Menlo Park, California, a city of 33,780 people, is located in San Mateo County between San Francisco and San Jose. Seniors aged 65 and older make up 14% of the population, and the city is surrounded by parks and protected natural forests. Senior Menlo Park residents can enjoy strolling through the gardens and museums of the Allied Artists Guild and visiting its shops and cafés. The walkable downtown also features shopping, dining and several art galleries. The Menlo Park campus of the Palo Alto Veterans Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services for veterans. 

Seniors who require some assistance with daily living activities such as grooming, dressing and preparing meals might enjoy living in an assisted living community. Housekeeping and laundry services as well as meals are provided, and transportation to appointments and activities is often included. The cost of assisted living is $6,100 per month in Menlo Park, which is a bit higher than the $5,000 median for the state.

This guide examines the benefits and drawbacks of living in Menlo Park. It compares the local cost of assisted living with other parts of the state and types of senior care, and provides information about available aging-related resources.

Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Menlo Park, CA

Lane Partners LLC

644 Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025

My wife stayed at Orchid Lane. The people loved her, and she loved the people there. She really enjoyed the food, but her disease got to the point where she started having hallucinations. She refused … (read more)
My wife stayed at Orchid Lane. The people loved her, and she loved the people there. She really enjoyed the food, but her disease got to the point where she started having hallucinations. She refused … (read more)

Silver Oaks Memory Care

16 Coleman Place, Menlo Park, CA, 94025

Silver Point Plaza was an old facility that needed updating. It did not meet the needs of my dad, but the staff seemed to be very friendly and eager. The place was clean and provided activities.
Silver Point Plaza was an old facility that needed updating. It did not meet the needs of my dad, but the staff seemed to be very friendly and eager. The place was clean and provided activities.

Jasmine’S Cozy Cottage @ Madera

1379 Madera Avenue, Menlo Park, CA, 94025


Brookdale Redwood City

485 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA, 94061

For older people downsizing, Brookdale, located in Redwood City, California, receives high praise. Reviewers state that the comfortable apartments, planned activities, and delicious food are some of t … (read more)
For older people downsizing, Brookdale, located in Redwood City, California, receives high praise. Reviewers state that the comfortable apartments, planned activities, and delicious food are some of t … (read more)

Atria Park of San Mateo

2883 South Norfolk Street, San Mateo, CA, 94403

Atria Park of San Mateo is located in San Mateo, California with a waterfront location close to Laurelwood Park and Bair Island Ecological Reserve and 20 minutes from Downtown San Francisco. Loved one … (read more)
Atria Park of San Mateo is located in San Mateo, California with a waterfront location close to Laurelwood Park and Bair Island Ecological Reserve and 20 minutes from Downtown San Francisco. Loved one … (read more)

2016

Sunrise of Sunnyvale

633 S. Knickerbocker Drive, Sunnyvale, CA, 94087

Sunrise of Sunnyvale is situated in Sunnyvale, California, near the interchange of Highways 82 and 85. It’s close to a variety of stores and restaurants, Sutter Health and El Camino Hospital. Family m … (read more)
Sunrise of Sunnyvale is situated in Sunnyvale, California, near the interchange of Highways 82 and 85. It’s close to a variety of stores and restaurants, Sutter Health and El Camino Hospital. Family m … (read more)

2023

Atria at Foster Square

707 Thayer Lane, Foster City, CA, 94404

Atria at Foster Square is tucked away in Foster City, California, a short drive from Laurelwood Park. Some of the most popular amenities include a fitness center, library and a studio. Residents enjoy … (read more)
Atria at Foster Square is tucked away in Foster City, California, a short drive from Laurelwood Park. Some of the most popular amenities include a fitness center, library and a studio. Residents enjoy … (read more)

2021

BridgePoint at Los Altos

1174 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos, CA, 94022

I toured BridgePoint at Los Altos and I loved it. If they had had a transition to a memory care unit, I wouldn’t have looked any further. That was my top choice. Unfortunately, it won’t work for us. T … (read more)
I toured BridgePoint at Los Altos and I loved it. If they had had a transition to a memory care unit, I wouldn’t have looked any further. That was my top choice. Unfortunately, it won’t work for us. T … (read more)

