Page 5 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. 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.
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.
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.
Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood
IL
AL
MC
Los Angeles (Westwood)
240
Facility 240
CA AVG 168
Rank #64 / 409
AYes
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 59
Rank #423 / 638
19
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #165 / 391
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #118 / 398
19
Facility 19
CA AVG 15
Rank #134 / 402
73.3%
Facility 73.3%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #176 / 361
Belmont Village Westwood Tnnt And Belmont Village LPStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Bruceville Point
IL
AL
MC
Elk Grove
200
Facility 200
CA AVG 168
Rank #86 / 409
A+Yes
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 59
Rank #267 / 638
13
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #111 / 391
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #118 / 398
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 15
Rank #212 / 402
67.0%
Facility 67.0%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #228 / 361
Shi-III Bruceville Point Owner LLC And Tenfold Et AlStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Atria Golden Creek
IL
AL
MC
Irvine (Woodbridge)
155
Facility 155
CA AVG 168
Rank #168 / 409
AYes
70
Facility 70
CA AVG 59
Rank #242 / 638
18
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 391
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #185 / 398
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 15
Rank #66 / 402
73.5%
Facility 73.5%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #174 / 361
Wg Golden Creek Sh LP And Atria Management Co LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
MorningStar Senior Living of Mission Viejo
IL
AL
MC
RC
Mission Viejo
198
Facility 198
CA AVG 168
Rank #100 / 409
A+Yes
46
Facility 46
CA AVG 59
Rank #452 / 638
10
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #63 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 15
Rank #338 / 402
71.7%
Facility 71.7%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #195 / 361
Cd-Tt Mission Viejo LLC And Morningstar Snr Mgmt, LLCPrivate Rooms
Palo Alto Commons
IL
AL
MC
Palo Alto (Ventura)
250
Facility 250
CA AVG 168
Rank #58 / 409
AYes
82
Facility 82
CA AVG 59
Rank #122 / 638
29
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #165 / 391
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #239 / 398
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 15
Rank #291 / 402
76.4%
Facility 76.4%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #150 / 361
Wellquest Palo Alto Tenantco, LLC And Wellquest Et AlStudio / 1 Bed
Atria Grass Valley
IL
AL
MC
RC
Grass Valley
116
Facility 116
CA AVG 168
Rank #264 / 409
A+Yes
43
Facility 43
CA AVG 59
Rank #474 / 638
9
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #87 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 15
Rank #173 / 402
75.0%
Facility 75.0%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #165 / 361
Wg Quail Ridge LP And Atria Management Co LLCStudio / Suite / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Avant
IL
AL
MC
Palo Alto (Ventura)
250
Facility 250
CA AVG 168
Rank #58 / 409
AYes
82
Facility 82
CA AVG 59
Rank #122 / 638
29
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #165 / 391
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #239 / 398
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 15
Rank #291 / 402
76.4%
Facility 76.4%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #150 / 361
Wellquest Palo Alto Tenantco, LLC And Wellquest Et AlStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cypress Place
IL
AL
MC
RC
Ventura
89
Facility 89
CA AVG 168
Rank #321 / 409
A+Yes
81
Facility 81
CA AVG 59
Rank #132 / 638
4
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #63 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 15
Rank #387 / 402
76.4%
Facility 76.4%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #150 / 361
Msla Cypress Operating, LLC And Meridian Senior LivingStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Covington
IL
AL
MC
Aliso Viejo
343
Facility 343
CA AVG 168
Rank #30 / 409
A+No
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 59
Rank #507 / 638
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #41 / 391
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 398
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 15
Rank #117 / 402
63.3%
Facility 63.3%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #257 / 361
Episcopal Communities & Services For Seniors-
Ocean Hills Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
RC
Oceanside (Ocean Hills)
123
Facility 123
CA AVG 168
Rank #250 / 409
B+Yes
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 59
Rank #608 / 638
26
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #153 / 391
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #118 / 398
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 15
Rank #159 / 402
87.8%
Facility 87.8%
CA AVG 71.7%
Rank #57 / 361
Triton Senior Lvg, LLC And Nortstar Snr Lvg Mgt LLCStudio / 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 Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood

Settled in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, CA, Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood is a thriving senior living community, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. The community provides inviting accommodations, ranging from studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Featuring their enriching memory care programs, the community ensures residents in various stages of memory loss are given the right care and support with dynamic programming and mental training.

At Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood, residents are invested in and catered to with a professionally managed fitness center offering on-site therapy services, a licensed nurse and well-trained team on-site 24/7. Residents also enjoy carefully crafted menus featuring fresh ingredients and homestyle meals. With planned social activities, a wide array of amenities, and a compassionate care team, the community guarantees residents a thrilling retirement experience.

Contact Belmont Village Senior Living Westwood

Overview of Bruceville Point

Bruceville Point offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Elk Grove, CA. Independent living means apartment living with community services but no daily care, while assisted living adds help with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, and the range of care levels can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time.

The community has 200 beds in apartment style housing, with one bedroom and two bedroom options. Starting monthly rates are $5,100 for independent living, $8,750 for assisted living, and $11,000 for memory care, giving families a separate starting figure for each level of care. A two bedroom apartment can suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.

A Walk Score of 68 places the area in the somewhat walkable band. Some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to manage certain nearby errands independently. Dining includes fine dining and casual meals, while the Events & Adventures and Fitness & Wellness programs offer organized options for outings and exercise. Rehabilitation services, short term rehab, and respite care are available for temporary recovery or a short stay when a usual caregiver needs to travel or recover; pets are allowed, and Marianne Richardson serves as the administrator.

$8,750/Month

Contact Bruceville Point

Overview of Atria Golden Creek

Atria Golden Creek offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Irvine, CA. It is located in the Woodbridge neighborhood and has 155 beds. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks, while independent living offers private living without daily care. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision.

Atria Golden Creek may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time because all three care levels are available within the community. Housing includes studios, one bedroom residences, and two bedroom residences, giving someone living alone or a couple moving together a layout suited to their household. Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving in.

A Walk Score of 70 means the area is very walkable. Most errands are possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Jeremy Gilmore serves as the administrator, and the community is operated by Wg Golden Creek Sh LP and Atria Management Co.

Contact Atria Golden Creek

Overview of MorningStar Senior Living of Mission Viejo

At a single address in Mission Viejo, CA, MorningStar Senior Living of Mission Viejo provides independent living, assisted living, respite care, and memory care. Independent living includes no daily care, but a resident can avail themselves of the community’s services. Assisted living means the resident keeps a private apartment, with staff coming in to help with dressing, bathing, and medication.

Memory care is supervision provided in a secure setting for residents with dementia. Respite is a stay planned in advance for when the usual caregiver has to be away. Moving from one care level to another can happen without leaving the community.

Independent living starts at $6,450 a month. Memory care starts higher, at $9,900. The 198 beds here are divided among studio units and one- and two-bedroom apartments. There’s a salon, a fitness center, a theater, and a swimming pool. Meals come under the Dining Experience program, and there are rehabilitation services for residents in need of therapy.

Residents can keep pets. The administrator is Melinda Mandviwal. Cd Tt Mission Viejo LLC and Morningstar Snr Mgmt, LLC are the two operating companies. At 46, the area’s Walk Score means it’s car-dependent.

$6,450/Month

Contact MorningStar Senior Living of Mission Viejo

Overview of Palo Alto Commons

Situated in the neighborhood of Palo Alto, CA, Palo Alto Commons is a blissful senior living community that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. A 24-hour care team and licensed nurses are always on standby to attend to residents’ individual needs, including assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and personal care assistance. Residents are provided with a spacious studio, one, and two bedroom apartment for a comfortable living space that fosters a relaxing and restful environment.

The community helps residents live their retirement life to the fullest through its broad array of activities and an abundance of delightful amenities. Residents here benefit from life enrichment programs and various convenient services, including housekeeping, linen services, and scheduled transportation. Amenities, include a fitness center, card room, library, salon, and a fireside lounge that provides relaxing space for gathering with friends or spending some precious time alone.

