Other senior care options in California:

Page 49 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 Carlton Plaza of San Leandro

Licensed since 1999, Carlton Plaza of San Leandro is a 199-bed senior living community in San Leandro, California, under administrator Angela Boucher-Turin. Prices start at $4,795 monthly. The community operated by Carlton Senior Living, LLC, offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care to residents in Alameda County.

The inspection record is below California average. Since 2021, the facility has logged 23 total citations, 130 percent above California’s average of 10, with 21 complaint visits over the same period against a state average of 13. Citations per routine inspection run 0.7, well below California’s 3.3 average, meaning the citation volume is driven by complaint activity rather than standard inspections. No serious citations are on record. The latest inspection was April 2026

Respite stays are available. Amenities contain restaurant-style dining, scheduled transportation, a robust events calendar, and a pet-friendly environment.

An established, amenity-rich setting near San Leandro’s services, Carlton Plaza suits older adults seeking a large, full-continuum community in East Bay, especially those needing independent or assisted living.

Contact Carlton Plaza of San Leandro

Overview of Serra Highlands Senior Living

Tucked in the heart of Daly City, California, Serra Highlands Senior Living stands as a premier senior home, promising not just a residence, but a sanctuary of peace for seniors. Its classic yet airy ambiance creates a welcoming atmosphere, offering a sense of tranquility that sets the stage for an elevated senior living experience. At Serra Highlands, residents revel in the freedom of independent living while relishing the support of top-notch assisted living services.
The community buzzes with vibrant energy, boasting a social calendar filled with engaging activities and leisure opportunities. The array of floor plans caters to diverse preferences, ensuring residents stay active and engaged. What truly sets this home apart is its in-house culinary team, transforming every meal into a delightful culinary experience. This community seamlessly blends contemporary elegance with timeless comfort, creating a home where residents can truly thrive in every moment.

Contact Serra Highlands Senior Living

Wisteria at Warner Center

5850 Canoga Ave Suite 110, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Overview of Wisteria at Warner Center

Wisteria at Warner Center is a vibrant retirement community in Woodland Hills, CA, that offers a variety of well-thought-out residences. The community features spacious one-to-three-bedroom apartments, designed to promote comfort and familiarity. 24-hour emergency call systems, restaurant-style dining, and household services are also offered to ensure residents experience a maintenance-free living. With its commitment to enriching residents’ living experiences, the community offers a comprehensive lifestyle package to ease their financial burdens.

Here, residents can participate in leisure activities and interest classes to learn new things and interact with their peers. A swimming pool, movie theaters, and a fully equipped workshop are also available for residents’ recreation and wellness. With public transportation and local amenities, including a bank, a church, and a plaza, residents are guaranteed accessibility and convenience. This retirement community is a good choice for older adults in California, especially those looking to live independently, with its extensive amenities and dedicated services.

Contact Wisteria at Warner Center

Overview of Goldware Senior Housing

Goldware Senior Housing is a 55+ independent living community in Riverside, CA, offering affordable and market-rate apartments. With a garden-style setting, the community ensures older adults find a home away from home. Residents also maintain their independence with ease, with recreational activities, laundry rooms, and maintenance services. The community also ensures residents can live actively with its renovated community room and well-maintained amenities.

Field trips, arthritic swimming classes, and parties help residents maintain holistic wellness and live actively. A clubhouse, a pool, a garden, and picnic areas are among the first-class amenities available for residents’ relaxation and socialization. Set in the peaceful residential area of Riverside, near public transportation, the community guarantees a laid-back retirement. This independent living community is one of the best choices for senior living in California, especially with its top-notch amenities dedicated to independent older adults.

Contact Goldware Senior Housing

Overview of Seawind Seniors

Peacefully set near Pleasant Valley Park in Oxnard, CA, Seawind Seniors is a dedicated 55+ community that offers independent living. The community features specially designed and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring residents can find the accommodation that best matches their preferences. Residents can keep their peace of mind with on-site convenient amenities that aim to help with chores.

With its proximity to delightful local amenities and recreation sites, residents can easily access their necessities and leisure. Residents can spend their days as they please with surrounding beaches, shopping malls, and public transportation. The community’s vibrant and welcoming environment creates the perfect setting for a worry-free retirement.

