The 20 Best Continuing Care Retirement Community in California

"There are many reasons I love living at the Forum. One of the main things I love is the sense of community. I was asked by a friend, who does not live here, if I have someone to rely on if I need help with something. For example, would someone go to a drugstore and pick up a prescription if I did not feel well? I realized that almost anyone who drives would do that for me. We take care of each other. It is like having an extended family that lives nearby. When I go to the dining room alone, I know there will be people that I can join even if I don't know them well. People don't sit alone unless they want to. If I want to be cheered up, I go to the lounge. The lounge is a casual place that people come to after an exercise class or just to find people to talk with. I never know who I will have coffee with because once again anyone can join in. I just know there will be people having a good time with each other. The sense of community extends to the staff. They are a fabulous group of people who have our best interests at heart. They had extra duties during covid in addition to worrying about their families. The residents were very aware of the extra effort staff made to keep us safe. We tried to show our deep appreciation by making signs to cheer them up, and helping them whenever we were able, even if it was with just a smile and a thank you. We also had fun making Christmas treat baskets to surprise them. They are much appreciated and definitely part of the extended family. If I want to be alone, which I do at times, I know no one will bother me. But when I want to feel connected to a very giving community, all I need to do is walk out of my apartment and it will be there for me." - Katharine… Read more

Bayshire Torrey Pines is a distinguished senior living community that stands out for its commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to its residents. Nestled in a vibrant area, this community offers a continuum of care through independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, all within a single campus. This seamless transition between care levels ensures residents and their families enjoy peace of mind, knowing their evolving health needs will be met without the need to relocate. The community is renowned for its exceptional healthcare services, which include 24-hour nursing care, medication management, and specialized programs for those with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Residents benefit from personalized care plans developed through comprehensive health assessments and have access to a variety of on-site health professionals, including mobile physicians, podiatrists, and dental services. Bayshire Torrey Pines is strategically located within a thriving neighborhood that enhances the quality of life for its residents. The community is in close proximity to essential medical facilities such as Scripps Clinic, ensuring that residents have ready access to top-tier healthcare services. In addition, the neighborhood is rich with amenities including cafes like Blue Bottle Coffee, pharmacies such as CVS Pharmacy, and parks, providing a well-rounded and engaging living environment. The community's commitment to safety and security is demonstrated through its state-of-the-art 24-hour security system and the availability of emergency response pendants for all residents. Bayshire Torrey Pines also fosters a vibrant social atmosphere with a full calendar of planned social events, entertainment, and stimulating activities designed to promote physical fitness, mental health, and social interaction. Whether residents wish to relax in the outdoor garden, enjoy a movie night in the theater, or participate in resident-run activities, there is always something to engage and delight. With its exceptional care, diverse amenities, and an ideal location, Bayshire Torrey Pines is more than just a place to live; it is a community where residents can thrive and enjoy a fulfilling life.… Read more

The Stratford is a luxury senior living community, located in San Mateo, CA, that offers assisted living and independent living levels of care. The average cost of around $5,500 per month for assisted living, $4,750 for independent living, covers a one, two or three bedroom condominium-type living space, a personal care plan and conveniences like housekeeping and linen service, dining including free room service, maintenance and scheduled transportation. The cost of assisted living services is in line with the average of $5,500 for the San Francisco area. Assisted living residents enjoy the companionship and support of friendly caregivers who help them with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management and other personal care services. The staff is on duty 24/7, rehabilitation and recovery services are available, the concierge service will schedule health care and other appointments, and each unit contains an emergency alert system. The dining program at this luxury senior living community features delicious, chef-prepared meals that are healthy and can be tailored to fit dietary needs and preferences. Meals are served restaurant-style in an elegant dining room. Other luxurious amenities include an indoor swimming pool and hot tub, sauna, fitness center, an art studio, card and game room and a bar/lounge. The property is nicely kept and features a rooftop garden and greenhouse, and lovely views of San Francisco and the surrounding scenery. There's always plenty to do, with game and movie nights, happy hours and group outings scheduled each week. The residence also has two private dining rooms for entertaining guests. The Stratford luxury senior living community offers resort-style amenities and a dedicated staff who provide a continuum of care that allows residents to enjoy long-term, worry-free retirement living.… Read more

