10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in San Diego, CA

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 of both to cover the costs related to assisted living. You can browse our guide to payment methods below.

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 (RCFE). The CDSS also licenses any Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) — facilities that offer a spectrum of senior care services, from independent living and assisted living to memory care and skilled nursing care.

In a few cases, a community can operate as an RCFE without a license. These exceptions include:^[03]

• Health facilities or clinics
• Facilities that substitute prayer or spiritual means for medical or nursing services
• Recovery houses for those with addiction

All licensed 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:^[03]

• 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 a year. To renew a license, an assisted living facility must provide continuing education for community administrators. In addition, the CDSS must inspect a facility within 10 days of receiving a complaint.^[03]

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” and select “Elderly Assisted Living.” Next, you can 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

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 to learn more about what you can expect from assisted living communities in San Diego.

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 likely won’t 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 beautiful weather and a variety of perks. Activities offered by 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 communities also offer the following amenities:

• Full service on-site salons
• Therapy spas
• Fitness centers designed for seniors
• Heated swimming pools
• Pristine walking trails
• Cozy movie theaters
• Convenient concierge services

Ocean views and beachfront access

Perhaps the most iconic feature 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. Across A Place for Mom’s partner communities, 84% offer complimentary transportation and 48% offer transportation at cost.^[01]

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.
• 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.

San Diego is a moderately walkable city, although car transportation is still necessary to access most of the city. 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.^[07]

Things to do in San Diego for seniors and their families

Endless entertainment awaits seniors in San Diego, California. From lounging on sandy beaches to finding new favorite restaurants and museums, seniors can find something to make each outing a memorable experience.

Live entertainment

Live entertainment, whether via a sporting event or theatrical performance, is a wonderful way to enjoy retirement in San Diego. The San Diego Padres games in Petco Park are just one part of the city’s lively sports scene. View the latest professional football or soccer games at Balboa Stadium, or catch a rugby or lacrosse game at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego is also home to several performing arts centers — such as The Old Globe or the Civic Theater — where seniors and their families can view shows from local musicians or catch world premiere theatrical productions.

Stunning beaches

Of course, San Diego offers an abundance of popular beaches to choose from, including La Jolla Shores and Cove, located near unique shops and restaurants. Natural beauty, stunning views from the rocky cliffs, and marine life sightings await. Day trips to Coronado Island are also full of possibilities and unique experiences, from lounging on the breathtaking Coronado Beach to sipping coffee in coastal cafés.

Historical attractions

Seniors have many options for exploring local history, many of which have accessibility options for people with disabilities. For example, Balboa Park — San Diego’s 1,200-acre backyard with dozens of museums — offers scooter and wheelchair rentals, though availability is limited. The Comic-Con Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, breathtaking gardens, tropical trails, cafés, and much more are all located in the park. San Diego’s AgeWell Services even hosts a senior lounge and senior lunch at Balboa Park for seniors to socialize and relax.

Many other museums are also accessible, like the USS Midway Museum, which offers wheelchair rentals, tour scripts, and guides. The San Diego History Center is another popular museum about local history and doesn’t have an admission fee. San Diego also has its own Natural History Museum, where seniors can find ever-changing exhibits, weekly events, and a discounted admission fee. Or, seniors can stroll through Old Town San Diego, which is a popular downtown area full of historic landmarks and unique shops.