Page 30 of Best Nursing Homes in California

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
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We analyzed These are the facilities in California our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in California.
346 homes
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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 Table AL (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. 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.
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.
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.
Southland Living
NH
AL
MC
RC
SNF
Norwalk
75
Facility 75
CA AVG 148
Rank #236 / 328
--
3.96
Facility 3.96
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #151 / 289
-14%-6%
$38.4k
Facility $38.4k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #243 / 294
92
Facility 92
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #269 / 290
4.2
Facility 4.2
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #151 / 290
3114-
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 60
Rank #51 / 354
Southland Management LLC
$23.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $23.1MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $15.7M
Rank #44 / 260
$11.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $11.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #51 / 260
51.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 51.6%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG 61.1%
Rank #156 / 260
555070
Twilight Haven-
NH
AL
SNF
Fresno
166
Facility 166
CA AVG 148
Rank #79 / 328
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2
Facility 2
CA AVG 60
Rank #350 / 354
Raymond Goertzen$6.3M*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.$4.8M*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.75.9%*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.55658

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

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Overview of Gold Country Assisted Living

Gold Country Assisted Living is a nursing home in Placerville, California, offering assisted living and skilled nursing care. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication, while residents keep private apartments. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Having both care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since several levels of care are available within the same community. The home has 46 beds, and rehabilitation services allow residents to receive therapy as part of their care without arranging a separate location. An area Walk Score of 31 means most errands require a car or a ride rather than being practical on foot.

Gold Country Assisted Living accepts Medicaid and Medicare. Medicaid may help when a family’s savings may not cover a long stay, while Medicare generally applies to short term skilled care after a hospital stay rather than long term residence. Bonnie Stone is the administrator.

Contact Gold Country Assisted Living

Overview of Channing House

Channing House offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, and skilled nursing in Palo Alto, California. Nursing home and skilled nursing include licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Assisted living provides help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps an apartment. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care.

The range of care levels may suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since moving between care levels can happen without leaving the community or starting over socially. Located in the University South neighborhood, Channing House opened in 1964. It has 264 beds, placing it among larger communities with more residents, staff, and usually more programming.

Residents can take part in classes, fitness, and wellness offerings within the community. A Walk Score of 96 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, where daily errands do not require a car, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently. Rehabilitation services are also available through the community’s care offerings.

Yadira Aldana serves as the administrator. Channing House may be a good fit for someone who wants private or apartment living now, with access to assisted living, nursing home, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services if care needs increase.

Contact Channing House

Overview of The Gables of Ojai

The Gables of Ojai operates a 118-bed senior living location in Ojai, California, featuring independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Independent living accommodates self-sufficient seniors wanting community amenities, while assisted living helps with routine daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and managing medications. Memory care supplies a secured, supervised environment to assist residents with cognitive loss, and respite programs accommodate short-term stays.

Under administrator Deedee L Heninger, the property boasts a 90 walk score, placing local shops, cafes, and everyday errands within walking distance. On-site lifestyle amenities include chef-prepared dining with flexible meal options, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and regular exercise classes.

Interested individuals can get in touch with the administrative team at The Gables of Ojai to check current room availability, request fee details, or set up a guided walk-through of the grounds.

Contact The Gables of Ojai

Overview of Brookdale Tracy

Welcoming residents and guests warmly, Brookdale Tracy located at West Grant Line Road, Tracy, CA, is an exceptional senior living community providing assisted living and memory care. The community offers a variety of floor plans including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. Brookdale Tracy nurtures the individuality and growth of seniors, providing them with a care plan that best suits their specific needs and preferences. Brookdale Tracy promotes meaningful connections, encouraging residents to stay active and interact with others. The community orchestrates fun and exciting activities to keep its residents learning and hone their interests.

With its signature Clare Bridge Training, memory care residents experience hands-on care and assistance from activities to dining. Delightful dining awaits the seniors and their peers at the community dining room; memory care residents are provided with scheduled meal times to avoid confusion. The community includes a cafe, a game room, a fireside living room, a community kitchen, a piano, a beauty and barbershop, a courtyard and garden, and peaceful walking paths.

Contact Brookdale Tracy

Overview of Sunny View Retirement Community

Front Porch Communities and Services operates Sunny View Retirement Community, a 190-bed continuing care facility in Cupertino’s Monta Vista neighborhood. Under the direction of administrator Bradley Burgoyne, the non-profit campus provides skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, hospice, and short-term respite stays. The multi-floor residential campus features internal elevators, ensuring residents can shift between varying levels of care and common spaces without navigating stairs.

