Best Senior Living in San Rafael, California
19 communities found
MyLivingChoice lists 19 senior living communities in San Rafael. Families rate them 4.2 out of 5 on average, across 434 public reviews. 2 are small licensed homes with ten residents or fewer, the kind most directories leave out.
- 19communities
- 4.2average rating, 14 rated
- 434family reviews read
- 2small homes, 10 or fewer
PartnerCogir of San Rafael
San Rafael, California
4.3(19)
Memory Care
Drake Terrace
San Rafael, California
4.8(53)
Assisted LivingMemory Care
Almavia Of San Rafael
San Rafael, California
4.8(20)
Assisted LivingMemory Care
Villa Marin
San Rafael, California
4.6(43)
Assisted LivingIndependent LivingSkilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Aldersly
San Rafael, California
4.6(26)
Assisted LivingIndependent LivingMemory Care
Golden Home
San Rafael, California
5(4)
Assisted Living
From $6,997/moAegis Living San Rafael
San Rafael, California
4.5(11)
Assisted LivingMemory CareRespite / Short-Term Care
A&a Haven Home
San Rafael, California
5(1)
Assisted Living
Greenwood Assisted Living
San Rafael, California
5(1)
Assisted Living
San Rafael Healthcare & Wellness Center
San Rafael, California
4.2(38)
Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care
Schon Hyme Rest Home
San Rafael, California
Assisted Living
St Michael's Extended Care
San Rafael, California
Assisted Living
Best-rated senior living in San Rafael
Ranked by family rating, weighted by how many families have reviewed each one. No community pays to appear here.
- 1
4.8 (53 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care· 130 units
Families describe Drake Terrace as a warm, well-run community where staff are attentive and residents quickly feel at home. Reviewers highlight responsive management, good food, and engaging activities including off-site…
- 2
4.8 (20 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care· 160 units
Families describe AlmaVia of San Rafael as a warm, attentive assisted living and memory care community where staff build personal relationships with residents and keep families closely informed. Reviewers consistently…
- 3
4.6 (43 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living, Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care· 28 units
Villa Marin is a Life Plan community where families describe a high-end, buy-in condo model with on-site medical care and responsive staff. Reviewers highlight spacious units, cleanliness, and quick emergency response,…
- 4
4.6 (26 reviews)· Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care· 137 units
Families consistently praise Aldersly for its warm, attentive staff and strong dining program, describing the San Rafael Life Plan Community as a place where residents feel genuinely cared for and engaged. Reviewers…
- 5
4.5 (11 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care, Respite / Short-Term Care
Families describe Aegis Living San Rafael as a newly built, upscale community with warm, highly engaged leadership and a strikingly designed memory care neighborhood. Reviewers repeatedly praise the on-site General…
- 6
4.3 (19 reviews)· Memory Care
Families who reviewed this memory care community describe kind, attentive staff, engaged residents, and good communication. One reviewer said a sister with Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia improved physically over…
- 7
San Rafael Healthcare & Wellness Center
4.2 (38 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care· 54 units
Families generally describe San Rafael Healthcare & Wellness Center as staffed by kind, responsive caregivers, with particular praise for the physical and occupational therapy team. One family reported a difficult…
- 8
4.1 (22 reviews)· Assisted Living, Memory Care· 126 units
Families describe The Vincent as a warm, well-run assisted living and memory care community in San Rafael, praising attentive caregivers, cleanliness, and a transparent care-level system. Most reviewers report a strong,…
- 9
4 (25 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care· 52 units
Reviewers consistently praise Northgate Postacute Care for its cleanliness, friendly staff, and attentive nursing care. Google reviewers, including a hospice liaison, describe individualized attention and a welcoming…
- 10
Smith Ranch Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
4 (82 reviews)· Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care· 80 units
What families say about senior living in San Rafael
Counted across the review summaries of 19 San Rafael communities: the share whose families mention each theme.
