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Why trust this guide?
Our editorial team analyzed 346 nursing homes in CA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in CA
Info below is compiled from CMS reports & the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.
The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
Care Types in This 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.
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.
RESC (Residential Care):
Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting.
IL (Independent Living):
Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care.
HOS (Hospice Care):
Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
PC (Palliative Care):
Comfort-focused care for serious illness at any stage, including alongside curative treatment.
CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community):
A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
A 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The California average is: 61.1% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
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
Tampico Healthcare Center is Walnut Creek’s luxury retirement home in that offers premier skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for seniors in the city. Management places great importance on delivering the highest standard of senior healthcare for individuals to recover in a relaxing and rejuvenating manner. The results-driven community offers an unmatched quality of service that promotes and improves individual wellness centered on the convenience and comfort of each unique resident, empowering them to bounce back to a better quality of life.
At Tampico, residents are at the center of care. Families are confident to place their trust in professional and compassionate caregivers who continue to provide continuous and unwavering support for their loved ones. Senior wellness emphasizes long-term and short-term care, including therapy services, medication management, healthy and delicious meal plans, 24/7 nursing care, and calendar-filled activities.
Town & Country offers nursing home, assisted living, independent living, memory care, and skilled nursing in Santa Ana, CA. Nursing home and skilled nursing provide licensed nursing care on site around the clock, while assisted living helps with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication. Independent living provides private living with community services and no daily care, and memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.
Because Town & Country offers several care levels, it may be a good fit for a resident whose needs may grow over time without requiring a move to a different community. The community has 328 beds, and total nurse staffing is 5h 22m per resident/day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated per resident.
Payment options are Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay. Medicare applies to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid can help when savings may not cover a long stay, and private pay means paying directly. Sara Modugno is the administrator, and Christian And Missionary Alliance operates the community.
A Walk Score of 67 means the area is somewhat walkable, with some errands possible on foot, so a resident who no longer drives may still be able to reach certain nearby destinations independently. Pets are allowed, so a resident may keep a pet at the community.
Operated by United Com-Serve Fremont-Rideout Health Group under owner Stone Point Health, The Fountains Skilled Nursing Care provides nursing home and hospice care in Yuba City, California. Brandy Strahl serves as administrator. The community has been serving the area for 27 years. Families can choose from Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay to cover short-term and longer-term stays.
The 80-bed community has an occupancy rate of 70%. Families considering placement may typically find availability without waiting for too long. Residents receive an average of about 4 hours and 12 minutes of total nursing care each day. The nursing time reflects a meaningful hands-on presence from the care team throughout the day and night.
State inspections have focused on staff conduct and communication with residents, timely incident reporting, medication administration, and resident safety monitoring plans. Families may want to learn more about these areas when considering the community. They can ask the administrator about current staff training and safety protocols.
The surrounding area has a Walk Score of 55, which is moderately walkable. Residents and visiting families can do some nearby errands on foot, but most trips require a car.
Palm Terrace Care Center is a nursing home in Riverside, CA, offering nursing care and skilled nursing. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock, so the community may be a good fit for a resident who needs ongoing nursing oversight. It has 71 beds.
Private and semi-private rooms are available. A private room is intended for one resident, while a semi-private room is shared. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families different ways to cover care: Medicare can apply to short-term skilled care after a hospital stay, Medicaid may help when savings do not cover a long stay, and private pay allows a family to pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 54 minutes per resident per day, representing the daily hands-on nursing time allocated per resident.
As a Mariner Healthcare Community, Fremont Healthcare Center specializes in skilled nursing care services that deliver a home-like and comfortable atmosphere where residents can achieve their maximum recovery potential. It offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere where residents and staff are encouraged to create friendships and build mutual trust, which helps with an effective recovery and engaging experience.
At Fremont Center, residents can expect various services, including long-term nursing and short-term rehabilitation. Featured medical services include pain management, enternal therapy, intravenous therapy, rehabilitative therapy (skilled, occupational, physical), neurological care, and social services.
Crystal Ridge Care Center is a nursing home in Grass Valley, California, offering skilled nursing, memory care, hospice care, palliative care, and respite care. Skilled nursing includes licensed nursing care on site around the clock, with both long-term and short-term care available. Memory care provides a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, while hospice and palliative care focus on end-of-life support, comfort, and symptom relief. Respite care offers a short stay when a family’s usual caregiver needs to travel or recover, so the range of care can suit someone seeking short-term rehabilitation or respite now and more structured care if needs change.
Opened in 1987, the center has 99 beds, with a 97% occupancy rate meaning nearly all beds were in use at the time measured. Housing includes studios, one-bedroom accommodations, and two-bedroom accommodations. A studio offers one private living space, while a two-bedroom option may suit a couple moving together or someone who wants a companion.
