From warm weather to sandy beaches to urban living, it’s no surprise that seniors flock to San Francisco. In fact, the City by the Bay ranks No. 3 in the nation for attracting retirees. That’s no exception for older adults who need some help with their daily activities.
A Place for Mom partners with 28 assisted living communities, all located within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area, which includes areas such as Sausalito and the Marina District. These facilities help seniors slow down and enjoy their golden years by providing personal assistance and taking care of chores like housekeeping, maintenance, and laundry.
This guide looks at our partner assisted living facility listings, payment options and assistance resources, laws and regulations, demographics, the best nearby hospitals, transportation, and some of the most popular entertainment highlights that San Francisco has to offer.
10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in San Francisco, CA
From warm weather to sandy beaches to urban living, it’s no surprise that seniors flock to San Francisco. In fact, the City by the Bay ranks No. 3 in the nation for attracting retirees. That’s no exception for older adults who need some help with their daily activities.Read more
A Place for Mom partners with 28 assisted living communities, all located within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area, which includes areas such as Sausalito and the Marina District. These facilities help seniors slow down and enjoy their golden years by providing personal assistance and taking care of chores like housekeeping, maintenance, and laundry.
This guide looks at our partner assisted living facility listings, payment options and assistance resources, laws and regulations, demographics, the best nearby hospitals, transportation, and some of the most popular entertainment highlights that San Francisco has to offer.
San Francisco Assisted Living Facilities | 549 Reviews
They are taking very good care of my mother at Nobis Care Home. She is settled in and very happy there. They pay really good attention to detail. The people are great and the facility itself is very nice....
My father has been living at Westborough for about a month now, and I feel he is enjoying his time there. The staff are very caring people who live up to what they say. This is very important to me, because...
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Joyful Chapter is working out just fine. My mom enjoys it there and that's what counts. I have no complaints. It has been a good experience.
My mother has dementia and had been in another care home prior to Cristina's. I was immediately impressed with the friendliness of the staff and their inclusive spirit. They are super organized and always...
My mom has worsening dementia, but is generally fairly polite. She's also pretty wily, and can lure you into a false sense of security. The staff at Sunset Home are very loving.awareand very patient
- What families are saying about assisted living in San Francisco
- Costs of assisted living in the San Francisco area
- How people pay for assisted living in San Francisco
- Understand California laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
- Get to know assisted living in San Francisco
- What to expect from assisted living in San Francisco
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with San Francisco? Highlights for seniors
What families are saying about assisted living in San Francisco
Recent reviews for assisted living in San Francisco
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Costs of assisted living in the San Francisco area
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, you can expect the average actual cost of assisted living in San Francisco to sit around $8,104 a month.[02] Location, size, and amenities can all factor into the cost of assisted living facilities in San Francisco. The cost includes all associated fees and service fee add-ons for in-house care, medication management, meals, and wheelchair-accessible facilities at A Place for Mom partner facilities.
Below, you can also view the average baseline costs without any additional fees being taken into consideration.
Average monthly cost of Assisted Living in San Francisco, CA vs. nearby cities
San Francisco, CA
How people pay for assisted living in San Francisco
There are several ways to fund your stay at an assisted living facility in the Golden City. In this section, we cover options like private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
When it comes to private resources, some of the first options that people turn to are pensions, savings, Social Security benefits, and investment returns. However, depending on your situation, you can also rely on the following options:
Number of veterans who live in San Francisco
Veterans may be entitled to several benefits that can pay for assisted living. The VA Pension and Aid and Attendance are two highly valued benefits, as both can cover the costs associated with assisted living.
The VA Pension can go toward anything: groceries, medical bills, or rent. Aid and Attendance is a monthly benefit that can cover the rent for assisted living or in-home health care if it improves a veteran’s quality of life; to qualify, California veterans or their surviving spouses must need assistance with daily activities.
Veterans service officers can make the application process easier. These experts can check for benefits you might qualify for, assess your eligibility, and assist with problems that come up during the application process. San Francisco residents can find veterans service officers through CalVet, veterans service organizations (VSOs), and the VA office.
Resources for San Francisco veterans
County Veterans Service Office
2 Gough St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-934-4200
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – noon; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
California Department of Veterans Services (CalVet)
1227 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 800-952-5626
Email
DAV California
13733 Rosecrans Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Phone: 562-404-1266
American Legion CA Posts
401 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 559-875-8387
South San Francisco VFW | VFW Post 4103
920 Stonegate Drive
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650-589-4030
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Medicaid program in California is called Medi-Cal. Seniors with Medicaid cannot use it to cover the costs of assisted living. But, if qualified, a Home and Community-Based Services waiver can be used to provide health care to residents at assisted living facilities.
