Best Assisted Living in San Mateo, California
20 communities found
San Mateo has 19 assisted living communities, all residential in scale, with an average rating of 4.5 from 8 rated communities and 152 reviews read. Most are small, with 8 of 12 known-size communities on the smaller end, and 24-hour staff, housekeeping, and emergency call systems each appear in 11 of the 19 communities.
- 20communities
- 4.6average rating, 9 rated
- 250family reviews read
- 8small homes, 10 or fewer
From $8,700/moPartnerSunrise of San Mateo
San Mateo, California
4.9(98)
Assisted LivingMemory CareRespite / Short-Term Care
From $7,900/moPartnerThe Stratford
San Mateo, California
4.9(35)
Assisted LivingIndependent LivingRespite / Short-Term Care
Home Instead
San Mateo, California
4.8(27)
Assisted Living
Unified Hearts Home Care
San Mateo, California
5(4)
Assisted Living
Enchanted Garden for Seniors
San Mateo, California
4.7(3)
Assisted Living
Sterling Court
San Mateo, California
4.4(9)
Assisted Living
The Peninsula Regent
San Mateo, California
4.3(31)
Assisted Living
Vanessa Care Home II
San Mateo, California
5(1)
Assisted Living
San Mateo Villa
San Mateo, California
4.5(2)
Assisted Living
Harbor at Hillsdale
San Mateo, California
4.4(37)
Assisted LivingIndependent Living
A & E Home Care Services
San Mateo, California
Assisted Living
Adams Paul Inc
San Mateo, California
Assisted Living
Best-rated assisted living in San Mateo
Ranked by family rating, weighted by how many families have reviewed each one. No community pays to appear here.
- 1
4.9 (98 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite / Short-Term Care
- 2
4.9 (35 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living, Respite / Short-Term Care· 6 units
Families describe The Stratford as warm and well maintained, with attentive, long-tenured staff and a close-knit, familial atmosphere.
- 3
4.8 (27 reviews)· Assisted Living
Home Instead is rated highly by families, though no specific amenities or reviewer comments were provided.
- 4
4.4 (37 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living
Harbor at Hillsdale holds a 4.4 rating from 37 Google reviews, with no detailed comments available on daily life there.
- 5
4.4 (9 reviews)· Assisted Living· 24 units
Sterling Court is praised for attentive staff, renovated apartments, and a strong dining and activities program, with no significant complaints noted.
- 6
4.3 (31 reviews)· Assisted Living· 435 units
The Peninsula Regent is described as clean, secure, and well-staffed, though some reviewers raised concerns about food quality and one refund dispute.
What families say about assisted living in San Mateo
Counted across the review summaries of 12 San Mateo communities: the share whose families mention each theme.
Families most often praise caring, attentive staff, noted by 42% of 12 communities, along with food and dining at 33% and management at 25%. Concerns center on cost and billing, raised by 75%, and communication with families, mentioned by 58%, while staffing turnover and food issues each come up in just 8%.
Praised most
- Caring, attentive staff 42%
- Food and dining 42%
- Cleanliness 25%
- Management 25%
- Building and grounds 25%
Concerns raised
- Cost and billing 67%
- Communication with families 50%
- Staffing levels and turnover 8%
- Food and dining 8%
“My father received great care at Sunrise! The staff are caring and attentive, the place is super clean, warm and welcoming!”
“What a lovely senior residence! Friendly staff, beautiful spaces, and wonderful amenities. I truly enjoy helping new residents adjust their decor to the their new home, and the staff helps the process so nicely. I look forward to living there some day!”
“Home Instead San Mateo CA. Betty Mendoza is the best care giver we’ve ever had. She is very reliable and very well rounded person. She definitely is an asset to the company.”
Assisted Living in San Mateo: the figures
- •Of the 12 with a known size, 8 have ten residents or fewer, 3 have 11 to 60, and 1 have more than 60.
- •Most common amenities: 24-hour staff (11), housekeeping (11), emergency call system (11), medication management (10), laundry service (10), wheelchair accessible (10).
