If you're looking for senior care for an elderly loved one in San Diego, CA, nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities are great options. These terms are somewhat...
Nursing Home in San Diego, California
If you're looking for senior care for an elderly loved one in San Diego, CA, nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities are great options. These terms are somewhat interchangeable and refer to residential facilities that provide 24-hour care by licensed medical professionals. In addition to nursing homes, San Diego also offers independent living and assisted living facilities. Independent living is ideal for seniors who are largely self-sufficient but want access to amenities and social opportunities. Assisted living provides additional support with daily activities like bathing and dressing. The costs of nursing homes in San Diego can be higher than the state average, but the city's average income is also higher than the state average. San Diego consistently ranks as one of the top cities in California for senior living. Some of the top nursing homes in San Diego include The Springs at Pacific Regent, St. Paul's Villa, and Mount Miguel Covenant Village.
Solstice Senior Living at El Cajon is a vibrant community that offers a range of living options, including independent living. What really stands out is their focus on activities and community engagement. Residents enjoy chair yoga, exercise classes, and dance sessions, which helps keep them active and engaged. The staff is highly praised for being friendly and attentive, with many residents and families highlighting their warmth and helpfulness.
Vi at La Jolla Village is a Life Plan Community, sometimes called a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), that gives older adults a way to age in place with a safety net of care options. Residents start out in independent living—think apartments with access to a salt-filtered pool, fitness classes, and a packed calendar of activities—but if needs change, they can move into assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, all on the same campus.
Julie’s Elderly Care is one of those places that feels more like a real home than a facility. It’s a small, private house where only six residents live together, so everyone gets a lot of attention. Families talk about how the staff is always the same familiar faces—just four people, and someone is there around the clock. Each resident has their own bathroom, which is a detail that makes daily life easier and more private.
If you’re looking at Parkside Health and Wellness Center for your parent, here’s what I found after digging around. This place isn’t flashy, but it has a strong reputation for handling both regular nursing care and more complex behavioral health needs. It’s part of the Ensign Services group, which runs several care homes, so they’ve got experience behind them.
The Springs at Pacific Regent La Jolla feels less like an institution and more like a lively community where residents are known by name. This is a skilled nursing facility that specializes in both short-term rehab and longer-term care for older adults. Their therapy team works closely with doctors to create therapy plans that actually reflect what each resident needs—whether that's physical, occupational, or speech therapy.
Santee Elderly Care feels more like a family home than a facility, which is something you notice right away. Residents get a lot of personal attention—staff help with everything from meals and medication reminders to bathing and getting around the house. Folks living here seem to enjoy the relaxed, social vibe. There's plenty of conversation, and activities aren't just the usual bingo—think arts and crafts, music, and even watching golfers out on the nearby course.
Paradise Valley Manor and Health Care Center is one of those rare places where the staff actually seem to know the residents as people, not just room numbers. Their team covers a lot: skilled nursing, rehab (including physical, occupational, and speech therapy), long-term care, and memory support. Several families mention therapists by name—like Angie in OT and Mary in speech—who go out of their way to help residents regain independence.
Paradise Village in National City is a large senior living community that feels more like a small neighborhood than a facility. It covers 12 acres and offers a mix of independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Residents have a choice of floor plans, including studios and one-bedrooms, and can bring pets along, which is a big plus for many families. The staff is led by Senior Executive Director Bill Lawson, who is known locally for being approachable and visible around the community.
Parkview Memory Care at Paradise Village stands out in National City for its warm, neighborly feel and a staff that genuinely gets to know each resident. Families say the team is gentle and patient, often mentioning how staff members remember not just names but personal quirks and preferences. The memory care wing is organized, clean, and feels more like a friendly apartment complex than an institution.
Sun & Sea Manor is a smaller, home-like senior care community that specializes in memory care, but also offers assisted living. The first thing families notice is the welcoming staff—people consistently mention how friendly and down-to-earth they are, both during tours and in day-to-day care. The place itself is not fancy or sprawling, but it’s kept very clean and has lots of plants and gardens that residents seem to enjoy.
Lantern Crest on Graves Ave in Santee is one of those places locals have heard about—sometimes for its resort-like look, sometimes for the stories that circulate in the senior care community. The campus itself is modern and spacious, with plenty of common areas, a library, and a wellness room. Residents can choose from independent living, assisted living, and memory care, so the place draws a mix of folks: some still active and social, others needing daily help.
Healthcare Science Academy isn’t a nursing home or senior care facility—it’s actually a school focused on training people for healthcare careers. If you’re searching for a place for a loved one to receive care, this isn’t the right spot. Instead, they help students get certified for roles like nursing assistant, home health aide, and CPR provider. They’ve only been around since late 2022, but they already have a strong reputation among students.
Angels Guest Home on Bellagio Road is a small, residential care home that feels more like a family house than an institution. The staff-to-resident ratio is low, so residents get a lot of personal attention—things like help with bathing, getting dressed, and reminders for medication. I’ve seen residents who need walkers or wheelchairs move around easily, since the home is all on one level and set up for accessibility.
La Vida Real feels more like a lively neighborhood than a traditional senior residence. Tucked into Rancho San Diego, it's known locally for its Spanish-style buildings, palm-lined paths, and a layout that encourages residents to get outside and mingle. The community offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care, so folks can stay put even if their needs change.
