California’s Best Nursing Homes Ranked by Newsweek for 2026
How to Choose the Right Nursing Home in California: Essential Tips
Selecting a nursing home in California involves careful research and personal visits to ensure the best care for loved ones.
California families looking for top-tier elder care now have a new guide to help them choose with more information. Newsweek’s 2026 rankings of America’s Best Nursing Homes highlight standout facilities across the state—from coastal Montecito to inland Modesto—grouped by size to make comparisons easier.
The list features 1,200 nursing homes across 33 states, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and is intended to assist older adults and their families as they consider long-term care options.
Facilities, according to Newsweek’s Global Editor-in-Chief Nancy Cooper, were selected after the publication considered performance data, recommendations of medical professionals, accreditations, and resident satisfaction.
Here are California’s top nursing homes in the small, mid, and large categories, according to the weekly publication.
California’s highest-rated nursing homes under 100 beds
- Mary Health of the Sick | Newbury Park | 61 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Kearny Mesa Convalescent & Nursing Home | San Diego | 98 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Lawton Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | San Francisco | 68 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Bayberry Skilled Nursing & Healthcare Center | Concord | 99 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Petaluma Post-Acute Rehab | Petaluma | 90 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Piedmont Gardens | Oakland | 94 | Medicare and Medicaid
- La Palma Nursing Center | Anaheim | 72 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Casa Dorinda | Montecito | 52 | Medicare only
- Greenfield Care Center of Fullerton | Fullerton | 99 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Sun Mar Nursing Center | Anaheim
California’s highest-rated nursing homes with 100-150 beds
- Santa Teresita | Duarte | 132 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Carmel Hills Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center | Carmel | 104 | Medicare and Medicaid
- The Terraces at Los Altos | Los Altos | 102 | Medicare and Medicaid
- The Reutlinger Community | Danville | 105 | Medicare and Medicaid
- The Redwoods | Mill Valley | 100 | Medicare and Medicaid
- The Tamalpais | Greenbrae | 103 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Alden Terrace Convalescent Hospital | Whittier | 120 | Medicare and Medicaid
- The Springs Healthcare Center | Salinas | 99 | Medicare and Medicaid
- San Luis Transitional Care | San Luis Obispo | 139 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Carmel Convalescent Hospital | Carmel | 99 | Medicare and Medicaid
California’s highest-rated nursing homes with more than 150 beds
- Compass Health – Mission View Health Center | San Luis Obispo | 162 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Edgemoor DP SNF | Santee | 192 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Alden Terrace Convalescent Hospital | Los Angeles | 210 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Mission de la Casa Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | San Jose | 163 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Alamitos West Health & Rehabilitation | Los Alamitos | 150 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Crestwood Manor Modesto | Modesto | 194 | Medicaid
- Marquis Shasta | Redding | 180 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Crestwood Manor Stockton | Stockton | 190 | Medicaid
- Vienna Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Lodi | 150 | Medicare and Medicaid
- Escondido Post Acute | Escondido | 180 | Medicare and Medicaid
Tips on choosing a nursing home in California
Finding the right nursing home for a loved one is one of the most important—and emotionally charged—decisions a family can make. In California, where options range from small residential care homes to large skilled nursing facilities, knowing what to look for can make all the difference. Here’s how to navigate the process with confidence and care, with tips provided by the California Department of Public Health, Medicare, and AARP.
- Start with licensing and ratings: Begin your search by checking the facility’s license status and inspection history. The California Health Facilities Information Database (Cal Health Find) provides detailed information on ownership, certification (Medicare/Medi-Cal), complaints, and enforcement actions. For a broader comparison, Medicare offers ratings on staffing, health inspections, and quality measures for over 15,000 facilities nationwide.
- Visit in person, more than once: A virtual tour can’t replace walking the halls yourself. Schedule visits at different times of day to observe staff interactions, cleanliness, and resident engagement. The California Department of Public Health’s guide to choosing a nursing home recommends visiting at least three or four facilities and speaking with administrators, nurses, and social services staff. Bring a list of questions and observe how staff treat residents.
- Understand levels of care offered: Not all nursing homes provide the same services. Some specialize in memory care, while others focus on rehabilitation or long-term custodial care. The California Department of Aging’s Skilled Nursing Facilities page explains the available care types and what to expect from each facility. Make sure the home can meet your loved one’s current and future medical needs.
- Consider location and community fit: Proximity to family and friends is key for regular visits and emotional support. California’s diversity means many facilities cater to specific cultural communities, offering bilingual staff and culturally appropriate meals and activities. Use the California Department of Social Services Facility Search to find licensed facilities by ZIP code, city, or county.
- Know your rights and costs: California law protects nursing home residents with a robust set of rights, including dignity, privacy, and participation in care decisions. The California Department of Aging offers programs for caregivers and residents, including legal services and Medicare counseling. Be sure to understand what’s covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal and request a detailed breakdown of fees before signing any contracts.
America’s Best Nursing Homes 2026
To see the complete Newsweek list, go to rankings.newsweek.com/americas-best-nursing-homes-2026.
USA TODAY Network contributed to this story.
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