
109 Assisted Living Facilities near San Diego, CA
Due to its near-perfect weather and endless attractions and activities, San Diego draws retirees from around the world who want to spend their days in the sunshine. To help seniors find the assisted living community that’s right for their family, we’ve researched and compiled in-depth information about the cost of care, how to pay for care, and important local laws and regulations involving senior care and assisted living.
With an average cost of $3,755 in San Diego, it’s often difficult to find assisted living communities that provide high-quality care at an affordable price. At Caring.com, our mission is to make this process as smooth and painless as possible, and we’ve helped many families along the way.
This guide provides everything you need to quickly compare communities and narrow your search, including 243 unique reviews from residents and our comprehensive database that gives pricing, amenity information, photos and more on the 80 facilities in San Diego.
Top 10 Assisted Living Facilities in San Diego, CA
Belmont Village Sabre Springs
Brookdale Clairemont
Atria Collwood
Brookdale Carmel Valley
Atria Rancho Peñasquitos
Vi at La Jolla Village
Sunrise of Sabre Springs
Sunrise of La Jolla
Casa Aldea Senior Living
BayView Senior Assisted Living
Point Loma Elder Care
Casa Del Cielo
Jacob Health Care Center
Oakmont of Pacific Beach
Acorn Oaks Manor
Family Style Care
James Board and Care
Canyon Guest Home
Clairmont Guest Home
Lake Murray Healthcare Center
A Timeless Treasures
Family Style Care II
Wesley Palms
Merrill Gardens at Bankers Hill
The Remington Club
Nazareth House
St. Paul's Villa
Pacifica Senior Living
Mylda Senior Care
Coastal Breeze Assisted Living And Me...
Cloisters of the Valley
Mission Villa East
Canyon Villas
Award Manor
Casa Rosa
Serra Mesa Guest Home III
Renown Care
Golden Living of Point Loma
Mary Krystal Home
Right Choice Senior Living, LLC
Santa Martha Residential VII
Meadowbrook Palace Residential Care
Baron's Residential Care, Inc.
Santa Martha Residential I
Santa Martha Residential II
Santa Martha Residential III
Santa Martha Residential IV
Santa Martha Residential V
Santa Martha Residential VI
Paradise Village
Grossmont Gardens
Fredericka Manor
The Montera
Atria Bonita
Monte Vista Village
Sunrise of Bonita
Coronado Retirement Village
Sungarden Terrace
Plaza Village Senior Living
Spring Valley Senior Living
Paradise Valley Manor
MesaView Senior Assisted Living
Melrose Manor
La Jolla Casa Pacifica
Bonita Home Care
La Jolla Vista
La Jolla Casa Fiesta
VMB Ultimate Care
What to Consider About Assisted Living in San Diego
Sun-drenched San Diego boasts a comfortable year-round climate, over 50 miles of white sand beaches and, according to the U.S. News & World Report, access to one of the best senior medicine programs in the nation. Seniors seeking an assisted living solution in San Diego can select from 78 different facilities available within the city limits. In San Diego and throughout California, assisted living communities are called Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs). They are licensed by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, and defined as facilities where at least three-quarters of the residents are age 60 or older.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in San Diego
• San Diego is a sunshiny city, averaging 266 sunny days each year. Seniors can enjoy outdoor activities year-round thanks to mild temperatures, with an average winter low of only 45.2 degrees and a summer high of 78.9 degrees.
• With living costs that are a staggering 66 percent above the national average, San Diego may be out of reach for some retirees, who can expect to pay dearly for routine expenses. For example, health care in the city costs 11 percent more than the national average and groceries, 6.8 percent more.
• According to the American Lung Association, which measures air quality, San Diego County has one of the highest rates of pollution in the nation. Those with existing respiratory illnesses may want to consider this before moving into an assisted living community in San Diego.
• San Diego offers a thriving art and culture scene for people of all ages. Sprawling Balboa Park, for example, covers 1,200 acres and is home to 16 museums. With theaters, restaurants, breweries, beaches and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, San Diego has something sure to catch any senior citizen's interest.
• The San Diego area is home to world-class medical facilities, including UC San Diego Medical Center, in the event of medical emergencies or illness.
• San Diego is a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, meaning that its elected leadership “has made the commitment to actively work toward making their town, city or county a great place for people of all ages,” according to AARP.
Paying for Assisted Living in San Diego
Average Monthly Costs
Cities in California
Assisted Living costs in San Diego start around $3,755 per month on average, while the nationwide average cost of assisted living is $4,000 per month, according to the latest figures from Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey.
It’s important to note that assisted living rates in San Diego and the surrounding suburbs can vary widely based on factors such as location, the level of care needed, apartment size and the types of amenities offered at each community.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in San Diego
Eligible seniors may receive help paying for assisted living through California’s Assisted Living Waiver Program. Financial aid is also available to those with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through California's Optional State Supplement (OSS) program.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.


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 San Diego
San Diego and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.
To see a list of free assisted living resources in San Diego, please visit our Assisted Living in California page.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in San Diego
San Diego-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 near San Diego, CA
Other Options in San Diego, CA
Recent Reviews of Assisted Living in San Diego
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Review of Atria Collwood
I went to Atria Collwood. It was really good, the person I dealt with, Joan, was excellent, the service was great, and it looked like they had a lot of activities going on. Their dining hall was pr... Read more
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Review of Brookdale Clairemont
We did an in-person tour of Brookdale Clairemont. It seemed nice. I guess they're putting their refresh on hold because of the coronavirus, but it could stand to be refreshed a little bit, other th... Read more
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Review of Sunrise of La Jolla
I toured Sunrise of La Jolla in person. The rooms were a little depressing, antiquated, and not modern or up to date. I did see the dining area, and it was not inviting. Read more
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Assisted Living near San Diego County, CA
More Options Near San Diego, CA
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How much is the average cost of living in San Diego?
Living in San Diego is a bit costly compared to other areas. According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the minimum annual pre-tax salary needed for a single adult in San Deigo to achieve a livable wage is $32,462. This annual income is higher than the average living wage for California as a whole, $30,392. You can use MIT’s calculator to compare San Diego to the cost of living in your town.
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How much does assisted living cost in San Diego?
Genworth Financial lists the average cost of assisted living in San Diego as $3,720 per month. San Diego’s cost of assisted living is quite low when compared to the state’s monthly average of $4,500. At a 20.9% lower cost than the state average, San Diego assisted living costs are an attractive alternative to other areas of California.
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Is San Diego a good place to retire?
For many seniors, San Diego is a great place to retire. Those who enjoy plentiful sunshine, mild coastal temperatures, and trips to numerous outdoor attractions and art scenes will appreciate what this city has to offer. Of course, personal taste and finances will influence whether you personally find San Diego a good fit.
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Who qualifies for assisted living?
In San Diego, those who want to move to an assisted living facility need to be fairly independent. To be eligible for admission you need to be able to give yourself your medication with or without reminders from staff, be mobile, and have behavior that is calm and not harmful to others. Those in need of 24-hour medical or behavioral supervision cannot be admitted.
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What does assisted living include?
In San Diego, assisted living includes basic services or care and supervision. Basic services include help with making appointments, social activities, and some personal assistance. Care and supervision include assistance with activities of daily living, assisting with medication, and assisting with meals. Neither level of service can offer medical care. Assisted living communities can offer shared rooms or full apartments, depending on their funding sources.