Residents can receive therapy within the community through rehabilitation services and a rehabilitation gym. Courtyards provide outdoor areas, and private bathrooms with showers give residents personal bathing space. Programs cover short-term rehabilitation, pain management, complex wound care, nutrition, sub-acute care, hospice services, palliative care, and behavioral health, addressing rehabilitation, symptom management, wound treatment, nutrition, and behavioral health needs.
The area has a Walk Score of 46 out of 100 and is car-dependent, so most errands require a car or a ride; someone who no longer drives would need access to one for routine errands. Payment options include Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay, allowing families to use public coverage when eligible or pay directly. Total nurse staffing is 3 hours and 52 minutes per resident per day, representing the combined daily nursing time assigned to each resident.
One of Palo Alto’s premier communities, Webster House creates a fulfilling intellectual diversity that seniors can immerse themselves in at the heart of Silicon Valley. From vibrant urban living to an engaged retirement experience, the tightly-knit home is a place for endless opportunities that await discovery for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing residents. Through its personalized care approach to senior care, residents will find a lifestyle that suits their needs and satisfies holistic wellness.
As a Front Porch Community, Webster House offers a forward-thinking Life Plan Advantage that encourages individuality and comfort supported by its well-trained professional care staff. From healthcare to delicious dining, residents can expect a range of comprehensive services that promote a lifestyle fulfilled by safety and convenience.
The Sequoias Portola Valley is a continuing care retirement community in Portola Valley, California, with independent living, assisted living, memory care, hospice care, respite care, and skilled nursing. Independent living offers private living with community services and no daily care, while assisted living includes help with dressing, bathing, medication, and other daily tasks. Memory care is provided in a secured setting with supervision. Skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care, hospice supports residents receiving end of life care, and respite care gives someone a short stay when their usual caregiver needs temporary relief.
Several care levels are available in one community. A resident whose needs grow over time may be able to remain there rather than move elsewhere. The home has 328 beds and offers studios, one bedroom units, and two bedroom units. A studio suits one resident, while a two bedroom unit can accommodate a couple moving together. Total nurse staffing is 5h per resident per day, representing the daily hands on nursing time assigned to each resident.
Daily life can include hiking, bird watching, lawn bowling, garden activities, organized trips and excursions, and groups and committees led by residents. The garden provides an outdoor setting for activities, and rehabilitation services and short term rehabilitation support temporary recovery needs. Pets are allowed, so residents may keep a pet in the community.
Medicare and private pay are accepted, with Medicare applying to eligible short term skilled care rather than long term residence. Sequoia Living operates The Sequoias Portola Valley, and Suzanne Wasley Fairley serves as administrator. The range of care may suit a resident whose needs could increase over time, as well as couples who want to move together in a two bedroom unit.
Overview of The Vineyards – California Armenian Home
Offering a continuum of care, the blissful senior living community of The Vineyards – California Armenian Home in Fresno County, Fresno, CA, empowers seniors to successfully age in place with access to care needs even as their needs change. The community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, designed to accommodate various lifestyle needs and provide excellent care. Choose from an array of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, and move into a residence that perfectly matches your lifestyle needs.
The community features a hardworking team, available 24/7 to provide compassionate, efficient, and professional care and support to every resident. Residents are empowered to continue learning, growing and living life to its fullest with a plethora of activities, including gardening, Tai Chi lessons, cooking classes, and exercise sessions. Another highlight of living in the community is their exceptional dining with meals inspired by the freshest locally sourced ingredients, grown right within the community.
The Lotus Care Center in West Blvd, Los Angeles, CA is a tight-knit senior living community, offering short-term and long-term care services. Dedicated to offering top-notch care within a welcoming, family-like environment, this community boasts a compassionate team available 24/7 to meet residents’ every need. Residents in this community enjoy comfortable accommodations without the worry of home maintenance, thanks to a dedicated team that takes care of every detail for them.
Focused on supporting residents in leading an active and independent lifestyle, this community offers a variety of enjoyable activities and programs, complemented by nutritious, delicious daily meals. Here, residents enjoy the services they need to continue their retirement journey in comfort with peace of mind, all within a safe and sound community.
Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports. Rank badges compare each home against other nursing homes in the same state — never against assisted living, memory care, or independent living communities.
How we're paid:If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in California
What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in California?
Assisted living in California is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.
Does California Medicaid cover nursing home care?
Yes — California Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.
What is nursing home care?
Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.
How many nursing homes are listed on this page?
This page features 346 nursing homes in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right nursing home in California?
Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in California, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.
What should I look for when visiting nursing homes in California?
Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.
If you move into a community through us, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never changes your cost or which options we recommend. Learn more
Nursing Homes in California at a glance
Avg Overall CMS Rating:3.1/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in California. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating:3.1/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in California. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating:2.8/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in California. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average:3.0/ 5
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