About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2025 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2025 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2025 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in San Carlos, CA

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The cost of independent living in San Carlos is about $5,724 per month. To find the best independent living for your preferences and budget, browse these 49 options. Read 532 reviews, see photos, and learn about amenities that make independent living the ideal next step for adults 55+ who wish to enjoy friendships and hobbies without the hassle of cooking and home maintenance.

As you explore independent living near you, you may also want to consider options in areas like You may also consider nearby communities such as San Francisco, Pleasanton and Oakland.

San Carlos Independent Living Facilities | 532 Reviews

Showing 40 communities
Last Updated: 12/5/25
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Photo of The Villa at San Mateo
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Provides: Independent Living, Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Redwood Court Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Gordon Manor
5 star
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I liked that this was close to me. I liked that it was a mixed facility with assisted living and memory care combined together. My mother can do activities with higher functioning people. It also had a...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Park Towers
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Crane PLACE-HUD-SENIORS
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of San Mateo Convalescent Hospital
Provides: Memory Care, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
San Mateo Convalescent is a small family owned and operated skilled nursing facility that has provided the community with excellent care for over four decades. We have long or short-term care available, as well as Respite Retreats and Rehabilitation stays. We also offer Assisted Care Rates for a...
Photo of Webster House
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Webster House is a continuing care retirement community located close to the Stanford University campus and a short walk from downtown Palo Alto.Sunrise Independent Living is for seniors who want to maintain their rich and rewarding life without the responsibilities of running a household....
Photo of Channing House
33 Photos available
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
In a beautiful downtown Palo Alto neighborhood, there’s a not-for-profit retirement community filled with independent thinkers leading amazing lives. They’re learning and growing. Going and doing. Exploring the new and savoring the familiar. Lifting their voices and taking action to make the...
Photo of Webster Wood Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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Photo of Runnymede Gardens Apartments
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Ocean View Plaza
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of The Magnolia of Millbrae
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They loved it there. It is independent living. Each room had it's own little kitchen and a microwave but they ate meals in the dining room. the service was nice and they had a lot of activities going on. It...
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of The Avant
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.

Cost of independent living in San Carlos, CA

The average cost of senior living in San Carlos is $5,724 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include San Bruno, CA with an average of $5,679 per month.

Independent living costs in San Carlos, CA, vs. nearby cities

San Carlos, CA
$5,724/mo
$5,788/mo

Independent living costs in San Carlos, CA, vs. state and national averages

San Carlos, CA
$5,724/mo
U.S. national average
$4,203/mo

Independent living costs in San Carlos, CA, vs. other senior living options

$6,480/mo
Independent Living
$5,724/mo

Independent living costs in San Carlos, CA, by floor plan type

Semi-Private
$6,718/mo
Studio
$6,887/mo
1 Bedroom
$8,306/mo
2 Bedroom
$9,734/mo

Senior living costs in San Carlos vs. state and national costs

Cost comparison table showing community type costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column communityType: Community type
Column destination: San Carlos, CA
Column state: California
Column national: U.S.
Community typeSan Carlos, CACaliforniaU.S.
Independent Living$5,724/mo$4,697/mo$4,203/mo
Assisted Living$5,123/mo$4,503/mo$4,740/mo
Memory Care$6,480/mo$5,458/mo$5,004/mo
Independent Living
San Carlos, CA:$5,724/mo
California:$4,697/mo
U.S.:$4,203/mo
Assisted Living
San Carlos, CA:$5,123/mo
California:$4,503/mo
U.S.:$4,740/mo
Memory Care
San Carlos, CA:$6,480/mo
California:$5,458/mo
U.S.:$5,004/mo
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Independent living costs in San Carlos, CA, over time

The line graph below shows how monthly independent living costs have shifted over the past five years in San Carlos and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent quarterly averages of what seniors actually paid after moving into A Place for Mom partner communities.

San Carlos, CACA stateNational

Independent living cost trends in San Carlos, CA

The table below shows how monthly independent living costs in San Carlos have changed in the last two years and how those changes compare with state and national trends. The figures represent averages of actual costs paid by seniors who moved into A Place for Mom partner communities in 2023 and 2024.

