Found in Oakland, California, Merrill Gardens at Rockridge stands out as a vibrant and thoughtfully designed community. Owned by a family company, it offers both independent senior living and memory care services, excelling particularly in providing top-notch assisted living facilities. Residents can trust in the commitment to premier care, ensuring privacy, security, and exceptional support services.
This community goes beyond the basics, featuring a variety of amenities for a well-rounded lifestyle. From cozy studio to one-bedroom units with kitchenettes and private balconies, Merrill Gardens at Rockridge caters to diverse preferences. The community spaces include a movie theater, living areas, game room, landscaped courtyard, library, computer room, and fitness center. With a calendar brimming with activities and proximity to cafes, restaurants, antique shops, and bookstores, residents can enjoy both convenience and an engaging social environment. The addition of a concierge further enhances the overall experience, providing a seamless living experience for those seeking various assisted living levels of care.
Compare Senior Communities around California
Info below is compiled from the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.
Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.
Care Types in This Table
AL (Assisted Living):
Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing.
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.
SC (Senior Communities):
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City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
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Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
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Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
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Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
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Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
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Visits or investigations linked to complaints, as counted in the state record (may differ from routine annual surveys).
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Count of California state "Type A" citations — the state's most serious citation category (immediate or serious harm to residents), from California state inspection data.
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Number of years the company has been in operation.
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Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
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Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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Name of the licensed owner, operator, or managing entity as filed with the state. Useful for grouping facilities under the same organization.
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Housing or bed configuration options (e.g. studio, shared), often from facility-reported amenities and licensing details.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrill Gardens at Rockridge | SC AL IL MC | Oakland (Shafter) | 150
Facility
150
CA AVG
103
Rank
#341 / 1,645 | Yes |
96
Facility
96
CA AVG
58
Rank
#43 / 2,057 | 33 | 15
Facility
15
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1,020 / 1,387 | 3
Facility
3
CA AVG
3
Rank
#898 / 1,433 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
13
Rank
#927 / 1,507 |
89.3%
Facility
89.3%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#362 / 1,452 | - | Shi-III Mg Rockridge Gp LLC And Merrill Gardens LLC | - |
| Katella Senior Living Community | SC AL MC RC | - | 140
Facility
140
CA AVG
103
Rank
#417 / 1,645 | Yes |
77
Facility
77
CA AVG
58
Rank
#509 / 2,057 | 11 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
13
Rank
#589 / 1,387 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1 / 1,433 | 47
Facility
47
CA AVG
13
Rank
#29 / 1,507 | - | - | Ktla Properties | - |
| Abria Del Cielo | SC AL | San Bernardino (Perris Hills) | 240
Facility
240
CA AVG
103
Rank
#99 / 1,645 | No |
64
Facility
64
CA AVG
58
Rank
#922 / 2,057 | 64 | 45
Facility
45
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1,333 / 1,387 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1,094 / 1,433 | 16
Facility
16
CA AVG
13
Rank
#502 / 1,507 |
55.8%
Facility
55.8%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1,248 / 1,452 | A+ | Mere Enterprises, Inc | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Buena Vista Assisted Living | SC AL RC | Hemet | 74
Facility
74
CA AVG
103
Rank
#963 / 1,645 | Yes |
47
Facility
47
CA AVG
58
Rank
#1,422 / 2,057 | 16 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
13
Rank
#651 / 1,387 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1,010 / 1,433 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
13
Rank
#927 / 1,507 |
54.1%
Facility
54.1%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1,266 / 1,452 | A+ | Buena Vista Al LLC And Buena Vista Assisted Living Ll | Private Studio |
| Pacifica Senior Living South Coast | SC AL MC | Costa Mesa (East Side Costa Mesa) | 98
Facility
98
CA AVG
103
Rank
#786 / 1,645 | Yes |
61
Facility
61
CA AVG
58
Rank
#1,011 / 2,057 | 28 | 17
Facility
17
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1,056 / 1,387 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1,156 / 1,433 | 10
Facility
10
CA AVG
13
Rank
#706 / 1,507 |
67.3%
Facility
67.3%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#989 / 1,452 | A+ | Pacifica Orange County LLC And Costa Mesa Operations | Studio / Suite |
| Royal Gardens Senior Care | SC AL RC | Clovis | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1,318 / 1,645 | Yes |
