San Diego, California Skilled Nursing Facilities : Search Near You, How To Pay, Licensing, Local Resources, and Questions To Ask
San Diego is a beautiful, historical location for those looking at nursing homes. Referred to as the “Birthplace of California”, San Diego is a hub for tourism, coastal enthusiasts, and retirees.Facilities in this area could accept State Medicaid, private payers, and long-term care insurance. We do all the work for you when it comes to finding the best skilled nursing facilities in and around San Diego. We do extensive research on the facilities and provide you with the most current information and care availability.
CareAvailability.com has been used by families and care professionals in the San Diego area to find real-time nursing home openings and provide a comprehensive list of options for care.

About Nursing Homes In San Diego, CA
Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide a wide range of medical and personal care services to their residents. Nursing homes provide some of the highest levels of care outside of a hospital. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, meals, and assistance with everyday living activities. They also provide rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.
Skilled nursing facilities provide care for both short-term and long-term stays.

Considerations when looking for care in San Diego, CA
San Diego is the 2nd largest city in the California, with the population tipping over 1,300,000 in 2020’s census. The mild year-round climate, beaches, and diverse culture have led San Diego to become a preferred location for senior citizens to retire, and so the need for senior care has become more of a factor.
San Diego has recently emerged as a center for healthcare development, and is home to many universities and higher education, including San Diego State University and University of San Diego.
Skilled Nursing Facility Communities near San Diego, California
Casa De Las Campanas
San Diego, California 92127
Glen At Scripps Ranch, The
San Diego, California 92131
Mount Miguel Covenant Village Health Facility
Spring Valley, California 91977
Paradise Valley Health Care Center
National City, California 91950
Torrey Pines Senior Living
San Diego, California 92130
Vi At La Jolla Village
San Diego, California 92122
White Sands Of La Jolla
San Diego, California 92037
Abby Gardens Healthcare Center
San Diego, California 92123
Amaya Springs Health Care Center
Spring Valley, California 91977
Arbor Hills Nursing Center
La Mesa, California 91942
Cities near San Diego, CA with Nursing Homes
- Lemon Grove – 9 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Chula Vista – 9.7 miles south of San Diego.
- La Mesa – 10 miles northeast of San Diego.
- Spring Valley – 12 miles east of San Diego.
- Encinitas – 25.6 miles north of San Diego.
- Escondido – 30 miles northeast of San Diego.
How To Pay for A Nursing Home
Paying for Senior Living and Care will vary depending on a few factors. For instance, the level of care needed; the income and savings of the resident; the state and location of the community; or if the resident is a veteran. In the United States there are over 400 programs that may offer some monetary relief for senior care, but often the majority of costs are covered by private funds and family assistance. These funds come from our Federal, State, and Local Governments.
It is important to take your time when exploring payment and coverage options.
Private pay – YES:
- Many families pay for assisted living with private funds.
- Private pay can be a combination of retirement funds, personal savings, and pension payments.
- Family members may contribute funds to pay for assisted living or other senior housing and care.
Medicare -MAYBE:
Medicare will TYPICALLY cover Skilled Nursing (SNF) care ONLY under these factors:
- People 65 years and older and individuals with end stage renal disease are eligible for Medicare benefits, no matter their income.
- Coverage is meant for people in need of short-term care.
- The person has Medicare Part A, and has available days left in their benefit period. The person has a qualified hospital stay. (3 consecutive midnights or more)
- The individual must enter SNF within 30 days of leaving the hospital.
- The person’s doctor has ordered inpatient services at a skilled nursing facility.
- The individual must need and receive the skilled care daily. The care provided must be care that the person can only receive in a SNF.
- The person needs skilled services because of an ongoing condition or a new condition that started while in a SNF for treatment of an ongoing condition.
- The skilled services must be reasonable and necessary for the treatment of the condition.
- You must receive the care in a Medicare certified SNF.
Medicaid – MAYBE:
Medicaid can be a payer source if the patient needs both care and has a financial hardship based on the individual state criteria. Eligible participants include: low-income adults, elderly adults and people with disabilities. The program is funded jointly by each state and the federal government; and national guidelines are in place do decipher how states must spend Medicaid money, but with allowances toward the guidelines. Every state has their own individual Medicaid assistance program. Each state determines what levels of care will be covered by Medicaid, who is eligible, and how much the state will reimburse the care community.
- Skilled nursing falls under Medicaid’s Nursing Facility Services.
- People who are eligible for Medicaid must meet the state criteria for skilled nursing care.
- The state of residency must abide by federal law and regulations when setting their skilled nursing care requirements.
- The patient meets the state guidelines for income and asset limits.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for Medicaid, you should apply. You may be eligible depending on your household income, family size, age, disability and other factors.For a clearer understanding on coverage contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Long-term Care Insurance – MAYBE:
Long term care insurance is a great way to pay for assisted living, and planning ahead is important when considering how to pay for senior housing and care. Nearly 75% of people over the age of 65 will require long-term care and services at some point. Buying into long-term care insurance when a person is in their 50s and 60s is the most common time to do so.
- Long-term care insurance helps cover the costs of chronic medical conditions.
- Individuals and couples with the ability to pay into long-term care insurance have the advantage of a head start in allocating funds for senior care.
Veteran Aid and Assistance – MAYBE:
This benefit is available to some military veterans and surviving spouses who live in an assisted living community and those who have in-home care.
- There are specific guidelines, but a veteran may qualify for as much as $2,050 each month.
- A veteran with a sick spouse may be eligible for $1,600 per month.
- If a veteran has passed, their surviving spouse can qualify for $1,300 per month.

