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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 347 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 TableAL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
NH (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.
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.
HC (Home Care):
Professional care delivered in the person's own home, from companionship to skilled nursing.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
ADC (Adult Day Care):
Daytime supervision, health monitoring, and social activities for seniors who live at home.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative 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.
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.
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.
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: 60.8% 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.
$17.2M*Fiscal year ending 03/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
$10.3M*Fiscal year ending 03/2022These figures are from this home's most recent complete cost report — an older period than most facilities report. Compare with that in mind.
60%*Fiscal year ending 03/2022These 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 347 on this page. See how we rank facilities
White Blossom Care Center is a nursing home in San Jose, California, offering skilled nursing and palliative care. Nursing support is available 24 hours a day for residents who need licensed nursing care on site, while palliative care focuses on comfort for people with serious or advanced illness. Short term rehabilitation and outpatient therapy are also available, with an expansive rehabilitation gym for therapy sessions.
These services may suit someone who needs nursing care while recovering from an illness, injury, or hospital stay. The combination of skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and palliative care may be a good fit for a resident whose needs include ongoing nursing support, recovery services, or comfort focused care. White Blossom Care Center has 153 beds, with a 99% occupancy rate, so nearly all beds are in use; total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 8 minutes per resident each day, representing the daily nursing time allocated per resident. Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families those two listed payment options.
Desert Canyon Post Acute is a nursing home in Lancaster, CA, offering comprehensive nursing services and rehabilitation. Here, older adults are well-cared for, especially with its supportive and home-like environment. Aside from high-quality care options, personal laundry, daily housekeeping, dietitian-approved meals, and social services are also provided, so residents experience a maintenance-free living. Dedicated to residents’ holistic well-being, personalized care plans are also provided to meet their needs and preferences.
Memory programs, musical performances, and stretching exercises aim to enhance residents’ cognition and encourage them to have fun. A beauty and barber shop and patio areas also help lift residents’ moods and rest comfortably. Situated next to the Antelope Valley Medical Center, as well as bus stops in Lancaster, the community provides convenient access to their medical needs and travel. With excellent services and top-notch amenities, this nursing home is a good option for senior living in California.
Bethel Senior Living in Selma, California, hosts a wide spectrum of care options, ranging from independent living and assisted living to nursing home care, adult day services, home care, hospice, and respite stays. Independent living centers on private residential spaces with shared community amenities, while assisted living incorporates assistance with bathing, dressing, and daily medications. Specialized programs include adult day health services for local non-residents, home care assistance, and short-term respite stays that allow regular family caregivers to take time off.
Jointly operated by Bethel Assisted Living and Bayshire Central Valley under administrator Benjamin Carter, the 33-bed community maintains 24-hour staffing, with registered nursing time averaging 4 hours and 10 minutes per resident each day. Physical rehabilitation options assist residents in rebuilding physical strength and functional skills. Situated in a location with an 83 walk score, the campus sits near local shops and pharmacies, allowing mobile residents to handle routine errands on foot. Accepted payment methods encompass Medicare, Medicaid, and private payment.
Families looking for a campus that accommodates changing care needs over time can contact Bethel Senior Living to request enrollment information, discuss daily care options, or schedule an in-person tour.
Alvarado Care Center provides nursing home, hospice care, respite care, and skilled nursing in Los Angeles, California. Its nursing and rehabilitation services cover both short-term and long-term care, allowing a resident to receive short-term rehabilitation during recovery or ongoing care for longer-term needs. Skilled nursing and 24-hour staffing keep nursing support on site around the clock, while hospice care focuses on comfort for residents nearing the end of life.
The center has 72 beds, with total nurse staffing of 4 hours and 3 minutes per resident per day. This figure represents the amount of daily nurse time allocated to each resident. Through the Skilled And Restorative Services program, residents can receive rehabilitation and restorative care, while respite stays offer temporary support when a usual caregiver needs to travel, recover, or take a break.
Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care based on the resident’s eligibility and financial arrangements. Respite care may be a good fit for a family that needs temporary support while a primary caregiver is unavailable.
Horizon Health & Subacute Center is a nursing home in Fresno, California, offering skilled nursing care. Licensed nurses are on site around the clock, making it a potential fit for someone who needs ongoing clinical support and may prefer a private or semi-private room.
