Best Independent Living in Pasadena, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 7 independent living communities in Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in Pasadena, CA.
7 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.
A complaint visit is an unannounced on-site visit by California's Community Care Licensing Division to investigate a complaint about the community, filed by a resident, a family member, staff or anyone else. A visit means a complaint was looked into, not that it was proven: the state may find it substantiated, inconclusive or unfounded. Fewer visits is better.
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.
Pasadena Highlands
IL
AL
MC
Pasadena
245
Facility 245
CA AVG 159
Rank #65 / 450
B-Yes
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 59
Rank #99 / 634
31
20
Facility 20
CA AVG 6
Rank #338 / 432
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 3
Rank #378 / 439
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 15
Rank #320 / 444
86.5%
Facility 86.5%
CA AVG 72.4%
Rank #77 / 396
Wellquest 625 Pasadena LLC And Wellquest Living LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
MorningStar Senior Living of Pasadena
IL
AL
MC
Pasadena (South Arroyo)
310
Facility 310
CA AVG 159
Rank #40 / 450
B+Yes
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 59
Rank #99 / 634
41
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 6
Rank #361 / 432
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #364 / 439
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 15
Rank #320 / 444
49.0%
Facility 49.0%
CA AVG 72.4%
Rank #362 / 396
Olympic Senior Care LLC:morningstar Mgt Snr LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Astoria Park Senior Living
IL
AL
MC
RC
Pasadena (Catalina Villas)
220
Facility 220
CA AVG 159
Rank #74 / 450
C-Yes
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 59
Rank #99 / 634
75
53
Facility 53
CA AVG 6
Rank #429 / 432
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 3
Rank #425 / 439
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 15
Rank #370 / 444
68.2%
Facility 68.2%
CA AVG 72.4%
Rank #247 / 396
Astoria Park Senior Living LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Bella Vista
IL
Pasadena
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 159
Rank #348 / 450
CYes
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 59
Rank #345 / 634
16
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 6
Rank #199 / 432
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #272 / 439
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 15
Rank #172 / 444
47.2%
Facility 47.2%
CA AVG 72.4%
Rank #370 / 396
Robsag Inc-
Villas by Astoria Park
IL
Pasadena (Catalina Villas)
--Yes
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 59
Rank #99 / 634
------Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Oaks of Pasadena
IL
AL
Pasadena (Lamanda Park)
--Yes
70
Facility 70
CA AVG 59
Rank #241 / 634
------Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed Apartments
The Concord Pasadena
IL
Pasadena
--No
93
Facility 93
CA AVG 59
Rank #41 / 634
-------

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 7 analyzed for Pasadena. See how we rank facilities

Overview of Pasadena Highlands

Pasadena Highlands is a luxurious retirement community in Pasadena, CA, that offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Featuring thoughtfully furnished and upscale amenities, the community ensures older adults can feel at home during their stay. Nutritious meals, maintenance services, and scheduled transportation are also provided to improve residents’ quality of life. Understanding residents’ needs and habits, the community provides personalized care plans. 

Social events, exercises, and a variety of recreational opportunities ensure residents can live actively and make friends. Spacious outdoors and cozy rooms are also available for residents’ relaxation. Set in the lively residential area of Pasadena, near bus stops and restaurants, the community is easily accessible for families and visitors. This retirement community has a wide range of care options, making it one of the best choices for senior living in California. 

Contact Pasadena Highlands

Overview of MorningStar Senior Living of Pasadena

MorningStar Senior Living of Pasadena offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Pasadena, CA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps a private 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.

Several care levels are available here. That combination may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since moving to another level can happen within the same community. With 310 beds, the community has more residents, staff, and usually programming than a smaller home.

Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom residences are available. A two-bedroom layout may also suit a couple or companion moving together. In the South Arroyo neighborhood, an 85 Walk Score means most errands are possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving in. An on-site spa provides access to that amenity without leaving the community. Kevin Taliaferro serves as the administrator, and Olympic Senior Care:morningstar Mgt Snr operates the community.

Contact MorningStar Senior Living of Pasadena

Overview of Astoria Park Senior Living

Astoria Park Senior Living in Pasadena, CA, offers independent living and memory care. Its list also includes assisted living and respite care. Residents with dementia who might wander get memory care supervision, and the space around them is kept secure.