"When we came to visit a couple of years ago looking for a new home, we noticed that all the residents and staff that we encountered had a smile on their faces and seemed genuinely glad to be here! That made a real impression on us! We are very happy here and have met a lot of nice friends including staff. The food is so good that our friends and family love to come eat with us!! That is truly amazing and such a blessing! There are lots of activities, crafts, card, games, puzzles - and great entertainment that is brought in for us to enjoy! My husband passed away here and the compassion was amazing! The good news is my mom lives in the apartment next door, and our dear friend who moved here with us lives upstairs. Can’t get better than that! ❤️ We are all so grateful for Samaritan Village!" - Kathi… Read more

Located in beautiful Los Gatos, only 30 minutes from Santa Cruz and the ocean, Terraces of Los Gatos lives up to its intriguing Spanish name with beautifully manicured grounds, courtyards, and expansive gardens. In addition, the rich variety of amenities include a woodshop, art studio, performing arts center, library, beauty salon, swimming center, and spa and fitness center. Terraces of Los Gatos offers residential services, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care in alcove, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. The Center prioritizes making the apartments feel like a home for the residents for health mental well-being and thus commits staff time to helping residents personalize their living spaces. Basic cable and utilities are included, and the staff is available to take care of tasks like banking and postal services, which often get in the way of having a full, enjoyable day. Housekeeping services make sure that the drudgery work is taken care of, while the massage therapist ensures that residents have a way to stay loose and relaxed. The community at Terraces is very close knit and active in the community, and residents are encouraged to make their own events for the Center. Past events include residents marching together to protest global warming, hosting a thank you dinner for area fire fighters, and advocating for a local memorial for veterans.… Read more

Located in Oakland, California, St. Paul's Towers is a large Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) that offers a wide range of care and medical services. This includes medication management, assistance with activities of daily living, 24-hour supervision, special dietary restrictions, and transportation arrangements. Residents also have access to housekeeping and linen services, scheduled daily activities, community-sponsored activities, move-in coordination, fitness programs, concierge services, and resident-run activities. St. Paul's Towers also provides respite care and planned day trips. The average pricing of St. Paul's Towers is $6,339, which is slightly higher than the average pricing of similar properties in the city at $5,500. Residents have a variety of medical, dining, and leisure facilities nearby. The nearest hospital is the Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, located 0.8 miles away. The nearest pharmacy is CVS Pharmacy, located 0.4 miles away. The nearest restaurant is Jack London Square, located 1.5 miles away. The nearest cafe is Sightglass Coffee, located 8.4 miles away. The nearest worship place is Bay Area Chinese Bible Church, located 8.4 miles away. Overall, St. Paul's Towers provides a safe, secure, and comfortable living environment for its residents with a wide range of care and medical services, nearby amenities, and a welcoming atmosphere.… Read more

Situated in the heart of Bakersfield near the scenic Riverwalk area, Bayshire Riverwalk provides a thoughtfully designed setting for independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Our experienced team and well-appointed amenities work together to create a supportive environment where residents can enjoy each day with confidence and comfort.… Read more

"My mom moved in to Cardinal Point when it was just built in 2006 and totally enjoyed living there for 11 years. I am so grateful that she developed many friendships there and had a great life after my dad passed. I highly recommend Cardinal Point as the food is very delicious, it is decorated beautifully, very clean and has lots of activities. The water views are amazing! Even today, after several years, I go to sleep thinking how grateful I am that my mom lived there and had a wonderful life in such a beautiful place!" - David… Read more

