Page 4 of Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 640 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.
640 homes
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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.
A 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. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
Bellara Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
Hayward
175
Facility 175
CA AVG 168
Rank #129 / 409
Yes
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 59
Rank #30 / 638
B-13
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #165 / 391
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #118 / 398
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 15
Rank #291 / 402
80.0%
Facility 80.0%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #114 / 361
A+Srmhayward LLC And Integral Senior Living Mgmt LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Taylor Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
Pomona
520
Facility 520
CA AVG 168
Rank #14 / 409
No
45
Facility 45
CA AVG 59
Rank #465 / 638
A+14
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #63 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 15
Rank #35 / 402
66.3%
Facility 66.3%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #236 / 361
-Congregational Homes, Incorporated-
Atria Valley View
IL
AL
RC
Walnut Creek
153
Facility 153
CA AVG 168
Rank #172 / 409
Yes
37
Facility 37
CA AVG 59
Rank #499 / 638
A+21
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #153 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 15
Rank #84 / 402
68.6%
Facility 68.6%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #218 / 361
-Wg Valley View Sh LP And Atria Management Co LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Atria Del Sol
IL
AL
MC
RC
Mission Viejo
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 168
Rank #252 / 409
Yes
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 59
Rank #392 / 638
A+13
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #111 / 391
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #118 / 398
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 15
Rank #50 / 402
70.8%
Facility 70.8%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #202 / 361
-Wg Del Sol Sh LP And Atria Management Co LLCStudio / Suite
Bridgepoint at Los Altos
IL
AL
Los Altos (North Los Altos)
150
Facility 150
CA AVG 168
Rank #178 / 409
Yes
79
Facility 79
CA AVG 59
Rank #154 / 638
A-15
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #63 / 391
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #185 / 398
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 15
Rank #111 / 402
89.3%
Facility 89.3%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #50 / 361
-Krc Los Altos LP & Kisco Senior Living, LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Walnut Village in Anaheim
IL
AL
MC
Anaheim (Southwest Anaheim)
334
Facility 334
CA AVG 168
Rank #31 / 409
Yes
58
Facility 58
CA AVG 59
Rank #355 / 638
B+11
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #87 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 15
Rank #84 / 402
61.7%
Facility 61.7%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #271 / 361
-Front Porch Communities And Services1 Bed / 2 Bed
Merrill Gardens at Campbell
IL
AL
MC
Campbell
166
Facility 166
CA AVG 168
Rank #144 / 409
Yes
92
Facility 92
CA AVG 59
Rank #52 / 638
B+10
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #41 / 391
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #239 / 398
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 15
Rank #225 / 402
88.0%
Facility 88.0%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #55 / 361
-Shi-III Campbell And Merrill Gardens Shi-III Mg GpStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Meridian at Laguna Hills
IL
AL
MC
RC
Laguna Hills
200
Facility 200
CA AVG 168
Rank #86 / 409
Yes
62
Facility 62
CA AVG 59
Rank #314 / 638
A+14
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #124 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 15
Rank #265 / 402
40.5%
Facility 40.5%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #348 / 361
A+Pacifica Laguna Hills LLC And Laguna Hills Mgr LLC-
Brighton Assisted Living
IL
AL
HOS
MC
RC
Roseville (Westpark)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 168
Rank #390 / 409
No
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 59
Rank #630 / 638
A+5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 15
Rank #265 / 402
83.3%
Facility 83.3%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #87 / 361
A+Brighton Senior Living Inc1 Bed / 2 Bed
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
IL
AL
MC
Santa Maria
330
Facility 330
CA AVG 168
Rank #32 / 409
Yes
20
Facility 20
CA AVG 59
Rank #578 / 638
A-15
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #124 / 391
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #118 / 398
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 15
Rank #322 / 402
59.7%
Facility 59.7%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #283 / 361
A+Mg At Santa Maria, LP, Shi-IV Merrill Gp, LLC, And MStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each independent living community is ranked against every other CA independent living community we track that reports that metric, not just the 640 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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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 Taylor Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Taylor Villa, located within Mt San Antonio Gardens in Pomona, CA, is a senior living community dedicated to providing quality memory care services to its residents. This senior care home located within the same campus as Harrison Villa and Oak Tree Lodge, is a special unit that provides assisted living services for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. And as part of those services, they receive round the clock supervision, and life enrichment programs that help the cognitive, creative, physical and psycho-social needs of residents.

As residents of Mt San Antonio Gardens, they also receive the same access to their rich array of amenities. This includes the deliciously prepared meals and snacks, created to cater to the residents’ taste and dietary needs. Their beautifully landscaped courtyard and garden provides relaxing spaces for residents to relax and breathe in fresh air.

Contact Taylor Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens

Overview of Atria Valley View

Overlooking the scenic Rossmoor Parkway, Walnut Creek, CA, Atria Valley View is a remarkable senior living community that provides independent living and assisted living. The community offers well-designed floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Experience a comfortable and worry-free life with Atria Valley View.

Atria Valley View fosters a warm and cozy environment, providing its residents with round-the-clock care and assistance tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Moreover, the community ensures that seniors are well taken care of with on-site physical therapy, and occupational therapy, alongside educational, social, cultural, and fitness programs. Residents enjoy three chef-prepared meals in the private dining room or the outdoor dining space. Amenities include an outdoor grill, a library, a movie theater, a cognitive learning center, a fitness center, a salon and spa, a beautiful garden, a courtyard, and walking paths.

