Page 34 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
--------------
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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Gary and Mary West Pace

1706 Descanso Ave, San Marcos, CA 92078
Overview of Gary and Mary West Pace

Age gracefully in the comforts of your home with the extraordinary senior living community, Gary and Mary West Pace based in Descanso Avenue, San Marcos, CA, that provides in-home care, a day center, medication management, meal preparation, transportation, and therapy. The community prides itself on a team of reliable, trusted, and well-trained professionals delivering top-notch care and support.

Let go of your woes and live a blissful retirement without the need to leave your comfort zone. Gary and Mary West Pace strives to provide accessible care and assistance, collaborating with seniors and their loved ones to devise a care plan that best matches their needs and preferences. Live with dignity and maximize your autonomy with a team that respects the boundaries in lending extra hands of support. The community ensures seniors remain actively engaged with their surroundings, encouraging meaningful and inspiring interactions.

Contact Gary and Mary West Pace

Overview of Brookdale South Bay

Brookdale South Bay is a continuing care retirement community in Torrance, California, with assisted living, nursing home, and skilled nursing care. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication while the resident maintains an apartment; skilled nursing and nursing home care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock. Having these care levels in one community may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time without requiring a move elsewhere.

Housing includes studios, one bedroom residences, and two bedroom residences. A studio offers one private space, while a two bedroom layout can work for a couple moving together or for someone who wants a companion. Pets are allowed, so residents may bring a pet when moving in. The community has a pool, salon and spa services, and rehabilitation services, giving residents access to recreation, personal care, and therapy within the community. Dining incorporates resident feedback and menu suggestions, so residents can offer input on meals. A Walk Score of 74 places the area in the very walkable band, meaning most errands can be done on foot and a resident who no longer drives can still reach nearby shops, a pharmacy, or cafes independently.

Contact Brookdale South Bay

Overview of Lafayette Care Center

Lafayette Care Center is a nursing home in Lafayette, CA, offering rehabilitation and skilled nursing. With its supportive and welcoming environment, the community ensures older adults are treated well during their stay. Residents also experience worry-free living with 24-hour care, therapies, medication management, and dietitian-approved meals. Focusing on residents’ holistic wellness, individualized care plans are also provided for their recovery.

Recreational therapy, games, and sensory-stimulating activities aim to keep residents active and happy. Thoughtfully curated amenities and accessible common areas also ensure residents’ relaxation and wellness. Set in the thriving neighborhood of Lafayette, near restaurants, Plaza Center, bus stops, and major roads, the community guarantees accessibility and convenience. This nursing home continuously provides high-quality care for older adults’ welfare, making it one of the best options for senior living in California.

Contact Lafayette Care Center

Overview of Keystone Post Acute

Enjoy comprehensive care from Keystone Post Acute, an esteemed community in Fresno, CA, that offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Residents receive top-notch care with a respectful and specially trained team attending to their needs 24/7, ensuring their comfort and safety. Promoting a cozy and nurturing environment, residents keep peace of mind in the community’s purposely built and spacious accommodations.

There’s no need to worry about daily living activities and household responsibilities, with the community handling them. Family members are also encouraged to actively coordinate with the community to stay updated about their loved ones’ care plans. Mealtimes are prepared according to each resident’s dietary needs and preferences, ensuring the finest dining experience. Here, residents experience a worry-free retirement with the community’s state-of-the-art amenities and dedicated services.

Contact Keystone Post Acute

Overview of West Sacramento Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

West Sacramento Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is an esteemed community nestled in the thriving neighborhood of West Sacramento, CA, offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation. The community features comprehensive care options, including respiratory care, wound management, acquired brain injuries, othopedic care, and medically complex cases, to ensure residents find the care they need. A respectful and highly skilled team strives to provide exceptional care 24/7 for residents to recover quickly and jump back into their lives.

Recreational activities are conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and meet new friends. Social services are also provided to help residents and their families optimize their resources. Residents are guaranteed to live up to their potential, accompanied by the community’s dedicated care and state-of-the-art amenities.

Contact West Sacramento Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Overview of Shadowbrook Post Acute

Shadowbrook Post Acute is a luxurious nursing home in Fair Oaks, CA, offering rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and hospice support. Featuring upscale amenities and cozy, private rooms in a welcoming setting, the community ensures older adults are comfortable and safe. 24-hour care, therapies, wound care, a dietary program, and transportation services are among the excellent services dedicated to improving residents’ quality of life. Focusing on residents’ recovery and wellness, high-quality care tailored to their unique needs and habits is also provided.