Not sure if you qualify for Medicaid? You can check your eligibility here; once you’ve determined your eligibility, you can easily apply for Medi-Cal online. For help with understanding the application process or the benefits, you can connect with the local Medicaid office, the Area Agency on Aging, or the long-term care ombudsman. Those resources are provided below.
San Francisco resident Medicaid resources
Medicaid Office | San Francisco Human Services Agency
2 Gough St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-558-4700
Email: SFMedi-Cal@sfgov.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Area Agency on Aging
1650 Mission St., Fifth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-355-3555
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
6221 Geary Blvd., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-751-9788
Email: ombudsman@felton.org
Medicare won’t pay for assisted living custodial costs, meaning that it cannot be applied toward room and board. However, seniors are still encouraged to consider Medicare benefits as they can assist with medically necessary in-home care provided at an assisted living facility. You can also consider the following resources to help reduce your medical expenses even further.
- Medicare Savings Programs in California will help with the costs of Medicare’s copayments or premiums for qualified individuals.
- The Prescription Drug Discount Program in California helps reduce the costs of medications.
- The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in San Francisco will assist seniors who are eligible with getting social services and health care where they live to put off nursing home placement.
- The San Francisco Health Plan is a local managed health care plan for-low income seniors.
If you are at least 65, you can apply for Medicare online or contact your nearby Social Security Administration office. There is help if you have questions about the process. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives presentations and offers free one-on-one counseling for seniors and their families to assist with both Medicare and Medicaid applications. The long-term care ombudsman is an additional resource you can turn to for help.
San Francisco resident Medicare resources
Medicare Savings Programs
Phone: 800-541-5555
Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE)
Gee Center
1333 Bush St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-292-8888
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
601 Jackson St., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-677-7520
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
San Francisco Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
6221 Geary Blvd., Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-751-9788
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Francisco Health Plan
7 Spring St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-547-7800
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Social Security Administration Offices
90 Seventh St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
1098 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
560 Kearny St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Understand California laws and regulations for assisted living facilities
In California, assisted living facilities — called Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) — are licensed by the Department of Social Services’ California Senior Care Licensing Program. They’re also inspected every year to ensure they’re in compliance with laws and regulations. If you’d like to access inspection reports, you can use this facility search webpage provided by the California Department of Social Services.
Standards specific to assisted living
Assisted living facilities are held to certain standards by law in a broad range of areas from staff expectations to facility requirements. Here are some of the standards that apply:
- Facilities have to provide personal care, such as getting dressed or bathing, and supervision
- Facilities have to help residents with taking their medications
- Three meals must be provided every day along with snacks. Dietary preferences and special diets must be considered.
- All assisted living facilities must have a licensed administrator
- No specific ratio of staff to residents is prescribed, but facilities are required to have a sufficient amount of staff to meet the needs of all residents
- Someone must be awake 24/7 to assist residents
- Criminal background checks must be passed by all staff members
- Specific criteria are laid out for training and continuing education that must be completed by staff
For a full explanation, review this Manual of Policies and Procedures for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) or the California Code of Regulations.
California Department of Health Contact Information
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-558-1784
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Francisco Department of Public Health Contact Information
San Francisco Department of Public Health
101 Grove St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-554-2500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
COVID-19 regulations for San Francisco assisted living facilities
Because assisted living is considered long-term care, such facilities are provided with guidance on how to safeguard residents and visitors from COVID-19 by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. There are even some mandatory requirements that are specific to the San Francisco area.
Vaccinations.
Staff are required to have an initial series of COVID-19 vaccines and at least one booster.
Masking.
Staff are required to wear a mask when working with residents. Note that this is a San Francisco-specific requirement and it is more strict than the state of California’s guidelines. Visitors are strongly encouraged to mask and wash their hands upon arrival.
Facility cleanliness.
Facilities must disinfect surfaces per CDC guidance and in accordance with Cal/OSHA standards.
Staff safety.
Staff should wear personal protective equipment as needed.
Quarantining.
While a quarantine is not mandated, it is recommended that both staff and residents be isolated for five days after the start of symptoms and continue to wear a mask for at least 10 days after that.
Get to know assisted living in San Francisco
What to expect from assisted living in San Francisco
Assisted living in the Golden City truly offers something for everyone’s needs. Great outings, care, and on-site socializing are just the tip of the iceberg. In this section, we look at the highlights that you can expect as an assisted living resident in San Francisco, plus additional information about the types of combination communities that are available in the city.
Proactive care and assistance
Many assisted living communities in San Francisco offer full medication management. Many also have an on-call doctor or facilitate visiting providers like nurses, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and physical therapists. Assistance is also given with daily activities, and most facilities also have on-site nursing, on-site hospice, some aspect of memory care, and 24-hour awake staff.
A vibrant senior culture
Do you fear that assisted living facilities might not offer much in the way of socializing? That’s not true in San Francisco — many of these communities provide day trips and outings so you can enjoy all the city has to offer, hobby-oriented classes, BBQs and picnics, birthday and holiday celebrations, live music, devotional activities, exercise classes, and more.