Contact Seawind Seniors

Overview of Harmony Bay Apartments

Located in Fresno County, Harmony Bay Apartments is an independent living community in Clovis, California, for adults aged 55 and older. The gated community is about 2.8 miles from downtown Clovis in a single-story building. Residents can choose from one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments ranging from about 624 to 966 square feet, providing a private home within the larger community.

Residents live independently, and they have access to various shared amenities and social opportunities. Concierge and transportation services make it easier to attend appointments and run errands without driving. A fitness center and swimming pool encourage an active lifestyle. There’s also an on-site beauty salon for everyday convenience. Pets are welcome in the community, allowing residents to keep a companion animal after they move in.

The area has a Walk Score of 61 out of 100, which is moderately walkable. Some errands can be completed on foot, while other trips require a short drive. Families looking for an independent living community that combines private apartments with transportation services and everyday conveniences should consider the balance of independence and support provided by the home.

Contact Harmony Bay Apartments

Overview of Vintage at Bennet Valley

Experience the best of your golden years at Vintage at Bennet Valley, an idyllic 55+ community in Santa Rosa, CA, offering independent living. Residents can find the accommodation that best matches their preferences with the community’s beautifully designed and spacious one- and two-bedroom floor plans. The community also promotes a vibrant and welcoming environment, ensuring they can feel at ease during their stay.

Residents gain plenty of leisure and wellness opportunities with the community’s proximity to delightful amenities and lush natural spaces. Pets are also allowed to accompany residents to lift their moods. Amenities include a business center, a fountain, a clubhouse, and a beauty salon, ensuring residents spend their golden years comfortably.

Contact Vintage at Bennet Valley

Overview of Truewood by Merrill, Clovis

Serving the Clovis and Fresno communities since 1998, Truewood by Merrill, Clovis is a welcoming senior living community located in Clovis, CA, offering assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features 113 apartments, including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units, providing a welcoming environment with a rich heritage of small-town warmth and hospitality. With a full calendar of activities, seniors can enjoy new and fun experiences every day.

Truewood by Merrill, Clovis puts residents at the center of everything they do, promoting a fulfilling and active lifestyle. The community offers a range of amenities, including a cozy fireplace, private mailboxes, basic cable TV, a beauty salon, TV rooms, lounges, landscaped gardens, a library, and laundry facilities. Residents enjoy access to 24-hour support, on-call specialists, flexible dining with chef-prepared meals, on-site maintenance, weekly housekeeping, creative social programs, pet therapy, and on-site RNs/LPNs to support their wellness needs.

Contact Truewood by Merrill, Clovis

Overview of Valley View Retirement Center

Serving residents for three decades, Valley View Retirement Center is a 116-bed facility operated by Woodman Ave Corporation and administered by Judith Montoya.

Situated in a moderately walkable area with a Walk Score of 66, the home is where some errands can be done on foot, making it convenient for visitors and residents who want neighborhood access. The facility supplies rehabilitation and short-term therapy services, with specialized programming in therapeutic recreation, Russell Rehab short-term therapy, and Sunrise Terrace dementia care.

Subject to state inspections over the past five years is Valley View Retirement Center, with the latest inspection on record from December 4, 2025.

For particular information regarding pricing, staffing levels, payment options, dining, amenities, and additional services, prospective residents and families would benefit from contacting the facility directly or requesting more details.

Contact Valley View Retirement Center

Overview of Aspen Ville CO

Aspen Ville CO is a nursing home community in Salida, California. Operated by Advanced Care Facility LLC and administered by Kashmindar Kaur, the community provides wide senior living options, including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. It serves a mix of residents with different care needs in its 32-bed setting.

Quality health services and exceptional customer service are facility highlights. Aspen Ville CO maintains doctor-on-site availability and 24-hour staffing to support residents’ daily needs. Rehabilitation services exist for those healing from surgery, illness, or working toward improved mobility and function. Salida offers a highly walkable neighborhood with a Walk Score of 90, so daily errands can typically be handled on foot without needing a car. For visiting family, the area’s walkability makes it easy to reach the community and explore the surrounding community during visits. The facility’s location in a small California town provides a calmer setting while still maintaining necessary healthcare infrastructure.

Contact Aspen Ville Co

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.