommodate individuals and couples. An occupancy rate of 88% also reflects consistent interest in the community.

The location is highly walkable, with many shops and services accessible on foot, while San Mateo Medical Center is a short drive away. State inspections have generally identified building maintenance and administrative documentation issues rather than concerns related to resident care, and a separate unsubstantiated complaint investigation.

Contact Sterling Court

Overview of VI at La Jolla Village

VI at La Jolla Village in San Diego offers assisted living, independent living, memory care, nursing home and skilled nursing care, along with continuing care retirement community living. Assisted living includes help with bathing, dressing, and 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. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Several care levels are available in one community. As a resident’s needs grow, they may be able to move to a different level without leaving the community. With 783 beds, VI at La Jolla Village is a large community, with more residents, staff, and usually programming than a smaller setting.

Housing includes suites, penthouses, one bedroom residences, and two bedroom residences. The range of layouts can suit someone seeking a single residence or a larger home, including a two bedroom option for a couple moving together. The area has a Walk Score of 88, 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, pharmacies, or cafes independently.

Medicare and private pay are accepted, although Medicare covers short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence. Total nurse staffing is 5 hours and 30 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nurse staffing time allocated per resident. Stephanie Boudreau serves as administrator, and the community is operated by Ccw La Jolla, Cc La Jolla, and Classic Res Mgmt. The combination of multiple care levels may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time.

Contact Vi at La Jolla Village

Baywood Court

21966 Dolores Street, Castro Valley, CA 94546
Overview of Baywood Court

Manjot Kaur manages Baywood Court, a 72-bed nursing home on Dolores Street in Castro Valley, California. The building has been open for 35 years and stays filled to about 72 percent capacity, so they usually have open rooms. Stays average around 79 days, a timeline that shows the daily schedule splits its time between temporary post-hospital rehab and intermediate residential care. For payments, the billing department handles accounts through private funds and standard Medicare.

The surrounding neighborhood relies heavily on cars, scoring just 25 out of 100 for walkability, so visitors will almost always need to drive to the property. On the floor, the nursing crew delivers an average of 5 hours and 35 minutes of hands-on care to each resident daily. This round-the-clock staffing includes registered nurses, vocational nurses, and aides who run physical therapy routines and respite stays. For daily life, the campus offers restaurant-style dining, a swimming pool, a hot tub, and vegetable gardens, alongside structured social hours and exercise sessions.

Older adults looking into local care options can call the front office to ask how the admissions process works or to check on current openings. The intake coordinator can also set up a time for visitors to walk through the therapy building and check out the outdoor gardens.

Contact Baywood Court

Overview of Bayshire Torrey Pines

A top continuing care community in San Diego, Bayshire Torrey Pines is a senior living community that offers all levels of care. Bayshire Torrey Pines consists of professional staff who are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all seniors. They pride themselves on their integrity by ensuring that everyone is confident to speak up and be truthful with their communication– growing a trusting bond between residents and staff. The senior living community does its best to guarantee everyone can thrive in a home that is bustling with big and inspiring spaces to help live a purposeful life. Torrey Pines puts value on the trust that families place in them; they are dedicated to earning and proving their worth. 

A certified quality care provision in San Diego, Bayshire Torrey Pines has a welcoming community housing independent living in resort-like hospitality. The charming community provides indoor and outdoor restaurant-style dining; a movie theater, a fitness center, library, and salon and day spa– among a few of their amenities and facilities offered. A few of their services are poetry classes, art classes, volunteering activities, maintenance and housekeeping, and concierge services. Bayshire Torrey Pines houses residents of ages averaging between seventy to ninety. Many families have come back to Bayshire Torrey Pines and with its rapid vacancy rate lowering, it’s a testament to the demand of the community– a community where families are confident their loved ones will be in good hands. 

Contact Bayshire Torrey Pines

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.