Vi At Palo Alto

600 Sand Hill Road, Palo Alto, CA, 94304

The Vi is beautiful, it’s wonderful, and elegant. Beautiful swimming pools, tennis courts, it’s extremely attractive. If it’s me by myself I would be living there. The rooms were big and lovely. I hav … (read more)
The Vi is beautiful, it’s wonderful, and elegant. Beautiful swimming pools, tennis courts, it’s extremely attractive. If it’s me by myself I would be living there. The rooms were big and lovely. I hav … (read more)

Ivy Park at Palo Alto

2701 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

Ivy Park at Palo Alto is located in the heart of Palo Alto, near a wide variety of stores and restaurants and adjacent to Stanford University, which includes Stanford Hospital. Visitors give high prai … (read more)
Ivy Park at Palo Alto is located in the heart of Palo Alto, near a wide variety of stores and restaurants and adjacent to Stanford University, which includes Stanford Hospital. Visitors give high prai … (read more)

Ivy Park at Belmont

1010 Alameda de Las Pulgas, Belmont, CA, 94002

Ivy Park at Belmont is an assisted living facility located in Belmont, California just moments from Barrett Park and several banks, shopping centers and restaurants. Residents of the facility and thei … (read more)
Ivy Park at Belmont is an assisted living facility located in Belmont, California just moments from Barrett Park and several banks, shopping centers and restaurants. Residents of the facility and thei … (read more)

Oakmont of Redwood City

1 East Selby Lane, Redwood City, CA, 94063

I went to Sunrise of Redwood City. I toured their assisted living and memory care. I like that it was a complete care center where they don’t force them to leave if they get too sick. The buildings we … (read more)
I went to Sunrise of Redwood City. I toured their assisted living and memory care. I like that it was a complete care center where they don’t force them to leave if they get too sick. The buildings we … (read more)

Palo Alto Commons

4075 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA, 94306

Palo Alto Commons looked very clean and welcoming. I felt very comfortable there. The room was adequate. The woman during the tour was very good, very kind and welcoming, and interested in my problems … (read more)
Palo Alto Commons looked very clean and welcoming. I felt very comfortable there. The room was adequate. The woman during the tour was very good, very kind and welcoming, and interested in my problems … (read more)

Sunnyside Gardens

1025 Carson Drive, Sunnyvale, CA, 94086

We didn’t care for Sunnyside Gardens. The rooms didn’t have bathrooms; they had shared bathrooms down the hall to take a shower. Everybody seemed nice. It was clean, and the dining area was OK. The … (read more)
We didn’t care for Sunnyside Gardens. The rooms didn’t have bathrooms; they had shared bathrooms down the hall to take a shower. Everybody seemed nice. It was clean, and the dining area was OK. The … (read more)

Hopkins Manor

1235 Hopkins Ave., Redwood City, CA, 94062

Hopkins Manor is the best of the best! They provide outstanding and loving service to their residents. My mother was one. Honestly, my family and I feel so blessed to have had them provide the care … (read more)
Hopkins Manor is the best of the best! They provide outstanding and loving service to their residents. My mother was one. Honestly, my family and I feel so blessed to have had them provide the care … (read more)

Bayview Villa

777 Bayview drive, San Carlos, CA, 94070


Spice of Life

419 Topaz Street, Redwood City, CA, 94062


Portola Place #2

2921 Isabel Avenue, San Mateo, CA, 94403


Britannia House

1608 Alameda De Las Pulgas, Redwood City, CA, 94061


Holland House

2634 Holland Street, San Mateo, CA, 94403


What to Consider About Assisted Living in Menlo Park

The California Department of Social Services is responsible for licensing and inspecting residential care facilities in Menlo Park and throughout the state. The department also keeps track of available beds and informs the public about senior residential care policies.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Menlo Park

  • Menlo Park has a mild climate, with summer temperatures ranging from the low 50s to the high 70s. Winter temperatures rarely dip below 40 degrees, with highs in the 50s. The sun shines about 70% of the time, and most rainy days occur during the winter months.
  • The San Francisco area, which includes Menlo Park, is ranked as the third-best city for seniors by Sperling’s Best Places, with a score of 100% for the environment. Menlo Park is just a 40-minute drive from the sights and attractions of downtown San Francisco.
  • Although Menlo Park has a cost of living that’s higher than the United States as a whole, the cost of health care is three points lower than average. Additionally, Menlo Park has 302 physicians per 100,000 residents compared to the U.S. average of 210.
  • In Menlo Park, the crime rates are low. The city has a violent crime rate of 9.8 on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the highest, and the U.S. average is 22.7. The property crime rate is also low at 28.7 compared to 35.4 for the country.
  • Perched between Menlo Park and Palo Alto, Stanford University offers seniors the opportunity to continue learning. Classes, lectures and online discussions are available to the surrounding community, along with free or low-cost performances, lectures and workshops.
  • Bedwell Bayfront Park is surrounded by a wildlife refuge. Located at the east end of the city, it’s a great spot for birdwatching and photography. Some of the walking and biking trails there are wheelchair-accessible.

