Other senior care options in California:

Page 66 of Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 652 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
Jul 2026
We analyzed
652 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: 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

The Reutlinger Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Danville
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 104
Rank #561 / 1648
No
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 57
Rank #1715 / 2087
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #630 / 1399
22
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #884 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 13
Rank #217 / 1494
65.0% A+Reutlinger Community, The And Eskaton Properties IncStudio / 1 Bed
Spring Lake Village
IL
NH
AL
MC
Santa Rosa (Melita)
679
Facility 679
CA AVG 104
Rank #8 / 1648
No
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 57
Rank #1921 / 2087
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 81
Rank #513 / 1399
13
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #650 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #599 / 1160
39
Facility 39
CA AVG 13
Rank #45 / 1494
0A+Front Porch Communities And Services1 Bed / 2 Bed
Mission Commons – A Provincial Senior Living Community
IL
NH
Redlands (Live Oak Canyon)
-
Facility -
CA AVG 104
Rank #1287 / 1648
Yes
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1240 / 2087
-----0--Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Harrison Villa of Mt. San Antonio Gardens
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Pomona
520
Facility 520
CA AVG 104
Rank #16 / 1648
No
45
Facility 45
CA AVG 57
Rank #1470 / 2087
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #185 / 1399
12
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #441 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #92 / 1494
84.0% -Congregational Homes, IncorporatedStudio
O‘Connor Woods
IL
AL
MC
NH
RC
SNF
Stockton (Sherwood Manor)
499
Facility 499
CA AVG 104
Rank #23 / 1648
Yes
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 57
Rank #1821 / 2087
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #185 / 1399
11
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
34
Facility 34
CA AVG 13
Rank #82 / 1494
0-O'connor Woods HousingStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Vi at Palo Alto
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Palo Alto
876
Facility 876
CA AVG 104
Rank #1 / 1648
No
80
Facility 80
CA AVG 57
Rank #416 / 2087
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #398 / 1399
20
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
21
Facility 21
CA AVG 13
Rank #336 / 1494
73.1% -Cc Palo Alto LLC And Classic Res. Mgmt. Ltd. Partner1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Vi at La Jolla Village
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
San Diego (University City)
783
Facility 783
CA AVG 104
Rank #5 / 1648
No
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 57
Rank #218 / 2087
84
Facility 84
CA AVG 81
Rank #730 / 1399
29
17
Facility 17
CA AVG 13
Rank #1056 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
27
Facility 27
CA AVG 13
Rank #184 / 1494
69.3% -Ccw La Jolla LLC, Cc La Jolla LLC, And Classic Res MgmtSuite / Penthouse / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
University Retirement Community
IL
AL
HC
MC
NH
SNF
Davis (West Davis)
500
Facility 500
CA AVG 104
Rank #22 / 1648
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1240 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
12
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #159 / 1494
0-Univer Retire Com At Davis/Pacific Retire Services1 Bed / 2 Bed / 3 Bed
Canterbury Woods
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Pacific Grove
190
Facility 190
CA AVG 104
Rank #180 / 1648
No
81
Facility 81
CA AVG 57
Rank #383 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 13
Rank #34 / 1494
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 / 1648
No
57
Facility 57
CA AVG 57
Rank #1155 / 2087
88
Facility 88
CA AVG 81
Rank #513 / 1399
4
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #599 / 1160
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #108 / 1494
57.2% A+Humangood & Humangood Norcal & Humangood Fresno-
Town & Country
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Ana (East Memory Lane)
328
Facility 328
CA AVG 104
Rank #45 / 1648
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #829 / 2087
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 81
Rank #1246 / 1399
23
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #1237 / 1388
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #829 / 1160
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 13
Rank #22 / 1494
32.9% A+Christian And Missionary Alliance-
The Vineyards – California Armenian Home
IL
AL
MC
NH
RESC
SNF
Fresno (Roosevelt)
412
Facility 412
CA AVG 104
Rank #27 / 1648
Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 57
Rank #1793 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
14
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #758 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
41
Facility 41
CA AVG 13
Rank #38 / 1494
54.1% -California Home For The Aged IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Webster House
IL
AL
NH
SNF
Palo Alto (Crescent Park)
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 104
Rank #1116 / 1648
No
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 57
Rank #171 / 2087
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 81
Rank #185 / 1399
7
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #614 / 1494
90.7% -Front Porch Communities And Services1 Bed / 2 Bed
Miranda Villa
IL
San Jose (Bascom - Forest)
-
Facility -
CA AVG 104
Rank #678 / 1648
No
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 57
Rank #509 / 2087
-----0--Studio / 1 Bed
Redlands Healthcare Center
IL
AL
HOS
MC
NH
PC
RC
SNF
Redlands (South Redlands)
78
Facility 78
CA AVG 104
Rank #935 / 1648
No
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 57
Rank #1771 / 2087
----- 92.3% --Private / Shared Rooms
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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

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.
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 652 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.