Spend an afternoon exploring Claremont Manor and you’ll discover the many things that set us apart from other senior living communities in greater Los Angeles area. Our campus lives and breathes like a great neighborhood where you’re greeted by a warm, inviting sense of community. You’re also going to meet some pretty engaged residents here. In fact, there are more than 25 resident-organized committees that range from theatre arts to new computer technologies to volunteering at our Care Center. Their passion for celebrating life is inspiring. And you’ll find our staff loves what they do here; you can see it in their smiles. They’re like extended family to many of our residents, and that adds to the warm feeling of trust and security. Of course, being down the road from the village of Claremont is a wonderful convenience. You may even find you don’t need your car to enjoy dining, shopping, art galleries, libraries, museums and everything the Claremont Colleges have to offer. With all the options at your fingertips, it’s easy to enjoy senior living, your style, your way. Our Independent Living services take the hassle out of daily life, so you can spend your time doing what you love. We help with practical tasks, like transportation and housekeeping. The restaurant makes dining delightfully easy–and exciting. And the Health & Wellness Center personalizes services like blood pressure and glucose testing, and offers wellness counseling, as part of your monthly fee. If you ever need rehabilitative or skilled nursing care, you can turn to our award-winning Care Center and its wide range of therapy programs, including physical, occupational, speech rehabilitation and outpatient therapies.… Read more

Kingsley Manor is an award-winning senior living community in the heart of Hollywood. They offer Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing for a population that has a wide and varied mix of backgrounds and stories. Residents enjoy and have access to all that Los Angeles and Hollywood have to offer- such as five-star restaurants, cultural and musical performances, fabulous shopping destinations and more. Residents choose from a range of smaller studio apartments all the way up to spacious two-bedroom apartments. Many of the apartments have balconies and kitchens and pricing ranges from $2,600 - $8,400, depending on the floor plan and the amount of care needed by the individual resident. Each resident receives an individualized care plan that focuses on their specific needs. Caregivers visit the residents in their apartment and assist them with activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management and others. Residents participate in activities such as ballroom dancing, tai chi, spa days or walking groups.… Read more

With a maintenance-free independent senior living lifestyle, you’re free to live your days the way you choose and enjoy the best the Rancho Bernardo area has to offer. Try a new hobby or write your novel, meet friends for lunch or travel the world — the opportunities are endless. As you make the most of your retirement lifestyle, you have the security of a complete continuum of care if your health needs change. As a Life Plan Community, Casa offers residents levels of care on-site, including assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation. A Type A Continuing Care Plan ensures you can seamlessly transition between levels of care with little alteration to your monthly fee.… Read more

"A wonderful place with a caring atmosphere. Aldersly Retirement Community is even better than I ever dreamed of. The location is great, and one doesn't feel cut off from the world; you can still live a normal life without the need for a car. What stands out most to me is the kindness of everyone here, from top to bottom. They truly aim to please and resolve whatever problems may arise. Our dinners are wonderful, and we have a great chef! One really has to come and visit to see what I mean—I have only been here eight months, but I already love the place. Daniele PV" - Daniele… Read more

