Best-Rated Nursing Homes in California (2026)
The 10 highest-rated nursing homes in California, ranked from Medicare’s star ratings, inspections and staffing, using data as of September 2026. No home paid to be on this list.
- 1
Alameda County Medical Center D/p SNF
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 6 hr 24 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 2
Bay Area Healthcare Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 6 hr 44 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 3 of 5 for long-term care.
- 3
Baywood Court Health Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 53 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 5 of 5 for long-term care.
- 4
Bradley Court
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 3 hr 10 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 5
Canterbury Woods
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 6 hr 43 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 6
Carlsbad by the Sea
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 5 hr 22 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 5 of 5 for long-term care.
- 7
Community Memorial Continuing Care CenterInside a hospital
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 5 hr 14 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 5 of 5 for long-term care.
- 8
Community Subacute and Transitional Care Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 9 hr 11 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
- 9
Creekview Skilled Nursing
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 5 hr 03 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm. Quality ratings: 5 of 5 for short-term rehab, 4 of 5 for long-term care.
- 10
Lakeside Special Care Center
Medicare rates it 5 out of 5 overall, with 5 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality of care. Nurses and aides spend about 4 hr 12 min a day with each resident (California average 4 hr 31 min). Its recent inspections found no citations for resident harm.
Tick “Compare” on two to four homes to see them side by side. See all nursing homes in California →
How we rank. Homes are ordered by Medicare’s overall star rating. When two homes tie, the one with the better health inspection rating goes first, then staffing rating, then quality rating, then fewer serious citations, then lower fines. Homes still tied are listed alphabetically.
Best-rated nursing homes by county in California
- Alameda County
- Butte County
- Contra Costa County
- El Dorado County
- Fresno County
- Humboldt County
- Imperial County
- Kern County
- Kings County
- Los Angeles County
- Madera County
- Marin County
- Mendocino County
- Merced County
- Monterey County
- Napa County
- Nevada County
- Orange County
- Placer County
- Riverside County
- Sacramento County
- San Bernardino County
- San Diego County
- San Francisco County
- San Joaquin County
- San Luis Obispo County
- San Mateo County
- Santa Barbara County
- Santa Clara County
- Santa Cruz County
- Shasta County
- Solano County
- Sonoma County
- Stanislaus County
- Sutter County
- Tulare County
- Ventura County
- Yolo County
About nursing homes in California
What is the best-rated nursing home in California?
By Medicare’s ratings, Alameda County Medical Center D/p Snf ranks first in California, with an overall rating of 5 out of 5. Ratings are a starting point; visit and ask about anything in a home’s inspection record.
How many nursing homes are in California?
1,020 homes in California qualify for this ranking: rated by Medicare and not on its Special Focus or abuse lists. See every nursing home in California, including homes not yet rated.
How is this list ranked?
By Medicare’s overall star rating, then its health inspection, staffing and quality ratings, then fewer serious citations and fines. Homes on Medicare’s Special Focus list or with its abuse icon are not included, nor are children’s facilities. Paid or sponsored listings never affect the order.
Medicare ratings can lag behind changes at a home. Always visit, ask about recent inspections, and confirm openings, insurance and care needs with each home. How we use Medicare data