10 Best Independent Living Communities in San Diego, CA

While the costs of independent living aren’t covered by public pay methods, such as Medicare or Medicaid, seniors have many options to fund their senior living lifestyle. Combinations of personal resources can typically be used to cover the costs of rent at an independent living community, while Medicare and Medicaid may help cover the costs of in-home care services.

Since they are basically like senior apartments with more amenities, stand-alone independent living communities in California don’t need to be licensed as a senior care community. However, if the community shares a campus with other senior care facilities, such as assisted living and memory care units, or is a part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community (or CCRC), then licenses may apply.

In California, CCRCs or senior care facilities must have a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (or RCFE) license through the California Department of Social Services, also known as the CDSS. With this license, the senior care facility must comply with the following regulations:

• House a maximum of only two residents per bedroom.
• Provide individual privacy in each bathroom.
• Ensure bedrooms have enough room to accommodate equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers.
• Provide clean and accessible common rooms for residents.
• Provide activities involving social, leisure, and daily living skills.

Independent living residents and their rights

Like renting a house or apartment, the owners of independent living communities must provide their renters with safe and well-maintained housing. The following are some examples of regulations a person can expect at a stand-alone independent living community in California:

• Senior independent living communities typically have a minimum age requirement of 62 years.
• Tenants have a right to basic services, such as maintenance, landscaping, and fully functioning utilities, when they rent a unit in these communities.
• It’s illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.
• Seniors with disabilities have protections under the law when renting.

Accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), landlords must agree to reasonable accommodations and modifications for persons with disabilities. Accommodations and certain structural modifications of common areas must be paid for by the landlord, while some structural modifications to an individual unit should be paid for by the renter.

Accommodations involve changes to community procedures that might restrict disabled individuals from access if not changed. Some examples of accommodations include the following:

• Offering designated parking spaces close to the building
• Allowing residents to have a service animal

Modifications involve changes to the structure of building common areas or individual units, for example:

• Installing easy-to-reach appliances
• Putting a ramp at the building’s entrance

The following are some other protections granted to renters under the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA):

• Seniors with disabilities may keep a service animal even if the community has a no-pet policy.
• Buildings in the community must be accessible with elements such as curb ramps, as well as restrooms and doors that accommodate wheelchairs.
• If a community has an elevator, it must be designed or modified to fit a wheelchair and placed in a spot that’s commonly accessed by residents.

Inspection reports

The California Department of Social Services (or CDSS) inspects facilities once each year and within 10 days of receiving a complaint. For senior independent living communities that are licensed as Continuing Care Retirement Communities (or CCRCs), their inspection reports are available to the public via the CDSS Care Facility Search. To use this search, scroll down to “Search By Facility Group,” select “Elderly Assisted Living,” select the “Facility Type” and “San Diego County,” and then click on the search button. You can also search by facility name or address.

California Department of Health contact information

California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784

COVID-19 regulations for San Diego independent living communities

Seniors in San Diego independent living communities are encouraged to follow the city’s COVID-19 guidelines. The most current recommendations for San Diego residents include staying current with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if they have related symptoms. In most public places, people aren’t required to wear masks. However, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, had a recent positive test, or have been exposed to the virus, San Diego County asks that you wear a mask in public. Masks are also required in long-term care, senior care, and health care centers, but they aren’t required in independent living communities.

Read the most recent San Diego County COVID-19 guidelines here.

Active seniors in San Diego have much to take advantage of in independent living communities. Resort-style facilities, an array of on- and off-site enriching experiences, and easy access to care services await seniors who retire in San Diego.

Resort-style senior living

Seniors can have the ultimate oceanside retirement when they choose an independent living facility in San Diego. Maintenance-free living and pet-friendly policies allow seniors to enjoy the comforts of home, release the responsibility of homeownership, and take advantage of luxe amenities.

Relax and rejuvenate in full-service salons and spas, or take a few laps in saltwater-filtered, heated pools. Take advantage of 24-hour concierge services, private access to walking paths, and the comforts of a gated community. Seniors can also stroll through private gardens, relax in therapeutic whirlpools, or even use their community’s own putting green.

When it’s time to dine, enjoy nutritious meals in on-site bistros or take a seat in an oceanfront dining room and order a five-course meal. Several communities offer arranged transportation, and some even take residents directly to San Diego’s unique restaurants. Other communities even have private dining rooms on campus where residents can host family gatherings and parties.