Just miles from downtown Los Angeles, Villa Gardens is a vibrant continuing care retirement community offering peace of mind with personal care, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. The Center’s reputation for high quality care is well known, and several local publications have named Villa Gardens ‘The Best Place to Retire in Pasadena’ and ‘Pasadena’s Best Retirement Community’ several years in a row. There are many stimulating cultural opportunities nearby such as the Pasadena Symphony, Pasadena Playhouse and Distinguished Speaker series. In fact, residents often enjoy trips to the local playhouse and excursions with friends through using the Center’s transportation service. Life on campus at the Center is just as enjoyable; the Center has a well-stocked library and an e-Café, and residents often spend time on the putting green in one of the beautiful courtyards. For a rainy day, the library is full of books to grab and enjoy with a good cup of coffee. For a more social event, residents are able to engage in the arts, poetry or discussions on current events at Villa. Enticed by the wonderful aromas waffling through the Center, residents come together as a family in the restaurant-style dining room with professional chefs preparing exquisite meals using fresh and locally sourced provisions. Laeter, to help work off all the calories from the days’ meals, the state of the art fitness center and beautiful, inviting pool help keep residents fit. Studio and one-bedroom apartments are available for those liking the simplicity of life, while a deluxe two-bedroom apartment with a dining room cater to those with a need for a little more space. The Center’s Summer House memory care features spacious, sun-filled rooms in a protected and engaging environment. Full-service monthly fees start at $3,560 for the entrance fee option or $6,440 for the month-to-month option. The housekeeping and maintenance of apartments of at Villa is taken care of for by and staff.… Read more

Established in 1872, Mercy Retirement and Care Center is a continuing care retirement community (CCRC)* situated on a lush campus in Alameda County. We proudly provide assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services to meet a wide array of health care needs. The Mercy community, built on a foundation of faith, dignity, and compassion, traits remain at the forefront of our work through dedication to caring for every aspect of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness of all faiths. Private, deluxe, and dual studio apartments are designed with recovery in mind. Each floor plan option aims to meet every resident’s unique needs while allowing them abundant space to enjoy a maintenance-free lifestyle.… Read more

Welcome to Acacia Creek Retirement Community! The Acacia Creek Lifestyles culture incorporates leading research on healthy living and aging. We are proud to be the only “Certified Center for Successful Aging” in the Bay Area (1 in 16 nationwide) and one of over 65 accredited “Masterpiece Living Communities”. Acacia Creek’s “Successful Aging Lifestyle” prolongs independent living by growing the whole person – physically, socially, intellectually and spiritually. The Masterpiece Living Company was formed as a result of the most extensive 10 year study on aging in America initiated by Dr. Jonas Salk, conducted by the Mayo Clinic, funded by the MacArthur Foundation, and supported by the National Institute of Health. The Study verified only 30% of aging to be genetic; and that 70% of Aging is a result of our own lifestyle decisions. Since their 1998 NY Times Bestseller entitled, Successful Aging, Masterpiece Living has been an international resource for selected communities interested in incorporating new gerontology into lifestyle decisions towards personal growth, purpose and meaning to prolong independence. Located on 305 acres of rolling hills overlooking the Tri-Cities Bay, Acacia Creek offers a vibrant urban lifestyle while enjoying a Natural Wildlife Habitat flourishing with deer, turkeys, owls, hawks and hummingbirds. Acacia Creek is well located in close proximity to many other metropolises, golf courses, recreational lakes, world class shopping, Eastbay wineries, major professional sporting venues, cultural performances, and colleges. Acacia Creek is located adjacent to the Masonic Home at Union City and contracts for services from the highly experienced Masonic Homes staff. Acacia Creek inspires residents to live an active, meaningful life. Our mission is to enrich the independence, well-being, and security of our residents through exceptional services and care based on Masonic values. Acacia Creek reflects and responds to the changing retirements of today’s seniors. We care for the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – by offering a comprehensive array of recreational programs and supportive health care services. Our value-based pricing preserves the assets of residents and supports the health of our community. We partner with high-quality providers to ensure residents have access to the full range of care they deserve.… Read more

