Other senior care options in California:

Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 640 independent living communities in California using California Department of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in CA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jun 2026
We analyzed
640 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: 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

Reata Glen
IL
AL
MC
NH
Mission Viejo
840
Facility 840
CA AVG 103
Rank #2 / 1657
No
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 57
Rank #2044 / 2092
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1401
8
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1397
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1164
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #569 / 1487
80.6%
Facility 80.6%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #584 / 1368
B-Reat Glen Orange County Ccrc1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Villa Lorena Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
San Diego (Black Mountain Ranch Village)
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 103
Rank #884 / 1657
No
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 57
Rank #1693 / 2092
73
Facility 73
CA AVG 81
Rank #1022 / 1401
14
20
Facility 20
CA AVG 13
Rank #1129 / 1397
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #413 / 1164
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #703 / 1487
72.9%
Facility 72.9%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #778 / 1368
-Santaluz Senior Partners,LP;Vlgp Inc(Gen. Partner)-
The Ivy at Wellington
IL
AL
Aliso Viejo
160
Facility 160
CA AVG 103
Rank #288 / 1657
No
29
Facility 29
CA AVG 57
Rank #1735 / 2092
79
Facility 79
CA AVG 81
Rank #881 / 1401
15
17
Facility 17
CA AVG 13
Rank #1061 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1210 / 1487
78.8%
Facility 78.8%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #624 / 1368
-Well Oak Tenant LLC;Oakmont Management Group LLC-
Town & Country
IL
AL
MC
NH
Santa Ana (East Memory Lane)
328
Facility 328
CA AVG 103
Rank #45 / 1657
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #830 / 2092
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 81
Rank #1247 / 1401
23
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #1242 / 1397
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #828 / 1164
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 13
Rank #21 / 1487
32.9%
Facility 32.9%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1355 / 1368
A+Christian And Missionary Alliance-
Cogir of Sonoma
IL
AL
Sonoma (Oregon Street)
82
Facility 82
CA AVG 103
Rank #901 / 1657
Yes
74
Facility 74
CA AVG 57
Rank #598 / 2092
87
Facility 87
CA AVG 81
Rank #568 / 1401
10
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #441 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
34.1%
Facility 34.1%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1342 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant; Cogir Management Usa1 Bed / 2 Bed
Oakmont Gardens
IL
AL
Santa Rosa (Oakmont Village Association)
79
Facility 79
CA AVG 103
Rank #936 / 1657
Yes
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 57
Rank #1663 / 2092
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 81
Rank #1247 / 1401
24
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #1024 / 1397
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 3
Rank #1152 / 1164
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1100 / 1487
62.0%
Facility 62.0%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1069 / 1368
-Ffi Oakmont Tenant LLC; Life Care Services LLC1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cogir of North Bay
IL
NH
AL
Vallejo (Harry Floyd Terrace)
83
Facility 83
CA AVG 103
Rank #897 / 1657
Yes
47
Facility 47
CA AVG 57
Rank #1422 / 2092
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #630 / 1401
12
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #762 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
44.6%
Facility 44.6%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1300 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant LLC; Cogir Mngt Usa IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cogir of Rohnert Park
IL
AL
Rohnert Park
75
Facility 75
CA AVG 103
Rank #956 / 1657
Yes
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 57
Rank #1760 / 2092
76
Facility 76
CA AVG 81
Rank #946 / 1401
13
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 13
Rank #953 / 1397
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #828 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
56.0%
Facility 56.0%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1160 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant LLC; Cogir Mngt Usa IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton
IL
Pleasanton
828
Facility 828
CA AVG 103
Rank #3 / 1657
No
47
Facility 47
CA AVG 57
Rank #1422 / 2092
92
Facility 92
CA AVG 81
Rank #308 / 1401
11
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #654 / 1397
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1164
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #569 / 1487
90.6%
Facility 90.6%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #265 / 1368
-Stoneridge Creek Pleasanton Ccrc LLC-
University Retirement Community
IL
AL
HC
MC
NH
Davis (West Davis)
500
Facility 500
CA AVG 103
Rank #22 / 1657
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1242 / 2092
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1401
12
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #529 / 1397
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #413 / 1164
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #158 / 1487
--Univer Retire Com At Davis/Pacific Retire Services1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Casa de las Campanas
IL
NH
AL
San Diego (Rancho Bernardo)
582
Facility 582
CA AVG 103
Rank #10 / 1657
No
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 57
Rank #1932 / 2092
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #398 / 1401
14
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #814 / 1397
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1164
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 13
Rank #64 / 1487
86.8%
Facility 86.8%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #347 / 1368
A+Casa De Las Campanas/Life Care Service, LLC-
Chino Hills Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
RC
Chino Hills (Butterfield Ranch)
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 103
Rank #827 / 1657
Yes
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 57
Rank #1720 / 2092
63
Facility 63
CA AVG 81
Rank #1261 / 1401
24
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #1147 / 1397
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #953 / 1164
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #492 / 1487
94.7%
Facility 94.7%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #193 / 1368
A+Pacifica Chino Hills LP; Chino Hills Mgr LLCStudio / 1 Bed
The Park at Modesto
IL
Modesto
225
Facility 225
CA AVG 103
Rank #110 / 1657
Yes
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 57
Rank #1963 / 2092
63
Facility 63
CA AVG 81
Rank #1261 / 1401
33
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 13
Rank #1261 / 1397
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 3
Rank #1033 / 1164
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #988 / 1487
82.2%
Facility 82.2%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #547 / 1368
-Wm Milpitas Mgr LP,Gp Of Milpitas Phase I Ops LPStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cogir of Vallejo Hills
IL
AL
Vallejo (Somerset Highlands)
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 103
Rank #916 / 1657
Yes
20
Facility 20
CA AVG 57
Rank #1846 / 2092
87
Facility 87
CA AVG 81
Rank #568 / 1401
9
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #719 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 13
Rank #805 / 1487
58.8%
Facility 58.8%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #1130 / 1368
A+Welltower Cogir Tenant LLC; Cogir Mngt Usa Inc1 Bed / 2 Bed
Carlton Senior Living Pleasant Hill – Martinez
IL
AL
Pleasant Hill
165
Facility 165
CA AVG 103
Rank #275 / 1657
Yes
65
Facility 65
CA AVG 57
Rank #888 / 2092
83
Facility 83
CA AVG 81
Rank #765 / 1401
10
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #654 / 1397
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #600 / 1164
37
Facility 37
CA AVG 13
Rank #55 / 1487
84.2%
Facility 84.2%
CA AVG 74.8%
Rank #404 / 1368
-Carlton Senior Living, LLCAlove / 1 Bed
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Burlingame Senior Living