The center has 180 beds. It is a larger community, with more residents, staff and usually programming, while its 86% occupancy means some beds are currently unoccupied.
Total nurse staffing is 4 hours and 27 minutes per resident each day. That figure represents the daily hands-on nursing time allocated to each resident, and payment options include Medicare, Medicaid and private pay.
Sharon Care Center has been running skilled nursing at 8167 W 3rd St in Los Angeles for 19 years, and at 87.2% occupancy across 86 beds, it’s clearly not sitting empty. The average stay is 96 days, which is the clearest signal of what this place actually is: a post-acute facility where most people come to recover and move on, not a place most residents stay permanently.
The neighborhood scores a 95 on the Walk Score scale, which in LA terms is genuinely rare. Walker’s paradise means pharmacies, food, and daily errands are all on foot; no circling for parking, no rideshare wait, which matters more than it sounds when you’re visiting someone in a nursing facility regularly.
Staffing runs 3 hours and 45 minutes of total nursing care per resident per day, split across registered nurses, LPNs, LVNs, and nurse aides. Ms. Larisa Machneva is the administrator. The care model covers skilled nursing, hospice, and respite stays, so the facility handles both people who are recovering from something acute and people who are at end of life; different populations, same building.
Sharon Care Center takes Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, which covers the main financial pathways families are usually working with when a hospital discharge is driving the timeline.
Taken together, 87.2% occupancy, a 96-day average stay, and all three major payment types accepted show this is a facility that sees steady use and is financially reachable across most coverage situations. For a short-term skilled nursing placement in central LA, the practical barriers here are low.
Serving the Korean community in Los Angeles, CA, Olympia Convalescent Hospital is a distinct community that offers rehabilitation and skilled nursing. A respectful and well-trained team provides the highest quality of care around the clock to meet residents’ healthcare needs. Medicare and Medicaid are also accepted in the community to ease financial burdens.
A thoughtfully curated calendar of engaging activities and stimulating programs is conducted to keep residents active and socially connected. Delightful Korean cuisine with well-balanced dining options is served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Physical, occupational, and speech therapies are also provided to enhance residents’ living experiences. With its specialized Korean program, the community promotes a culturally welcoming environment for residents to flourish in retirement.
Covina Rehabilitation Center in Covina, CA, is a nursing home that offers skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and sub-acute care. With its nurturing and home-like setting, the community ensures older adults are comfortable and safe. Excellent services, including 24-hour care, well-balanced meals, and recreational activities, are also provided to improve residents’ quality of life. The community also strives to understand residents’ unique needs and habits to provide the best possible care.
Physical exercises, social gatherings, and sensory games ensure residents can stay active and make new friends. Spacious living areas and lively gathering spaces also provide residents with more spaces for interactions and relaxation. Covina Heritage House, Emanate Health Inter-Community Hospital, restaurants, shops, and bus stops are also available nearby, making it more accessible for visitors and families. This nursing home has high standards of care and a clean environment, making it one of the best options for senior living in California.
Overview of Virgil Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center
Virgil Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center is a skilled nursing facility located at 975 North Virgil Avenue in Los Angeles, California. Co-owned by Rushabh Modi and Shruti Modi, the two-story building features 124 beds and currently runs at roughly 62 percent occupancy.
The center serves both short-term rehabilitation and long-term nursing residents, with an average length of stay of 198 days. On-site clinical services include hemodialysis, medical rehabilitation, dietary support, and structured discharge planning. Nursing staff are available around the clock, providing an average of 4 hours and 22 minutes of direct hands-on care per resident daily.
The property accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Located in a walker’s paradise with a walk score of 92, the facility sits approximately half a mile from Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, making nearby errands and visits convenient without a vehicle.
Interested individuals can contact the North Virgil Avenue administrative office directly to learn about therapy scheduling, care costs, or to arrange a personal visit.
Pasadena Nursing Center, located in Pasadena, CA, is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility providing a range of services from rehabilitation, a variety of therapy services, adult care, psychiatric care, respite care, and skilled nursing services. Their convalescent home provides residents with 24/7 skilled nursing care, wound and pain management, medication management and administration assistance, as well as assistance with daily living activities and mobility. This skilled nursing center boasts of their quality care as well as amenities and non-medical related services; from meal provisions to physical fitness programs, the residents are well taken care of until they feel better or good enough to start living independently again.
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 347 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:3.2/ 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:3.3/ 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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