61
Facility
61
CA AVG
58
Rank
#1,011 / 2,057 | 5 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1 / 1,387 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1,094 / 1,433 | 14
Facility
14
CA AVG
13
Rank
#540 / 1,507 |
83.3%
Facility
83.3%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#504 / 1,452 | A | Vr Enigma, Inc | - |
| Villa Toscana Memory Care | SC MC | Mountain View | 70
Facility
70
CA AVG
103
Rank
#996 / 1,645 | No |
88
Facility
88
CA AVG
58
Rank
#218 / 2,057 | 5 | 3
Facility
3
CA AVG
13
Rank
#442 / 1,387 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
3
Rank
#478 / 1,433 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1,322 / 1,507 |
50.0%
Facility
50.0%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1,306 / 1,452 | - | Mv Memory Care LLC And Calson Management, LLC | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Redwood Senior Living | SC AL MC RC | Bakersfield | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1,318 / 1,645 | No |
23
Facility
23
CA AVG
58
Rank
#1,810 / 2,057 | 5 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1 / 1,387 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1 / 1,433 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1,020 / 1,507 |
33.3%
Facility
33.3%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1,426 / 1,452 | - | Redwood Assisted Living LLC | Private Room |
| European Christian Home IV | SC AL RC | La Habra | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1,318 / 1,645 | No |
31
Facility
31
CA AVG
58
Rank
#1,713 / 2,057 | 5 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
13
Rank
#210 / 1,387 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
3
Rank
#724 / 1,433 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1,129 / 1,507 |
100.0%
Facility
100.0%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1 / 1,452 | - | Tlt Care Haven, LLC | Private / Semi-Private Rooms |
| St Jude‘s Homes | SC AL RESC | San Dimas | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1,318 / 1,645 | No |
75
Facility
75
CA AVG
58
Rank
#562 / 2,057 | 9 | 3
Facility
3
CA AVG
13
Rank
#442 / 1,387 | 15
Facility
15
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1,367 / 1,433 | 15
Facility
15
CA AVG
13
Rank
#518 / 1,507 |
100.0%
Facility
100.0%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1 / 1,452 | - | Justino G Balintona | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 2,083 on this page.
Operated by Ktla Properties, Katella Senior Living Community is an assisted living and memory care community administered by Christine Greenway in Los Alamitos, California. It offers respite care, making it a flexible option for families seeking temporary support or longer-term residential care. Operating for nearly five decades, the 140-bed facility brings experience and service mode continuity.
The community is staffed 24/7 with licensed nurses and certified nursing assistants, providing the support residents need all the time. This commitment to continuous staffing mirrors a care-centered approach that fits memory care occupants who may benefit from consistent, familiar faces and urgent availability of trained support. Daily life here highlights comfort and health. Meals are prepared with attention to individual dietary requirements. This includes options for residents managing diabetes, following plant-based diets, or requiring soft or pureed textures. Furnished rooms come with weekly housekeeping and laundry services, along with utilities including cable, internet, water, and gas. An on-site nurse and doctors available on call round out the daily care infrastructure. The facility welcomes small dogs and cats, offers an outdoor courtyard for fresh air and activities, and provides off-site transportation within a 15-mile radius for appointments and outings. Los Alamitos offers strong walkability, with a Walk Score of 77, meaning most errands and essentials are within walking distance. For visiting family members and residents who enjoy walking in the neighborhood, this accessibility can be beneficial.
Katella Senior Living Community offers respite care. It’s then a flexible choice for families who need longer-term residential care or momentary support.
Operated by Mere Enterprises, Inc., Abria Del Cielo is a large assisted living community in the Perris Hills neighborhood of San Bernardino, California. Criselda Espiritu Santo serves as the administrator, and Edna Medrano is the President. The two-story community has 240 beds and has been serving residents for 15 years.
It is located about half a mile from St. Bernardine Medical Center, keeping hospital care within easy reach, and approximately 2 miles from downtown San Bernardino. Residents can choose from private and semi-private rooms.
Residents receive 24-hour staff supervision, 12-hour nursing coverage, medication management, and assistance with activities such as bathing and toileting. The community also supports residents living with diabetes and other ongoing health conditions. Also, 24-hour emergency response systems are available. Meals are prepared to meet each resident’s individual nutritional needs.
Transportation services and fitness and recreation programs are part of daily life. Pets are not welcome here. The area has a Walk Score of 64, which means it’s moderately walkable. Some errands can be completed on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities within reach.
The community currently has 134 of its 240 beds occupied, giving families more move-in availability than many communities of a similar size. Families considering Abria Del Cielo can ask about current room availability and floor plan options during a tour.