How families pay for assisted living in California
Most families in California cover assisted living, memory care and independent living with private funds, often drawing on savings, retirement income and, in many cases, the proceeds from selling a home. Long-term care insurance, when a parent purchased a policy years earlier, can also help offset monthly fees, though coverage terms vary widely by policy and are worth reviewing closely before making a decision. Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance, a benefit that helps pay for the cost of care, and it is worth checking eligibility early since the application process can take time.
The full picture for the state: Assisted Living in California.
Assisted Living near San Mateo
Cities within about 35 miles with senior living inventory, and how families rate it.
| City | Communities | RatingAverage rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlingame3.4 mi | 16 | 4.6 / 5 | 3.4 mi |
| San Bruno7.9 mi | 5 | 5 / 5 | 7.9 mi |
| Redwood City8.4 mi | 10 | 4.3 / 5 | 8.4 mi |
| South San Francisco9 mi | 10 | 4.6 / 5 | 9 mi |
| Daly City12.2 mi | 13 | 4.2 / 5 | 12.2 mi |
| Palo Alto12.3 mi | 8 | 4.4 / 5 | 12.3 mi |
| San Leandro14.2 mi | 15 | 3.9 / 5 | 14.2 mi |
| Alameda14.4 mi | 13 | 4.1 / 5 | 14.4 mi |
All of California: Assisted Living in California. Closer to home? Compare assisted living near you, sorted by distance.
About these figures
Computed on October 22, 2026 from the 20 communities listed in San Mateo, 250 public family reviews on Google, Yelp and MyLivingChoice, state licensing records and, for nursing homes, CMS Care Compare. The best-rated list ranks communities by average family rating weighted by how many families have reviewed each one, so a 4.9 from three reviews does not outrank a 4.7 from two hundred. No community pays to appear in the best-rated list or in these figures; sponsored and partner listings in the directory results are marked as such. Figures refresh as listings and reviews change; the written summary was last revised September 25, 2026.
Reading on this
Guides from MyLivingChoice that families in San Mateo ask about.
- Home Care in California: Agencies, Medicare Home Health Ratings, and What It Costs
- Nursing Home vs. Assisted Living: Which Level of Care Does Your Loved One Actually Need?
- Signs It Is Time to Move From Home Care to Assisted Living
Not in San Mateo? Assisted living near me finds communities around wherever you are.
Assisted Living in San Mateo: Common Questions
How many assisted living communities are in San Mateo, California?
MyLivingChoice lists 20 assisted living communities in San Mateo, California, each with photos, care details, and reviews from families.
How much does assisted living cost in San Mateo?
Among San Mateo communities that publish pricing, assisted living starts around $7,900/month, with an average published starting rate near $8,300/month. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment choice.
Which assisted living communities in San Mateo are rated highest?
Based on combined ratings across Google, Yelp, and MyLivingChoice reviews, top-rated options include Sunrise of San Mateo (4.9★, 98 ratings), The Stratford (4.9★, 35 ratings), Home Instead (4.8★, 27 ratings).
What types of senior care are available in San Mateo?
Beyond assisted living, San Mateo has independent living (6 communities), home health (4 communities), memory care (2 communities), skilled nursing / long term care (2 communities). Every option is listed with photos, reviews, and contact details.
How do families rate assisted living in San Mateo?
Families rate San Mateo assisted living communities 4.6 out of 5 on average, across 250 public Google reviews of local communities.
What do families praise, and complain about, in San Mateo assisted living communities?
Across the review summaries of 12 San Mateo communities, the most common praise is caring, attentive staff (mentioned for 42%), food and dining (mentioned for 42%), cleanliness (mentioned for 25%). The most common concerns are cost and billing (67%), communication with families (50%), staffing levels and turnover (8%).
Are there small assisted living homes in San Mateo?
Yes. Of the 12 San Mateo communities with a known size, 8 have ten residents or fewer, 3 have 11 to 60, and 1 has more than 60. Small licensed homes are listed here alongside large communities, which most directories skip.