Best Assisted Living Facilities in San Diego, California

Paying for assisted living in San Diego, California, can be done in a variety of ways. Seniors can use personal finances, public resources, or a combination to cover some of the costs related to assisted living. Browse our guide to payment methods.

Assisted living facilities in San Diego must be licensed by the California Department of Social Services, also known as the CDSS. The CDSS is responsible for regulating and monitoring assisted living facilities and all other senior care facilities, often referred to in California as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly. The CDSS also licenses any Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as CCRCs) — facilities that offer a spectrum of senior care services, from independent and assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing care.

All assisted living facilities in California must assess a senior via interviews and by reviewing their health records before welcoming them as a resident. Once a senior moves in, these facilities must comply with the following regulations:

• House a maximum of only two residents per bedroom
• Provide individual privacy in each bathroom
• Ensure bedrooms have enough room to accommodate equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers
• Provide clean and accessible common rooms for residents
• Provide activities involving social, leisure, and daily living skills

The CDSS inspects facilities once each year. In addition, the CDSS must inspect a facility within 10 days of receiving a complaint. Licensed assisted living facilities and their inspection reports are available to the public via the CDSS Care Facility Search. Scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” select “Elderly Assisted Living,” select the “Facility Type” and San Diego County, then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.

California Department of Public Health contact information

California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/

COVID-19 regulations for San Diego assisted living facilities

San Diego County still has COVID-19 guidelines in place to help protect its residents. The most current recommendations for individuals include staying current with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if symptoms are suspected. For the most part, mask-wearing is not required. However, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, had a recent positive test, or have been exposed to the virus, San Diego County asks that you wear a mask in public. Masks are also required in at-risk settings such as long-term care, senior care, and health care centers.

Read the most recent San Diego County COVID-19 guidelines here.

Assisted living in San Diego offers the supportive care seniors need, while giving them access to luxe amenities, an ever-interesting coastal lifestyle, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Read on for more of what you can expect from San Diego assisted living communities.

Variety of senior care options on one campus

Many of San Diego’s assisted living facilities offer multiple senior care services in a single location. Some facilities offer on-site memory care, some exist within an independent living community, and others offer a full range of services. Many assisted living communities even offer on-site therapies, like physical, speech, and occupational therapy. Facilities with all care types on one campus are sometimes called Continuing Care Retirement Communities (or CCRCs). It’s worth noting that assisted living facilities licensed as CCRCs usually have an initial buy-in fee in addition to the monthly cost of room, board, and care services.

Whether licensed as a CCRC or not, assisted living communities that offer multiple levels of care on one campus enable seniors to age in place worry-free. Seniors who choose these facilities can rest assured their evolving needs will be met, and they will never have to move again if their care needs change.

Senior-specific activities and resort-style amenities

Seniors who choose assisted living facilities in San Diego are set up to enjoy all that the city and their new lifestyle have to offer. Activities both within and outside of the community, such as fitness classes, volunteer programs, and live on-site entertainment, make for enriching social experiences. Visits to local museums, outings to sunny beaches, and lively tours of SeaWorld San Diego also await residents who want to maximize each moment.

Luxe amenities are also found in many of San Diego’s assisted living communities. Residents can enjoy on-site fine dining experiences, including full table service in community restaurants with meals crafted by professional culinary chefs. Many also have full service on-site salons, therapy spas, and fitness centers equipped to help seniors maintain optimum levels of health and wellness. Other desirable, high-end amenities found in San Diego’s assisted living facilities include heated swimming pools, pristine walking trails, cozy movie theaters, and convenient concierge services.

Ocean views and beachfront access

Perhaps the most iconic features of San Diego are its many beaches. Seniors will find several assisted living communities that take advantage of this idyllic landscape by providing ocean views, pools, and short walking paths to the nearest sandy beaches. Some even offer exclusive, private beach access and rooftop decks overlooking the ocean. These unique features of the San Diego assisted living lifestyle allow residents to soak up the California sunshine and relax to the sound of the crashing waves, all while receiving care in the community of their choice.

Health care for seniors in San Diego

Senior residents in San Diego have access to several nationally ranked hospitals and senior health care centers, several of which are located near San Diego’s assisted living facilities.

Transportation for seniors in San Diego

Many of San Diego’s assisted living communities offer scheduled transportation to residents and their visitors for exploring, running errands, and traveling to appointments.

San Diego Public Transportation also has a program called PRONTO that enables riders to buy their tickets online through an app. Their trolleys, trains, and buses are wheelchair accessible via ramps and lifts. In addition, public transportation options in San Diego have discounted fares for seniors 65+.

Browse these other transportation options for San Diego citizens:

• The San Diego Trolley allows people to travel as far north as the VA medical center, as far south as the Mexico border, and everywhere in between.
• The COASTER train is a great option for people who want to spend a day at the beach, as the train has routes to several popular beach communities, such as Carlsbad and Solana Beach.
• There are several local buses with a variety of routes.
• The SPRINTER is the city’s light rail, which offers convenient routes for a small fare.
• Pedicabs are available for enjoyable tours of unique San Diego locations.
• Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is a popular train for touring around southern California.

San Diego also has transportation options designed with seniors in mind.

• Happy2Help Transportation helps seniors travel to and from medical and nonmedical appointments for a fee with wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
• Ride FACT is another senior-specific option with low prices. Seniors at least 60 years of age are eligible and must schedule their transportation in advance.

The scores below are based on San Diego’s accessibility of different transportation methods. The highest and best possible score is 100, meaning that higher numbers indicate a popular and easy-to-use method of getting around San Diego.