Evenings in San Diego’s independent living communities have much to offer. Seniors can watch their favorite movies in cozy on-site theaters or join social events in the community ballrooms. Sipping on wine from northern California vineyards is another popular evening pastime, after which residents can store their favorite bottles via a personal wine storage service.

A variety of housing options

Retiring in San Diego enables seniors to pick from a range of independent living housing options. Independent living apartments seem to be the most common option in this desirable area. Ranging from studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, San Diego independent living apartments come in both affordable and resort-style price ranges.

In these independent living apartment layouts, seniors can find private patios or balconies that provide them with their own space to enjoy the balmy sea breeze. These apartments may also include useful storage spaces, like spacious walk-in closets or storage units off the balcony. Similar to standard apartments, kitchens are typically included in the floor plan, whether it’s a kitchenette or a full kitchen.

Options reminiscent of traditional homes are also available to seniors in San Diego. Several independent living communities offer senior-specific neighborhoods with stand-alone homes, from patio homes to villas with ocean views. Many hold up to two bedrooms and two bathrooms and have plenty of storage space, allowing seniors to avoid the hassle of paring down their possessions that moving into a small apartment may require. These types of independent living homes have large living areas, fully equipped kitchens, dining rooms, and patios or balconies. Some are even located closer to the coastline, providing seniors with their own private view of the ocean.

Life-enriching communities

When seniors aren’t maximizing their retirement in the city, they can find just about anything their hearts desire within the walls of their new apartments, condos, or small coastal homes. Many San Diego independent living communities have busy social and recreational calendars to keep each day exciting. From volunteer programs to on-site musical performances and parties, everyone can join in on something that interests them.

Some communities have established senior-led committees and clubs, enabling seniors to take some ownership in their new neighborhood. Others offer on-site worship services for different denominations, so seniors can fulfill their spiritual needs close to home. Foster lifelong learning by sitting in on lectures from visiting professors and other experts, take a fine art class, or help plan next year’s community garden setup. Additionally, active seniors can join the latest on-site fitness program that’s typically hosted by a professional instructor.

Connected to care

Many of San Diego’s independent living facilities are on the same properties as other senior living types. Some share a campus with assisted living and memory care communities, while others are a part of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (or CCRCs) that host all care types on one campus. When seniors choose an independent living community like this, they can find comfort in knowing they can access care as their needs evolve — without ever having to move to a new facility.

Some independent living facilities are also conveniently located near hospitals and medical centers, bringing peace of mind to residents and their families should urgent health care needs arise. Many senior independent living communities even offer access to on-site health care assessments.

Health care for seniors in San Diego

San Diego seniors can choose from several nationally ranked hospitals and senior-specific centers.

Transportation for seniors in San Diego

While 93% of independent living communities in A Place for Mom’s network provide scheduled transportation, San Diego has a variety of public transportation options available to seniors. This enables local seniors to explore nearby attractions at their leisure.

Through San Diego Public Transportation’s program, called PRONTO, passengers can buy their tickets online via an app. Their trolleys, trains, and buses are wheelchair accessible via ramps and lifts. In addition, they offer discounted fares for seniors 65+.

Browse the following transportation options for San Diego residents:

• The San Diego Trolley allows people to travel as far north as the VA medical center, as far south as the Mexican border, and everywhere in between.
•  The COASTER train is a great option for people who want to spend a day at the beach, as the train has routes to several popular beach communities, such as Carlsbad and Solana Beach.
• There are several local buses with a variety of routes.
•  The SPRINTER is the city’s light rail, which offers convenient routes for a small fare.
• Pedicabs are available for enjoyable tours of unique San Diego locations.
•  Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is a popular train for touring around southern California.

San Diego also has transportation options designed with seniors in mind.

• Happy2Help Transportation has wheelchair-accessible vehicles and helps seniors travel to and from medical and nonmedical appointments for a fee.
• Ride FACT is another senior-specific option with low prices. Seniors at least 60 years of age are eligible and must schedule their transportation in advance.

The scores below are based on San Diego’s accessibility of different transportation methods. The highest and best possible score is 100, meaning that higher numbers indicate a popular and easy-to-use method of getting around San Diego.