Contact Palo Alto Commons

Overview of Atria Grass Valley

Nestled amid the serene Sierra Nevada Mountains in Grass Valley, CA, Atria Grass Valley provides exceptional Assisted Living and Memory Care options for seniors in Northeast California. The community features spacious studio, 1 and 2-bedroom senior apartment homes, or a two-bedroom cottage equipped with modern conveniences designed for residents’ comfort. Each living option includes an emergency alert system, housekeeping, and linen services so residents can spend their time enjoying the things they love to do.

Atria Grass Valley is dedicated to fostering an active and fulfilling lifestyle for its residents., providing residents plenty of opportunities for engagement and socialization, including planned transportation for local activities, a full-service hairdresser, and a media room. With amenities like resident gardens, fitness centers, and private dining, the community ensures its residents maintain an enriching lifestyle. Atria Grass Valley strives to offer a warm and encouraging community where members can thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.

Contact Atria Grass Valley

The Avant

4075 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Overview of The Avant

The Avant offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Palo Alto, California. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks while a resident maintains an apartment; Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care; Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. Having all three care levels in one community can suit a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move elsewhere.

The Avant has 250 beds, making it a larger community with more residents and staff. Studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom homes accommodate both single residents and couples moving together. In the Ventura neighborhood, the community has a Walk Score of 82, so the area is very walkable and most errands can be done on foot. A resident who no longer drives can still reach nearby shops, a pharmacy, or cafes independently, and pets are allowed. Li Li serves as the administrator, and the community is operated by Wellquest Palo Alto Tenantco and Wellquest Et Al.

Contact The Avant

Cypress Place

1200 Cypress Point Ln, Ventura, CA 93003
Overview of Cypress Place

An esteemed senior living community residing in the serene neighborhood of Cypress Point Lane, Ventura, CA, Cypress Place offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Experience relaxation and security like no other with the snug and well-designed residences of Cypress Place in a wide selection of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. With a dedicated and highly equipped team, seniors let go of their worries and live their lives to the fullest.

Meet new friends and create lasting memories through fun programs and exciting events. Dedicated to enhancing residents’ well-being, the community serves healthy and tasty meals catering to dietary needs and preferences. Cypress Place is a safe place for seniors to spend a glorious retirement with its beautiful setting.

Contact Cypress Place

Overview of The Covington

The Covington offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care in Aliso Viejo, California. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living adds help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for a resident who may be at risk of wandering. Needs can change without another move, since all three care levels are available within the same community.

With 343 beds, The Covington is a larger setting with more residents, staff, and usually more programming. Its dining program includes snacks, shareable plates, mains, and desserts, giving residents several types of menu items to choose from while emphasizing locally sourced ingredients. A Walk Score of 36 places the area in a car-dependent setting, so most errands require a car or a ride rather than a short walk. Donald Cash Benton serves as administrator, and Episcopal Communities & Services For Seniors operates the community.

Contact The Covington

Overview of Ocean Hills Senior Living

Ocean Hills Senior Living offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care in Oceanside, CA. Independent living provides private living without daily care, while assisted living adds help with bathing, dressing, medication, and other daily tasks.

Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering. With several care levels on one campus, the community may be a good fit for a resident whose needs could grow over time. Respite care provides a short stay when a usual caregiver needs time away, and short term rehabilitation supports a time limited recovery period.

Housing includes studios, one bedroom residences, and two bedroom residences, giving a single resident or a couple moving together an appropriate layout. The community has 123 beds and is located in the Ocean Hills neighborhood. Residents may use the pool and spa, fitness center, salon and spa, pickleball court, sports bar and restaurant, theater, walking paths, and six hole putting green. Pets are allowed, so a resident may continue living with a pet. Sheryl Johnston serves as administrator, and the community is operated by Triton Senior Lvg, LLC and Nortstar Snr Lvg Mgt.

Contact Ocean Hills 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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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.