250 Myrtle Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010
Overview of Burlingame Senior Living

Burlingame Senior Living is a senior living community located in the serene enclave of Burlingame, California. This distinguished retirement community specializes in offering Assisted Living and Memory Care options, ensuring a well-rounded approach to senior resident care tailored to individual needs.

Each day presents a fresh opportunity for residents to engage in diverse and exciting life enrichment programs, connect with friends, and make the most of their time on campus. Residents at Burlingame Senior Living enjoy access to an array of amenities, including housekeeping services and chef-prepared dining, aimed at fostering an environment where they can lead fulfilling lives in comfort and tranquility. This community is designed to elevate the quality of life for each cherished resident.

Contact Burlingame Senior Living

Overview of Melrose Gardens

Melrose Gardens, ensconced in the soul of Los Angeles, is a warm and intimate haven that focuses on the overall development of its residents. With an expert team experienced in early to late-stage memory loss, Melrose Gardens specializes in a boutique community dedicated to memory care. The serene cottages are designed to provide a secure environment that fosters peace of mind.

Each cottage boasts spacious, tastefully furnished rooms that exude a sense of home. Their dedicated team provides daily housekeeping and laundry services, ensuring that residents have more time to focus on things that make them happy. Wellness checks and daily living assistance are also available, ensuring that residents are always at their best condition everyday.

Contact Melrose Gardens

The Oaks at Paso Robles

526 S River Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Overview of The Oaks at Paso Robles

Overlooking the tranquil grounds of Paso Robles, CA, The Oaks at Paso Robles is a reliable senior living community that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community promotes a vibrant and inviting environment, ensuring residents’ needs and preferences are well-cared for. With specially designed and pet-friendly amenities, residents can rest assured of living a relaxing and secure retirement.

Residents are empowered to live an active and socially engaged retirement through a well-thought-of calendar of recreational activities and wellness programs. Here, residents enjoy mealtimes at their pace with delicious and healthy meals provided to meet their dietary needs and tastes. The Oaks at Paso Robles is a good place for those aiming to maximize their independence without daily hassles.

Contact The Oaks at Paso Robles

Overview of Westmont of Brentwood

Nestled in a welcoming neighborhood in Contra Costa County, Brentwood, CA, Westmont of Brentwood is a classic senior living community, offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. The community offers comfortable, attractive residences that come in variations of studio, one, and two-bedroom layouts that include cable connections, individual thermostats, emergency response systems, and fully equipped kitchens. Residents benefit from housekeeping services, so they have more time to connect with friends, explore the community, or enjoy the privacy of their well-designed apartments.

The community uses a holistic approach to whole-body wellness, featuring activities and programs that enrich residents’ physical, social, cognitive, and emotional well-being. From fitness classes and lifelong learning classes, to social events and musical and artistic endeavors, the community ensures there are plenty of opportunities to improve all aspects of residents’ wellbeing. In addition to vibrant activities and community spaces, residents also enjoy an exquisite dining experience with a variety of healthy and delicious menus to choose from, which ensures their bodies are nourished and their cravings satisfied.

Contact Westmont of Brentwood

Overview of Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga by Cogir

Situated in the harmonious neighborhood of Church St. Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga is an idyllic senior living community providing assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Enjoy unmatched convenience and security with carefully crafted and spacious accommodations, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. The community doubles its efforts to meet seniors’ needs and aspirations with a kind, compassionate, and highly skilled team lending support for maintenance and other mundane activities.

