Best Senior Living in San Mateo, California
26 communities found
San Mateo lists 29 senior living options, 25 of them residential communities and 4 home care agencies. Among the 16 communities with ratings, the average is 4.3 out of 5, based on 271 reviews read across the area. Common amenities include 24-hour staff at 16 communities, emergency call systems at 15, and housekeeping at 15.
- 30options listed
- 4.4average rating, 17 rated
- 369family 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
The Villa at San Mateo
San Mateo, California
4.8(23)
Independent Living
Unified Hearts Home Care
San Mateo, California
5(4)
Assisted Living
Versailles Senior Condominium Community
San Mateo, California
4.5(15)
Independent 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
Best-rated senior 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 has a strong average rating, though no specific amenities, care details, or reviewer comments were provided.
- 4
4.8 (23 reviews)· Independent Living
The Villa at San Mateo offers a maintenance-free, active independent living lifestyle with amenities like a pool and exercise room.
- 5
Versailles Senior Condominium Community
4.5 (15 reviews)· Independent Living
- 6
4.4 (37 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living
Harbor at Hillsdale holds a 4.4 rating from 37 Google reviews, though no detailed reviewer comments were provided.
- 7
4.4 (9 reviews)· Assisted Living· 24 units
Reviewers praise Sterling Court for attentive staff, comfortable renovated apartments, and a strong dining and activities program.
- 8
4.3 (31 reviews)· Assisted Living· 435 units
The Peninsula Regent is described as clean, secure, and well-staffed, though some reviewers raise concerns about food quality and a refund dispute.
- 9
3.8 (8 reviews)· Independent Living
Lesley Towers has an overall Google rating, but specific comments about daily life, care, or amenities were not provided.
- 10
Brookside Skilled Nursing Hospital
3.1 (32 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care· 96 units
Brookside reviews are divided, with praise for cleanliness and communication alongside a report of lapses in medication timing and fall prevention.
What families say about senior living in San Mateo
Counted across the review summaries of 17 San Mateo communities: the share whose families mention each theme.
Families most often praise food and dining, mentioned by 41% of 17 communities, along with caring, attentive staff and building and grounds, each cited by 35%. Concerns center on cost and billing, raised by 59%, and communication with families, noted by 47%, while staffing levels and staff attitude appear less frequently, at 12% and 6%.
Praised most
- Food and dining 47%
- Caring, attentive staff 35%
- Building and grounds 35%
- Activities and social life 29%
- Cleanliness 24%
Concerns raised
- Cost and billing 53%
- Communication with families 41%
- Staffing levels and turnover 12%
- Staff attitude 6%
“My father received great care at Sunrise! The staff are caring and attentive, the place is super clean, warm and welcoming!”
“Kim, the community relations director, gave us a tour of the facility and was super friendly and helpful! She answered all our questions and made us feel welcomed in the community. So much so, that my parents decided to move in!”
“After living 48 years in our family home, we made the best choice ever of moving into the Versailles Senior Condominiums in San Mateo. The staff, the activities and classes, the meals, the residents and the overall security are what has allowed this to become our forever home. We made an excellent decision!”
Senior Living in San Mateo: the figures
- •Of the 14 with a known size, 8 have ten residents or fewer, 3 have 11 to 60, and 3 have more than 60.
- •Most common amenities: 24-hour staff (16), emergency call system (15), wheelchair accessible (15), housekeeping (15), medication management (12), private rooms (12).
How families pay for senior 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: Senior Living in California.
Senior 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: Senior Living in California. Closer to home? Compare senior living near you, sorted by distance.
About these figures
Computed on October 22, 2026 from the 30 communities listed in San Mateo, 369 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? Senior living near me finds communities around wherever you are.
Senior Living in San Mateo: Common Questions
How many senior living communities are in San Mateo, California?
MyLivingChoice lists 30 senior living communities in San Mateo, California, each with photos, care details, and reviews from families.
How much does senior living cost in San Mateo?
Among San Mateo communities that publish pricing, senior 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 senior 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), OPO Health (4.9★, 27 ratings).
What types of senior care are available in San Mateo?
Beyond senior living, San Mateo has assisted living (20 communities), 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 senior living in San Mateo?
Families rate San Mateo senior living communities 4.4 out of 5 on average, across 369 public Google reviews of local communities.
What do families praise, and complain about, in San Mateo senior living communities?
Across the review summaries of 17 San Mateo communities, the most common praise is food and dining (mentioned for 47%), caring, attentive staff (mentioned for 35%), building and grounds (mentioned for 35%). The most common concerns are cost and billing (53%), communication with families (41%), staffing levels and turnover (12%).
Are there small senior living homes in San Mateo?
Yes. Of the 14 San Mateo communities with a known size, 8 have ten residents or fewer, 3 have 11 to 60, and 3 have more than 60. Small licensed homes are listed here alongside large communities, which most directories skip.