The daily care infrastructure delivers over five hours of direct nursing care per resident each day, alongside physical, occupational, and speech therapy routines. On-site amenities include a spa and structured person-centered wellness programs. The immediate neighborhood carries a walkability score of 40 out of 100, meaning the location is mostly car-dependent, though visitors can find a few basic services nearby on foot. State inspection reviews show steady compliance and strong complaint management across the property’s 23 years of operation.

Individuals looking over local multi-level senior living options can call the admissions department to check on current bed vacancies and book a tour to view the layout and shared therapeutic spaces.

Contact Sunny View Retirement Community

Overview of Palm Village Retirement Community

Palm Village Retirement Community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and nursing home and skilled nursing care in Reedley, CA. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps a private apartment. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision, and nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Multiple care levels can support a resident’s move within the community as needs change, so Palm Village may be a good fit for someone whose care needs are likely to grow over time. The community has 262 beds, making it a larger setting with more residents, staff, and usually more programming. Karely Alcantar serves as administrator, Jim Higbee is the director, and Mennonite Brethren Homes operates the community.

Residents can use the fitness center, walking paths, beauty shop, game area with pool table, and Barbara’s Diner for exercise, personal care, recreation, and dining. Group activities and transportation are provided, allowing residents to take part in organized outings without arranging transportation independently. Rehabilitation and restorative therapies support residents working to recover or maintain function, while the chapel and religious services provide an on-site place for worship; meals also receive extra attention to dietary restrictions and requirements.

Contact Palm Village Retirement Community

Overview of North La Costa Assisted Living

Conveniently located in the heart of Carlsbad, CA, North La Costa Assisted Living is a welcoming senior living community that offers a blend of elegance and personalized care for seniors. The community provides a comprehensive range of care options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care, all within beautifully designed living spaces. Residents can choose from a variety of thoughtfully designed accommodations with several floor plans, ensuring a comfortable living space tailored to individual needs.

The community is committed to holistic well-being, providing enriching activites such as music sessions and recreational outings. A dedicated team coordinates personalized healthcare services, from medication management to in-home medical visits. Moreover, residents can enjoy top-tier amenities such as pet therapy and wellness visits from stylists, creating a vibrant atmosphere where they can thrive. North La Costa Assisted Living is committed to fostering an engaging community focused on comfort, dignity enjoy for every resident.

Contact North La Costa Assisted Living

Overview of Belmar Villa Assisted Living

Surrounded by convenient local amenities in Fresno, CA, Belmar Villa Assisted Living (Formerly known as Care Meridian Fresno Weber) is a distinct community that offers assisted living and skilled nursing. Residents receive the highest quality of care from a kind and highly trained team available around the clock. The community also handles the housekeeping and other chores, ensuring residents can feel a sense of belonging during their stay.

With a thoughtfully curated calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs, residents will not run out of things to do for leisure and wellness. Delicious and healthy meals are also served to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Residents can keep their peace of mind and thrive in retirement amidst the community’s vibrant and friendly setting.

Contact Belmar Villa Assisted Living

Overview of West Pico Terrace Assisted Living

West Pico Terrace Assisted Living provides nursing home, assisted living, and skilled nursing care in Los Angeles, CA. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, while nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. With several care levels available, the community may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time.

Staff are available throughout the day and night for resident support. Rehabilitation services help residents working to regain or maintain function, and meals prepared by chefs accommodate diverse dietary needs and preferences. Residents can spend outdoor time in the landscaped courtyard, use the media room, or read in the library.

A Walk Score of 90 places the area in the walker’s paradise band, where daily errands do not require a car. A resident who no longer drives can still reach routine destinations independently. Azucena Reyes Serrano serves as administrator, and West Pico Terrace Assisted Wellness Gp Et Al operates the community.

Contact West Pico Terrace Assisted Living

Overview of Grossmont Gardens Memory Care

Grossmont Gardens Memory Care is a La Mesa, California community offering memory care, assisted living, independent living, respite care, nursing home care, and skilled nursing. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone living with dementia, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while the resident keeps an apartment.

Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care. Skilled nursing and nursing home care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while respite care offers a short stay when a resident’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover.

The community has 64 beds, and its range of care levels may be a good fit for a resident whose needs grow over time and who could remain in the community as care changes. A Walk Score of 83 means the area is very walkable, with most errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives can still get out independently.

Natalie Carlborg serves as the administrator, and Vista La Mesa Senior Living operates the community.

Contact Grossmont Gardens Memory Care

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

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.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
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
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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.

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