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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

22
22 Photos available
13
13 Floor plans available

Revel Lodi

2923 Reynolds Ranch, Lodi, CA 95240
10
Review Score
76 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
DM - I live or lived in this community

We are extremely pleased. Such a different atmosphere from Eskaton Carmichael. The building is very well maintained. We've met all the staff and they know our names! There is a monthly meeting where the...

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30
30 Photos available

Cogir of Brentwood

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

All of the staff is so friendly, actually everyone in the whole building is so nice. I love my apartment and my view of the pool.

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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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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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9
9 Photos available
4
4 Floor plans available

Sunrise of Westlake Village

3101 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361
10
Review Score
49 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Shelley Curtis - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Our time with sunrise was wonderful... my father was well cared for and I would do it again ! The staff was kind respectful reliable and loving. I can't say entirely about our experience at sunrise . Clean...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Los Angeles

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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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15
15 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Pacifica Senior Living Northridge

8700 Lindley Ave, Northridge, CA 91325
9.9
Review Score
248 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Mary & Matt - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Our 100 yr old mom has been living in memory care at Pacifica Senior Living since [date removed]. We can't say enough about our outstanding experience with the facility and staff. She's been in the same...

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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
8.3
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Always ask how stable management is because every time it changes, staff changes and this effects residents drastically! Thank God for the dedicated care staff who remain and try to keep things normal.

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in San Jose

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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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16
16 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Ivy Park at San Jose

4855 San Felipe Rd, San Jose, CA 95135
9.3
Review Score
42 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Staff is very involved and has her best interests always in mind. Sachi in at level zero meaning an independent renter yet they will notice she has missed dinner and will check on her. Beautiful back yard...

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14
14 Photos available
7
7 Floor plans available

Atria Willow Glen

1660 Gaton Drive, San Jose, CA 95125
9.5
Review Score
114 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Although my dad has dementia, he is not currently at this stage where he needs dementia care, or memory care... they wanted a form filled out that would say that he had dementia that would make him go into...

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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.

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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.