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Independent Living in California

Overview of Independent Living in California

From old-growth Redwood forests to white sandy beaches, California has earned its nickname as The Golden State for good reason. California is home to great weather, year-round sunshine, and unmatched beauty. There are many great retirement communities in Southern California and the rest of the state. A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can help you or your loved one find the best retirement communities in California that meet your family’s needs.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 880 independent living communities in California. The median monthly cost of independent living in California is about $3,000.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in California

30
30 Photos available

Cogir of Brentwood

150 Cortona Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
10
Review Score
48 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
David C - I'm a current/former resident or client

To my lovely med tech [name removed] who saved my life. You don't know how much I appreciate you. You do a professionally job. Thank you for your loving care. You went above and beyond the call of duty when...

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6
6 Photos available
9
9 Floor plans available

Cardinal Point

2431 Mariner Square, Alameda, CA 94501
10
Review Score
26 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Phil Gardner - I'm a current/former resident or client

I have been a resident of Cardinal Pt. since March of 2023. I have found that I have become stronger. The meals are 5 star with a large number of choices. Excellent exercise classes are provided nearly...

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12
12 Photos available
8
8 Floor plans available

Atria Rocklin

3201 Santa Fe Way, Rocklin, CA 95765
10
Review Score
78 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Alan D - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My father and uncle both stayed at Atria and loved it. When I needed to place my mother while I travelled to Europe we put her in Atria and the staff and rooms were wonderful. My mom loves the food and...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Beverly Hills

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7
7 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Beverly Hills

201 North Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
10
Review Score
45 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I think the staff is great very friendly. I see the same people all the time and I like them so that's great. The room size is good very good and the amenities I believe were good ones. Minor thought was...

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9
9 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Atria Park of Pacific Palisades

15441 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
10
Review Score
35 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ken K - I'm a current/former resident or client

Excellent, organized and comfortable place. The staff here are very respectful and very eager to serve and place the elderly.

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19
19 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise at Sterling Canyon

25815 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355
10
Review Score
56 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

[name removed] was our liaison and he was very friendly. Very informative. Family friendly. They need to be more diligent with bathroom, bedroom. Trash especially. From what I've heard, the food is great and...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Los Angeles

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9
9 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

Atria Park of Pacific Palisades

15441 W Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
10
Review Score
35 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Ken K - I'm a current/former resident or client

Excellent, organized and comfortable place. The staff here are very respectful and very eager to serve and place the elderly.

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7
7 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Beverly Hills

201 North Crescent Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
10
Review Score
45 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I think the staff is great very friendly. I see the same people all the time and I like them so that's great. The room size is good very good and the amenities I believe were good ones. Minor thought was...

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3
3 Photos available
1
1 Floor plans available

Nikkei Senior Gardens by Cogir

9221 Arleta Ave, Arleta, CA 91331
9.8
Review Score
15 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Carole - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Nikkei Senior Gardens is an absolutely lovely facility! My mother is so happy to be staying at such a nice, peaceful place where the entire staff is very friendly, enthusiastic and always eager to help. As a...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Torrance

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12
12 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Brookdale South Bay

5481 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90503
9.5
Review Score
38 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Tom J - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Brookdale South Bay has been a great for my disabled mother. There is a third-party company that has caregivers who can meet my mother's needs. The staff at Brookdale is very friendly and helpful.

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8
8 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Ivy Park at Palos Verdes

25535 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90505
9.0
Review Score
27 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

My sister has been a resident at Ivy Park for two and a half years. We selected that facility because it was designed for assisted living. The carpeted floors keep the noise down. It is intimate, I have...

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7
7 Photos available
11
11 Floor plans available

Oakmont of Torrance

3620 Lomita Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
8.5
Review Score
17 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Shannon P - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Oakmont really is a great and friendly place for a loved one. Not only is the staff friendly but interactive as well. I went on a weekend to visit my grandma and they even had entertainment playing the piano...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in San Jose

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14
14 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Atria Willow Glen

1660 Gaton Drive, San Jose, CA 95125
9.6
Review Score
119 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sharon M - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

*Lots of opportunities for socializing! #1! *Good classes for exercising *Overall positive vibe from the residents *Beautiful grounds *Fun happy hours *Holiday celebrating???????????? One complaint: I put...