Seek new adventures and reignite passions with engaging activities and enjoyable events. The community empowers residents to flourish and reach their full potential, providing a vibrant environment. Enjoy restaurant-style dining with healthy and tasty meals to meet seniors’ dietary needs and tastes. Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga is ideal for seniors looking to live an active and well-rounded lifestyle embraced by a warm community and tranquil spaces.

Contact Cadence at Rancho Cucamonga by Cogir

Marymount Villa

345 Davis St #2795, San Leandro, CA 94577
Overview of Marymount Villa

Surrounded by convenient local amenities in San Leandro, CA, Marymount Villa is a blissful community that offers a wide range of care options, including assisted living, independent living, memory care, hospice care, and respite care. Residents ease their worries with a respectful and highly trained team attending to their needs 24/7. The community also handles the housekeeping, laundry, and other day-to-day activities, providing them with more time to do the things they truly enjoy.

With a jam-packed calendar of fun activities and engaging programs, residents are encouraged to interact with their surroundings and gain meaningful experiences. Delight with delicious and healthy meals catering to their dietary needs and preferences. Medication management and coordination of medical services are also provided for residents’ convenience. The community is great for those looking for different levels of care, especially with its comprehensive care and beautifully designed amenities.

Contact Marymount Villa

Pacifica Senior Living Poway

12750 Gateway Park Rd, Poway, CA 92064
Overview of Pacifica Senior Living Poway

Pacifica Senior Living Poway, in Poway, California, is a premier care facility that is the right for its residents. They offer more than 55 apartments for independent living, respite care, and assisted living services with tailored care programs for seniors’ needs and preferences. The community provides a wide range of engaging activities and programs, creating a beautiful and serene environment for residents to enjoy with a comprehensive array of services and amenities, including round-the-clock staff support, housekeeping, and laundry services.
The community prioritizes the independence and well-being of its residents, ensuring that their unique care needs are met with personalized attention—the elegant and inviting atmosphere that promotes self-care and encourages residents to engage in physical activity. The beautiful outdoor courtyard offers residents a peaceful place to stroll and connect with nature. Combined with exceptional services and world-class amenities, PSL-Poway provides peace of mind to families in the community.

Contact Pacifica Senior Living Poway

Overview of Atria Park of Lafayette

Remain connected and engage with Atria Park of Lafayette located at Pleasant Hill Road, Lafayette, CA. The blissful senior living community offers a spectrum of living options including assisted living, independent living, and memory care. Providing cozy and spacious floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom apartments, and shared suites, the community ensures comfort and safety, With 24/7 care and assistance from a kind, compassionate, and well-trained team of professionals and licensed nurses, residents enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.

Atria Park of Lafayette focuses on the wellness of its residents, orchestrating educational, social, cultural, and fitness programs daily. Enjoy healthy and delicious chef-prepared meals with various options including vegetarian options three times every day privately or with friends at the community’s scenic dining room. Amenities include a library, a fitness center, a salon and spa, a movie theater, a physical therapy center, a courtyard, peaceful walking paths, and a sunlit patio.

Contact Atria Park of Lafayette

Atria Covina

Atria Covina, 825 W San Bernardino Rd, Covina, CA 91722
Overview of Atria Covina

Situated in a quiet residential neighborhood in Covina, California, inside Los Angeles County, Atria Covina is a premier senior living community that accommodates different levels of care needs by providing active independent living and assisted living options. Atria Covina offers its residents a wide range of amenities, including housekeeping, chef-prepared meals, and concierge support, all of which are provided by a committed team of people who work around the clock.

Atria Covina strives to improve residents’ quality of life by providing caring assistance and interesting amenities. The neighborhood has walking trails, a patio, outdoor grilling, a private dining area, off-site pool access, a library, a salon, and a game room. Atria Covina is pet-friendly, has Wi-Fi in open spaces, and offers daily opportunities for social, cultural, educational, and physical fitness, making it a perfect senior living community for those wishing to live a vibrant and fulfilling retirement.

Contact Atria Covina

Overview of Brookdale Paulin Creek

Experience comfort and security like no other in the one-of-a-kind senior living community of Brookdale Paulin Creek at Range Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA. Offering a diverse selection of living options including assisted living, independent living, and memory care, the community provides high-quality care and assistance 24/7. With cozy and meticulously-designed floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, residents enjoy a vibrant and friendly residence. Brookdale Paulin Creek focuses on the uniqueness and freedom of seniors, providing them with care and assistance that best suits their specific needs.

The community conducts fun activities and engaging programs to ensure residents experience a fulfilled life with joy and inspiration. Catering to the seniors’ dietary needs and preferences, the community serves healthy and delicious meals. Moreover, the community prepares scheduled meals for memory care residents to foster familiarity. The pet-friendly community provides wonderful amenities including an outdoor pool, an arts and crafts studio, a theater, a whirlpool, a therapy pool, a salon, a fitness center, a courtyard, a library, a garden, a game room, a therapy room, a porch, meeting rooms, a fireside living room, a piano, and tranquil landscaped grounds.

Contact Brookdale Paulin Creek

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
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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.