How much does a nursing home in San Diego, CA cost?
The average cost associate with care at a skilled nursing facility in San Diego, CA is $9,384 / month.
The truth is that care, no matter the setting, but especially in nursing homes, requires robust staffing 24/7. The costs of hiring and keeping exceptional caregivers and medically trained staff such as nurses, is very costly. Add in the price of running a medical facility all day and night, pricey medical supplies and needed administrative staff, and you’ve got quite the overhead.
Although the cost can seem overwhelming, it’s smart to look into financial planning for end stage retirement and expected care needs.
Local hospital and healthcare providers in San Diego, CA
Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego
4077 Fifth Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
Sharp Memorial Hospital
7901 Frost St
San Diego, CA 92123
Kindred Hospital San Diego
1940 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92104
Alvarado Hospital Medical Center
6655 Alvarado Rd
San Diego, CA 92120
Resources and Links- California
Area Agencies on Aging The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These services are provided locally by contracted agencies. This webpage is intended for those who provide, or seek to provide a variety of aging services.
The Home Care Services Bureau is responsible for licensing Home Care Organizations including processing applications, receiving and responding to complaints and conducting unannounced visits to ensure compliance.
California Department of Aging Under the umbrella of the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These programs are funded through the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and through the Medi-Cal program.
California Rural Indian Health Board The Pit River Tribe of California’s Rancherias in the operating area are as follows: * Montgomery Creek Rancheria * Roaring Creek Rancheria * Burney * Lookout Rancheria * XL Ranch Rancheria * Likely Rancheria * Big Bend Rancheria The main site, Burney Indian Health Clinic, in Burney, CA offers full time health care in many fields. As a service to the community the Shasta County W.I.C. Program is also located at the site in Burney. A satellite office, the XL Ranch Reservation Clinic, is located in Alturas, CA (Modoc County) providing referral and outreach services. The principal referral facility is Mercy Medical Center Hospital in Redding, CA which approximately miles from the main clinic site. This facility offers general medicine with 169 medical/surgical, 14 ICU, 14 CCU, 19 Pedriatrics, 29 Perinatal, 5 Acute/Respiratory and 6 ICCN beds
Eldercare Locator This is a great resource to search for specific care in specific counties and cities. This database is a nationwide resource that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Connect with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver education or respite from caregiving responsibilities. The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Medicare provides a search feature to find & compare providers near you, most senior housing and care providers are included on CareAvailability.com. Find & compare plans in your area. Determine if you qualify for premium savings
Medicaid offers information on how to apply for Medicaid, eligibility criteria, links to local state offices, and additional resources.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Whether you are living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone with the disease, information and resources are available.