Atterdag Village is nestled in the heart of a natural treasure, the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, yet only steps from downtown Solvang, a town rich with cultural attractions, fabulous restaurants and charming retail shops. The Village caters to seniors wanting independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing for short-term rehabilitation in either a studios, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments. Residents are able to taste Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah and other grape varietals at more than 75 world-class wineries and tasting rooms in the area or satisfy every shopping desire in art galleries, clothing boutiques, and specialty gift and antique stores. The area is filled with delicious foods-from gourmet wine-country cuisine to Danish specialties as well as international and classic American favorites-perfect for any palate. The area’s rich multi-cultural heritage can be explored at prominent Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Danish museums and the 1804 Old Mission Santa Ines, a national historic landmark. The Atterdag Village offers a continuum of care fulfilled by a friendly staff dedicated to providing high quality care and services. The Center’s mission is to offer residents a quality of life that ensures physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, with optimum independence in a safe and caring environment. Part of this mission means ensuring that there are enough things to do onsite and offsite for all residents. Options include relaxing by the fireside with friends or a favorite book, enjoying an outing to a local museum or nature preserve, road-tripping to nearby Santa Barbara, playing a round of golf or a game of tennis, getting green thumbs a workout in the garden, or picnicking in the park nearby.… Read more

"I have been living in Eskaton Village Carmichael for a number of years and it has been the best decision I have made. The staff is professional and friendly, the grounds are beautiful and there are plenty of activities to choose from. The dining experience is excellent and I feel like I am part of a true community. Thank you to the staff AND to my neighbors for making this part of my life so great!" - Adem… Read more

Located on the beach, residents of White Sans at la Jolla can put their toes in the sand, pick up starfish and seashells, and dip in the crystal blue waters that are literally just seconds away. Even when residents aren’t actually on the beach, the courtyard gazebo is a perfect place to enjoy the ocean breeze while catching up with friends, and residents can gaze at the waves of the ocean from their apartment balconies or listen to the sound sounds, seagulls and seals lulling them to sleep at night. A variety of floor plans, from studio to two bedrooms, are available for the residents needing residential living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care. A range of new finishes and upgrades have been made to hallways, lounges and community furniture and décor, allowing residents to enjoy a new beauty salon, game room, pet wash station, hobby room and workshop, and business center. Before dinner or afterwards, cocktails with friends, families, and neighbors can be had at the Ocean Bar. The flexible dining plan, with either indoor or outdoor oceanside views, offers a fresh, diverse menu (including vegan and vegetarian options). The nearby amenities are just as exciting, from the La Jolla Playhouse, to the Birch Aquarium, Torrey Pines Golf Course, and the Museum of Contemporary Art at San Diego.… Read more

Hollenbeck Palms is a large Continuing Care Retirement Community in Los Angeles. They have been around for over 100 years and are laid out on a 8.5 acre campus. They provide Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing for seniors in any stage. The purpose of a CCRC is to allow seniors to “age in place” and not have to move around from community to community if a higher or different level of care is needed at some point. Hollenbeck Palms is only one of seven CCRC communities in Los Angeles County. Independent residents thrive with plenty of activities and amenities to keep them busy and engaged. With over 230 residents, Hollenbeck Palms provides many different options for friendship, activities and engagement. Assisted Living residents receive help with activities of daily living, by caregivers, in their apartments. Those needing Memory Care are in a secured, safe area of the community where dining and activities are tailored to their specific needs. Skilled Nursing is also available to those who may need a short-term nursing or rehabilitative stay. All residents receive housekeeping services, three meals a day, access to exercise classes, a full calendar of activities and much more.… Read more

Capistrano provides all the comfort your loved ones will ever need: with varying levels of care and an easy transition if needed, residents feel straight at home at the peaceful historic city of San Juan Capistrano, California. Capistrano offers Assisted Living, Memory Care, Continuing Care Retirement Community, and Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation in a safe and cozy environment that are available private or semi-private. You and your loved ones can rest easy knowing that there is a continuum of care options available on site should their needs change. With beautifully landscaped grounds and close proximity to Doheny State Beach, residents are able to indulge in various relaxing activities that are truly rewarding for retirement. More energetic residents can also participate in more active interests, such as exercising at the Fitness Room or outing along the city. Whatever your loved ones’ needs are, residents can expect that caregivers, the community, and the peaceful city of San Juan, will aid them in living a healthy lifestyle that promotes fulfillment.… Read more