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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 346 nursing homes in CA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in CA
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & 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.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This TableNH (Nursing Home):
24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility):
Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness.
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.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
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.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The California average is: 61.1% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
$11.8M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$5.6M*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
47.3%*Fiscal year ending 12/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$11.0M*Fiscal year ending 10/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$6.5M*Fiscal year ending 10/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
58.7%*Fiscal year ending 10/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each nursing home is ranked against every other CA nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 346 on this page. See how we rank facilities
Mission Care Center is a compassionate community in Riverside, CA dedicated to supporting residents’ well-being through skilled nursing care and rehabilitation. They feature a highly skilled team of clinicians, therapists, and medical consultants to help residents in their recovery process or maintain their functionality. Residents here enjoy the comfort of their healing environment with easy access to care services like physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Apart from comprehensive care services, the community assists residents and their families throughout their journey by offering compassionate social services. The community also organizes an array of fun and engaging activities to help residents stay stimulated and active. By meeting residents’ social and medical needs, Mission Care Center guarantees a smooth and comfortable healing journey.
Maintain independence in retirement with The Avenues Transitional Care Center, an astounding community in San Francisco, CA, offering rehabilitation and therapy. Residents can keep their peace of mind with a wide range of care services, including pain management, diabetic management, hospice program, wound care, and dementia care. The community ensures residents receive the right care for their unique needs by creating personalized care plans.
Residents will surely recover without hassle, accompanied by the community’s comprehensive care and dedicated services. With an on-site dietitian, residents delight with delicious and well-balanced meals that satisfy their dietary needs and preferences. The community is ideal for those seeking exceptional care for their unique needs, ensuring the finest retirement experience.
Mission Valley Post Acute offers an unsurpassed professional senior living community in Fremont that encourages residents to regain independence and individuality. Specializing in long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, the team of well-trained staff practices a resident-centered approach to senior recovery supported by compassionate and professional care.
Mission Valley Post Acute heeds a home-like environment that encourages a sense of belonging for a more comfortable journey in receiving nursing care. Residents can expect to fulfill a rejuvenating recovery period with specialized services– nutrition and hydration programs, diabetic management, hospice care, restorative nursing, colostomy care, social services, rehabilitative programs, and recreational activities.
Cloverdale Healthcare Center is where residents thrive; they provide quality caregiving for long-term skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation services. It offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere where residents and staff are encouraged to create friendships and build mutual trust that helps with an effective recovery and engaging experience. Families can rest easy knowing their loved ones are in good hands because of the dedicated team of professionals. Cloverdale is ideal for seniors looking for a homelike setting in a nurturing environment.
The nursing home aims to enhance the quality of life for its residents by ensuring that seniors can satisfy their holistic wellness and continue to maintain an active lifestyle. They house state-of-the-art technologies balanced with a comprehensive care plan that helps recover a range of medical conditions– wound care, neurological recovery, lymphedema, and pulmonary programs, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
Sherwood Oaks Post Acute is a highly rated nursing home in Thousand Oaks, CA, offering rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and hospice care. With its supportive and welcoming environment, the community ensures older adults can keep their peace of mind during their stay. Excellent services, including 24-hour care, nutritious meals, and therapies, are also provided to enrich residents’ quality of life. Through personalized care plans, residents also receive exceptional care tailored to their unique needs and habits.
Chair yoga, games, and fun gatherings provide residents with more opportunities to connect with friends and live actively. An expansive rehabilitation gym, lively common areas, and spacious courtyards also help residents focus on their recovery and wellness. Located near Los Robles Regional Medical Center and other local amenities in Thousand Oaks, the community guarantees easy access to necessities and leisure. This nursing home is a trusted choice for senior living in California, especially with its high standards of care.
Oxnard Manor Healthcare Center is a dedicated community in the harmonious neighborhood of Oxnard, CA, that offers rehabilitation and skilled nursing. The community is dedicated to accommodating up to 82 residents with its cozy and specially designed accommodations, alongside top-tier care and support tailored to their needs. With comprehensive care from a compassionate and highly skilled team available 24/7, residents can ease their worries.
Here, residents will not run out of things to do with a variety of fun activities and engaging events for their leisure and wellness. Healthy meals are important for residents’ well-being, so delightful and nutritious meals are served to satisfy dietary needs and preferences. Transportation and social services are also available for residents’ convenience. The community is ideal for those seeking a wide range of care for their needs, especially with its beautifully designed amenities.
North Pointe Care Center provides nursing home care, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Fresno, CA. Nursing home and skilled nursing services include licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, while respite care provides a short stay when a resident’s usual caregiver needs time away.
North Pointe Care Center may be a good fit for someone living with dementia who needs supervised care or for a family arranging temporary support. Rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation are also available for residents who need care during a recovery period. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several listed ways to fund care.
The community has 99 beds. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 30 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily nursing time allocated to each resident. A Walk Score of 80 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.
Brookside Skilled Nursing Hospital is a not-for-profit nursing home in San Mateo, CA, offering rehabilitation and nursing services. Promoting a supportive and welcoming environment, the community ensures older adults can keep their peace of mind in retirement. Excellent services, including therapies, social services, and 24-hour care, are also provided to meet residents’ unique needs. The community is also committed to helping residents recover and return to their routines through comprehensive care options.
Cooking classes, board games, live entertainment, and outings provide residents with more opportunities to continue learning and gain meaningful experiences. Cozy living spaces and a beautiful outdoor patio are also available for residents’ relaxation and wellness. With restaurants, shops, and bus stops nearby, residents are guaranteed quick access to their necessities and leisure. This nursing home continuously provides high standards of care for older adults’ welfare, making it a great choice for senior living in California.
University Care Center, located in San Diego, is a 5-star Medicare facility that offers a variety of services, including short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing, long-term care, wound care, and hospice services. The facility is conveniently located near top-notch hospitals and provides easy access to major freeways. Here, residents receive round-the-clock professional care from a dedicated staff. They accept a range of payment options, including private pay, Medicare, PPOs, and Medi-Cal. They also offer a variety of HMOs to provide flexibility in payment options. The facility boasts a state-of-the-art gym, as well as gorgeous courtyards and a homey lobby that provide a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for residents. Their in-house registered dietitian also ensures that residents’ nutritional needs are met, combining comfort and sustainability to provide a holistic approach to care. Residents are sure to enjoy Southern California’s breathtaking beautiful city under University Care Center’s exemplary care.
Heritage Park Nursing Center in Upland, CA, is a 70-bed nursing home that offers rehabilitation and skilled nursing. Featuring a clean and well-organized setting, the community ensures older adults are comfortable and safe. Assistance with daily living activities, 24-hour care, and nutritious meals are also offered, so residents can focus on their rehabilitation and recovery. Personalized care plans are also provided to meet residents’ unique needs and preferences.
Recreational activities, social events, and light exercises provide residents with more opportunities to gain meaningful experiences and have fun. Cozy rooms and fun gathering areas are also available for residents’ relaxation and wellness. Situated in the lively neighborhood of Upland, the community guarantees a stress-free retirement. This nursing home is a good option for senior living in California, especially with its top-tier services and well-maintained amenities.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in California
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in California?
Assisted living in California is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does California Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — California Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 346 nursing homes in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home 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 nursing homes 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.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
Nursing Homes in California at a glance
Avg Overall CMS Rating:3.1/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in California. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.1/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in California. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.8/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in California. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.0/ 5
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