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16
16 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Westmont of Morgan Hill

1160 Cochrane Road, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
9.6
Review Score
48 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sharon S - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

We placed my mother in Westmont Memory Care. They had a bouquet of balloons outside her apartment and welcomed us with enthusiasm. As a family we did an activity and sat outside on the patio and talked to...

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11
11 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Belmont Village San Jose

500 South Winchester Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95128
9.6
Review Score
67 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Mike Murtagh - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Belmont takes their reputation for providing top notch care for their residents seriously. They are concerned with, and do their best to treat the residents with kindness and caring service. They request...

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California laws and regulations for independent living communities

Independent living communities in California don’t provide care to seniors, therefore they’re not required to have a senior care license. Instead, they’re treated as any California rental, so they must follow tenant-landlord laws. The exception to this is if an independent living community shares a campus with a senior care facility, such as an assisted living or memory care community.

Regulations for independent living facilities on a senior care campus

If a California independent living community shares the same campus as a senior care facility, the senior care units must have a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) license from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). To keep this license, the senior care facility must follow California assisted living regulations and memory care regulations.

To access the licensing status, regulatory information, and inspection reports of a California assisted living or memory care facility, you can search the facility’s name using the CDSS Care Facility Search.

Regulations and resident rights for stand-alone independent living facilities

Stand-alone independent living facilities in California must offer seniors safe and well-maintained housing, as defined by the California Department of Justice. Seniors can expect the following standards while renting from an independent living facility in California:[01,02]

  • Typically, tenants must be at least 62 years of age.
  • Tenants have a right to basic services — like maintenance, landscaping, and fully functioning utilities — when they rent a unit in these communities.
  • Landlords cannot legally refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.
  • Tenants with disabilities have protections under the law when renting, i.e., accommodation and modification laws.

Accommodation and modification laws for seniors with disabilities

Landlords must agree to reasonable accommodations and modifications for persons with disabilities, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Independent living community owners must cover the cost of accommodations and structural modifications in common areas, while the resident should pay for structural modifications to their individual unit.[03]

Accommodations include changes to independent living community policies that would otherwise restrict people with disabilities. Some examples include:

  • Designated parking spaces
  • Allowing service animals regardless of pet policy
  • Changing rent due date to accommodate disability payment dates
  • Offering accommodations to enable residents with disabilities to participate in all activities and programs

Modifications include changes to the structure of building common areas or individual units. Examples include:

  • Installing easy-to-reach cabinets in units or grab bars in bathrooms
  • Putting a ramp at the building’s entrance
  • Modifying elevators to fit a wheelchair

Reporting unsafe conditions or complaints

If your independent living landlord is failing to provide you a safe environment, the Office of the Attorney General recommends documenting written requests and any communications with their landlord.[04] Furthermore, the attorney general recommends getting legal assistance for any landlord-tenant issues. You can find a legal aid office near you to help you fight unresolved issues.

If you have general complaints or questions about an independent living unit, you can report a complaint on the Office of the Attorney General website, or print out a physical complaint form to mail.

California Department of Public Health contact information

California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377

Phone: 916-558-1784

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

How to find California independent living facility inspection reports

In California, local housing and health departments perform rental property inspections for independent living facilities. The state doesn’t provide a search tool for all inspection reports, therefore California residents must contact their local authorities. To request an inspection report for an independent living facility in your area, you can contact your county’s housing or health department directly.

References

  1. Intergenerational Housing for Senior Citizens, California Civil Code § 51.3.5 (1988 & rev. 2017).

  2. California Department of Justice. (2003, November). Legal rights of persons with disabilities, 4th edition.

  3. California Office of the Attorney General. California Department of Justice. (2023, September 6). Legal rights of persons with disabilities.

  4. California Office of the Attorney General. California Department of Justice. (2024, April 1). Landlord-tenant issues.

Top cities in California for independent living

8.5
San Diego, CA
62 facilities
8.3
Beverly Hills, CA
119 facilities
8.2
San Jose, CA
58 facilities
8.1
Los Angeles, CA
143 facilities
8.1
Torrance, CA
36 facilities
7.9

Find independent living in other states

Find Independent Living in California cities

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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.