State inspections have generally found the community’s daily operations to comply. However, earlier reviews identified concerns involving resident supervision and the safe storage of cleaning supplies. Those issues were later addressed by the community.
Peacefully situated in the serene neighborhood of South Buena Vista St, Hemet, CA, Buena Vista Assisted Living is a blissful retreat that offers assisted living care. With top-notch care and assistance tailored to each resident’s unique needs, residents can rest assured of living their later years comfortably. Housekeeping, linen services, and mobility assistance are also provided for residents to live a maintenance-free lifestyle. The community works closely with family members and invites them to visit whenever possible to prevent residents from getting lonely.
Here, residents are encouraged to remain active and well-connected with a carefully curated calendar of fun activities and stimulating programs tailored to their leisure and wellness. Three healthy and delicious meals are also served daily to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Medication management, respite care, outside rehabilitation, and physical therapy are also provided for residents’ healthcare needs. Live a joyous retirement with the community’s dedicated care and age-friendly services.
Pacifica Senior Living South Coast, in Costa Mesa, California, is a premier care facility that allows its residents to age gracefully. They offer independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care with tailored programs for seniors’ needs and preferences. The community provides a wide range of engaging activities and programs, creating a beautiful and serene environment for residents to enjoy with a comprehensive array of services and amenities, including round-the-clock staff support, housekeeping, and laundry services.
The community prioritizes the independence and well-being of its residents, ensuring that their unique care needs are met with personalized attention—the elegant and inviting atmosphere that promotes self-care and encourages residents to engage in physical activity. The beautiful outdoor courtyard offers residents a peaceful place to stroll and connect with nature. Combined with exceptional services and world-class amenities, PSL- South Coast provides peace of mind to families in the community.
Operated by Vr Enigma, Inc., Royal Gardens Senior Care is a small assisted living home on Sunnyside Avenue in Clovis, California. Gurmit K. Aulakh serves as the administrator. The community is about 1.5 miles from downtown Clovis and a short drive from Clovis Community Medical Center, keeping hospital care within easy reach if residents need it. With only six beds in a single-story building, the home offers a more intimate setting. Here, staff can build close relationships with residents.
Royal Gardens Senior Care has been serving residents for 14 years. It currently has an occupancy rate of about 83%. In addition to assisted living, the home provides respite care and hospice care, giving families flexibility if a loved one’s care needs change over time.
Residents live in private-style apartments with a full bathroom and an emergency call response system. Staff is available 24 hours a day. A licensed nurse visits monthly to monitor residents’ health, and the team manages medications for residents.
Residents can join in fitness programs as well as creative, social, educational, and spiritual activities. The home also hosts events that include family members, helping residents stay connected with loved ones. Housekeeping, laundry, and trash removal are included, and transportation services are available for appointments and errands. Residents are welcome to bring their pets, making the transition to senior living easier for those with a companion animal.
The area has a Walk Score of 61 out of 100. Some errands can be completed on foot, along with a mix of nearby amenities. State inspections have most often focused on properly securing hazardous items and keeping documentation, including forms and medication records, up to date. Earlier inspections found no deficiencies and confirmed the home met infection control and safety requirements.
Experience high quality and luxury-style care at Villa Toscana Memory Care, a welcoming senior living community in Mountain View, CA, that offers exceptional memory care services to seniors dealing with memory loss. Offering private, semi-private, and shared residences, the community provides a comfortable living space that matches its residents’ unique preferences and needs. With housekeeping, laundry services, and scheduled transportation to medical appointments, errands, or outings, residents are ensured comfort and convenience.
The community commits itself in helping maintain its residents’ dignity while aging in a secure and specialized environment that meets their personal needs. A trained team is available to monitor residents’ safety 24/7 and provide assistance with everyday tasks, like bathing, dressing, meals, and medication management. Residents stay stimulated with specialized activity programs and enjoy a variety of amenities, including a full-service salon, an activity room, off-site excursions, beautiful indoor and outdoor common areas, providing plenty of space for socialization and relaxation.
Situated in the heart of Bakersfield, CA, the Redwood Senior Living Bakersfield is a vibrant community that provides assisted living, memory care, and respite care services. This community is committed to providing a caring, safe, and secure environment for its residents. Elegant and spacious accommodations are available to further enhance the comfort and relaxation. With a trained and compassionate team, residents can receive 24/7 assistance and support. As for memory care, a person-centered approach is thoughtfully designed to address the needs of those with cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Short-term stays with different levels of care are also available for respite care services.