Praised most
- Caring, attentive staff 74%
- Building and grounds 47%
- Food and dining 37%
- Activities and social life 37%
- Cleanliness 37%
Concerns raised
- Cost and billing 58%
- Communication with families 47%
- Staff attitude 16%
- Staffing levels and turnover 11%
“My sister was at Cogir of San Rafael for nearly two years. She suffers from Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. It was a very positive experience for her. She actually improved physically during her stay.The care was exceptional as well as communication with the staff along the way.”
“Beautiful campus and amazing leadership. I love how they truly care about heir residents, staff and families. The executive directors is hands on and really cares about quality. I was super impressed with their core values.”
Senior Living in San Rafael: the figures
- •Of the 17 with a known size, 2 have ten residents or fewer, 7 have 11 to 60, and 8 have more than 60.
- •7 nursing homes carry a Medicare star rating, averaging 3.1 out of 5: 2 rated four stars or better, 0 rated one star.
- •Most common amenities: wheelchair accessible (16), housekeeping (16), 24-hour staff (16), medication management (16), emergency call system (16), gathering / activity spaces (15).
Senior Living near San Rafael
Cities within about 35 miles with senior living inventory, and how families rate it.
| City | Communities | RatingAverage rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novato5.1 mi | 9 | 4.7 / 5 | 5.1 mi |
| El Cerrito16.3 mi | 5 | 4.2 / 5 | 16.3 mi |
| Petaluma16.7 mi | 17 | 4.3 / 5 | 16.7 mi |
| San Francisco18.6 mi | 63 | 4.5 / 5 | 18.6 mi |
| Sonoma19.3 mi | 7 | 4.4 / 5 | 19.3 mi |
| Vallejo19.4 mi | 21 | 4.1 / 5 | 19.4 mi |
| Berkeley19.7 mi | 9 | 3.9 / 5 | 19.7 mi |
| Oakland23.7 mi | 49 | 4.3 / 5 | 23.7 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 21, 2026 from the 19 communities listed in San Rafael, 434 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.
Reading on this
Guides from MyLivingChoice that families in San Rafael 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 Rafael? Senior living near me finds communities around wherever you are.
Senior Living in San Rafael: Common Questions
How many senior living communities are in San Rafael, California?
MyLivingChoice lists 19 senior living communities in San Rafael, California, each with photos, care details, and reviews from families.
Which senior living communities in San Rafael are rated highest?
Based on combined ratings across Google, Yelp, and MyLivingChoice reviews, top-rated options include Drake Terrace (4.8★, 53 ratings), Almavia Of San Rafael (4.8★, 20 ratings), Villa Marin (4.6★, 43 ratings).
What types of senior care are available in San Rafael?
Beyond senior living, San Rafael has assisted living (12 communities), skilled nursing / long term care (7 communities), memory care (6 communities), independent living (2 communities). Every option is listed with photos, reviews, and contact details.
How do families rate senior living in San Rafael?
Families rate San Rafael senior living communities 4.2 out of 5 on average, across 434 public Google reviews of local communities.
What do families praise, and complain about, in San Rafael senior living communities?
Across the review summaries of 19 San Rafael communities, the most common praise is caring, attentive staff (mentioned for 74%), building and grounds (mentioned for 47%), food and dining (mentioned for 37%). The most common concerns are cost and billing (58%), communication with families (47%), staff attitude (16%).
Are there small senior living homes in San Rafael?
Yes. Of the 17 San Rafael communities with a known size, 2 have ten residents or fewer, 7 have 11 to 60, and 8 have more than 60. Small licensed homes are listed here alongside large communities, which most directories skip.
How do San Rafael nursing homes score on Medicare's star ratings?
7 Medicare-certified nursing homes in San Rafael carry an overall star rating, averaging 3.1 out of 5. 2 are rated four stars or better and 0 are rated one star. Each listing shows its rating and three years of inspection history from CMS Care Compare.