Paying for Assisted Living in Menlo Park

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020, the cost of assisted living in Menlo Park is $6,100 per month, which is significantly higher than the statewide average of $5,000 and the national median of $4,300 per month.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities 

Although the cost of assisted living in Menlo Park is higher than the California and U.S. averages, it’s on par with other cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Only Santa Clara has a higher cost at $6,800, and San Jose’s assisted living cost is lower at $5,875. Costs drop in cities further away from the Bay, such as Sacramento and Fresno, where rates average $5,395 and $4,750, respectively.

$6100

Menlo Park

$5000

California

$4300

The United States

$6800

Santa Clara

$5875

San Jose

$5395

Sacramento

$4750

Fresno

The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care 

At $6,100 per month, the cost of assisted living is about midrange compared to other options in Menlo Park. Seniors who prefer to age in place in their own homes can hire a homemaker or a home health aide at a median monthly cost of $6,101 for either service. For seniors who only need assistance on weekdays, adult day health care is a more affordable $1,950 per month. Full-time care in a nursing home ranges from $12,471 to $15,208 per month respectively for a semiprivate or private room.

$6101

Homemaker Services

$6101

Home Health Aide

$1950

Adult Day Health Care

$6100

Assisted Living Facility

$12471

Nursing Home Facility (semiprivate room)

$15208

Nursing Home Facility (private room)

Note: Data for Menlo Park was unavailable, so data for San Francisco was used instead.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Menlo Park

Eligible seniors can find financial assistance services in Menlo Park through both the Medicaid 1915(c) Assisted Living Waiver Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the optional state supplement (OSS).

Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in California

More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living

While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:

  • Veterans Benefits
  • Life Insurance Policy
  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Reverse Mortgage

For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in California page.

Free Assisted Living Resources in Menlo Park

Free resources are available to help Menlo Park seniors with finding transportation, navigating healthcare coverage and dealing with long-term care issues. Seniors can also find advocates for issues that arise in their assisted living communities. 

RESOURCE
CONTACT
SERVICE

(650) 330-2283

The city hosts various programs for seniors at the Arrillaga Family Recreation Center, including congregate meals that older residents can enjoy with friends. They can also attend fun activities and classes. Seniors can paint, practice sewing or learn Spanish, and take part in exercise classes including armchair yoga and chair dancing.

(650) 780-5707

The California Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an advocate for Menlo Park seniors in assisted living and other long-term care settings. The ombudsman deals with issues such as dietary problems and insufficient care. Seniors can also get advice and help from the ombudsman about medical care, rehabilitation and access to state benefits.

(650) 713-8447

The San Mateo County Area Agency on Aging helps seniors connect with a wide range of resources, such as health promotion programs, transportation services and legal assistance through the county's Legal Aid Society. The AAA also partners with AARP to provide seniors with information on vital issues, such as avoiding phone scams.

(650) 696-7660

RSVP offers Menlo Park residents aged 55 and older opportunities to volunteer and continue contributing to the community using the skills they’ve learned over a lifetime. RSVP volunteers also offer seniors in assisted living communities the chance to connect with others through friendly visits.

(650) 627-9350

San Mateo County HICAP provides seniors with free Medicare and Medi-Cal counseling and help accessing resources to cover expenses such as prescription drugs. New and current Medicare recipients can get unbiased advice about their coverage options, including long-term care insurance plans, and assistance with filing claims and appeals.

(650) 802-6598

The Veterans Services Office helps Menlo Park seniors access state and federal benefits they’ve earned through their military service. Vets can get assistance applying for VA health care coverage as well as disability compensation, pensions and Aid and Attendance benefits, which may help them pay for assisted living. 

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Menlo Park

Menlo Park-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in California are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in California