Experience its top-tier amenities and other services including delightful and nutritious meals based on dietary needs, medication management and review, incontinence and hygiene assistance, transportation services, and daily social events. Equipped with the right tools and people, seniors are guaranteed a worry-free living experience with Redwood Senior Living Bakersfield.
European Christian Home IV is a trusted community surrounded by local amenities in Flamingo Way, La Habra, CA, offering assisted living. The community is committed to improving residents’ well-being, helping them with their daily living activities and personal needs. Ease your worries and live life to the fullest amidst the community’s vibrant and welcoming environment.
Fun activities and enriching programs are conducted to keep residents’ active and socially connected. Proper nutrition is important for residents’ wellness in their later years, hence, the community carefully crafts meal plans tailored to their dietary needs and preferences. There’s no need to worry about healthcare needs with medication management, health services, respite care, and transportation arrangements provided. Live a joyous retirement with the community’s top-notch care and specially designed amenities.
St. Jude’s Homes is a 6-bed residential care facility at 146 Shire Court in San Dimas, Los Angeles County, California, offering assisted living and memory care services under the administration of Justino Balintona. Operating continuously for 14 years, the community maintains 100% occupancy, a distinction placing it first among California assisted living residences by occupancy rate. In the competitive senior care market, full occupancy at this scale signals strong neighborhood demand, though the six-bed census limits the facility’s operational and service infrastructure compared to larger communities.
The compliance picture across the past five years reveals significant and recurring safety failures. Nine state inspections and complaint investigations since 2021 documented 23 citations, a count 130% higher than typical for California’s assisted living sector (state average: 10). Fifteen of those citations carry Type A serious classification, meaning each represents an immediate threat to resident health or safety. This serious citation count places the facility 400% above the California average, a stark differential indicating systematic deficiencies rather than isolated incidents.
A substantiated complaint investigation in February 2025 found the facility had failed to secure exit alarm systems and failed to lock away medications and disinfectants in staff-accessible storage. When a resident departed unnoticed, that resident sustained injuries before returning to the facility. The state assessed $750 in civil penalties.
August’s most recent unannounced inspection identified six specific deficiencies: medications stored without locks in kitchen drawers accessible to residents, hazardous cleaning supplies left unsecured in common areas, medication administration documented without physician orders, staff members lacking required postural support training, and resident medication records missing required information. Additional civil penalties of $350 were imposed for these violations and for repeat noncompliance with prior corrective action orders.
The facility houses residents in private and semi-private rooms within a single-story structure. Transportation services are available, along with on-site fitness and recreation options. Assisted living and memory care services operate alongside respite care programs.
The neighborhood itself is highly walkable (Walk Score 75), with most daily errands and services within walking distance. Hospital care is located approximately five miles away.
The small community’s residential model and care offerings position it toward residents seeking assisted living or memory care in an intimate, close-knit setting. However, the documented pattern of medication management failures, unsecured hazardous items, incomplete staff training, and repeated resident safety incidents across multiple consecutive inspections creates substantive concerns about operational oversight and adherence to regulatory standards.
How we rank these communities
Every community above is evaluated across six weighted categories using public data including state inspection records, review platforms, BBB profiles, and operator-published materials.
Weighting overview
- 35%Resident Experience
- 25%Regulatory
- 15%Visual Media
- 10%Website
- 10%Stability
- 5%Environment
Resident & Family Experience 35%
The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.
- Includes
- Review Sentiment
- Review Volume
Regulatory & Safety Record 25%
State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.
- Includes
- State Inspections
- Citations/Inspection
- % Inspections w/ Citations
- Complaint Visits
- Accreditations
- BBB Rating
Visual Media & Transparency 15%
Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.
- Includes
- Video Tours
- Virtual Walkthroughs
- Photo Quantity
- Photo Quality
Website & Operator Transparency 10%
Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.
- Includes
- Website Content
- Mobile Usability
- Staff Info Available
- Owner Info Available
Community Stability 10%
Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.
- Includes
- Occupancy Rate
- Bed Options
Environment & Pricing 5%
Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.
- Includes
- Walk Score
- Pricing Transparency
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Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Communities in California
What is senior living?
Senior communities are residential settings designed for adults aged 55 or older, with options ranging from active independent living to assisted living and memory care.
How many senior communities are listed on this page?
This page features 2083 senior communities in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.
How do I choose the right senior community 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 senior communities 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.