Weekly outings, chess, and a variety of daily activities encourage residents to have fun and make friends. Cozy common areas and lively gathering spaces also ensure residents can rest and move around comfortably. Residents also experience a stress-free retirement, as it is peacefully located in the quiet neighborhood of Fair Oaks. This nursing home is a great choice for senior living in California, especially with its high standards of care.

Contact Shadowbrook Post Acute

Overview of Alderbrook Skilled Nursing Facility

Alderbrook Skilled Nursing Facility is a highly regarded nursing home in Lancaster, CA, offering skilled nursing and rehabilitation. With its compassionate, home-like setting, the community strives to keep older adults comfortable and well-cared for. Meals based on residents’ dietary needs, wound care, and therapy services are also provided to improve residents’ quality of life. Operated by a team with extensive medical experiences, the community ensures residents receive high-quality care tailored to their unique needs and habits.

Fun gatherings, light exercises, and various recreational opportunities foster social interactions and encourage an active lifestyle. Residents can also rest with its spacious, private rooms and cozy communal spaces. Situated in the peaceful residential area of Lancaster, near bus stops, residents experience a laid-back retirement. This nursing home is a leading choice for senior living in California, especially with its exceptional services that aim to help older adults thrive in retirement.

Contact Alderbrook Skilled Nursing Facility

Overview of Health Care Center at the Forum

Health Care Center at the Forum provides nursing home, assisted living, respite care, and skilled nursing in Cupertino, CA. Assisted living supports daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment, while nursing home and skilled nursing care provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Respite care offers a short stay for a family whose usual caregiver needs to travel or recover. The apartment housing options are one-bed and two-bed layouts, and the range of care types may suit a resident whose care needs change over time.

Contact Health Care Center At the Forum

Overview of Hilltop Estates – a Provincial Senior Living Community

A 64-bed nursing home in Gothenburg, Nebraska, is Hilltop Estates, which caters to residents who need skilled nursing care, post-acute rehabilitation, or ongoing medical support. The community is moderately occupied at 72 percent capacity and tends to serve residents for an average of 236 days, signifying a blend of short-term rehabilitation stays and longer-term care placements. The home accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. This gives families many options to arrange coverage and care type.

Rehabilitation services are a core part of daily programming, making the facility a pragmatic option for residents recuperating from surgery, hospitalization, or other events that require structured physical or occupational recovery. Daily nursing support averages 4 hours and 30 minutes per resident, delivered by registered nurses, nurse aides, and licensed practical nurses. That level of hands-on staffing supports active care management and daily assistance with daily living activities. The facility is in a location that scores 49 for walkability, so some nearby services and errands can be reached on foot, but lots of activities and visits necessitate transportation. Hilltop Estates is open to visitors and can be toured by families considering care options.

State compliance inspections reflect a home that upholds regulatory standards. Historical investigations into specific practices, such as medication management and environmental safety, led to documented corrections confirmed via follow-up reviews.

Families evaluating the community must schedule a tour to learn more about daily operations and to examine the facility’s fit for their loved one’s care needs.

Contact Hilltop Estates – A Provincial Senior Living Community

Wisteria at Warner Center

5850 Canoga Ave Suite 110, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Overview of Wisteria at Warner Center

Wisteria at Warner Center is a vibrant retirement community in Woodland Hills, CA, that offers a variety of well-thought-out residences. The community features spacious one-to-three-bedroom apartments, designed to promote comfort and familiarity. 24-hour emergency call systems, restaurant-style dining, and household services are also offered to ensure residents experience a maintenance-free living. With its commitment to enriching residents’ living experiences, the community offers a comprehensive lifestyle package to ease their financial burdens.

Here, residents can participate in leisure activities and interest classes to learn new things and interact with their peers. A swimming pool, movie theaters, and a fully equipped workshop are also available for residents’ recreation and wellness. With public transportation and local amenities, including a bank, a church, and a plaza, residents are guaranteed accessibility and convenience. This retirement community is a good choice for older adults in California, especially those looking to live independently, with its extensive amenities and dedicated services.

Contact Wisteria at Warner Center

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