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Compare Nursing Homes around California
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
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| 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 | 3 | 114 | - |
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 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
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
Alta Healthcare Center of Camarillo is a top-rated nursing home in Camarillo, CA, offering dementia care, hospice care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. The community promotes a nurturing and welcoming environment, striving to keep older adults comfortable and safe. With 24-hour assistance, transportation, and a nutrition program, residents receive exceptional services to live comfortably. Through individualized care plans, the community ensures residents can recover without hassles.
Light exercises, social gatherings, and recreational activities provide residents with more opportunities to interact with friends and have fun. With thoughtfully furnished rooms and lively gathering areas, residents can rest and focus on their well-being. Set in the quiet residential area of Camarillo, the community ensures a stress-free retirement. This nursing home is a great choice for senior living in California, as it has excellent services and top-notch amenities.
San Juan Hills Healthcare Center is an award-winning nursing home in San Juan Capistrano, CA, offering skilled nursing, rehabilitation, respite care, and hospice services. Here, older adults can feel at ease during their stay in a compassionate and welcoming environment. 24-hour care, nutrition programs, and transportation services are also offered to improve residents’ living experiences. Residents also receive the utmost attention and care tailored to their unique needs and habits through individualized care plans.
Social events, light exercises, and a variety of games ensure residents can live actively and have fun. State-of-the-art rehabilitation equipment and lively gathering areas also ensure residents can recover well. Situated near Ortega Highway 74 and Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano, the community ensures accessibility. This nursing home is one of the finest options for senior living in California, especially with its commitment to helping older adults thrive in retirement.
Twilight Haven has been a senior living home that provides a graceful living for independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing residents since 1957. They follow a philosophy that encourages and empowers its residents to maintain their independence and individuality. Residents of all kinds of living options receive supportive assistance for everyday living with enriching activities that contribute to a high success rate for recovery.
Twilight Haven prioritizes wellness, comfort, and convenience for its residents. They offer 24-hour skilled nursing care services with speech, occupational, and physical therapy; ADLs, planned activities, recreational programs; and housekeeping, transportation, and religious services.
Beautifully nestled near Heritage Park in Chula Vista, CA, St. Paul’s Plaza is an outstanding community that offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care. Dedicated to improving residents’ quality of life, a compassionate and highly trained team provides top-notch care tailored to their special needs around the clock. The community also promotes a warm and welcoming environment, so residents can feel at ease during their stay.
A full calendar of fun recreational activities and enriching programs is conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and maintain social connections. Delicious and well-balanced meals are available to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. With its extensive amenities and dedicated services, residents are guaranteed to thrive in retirement.
Offering nursing home, skilled nursing, hospice, respite, and memory care services, Riverwood Health Care Center is a skilled nursing community in Stockton, California. The community is located a few miles from downtown Stockton. It has been serving residents for 10 years, giving it an established presence in the area.
Care centers on 24-hour nursing support, with additional services for pain management, diabetes management, mental health, dementia, and memory care.
The nursing team includes registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and certified nurse aides. Nurse aides provide an average of about 2 hours and 32 minutes of care per resident each day, making up the largest share of direct daily support. Registered nurses contribute about 20 minutes of care per resident daily, while licensed practical and vocational nurses provide an average of 1 hour and 19 minutes. Weekend staffing is consistent with weekday coverage, so residents receive steady support throughout the week.
Meals are prepared to meet each resident’s dietary needs rather than following a standard menu. Regular social events encourage residents to stay engaged with one another. Spacious resident rooms provide a comfortable place to live while receiving care.
The area has a Walk Score of 63 out of 100, which is moderately walkable. Some errands and outings can be completed on foot, but others require a short drive. That convenience may be helpful for family members deciding whether to drive or walk during visits from nearby accommodations.
Families considering Riverwood Health Care Center should ask how the community coordinates memory care and hospice services with its daily skilled nursing care because that integration can have an important impact on residents with more complex care needs.
Overview of The Springs of Pacific Regent
The Springs of Pacific Regent is a renowned health care center in San Diego that’s well-known for its advanced technology and customized therapy programs. The community’s focus is on providing its residents with the utmost comfort, safety, and therapy. The atmosphere of the community is bright and airy, with comfortable furnishings and beautiful artwork hanging on the walls. Each home is equipped with a flat-screen TV and telephone, which allows residents to stay in touch with their loved ones.
They firmly believe in keeping their residents entertained and engaged, which is why they offer a full calendar of activities, including arts and crafts classes, social events, live music shows, and cooking classes. Additionally, The Springs of Pacific Regent offers excursions and church services to those who seek spiritual fulfillment in their daily lives. The Springs of Pacific Regent ensures that their residents are never bored by providing them with the opportunity to enjoy life with a greater sense of freedom and self-expression.
Temecula Memory Care is a nursing home offering skilled nursing in Temecula, California. Licensed nursing care is available on site around the clock, so it may suit someone who needs ongoing nursing support. Pets can remain part of daily life here, since residents are allowed to keep a pet in the community. The home is in The Vineyards neighborhood.
Pacific Villas Post Acute is a nursing home in Oceanside, CA, offering rehabilitation and skilled nursing services. Promoting a nurturing and welcoming environment, the community ensures older adults are well-cared for. Social services, dietitian-approved meals, pain management, restorative nursing program, respiratory therapy, physical, occupational, and speech therapy are among the comprehensive services provided to meet residents’ unique needs and preferences. The community also provides 24-hour care with licensed nurses to ensure residents are well-cared for.
Musical performances, parties, and fitness programs are just some of the activities conducted to promote socialization and help residents maintain holistic wellness. An expansive rehabilitation gym, courtyards, and common areas are also available on-site. With the 78 freeway and Tri-City Medical Center nearby, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This nursing home is one of the best options for senior living in California, especially with its wide range of services.
At 20801 Devonshire Street in Chatsworth, California, Brookdale Chatsworth, extends top-notch assisted living services for seniors who want to redefine their independence and enjoy life to the fullest. The community provides a warm and inviting environment where residents can pursue their passions, explore new hobbies, and build meaningful friendships. At Brookdale Chatsworth, residents have a variety of floor plans to choose from, each offering plenty of natural light and storage.
The community’s caring staff is available throughout the day and night to provide personalized assistance with daily living activities, medication management, and transportation to appointments. Residents can also enjoy a range of amenities, including an emergency alert system, pet-friendly accommodations, and a library. One of the key benefits of living at Brookdale Chatsworth is the vibrant lifestyle it offers. Residents can participate in a variety of activities, such as Wii bowling, painting classes, and movie nights. Brookdale Chatsworth is the community for you if you want a place that puts your independence first.
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.
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
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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.
Updated on
Nursing Homes in California at a glance