An independent living resident runs a private household, draws on community services, and handles personal care alone. Move up to assisted living and the apartment stays private, while staff start helping the resident bathe, dress, and keep up with medication. Respite care is the one level built around going home again, a brief stay while the regular caregiver travels or recovers.

With four levels on one list, a resident who starts independent has somewhere to go inside the same community once that stops being enough. Maria Quizon administers a community of 220 beds, a large scale that can support a broad range of services and programs.

Catalina Villas, the surrounding neighborhood, has an 85 from Walk Score. That makes it very walkable, and most errands can be handled on foot. A pet can move in alongside its owner.

Housing comes in three sizes. A studio is built for one person, and a one-bedroom puts the bed in its own room. A two-bedroom gives space to two people sharing, whether spouses or a resident and a companion.

Contact Astoria Park Senior Living

Bella Vista

1760 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

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Overview of Bella Vista

Bella Vista is an independent living community in Pasadena, CA, with 72 beds. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, so Bella Vista may be a good fit for someone who wants that arrangement.

Ian Baker serves as administrator, and Robsag operates the community. A Walk Score of 59 places the area in the somewhat walkable band, meaning some errands can be done on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may be able to handle some nearby errands independently. There is a fitness room for exercise on site and a community room for shared gatherings, and pets are allowed.

Contact Bella Vista

Overview of Villas by Astoria Park

Part of the Astoria Park Senior Living family of communities, Villas by Astoria Park is an independent living community in the Catalina Villas neighborhood of Pasadena, California. The community operates under Oxford Health Group. It is within walking distance of Astoria Park.

Residents live independently in private studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments in a two-story building. Daily life is built around convenience rather than clinical care. Home-cooked meals, scheduled transportation, and a monitoring system are included. Residents can also join in fitness programs and planned activities throughout the week. The community welcomes pets, so residents can bring a cat or dog.

The area has a Walk Score of 85 out of 100, which is very walkable. Most errands can be completed without a car. USC Arcadia Hospital is about 5 miles away, and the community is approximately 1.3 miles from downtown Pasadena. This location keeps residents and visiting family within a short drive of both. Families considering Villas by Astoria Park should ask about the weekly activity calendar during a tour.

Contact Villas by Astoria Park

Overview of The Oaks of Pasadena

Providing care since 1981, The Oaks of Pasadena is an idyllic retreat in East Del Mar Boulevard, Pasadena, CA, that focuses on independent living and assisted living. With its dedication to improving residents’ living experiences, the community features beautifully designed and cozy studio to two-bedroom floor plans. Residents also receive the highest quality of life with round-the-clock care and assistance tailored to their specific needs from a compassionate and well-trained team.

Fun activities and engaging programs are also conducted to foster belongingness and activeness. Here, residents enjoy delightful and healthy meals catering to dietary needs and preferences. Housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance services are provided to ensure a worry-free retirement. The community has plenty of amenities designed to optimize residents’ recreation and safety including an arts and crafts room, a swimming pool, a library, and serene walking paths.

Contact The Oaks of Pasadena

Overview of The Concord Pasadena

The Concord Pasadena is a 62+ senior living community offering independent living amenities and services to its residents. Located in the vibrant city of Pasadena, CA, this smoke-free community boasts of its affordable private studio-style and one bedroom apartments featuring bathrooms with safety features, full sized kitchen, emergency call systems, and individual thermostat controls.

Residents also enjoy taking advantage of the community amenities The Concord has to offer, from community rooms for socialization, to resident parking and laundry facilities. Staff are also available 24/7 for supervision or assistance with unit maintenance.

Contact The Concord Pasadena

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 Pasadena at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 80/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Pasadena, CA. 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: 212The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Pasadena, CA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in Pasadena, CA

What is the average cost of independent living in Pasadena, CA?

The average monthly cost of independent living in Pasadena, CA is approximately $2,062. Actual rates vary by community, level of care, and floorplan.

What is the price range for independent living in Pasadena, CA?

Independent living in Pasadena, CA typically ranges from $542 - $4,950 per month, depending on the community, room type, and care needs.

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 7 independent living communities in Pasadena, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in Pasadena, CA?

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 Pasadena, CA, 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 Pasadena, CA?

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.