A wide variety of care options
Within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area, there are 28 assisted living facilities partnered with A Place for Mom.
- 11 are smaller residential homes that offer more affordable rates and a more intimate and personalized environment
- 2 facilities are considered standalone assisted living communities
- 5 assisted living communities offer independent living options
- 7 offer memory care
- 3 offer a combination of assisted living, independent living, and memory care; this progressive care type has been appealing to care seekers looking for facilities that can handle all stages of a senior’s life
San Francisco’s broad range of care options ensures that there’s something for everyone who’s interested in assisted living.
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Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Unfamiliar with San Francisco? Highlights for seniors
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in San Francisco
Median annual income for San Francisco seniors 65 and older
Health care for seniors in San Francisco
UCSF Helen Diller Medical Center at Parnassus Heights
This massive 15-story hospital is considered the fourth-best hospital in the state of California. The hospital provides a shuttle service around its large campus and also explains on its website which public bus routes to take to get to it. The hospital is rated as high performing in 14 surgical procedures.
Kaiser Permanente San Francisco
Kaiser Permanente, with 15 San Francisco locations, is another Level 1 Trauma Center and is well-known for its cardiac care and stroke treatments.
San Francisco VA Medical Center
This VA hospital takes care of the bay area’s veterans by offering everything from primary care checkups and home health to geriatric care and mental health care.
Transportation for seniors in San Francisco
Most of our partner assisted living communities in San Francisco typically offer their own transportation services to residents. Among A Place for Mom’s partner communities, 75% of the facilities offer complimentary transportation services, while 39% offer at-cost transportation. Additionally, 68% of our partner assisted living communities are located close to public transit, which is good news because there is a healthy amount of public transit in San Francisco to choose from.
San Francisco Muni offers a substantial public transportation system that includes highly recognizable cable cars, as well as light rails, trolleys, streetcars, and public buses. The Muni has a transportation guide for older adults and people with disabilities that explains the myriad accessibility options available on all types of public transportation in the area. Free travel training is offered for seniors and people with disabilities to ensure they can feel comfortable using the Muni’s options. For additional information, seniors can contact the Mobility Management Center.
Seniors with physical or mental challenges can board special taxis or use SF Paratransit. Paratransit’s Van Gogh shuttle is another option offering both individual and group rides specifically to social events. The Shop-a-Round shuttle is available to take eligible seniors and those with disabilities to the grocery store or farmer’s markets.
If you want to run a quick errand on foot, San Francisco is a great place to do that. According to Walk Score, which looks at features in cities that make them walker-friendly, San Francisco is a very walkable city. This rating system scores locations on a scale with 100 signifying a fully walkable area, and with a score of 89, San Francisco allows you to run many errands and outings on foot.
Walk Score
Transit Score
Bike Score
Senior activities in San Francisco
San Francisco is packed with things to do, places to visit, and cuisines to sample. Whether you love nature, science, history, art, or simply delectable food, good times are ahead! In this section, we’ll look at some of the top entertainment highlights that this bustling city has to offer for you and your loved ones.
A natural wonderland
No matter where you are in San Francisco, you’re never far away from a park. But one of the best to visit is Golden Gate Park. This 1,017-acre reserve is perfect for picnics, but you can also explore the park’s gardens, activity sites, and restaurants.
The California Academy of Sciences is another brilliant choice for nature lovers. This amazing place wears many hats, including an aquarium, a four-story rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum.
Lights, thrills, and frills
A popular place to visit in San Francisco is the California Grand Casino. However, the city offers other thrilling opportunities for seniors who want an exciting day. For example, there are many outdoor festivals throughout the year, walking ghost tours where you can use real equipment to hunt for phantoms, and several show venues offering concerts, performances, and theater pieces that are always ready for an audience.
Foodie heaven
If spending quality time with loved ones at a good restaurant is your thing, San Francisco’s menus are a must. Known as one of the top food cities in the world, you can look forward to dining at award-winning establishments. The cuisine encompasses nearly everything you can set your sights on, drawing inspiration from local flavors and different cultures, ranging from exquisite seafood delicacies to the humble French fry.
Root for your favorite team
If you’re a sports fan, there are a lot of options for you. You can take in a game and cheer for the college athletes of the University of San Francisco. If professional sports teams are your cup of tea, take in a game and root on the NFL’s 49ers, the MLB’s Giants, and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. You can also head out and star in your own game of golf by teeing off at one of San Francisco’s six public golf courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunrise of San Mateo, Coterie Cathedral Hill and Sagebrook Senior Living at San Francisco are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near San Francisco, CA. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in San Francisco is 5023.78 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
Stacker. (February 2023). Best Big Cities for Retirees in America.
A Place For Mom. (2023). A Place For Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center.
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