Contact Atria Valley View

Atria Del Sol

23792 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Overview of Atria Del Sol

Situated in the warm and sunny Mission Viejo area of Orange County, Atria Del Sol offers gold standard senior assisted living for elderly individuals that need that extra bit of help in their daily lives. A professionally trained team that’s friendly and dedicated to providing discrete personal care (including bathing, dressing, for example) is available 24 hours a day, along with medical management, assistance in collaboration with your physician, based on the unique needs of each resident.

With things like housekeeping, laundry, and cooking no longer a worry, seniors at this assisted living home can lead full and fulfilling lives of leisure in the scenic facilities of Atria. Explore new skills, hobbies, and socialize among fellow retirees at your own comfortable pace.

Contact Atria Del Sol

Overview of Bridgepoint at Los Altos

Embark on an extraordinary journey at Bridgepoint at Los Altos, an unparalleled destination offering a harmonious blend of independent living, assisted senior living, and the epitome of luxury in assisted living homes. Just minutes away from downtown Los Altos and the prestigious Stanford University, the location couldn’t be more perfect.

Discover an array of meticulously designed floorplans where every detail has been thoughtfully considered to provide the utmost comfort and convenience. Choose from a variety of options, each offering private patios or balconies that invite you to bask in the beauty of the surroundings. The kitchens are a culinary dream, and the spacious walk-in closets ensure that every cherished belonging finds its place. Step into a world of serenity as you wander through the future beautiful courtyards, meandering gardens, and hear the tranquil sounds of a flowing fountain. Unwind in the cozy fireside lounge, nourish your mind in the wellness center, and indulge in literary adventures in the library’s tech area.

Contact Bridgepoint at Los Altos

Walnut Village in Anaheim

891 S Walnut St, Anaheim, CA 92802
Overview of Walnut Village in Anaheim

Situated in the charming neighborhood of South Walnut Street, Anaheim, CA, Walnut Village is an extraordinary senior living community providing assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features specially designed and cozy residences in variations of one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans for seniors to enjoy comfort and security like no other. With its commitment to easing seniors’ worries, Walnut Village takes pride in a team of compassionate and well-trained professionals handling maintenance, housekeeping, and other household responsibilities.

Make the most out of your day with fun activities and enjoyable programs highlighting your interests and strengths. The community utilizes innovative technologies and holistic approaches to ensure individuals with dementia receive the right care and assistance. Walnut Village promotes a bright and friendly environment for seniors to spend their golden years happily.

Contact Walnut Village in Anaheim

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Campbell

Burrowed in Campbell, CA, Merrill Gardens at Campbell is an inviting senior living community that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The stunning Spanish-style community is near various stores, entertainment options, and top-notch medical facilities. Seniors will enjoy onsite retail options like a spa, wine shop, and restaurant. The community features spacious apartments with full-size kitchens, washers and dryers, luxurious grounds, and well-appointed common areas.

The community offers a vibrant and supportive environment for seniors. Here, residents relish in an array of amenities, including a library, salon, fitness area, movie theater, and bistro. Additionally, guests can take advantage of complimentary valet parking available seven days a week. Programs and services like 24-hour assistance, scheduled transportation, concierge services, wellness programs, and weekly housekeeping ensure residents have everything they need for a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Campbell

Meridian at Laguna Hills

24552 Paseo De Valencia, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Overview of Meridian at Laguna Hills

A proud member of the Aura Collection of Communities, Meridian at Laguna Hills is the premier choice in the city that many families and adults prefer because of its unwavering commitment to exceed expectations. Built on luxury, warmth, and comfort, the 55+ retirement home strives to boost individual confidence and enhance hassle-free living. Meridian at Laguna Hills is committed to delivering an enriching lifestyle that redefines luxury senior living experience in resort-style surroundings.

The retirement home strive to empower and support each individual with a list of amenities and services that make a comfortable and secure environment for the seamless blend of freedom and assistance. Residents are guaranteed to learn, grow, and connect through the comprehensive amenities and services, such as a patio, a swimming pool, a putting green, individualized care plans, personalized culinary experience, and exciting recreational activities in a vibrant SoCal community.

Contact Meridian at Laguna Hills

Overview of Brighton Assisted Living

Brighton Assisted Living, located in Roseville CA, is a close-knit senior living facility offering assisted living services and amenities to its residents. This intimate board and care home offers spacious bedrooms and common areas for socialization and activities, ensuring that the residents stay physically and mentally active and stimulated. As part of the care they provide, the residents receive 24/7 supervision, medication management, as well as staff availability for assistance with daily living activities as needed.

Additionally, the residents are also provided regular meals and snacks, prepared with consideration to their dietary needs and restrictions. The facility also helps in coordinating with healthcare providers, to ensure that the residents receive the proper quality healthcare services they need that complements the support they provide.

Contact Brighton Assisted Living

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

Highlighting seniors’ needs and aspirations, Merril Gardens at Santa Maria is a respected senior living community situated on the serene grounds of Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features over 200 snug and sophisticated accommodations in various studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring seniors experience unmatched comfort and convenience. With a dedicated and highly qualified team delivering top-tier care and assistance, seniors ease their minds and experience a glorious retirement.

Mingle with people from different backgrounds and learn new things through enjoyable events and exciting activities. Treat yourself to a lifetime vacation with the luxurious spaces of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Available at every time of the day, seniors enjoy delicious and healthy meals for dietary satisfaction. Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is ideal for seniors aiming to optimize their independence while keeping their peace of mind.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

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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Independent Living in California at a glance

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: 168The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in California. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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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 640 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.