Other senior care options in California:

Page 65 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 Caleo Bay Assisted Living and Memory Care

Caleo Bay Assisted Living and Memory Care is a highly recognized assisted living and memory care community in La Quinta, CA, that offers compassionate care for older adults. The community’s clean and nurturing setting ensures older adults can feel at home during their stay. With a dementia-trained team, as well as chef-prepared meals and 24-hour assistance, residents can ease their worries and have a maintenance-free lifestyle. Following a person-centered care approach, the community strives to understand residents’ routines and needs to help them thrive in retirement.

Chair yoga, puzzles, and live concerts are just some of the activities curated to enhance residents’ memory and encourage physical activity. With its wheelchair-accessible spaces and sensory spa, residents are guaranteed the utmost comfort and safety. Residents also have easy access to their healthcare needs and leisure, as the Bone and Joint Institute at Memorial Hospital and Walgreens are also located nearby. As one of the best options for memory care in California, this senior living community continuously provides excellent services for older adults’ welfare.

Contact Caleo Bay Assisted Living and Memory Care

Overview of Palm Terrace I Co-Op Apartments

Palm Terrace I Co-Op Apartments is a blissful retreat in Ontario, CA, offering independent living. The community features specially designed and spacious one-bedroom floor plans, dedicated to residents’ comfort and safety. Residents can keep their peace of mind with on-site maintenance and laundry spaces that aim to provide more time for them to do the things they love.

Pets are also allowed to accompany residents to ease their loneliness; however, restrictions may apply. The community’s proximity to leisure sites and delightful local amenities gives residents easy access to recreation and wellness. Amenities include a library, exercise equipment, a library, a community room, and raised garden beds, ensuring residents can downsize without worries.

Contact Palm Terrace I Co-op Apartments

Overview of Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments

Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments is a top-rated independent living community in San Mateo, CA, that offers affordable apartments for those 62+. The community ensures older adults feel at ease during their stay, accompanied by its cozy and welcoming environment. Convenient apartment features, laundry spaces, and maintenance services are also available to help residents maintain their independence without hassles. Dedicated to low-income older adults, the community strives to maintain affordability while maintaining quality.

Here, residents can live actively and create meaningful connections through a variety of engaging social events and accessible amenities. Cozy living spaces and lively gathering areas also ensure residents can relax and freely interact with their surroundings. Grocery stores, serene parks, and public transportation are also located nearby, providing more options for residents to explore and experience. This independent living community is one of the trusted options for senior living in California, ensuring older adults can live comfortably in their later years.

Contact Edgewater Isle Senior Apartments

Overview of Johnson Gardens Apartments

Johnson Gardens Apartments is an inviting independent living community in Ventura, CA, that offers spacious accommodations for older adults. The community promotes a home-like atmosphere for residents’ comfort and convenience. With a variety of apartment features and maintenance services, residents are guaranteed a maintenance-free living. Here, residents can live comfortably in retirement with the community’s exceptional services.

Fun gatherings and light exercises also allow residents to interact with friends and stay active. Thoughtfully furnished living spaces and welcoming gathering areas ensure residents can rest without hassles. Residents can also easily access various entertainment options and their necessities in the community’s ideal setting in the quiet residential area of Ventura. As a trusted choice for senior living in California, this independent living community continuously helps older adults maintain their independence in retirement.

Contact Johnson Gardens Apartments

Overview of Villas on the Green

Villas on the Green is a pet-friendly independent living community in Palm Desert, CA, that has a variety of spacious one-bedroom apartments for those 55+. Promoting a vibrant and welcoming environment, the community strives to keep older adults comfortable and safe. Recreational opportunities, wellness programs, and accessible amenities are also offered, so residents can live actively during their stay. The community also helps residents maintain their independence with ease, through its thoughtfully designed spaces.

Social gatherings, light exercises, and various activities allow residents to interact with same-age peers and try new hobbies. A resort-style pool, a fitness center, and a private clubhouse are among the state-of-the-art amenities that residents can utilize for their leisure and wellness. Surrounded by restaurants, cafes, shopping malls, and recreation sites, the community ensures residents have easy access to their necessities and entertainment. This independent living community is one of the best options for senior living in California, as it has top-notch amenities dedicated to older adults’ comfort.

Contact Villas on the Green

Overview of Parkwood at Polo Grounds

Parkwood at Polo Grounds is an upscale independent living community in Indio, CA, that offers thoughtfully designed apartments for those 55+. With its lively and welcoming environment, the community ensures older adults can live comfortably in retirement while maintaining an active lifestyle. Every unit is wheelchair-accessible and is equipped with a kitchen and dishwasher, ensuring residents’ comfort and convenience. The community’s luxurious setting allows residents to thrive in their later years.

Light exercises, social events, and plenty of leisure activities provide residents with more opportunities to learn and interact with friends. A fitness center, on-site laundry, a heated swimming pool and spa, and a serene walking trail are just some of the top-notch amenities provided for residents’ relaxation and wellness. John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, as well as various resorts and parks, are also located nearby, providing residents with convenient access to leisure and their healthcare needs. This independent living community is one of the best options for senior living in California, as it has top-notch amenities.

Contact Parkwood at Polo Grounds

Overview of Florence Gardens

Florence Gardens is a top-rated independent living community in Bakersfield, CA, that has specially designed one- and two-bedroom apartments for older adults. The community promotes a warm and inviting environment, ensuring older adults feel at home during their stay. Laundry spaces, utilities, and recreational opportunities are also provided for residents’ convenience. Here, residents have a maintenance-free living, accompanied by the community’s top-notch services.

With planned social activities, residents have more opportunities for leisure and interactions with friends. A clubhouse, a pond, and a gameroom are also available, so residents can explore new interests and rest comfortably. The Central California Rehabilitation Hospital is also located nearby, ensuring residents have easy access to their healthcare needs. As one of the affordable options for senior living in California, this independent living community ensures residents can live comfortably in retirement.

Contact Florence Gardens

Novelle

3355 Almaden Expy, San Jose, CA 95118
Overview of Novelle

Located in San Jose, CA, Novelle by Merrill Gardens is a retirement community that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. With a variety of suites to two-bedroom apartments, the community ensures older adults have options that match their preferences. 24-hour staffing, restaurant-style dining, housekeeping, and transportation services are among the exceptional services offered to improve residents’ well-being. The community also offers month-to-month rentals for residents’ convenience.

Engaging events and philanthropic opportunities are conducted for residents’ leisure and wellness. This pet-friendly community is also equipped with an outdoor courtyard, a Mosaic restaurant, and an adjoining activities space. Located along the road in the lively neighborhood of San Jose, near restaurants and shops, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. With multiple levels of care and upscale amenities, this retirement community is a good option for senior living in California.

Contact Novelle

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.