Cost comparison table showing 2023 and 2024 median costs by location. This table contains 3 rows of data across 4 columns.
Column location: Location
Column cost2024: 2024 average cost
Column cost2023: 2023 average cost
Column percentChange: Percent change
Location2024 average cost2023 average costPercent change
San Carlos, CA$4,388/mo$4,389/mo-0.0%
California$3,660/mo$3,479/mo+5.2%
National$3,191/mo$3,101/mo+2.9%
San Carlos, CA
2024 average cost:$4,388/mo
2023 average cost:$4,389/mo
Percent change:-0.0%
California
2024 average cost:$3,660/mo
2023 average cost:$3,479/mo
Percent change:+5.2%
National
2024 average cost:$3,191/mo
2023 average cost:$3,101/mo
Percent change:+2.9%
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.
Table showing 5 of 3 items. Click to show less.

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What families are saying about independent living in San Carlos

Recent reviews for independent living in San Carlos

Golden Heritage Living in San Jose, CA

5.0
This place is an excellent facility that specializes in the care of Chinese speaking people. It is well maintained and the staff is always ready to help. My mom lived there until she passed .

Rosemont Gardens in San Leandro, CA

5.0
Excellent caring staff. Clean place. My Auntie [name removed] is here. I visited from Anaheim California. My auntie Husband just passed away. My auntie looked beautiful and happy. I talked with staff and they were very professional

J and C Care Center, LLC in Oakland, CA

4.0
I like the care that my father is getting in this community. I really liked that the community is clean and well maintained. He is happy with the caring staff who are attentive and caring. They try and get him involved with the activities that are helpful. The meals are a good variety. I would ...
Read more

San Carlos independent living services and amenities

These charts highlight some of the many care, dining, and entertainment offerings available in San Carlos independent living communities. They don’t represent all possible services and amenities available at assisted living communities in San Carlos, but support comparisons against nationwide offerings. Our Senior Living Advisors can help you find communities that fit your preferences.

Availability of select dietary accommodations in San Carlos independent living

Independent living communities help seniors maintain a balanced diet by accommodating their health needs, allergies, and other restrictions. Below you’ll find the percentage of San Carlos partners making specific dietary accommodations for seniors compared to the percentage of assisted living partners making those accommodations nationally.
San Carlos, CANational
Nutritionist / dietician
Nutritionist / dietician
17.9%
20.5%
Low / no sodium
Low / no sodium
41%
34.4%
No sugar
No sugar
38.5%
30.9%
Vegetarian
Vegetarian
41%
33.6%
Pureed meals
Pureed meals
17.9%
10.5%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select dining options in San Carlos independent living

Our independent living communities know that seniors want top-quality meals and options for how they dine. The chart below indicates the percentage of San Carlos communities that offer dining options to their discerning residents compared to our partners nationally.
San Carlos, CANational
Professional chef
Professional chef
35.9%
36.5%
Restaurant style dining
Restaurant style dining
41%
43.5%
Room service
Room service
35.9%
37%
Anytime dining
Anytime dining
17.9%
17.2%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Availability of select programs and activities in San Carlos independent living

Senior living communities offer a variety of programming to keep seniors socially, mentally, and physically vibrant. The chart below shows what percentage of partnered independent living communities in San Carlos offer the selected activities, amenities, and programs compared to the percentage of partners nationwide.
San Carlos, CANational
Activity director
Activity director
38.5%
45.1%
Pet-focused programs
Pet-focused programs
30.8%
28.3%
Community service programs
Community service programs
25.6%
33%
Devotional activities on-site
Devotional activities on-site
38.5%
47.5%
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
Parties / BBQs / happy hour
43.6%
48.9%
Outings / off-site activities
Outings / off-site activities
48.7%
54%
Piano or organ
Piano or organ
33.3%
42.9%
Arts and crafts center
Arts and crafts center
33.3%
38.1%
Educational speakers / life long learning
Educational speakers / life long learning
38.5%
41.8%
Clubs / games / karaoke
Clubs / games / karaoke
38.5%
47.1%
Live performances
Live performances
41%
46.8%
Dances
Dances
25.6%
33%
Fitness center
Fitness center
20.5%
39.5%
Fitness classes
Fitness classes
41%
46.4%
0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%

Frequently Asked Questions

Sunrise of Sunnyvale, Atria Park of San Mateo and Ivy Park at Belmont are the top-rated independent living facilities near San Carlos, California. See full list of communities.
There are 49 independent living facilities near San Carlos, California. See the full list.
The best independent living facilities near you in San Carlos, California are Sunrise of Sunnyvale and Cogir of Fremont Senior Living. These independent living communities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews.
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The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
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