From warm weather to sandy beaches to urban living, it’s no surprise that seniors flock to San Francisco. In fact, the City by the Bay ranks No. 3 in the nation for attracting retirees. That’s no exception for older adults who need some help with their daily activities.
A Place for Mom partners with 28 assisted living communities, all located within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area, which includes areas such as Sausalito and the Marina District. These facilities help seniors slow down and enjoy their golden years by providing personal assistance and taking care of chores like housekeeping, maintenance, and laundry.
This guide looks at our partner assisted living facility listings, payment options and assistance resources, laws and regulations, demographics, the best nearby hospitals, transportation, and some of the most popular entertainment highlights that San Francisco has to offer.
The staff is unparalleled in their sincerity, commitment, and caring for each and every one of the residents and their families. They go the extra mile and are always there for you no matter what the...
The director [name removed] is a good communicator. Caregivers are all attentive and devoted, especially [name removed]. Front desk is sometime vacant so it may be a couple of minutes to get service there....
CARING, FRIENDLY STAFF AND ADMIN. MY PARENTS SEEMED TO HAVE SETTLED IN AND THEIR HEALTH HAS IMPROVED THRU MEALS, INTERACTION WITH OTHERS, AND ACTIVITIES. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IF YOU CAN AFFORD. FOR...
Mom is doing very well at her facility. The staff is easy to communicate with and to approach. No bad attitudes to deal with. The front end people are extremely helpful.
My mother had a positive experience at Cardinal Point. Building friendships and receiving compassionate care can greatly enhance the quality of life, especially in the later stages. She found a supportive...
I am satisfied with the service of the community. I would also insist my friend to do a comparison of other communities to this community.
The staff/personnel are very positive and friendly overall their week spot food and limited menu. The chef is trying but looks like they are challenged on resources.
All 5s, except 4 on meals. They're fine given the audience but I don't visit my mom with the purpose of having an amazing meal! Overall they've been very on top of care, and are enabling my mom to live as...
Very professional and helpful staff. Attentive to people. I witnessed caring kindness and compassion.. What I experienced was not expected but it was a very eye opening experience. The personnel and staff...
The staff is absolutely wonderful. They make you feel welcomed, at home and included in the community. The residents are really supportive and friendly. My loved one has made a number of friends, in a short...
The medical team really gives enough individual attention to each of their client. Though it is a smaller facility compared to others. The staff specially customized their work to each individual need and...
The staff at Peninsula Reflections is truly wonderful. We had just days to choose a memory care center and were so lucky to find Peninsula Reflections. Every member of the staff got to know my dad - they...
The quality of the food has gone down. The value for the money is great. We picked this community, because it was close to home, the quality, it was the nicest, price point and I liked the people. My loved...
The staff is good at keeping me involved and informed about my loved one. My loved one says that the food is great and they have a variety to choose from. The community offers a lot of activities, well I...
I have known many residents of Buena Vista Manor House as a volunteer. The care is excellent and the atmosphere is warm. As a bonus, the food is delicious. I highly recommend Buena Vista Manor House to...
We found a perfect match for my uncle. His limitations are met with kind and efficient care. The staff are professional and make suggestions so that family can assist the client. [Name removed] is a huge...
Rhoda Goldman Plaza has changed my parents' lives very much for the better. The people are lovely and humorous, there are lectures, concerts and art classes. My father can do outside activities without...
We developed a proprietary recommendation system that orders San Francisco community options based on factors we know are important to seniors and their families:
We collect proprietary data from our network of 14,000+ senior living communities in the U.S., with regular refreshes of data and information
We have 387,000+ reviews from senior living residents and family members that provide first-hand accounts about senior living communities
According to A Place for Mom’s proprietary data, you can expect the average actual cost of assisted living in San Francisco to sit around $8,104 a month.[02] Location, size, and amenities can all factor into the cost of assisted living facilities in San Francisco. The cost includes all associated fees and service fee add-ons for in-house care, medication management, meals, and wheelchair-accessible facilities at A Place for Mom partner facilities.
Below, you can also view the average baseline costs without any additional fees being taken into consideration.
There are several ways to fund your stay at an assisted living facility in the Golden City. In this section, we cover options like private payment methods, VA benefits, Medicaid, and Medicare.
When it comes to private resources, some of the first options that people turn to are pensions, savings, Social Security benefits, and investment returns. However, depending on your situation, you can also rely on the following options:
Number of veterans who live in San Francisco
Veterans may be entitled to several benefits that can pay for assisted living. The VA Pension and Aid and Attendance are two highly valued benefits, as both can cover the costs associated with assisted living.
The VA Pension can go toward anything: groceries, medical bills, or rent. Aid and Attendance is a monthly benefit that can cover the rent for assisted living or in-home health care if it improves a veteran’s quality of life; to qualify, California veterans or their surviving spouses must need assistance with daily activities.
Veterans service officers can make the application process easier. These experts can check for benefits you might qualify for, assess your eligibility, and assist with problems that come up during the application process. San Francisco residents can find veterans service officers through CalVet, veterans service organizations (VSOs), and the VA office.
Resources for San Francisco veterans
County Veterans Service Office
2 Gough St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-934-4200
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – noon; 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
California Department of Veterans Services (CalVet)
1227 O St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 800-952-5626
Email
DAV California
13733 Rosecrans Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Phone: 562-404-1266
American Legion CA Posts
401 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 559-875-8387
South San Francisco VFW | VFW Post 4103
920 Stonegate Drive
South San Francisco, CA 94080
Phone: 650-589-4030
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Medicaid program in California is called Medi-Cal. Seniors with Medicaid cannot use it to cover the costs of assisted living. But, if qualified, a Home and Community-Based Services waiver can be used to provide health care to residents at assisted living facilities.
Not sure if you qualify for Medicaid? You can check your eligibility here; once you’ve determined your eligibility, you can easily apply for Medi-Cal online. For help with understanding the application process or the benefits, you can connect with the local Medicaid office, the Area Agency on Aging, or the long-term care ombudsman. Those resources are provided below.
San Francisco resident Medicaid resources
Medicaid Office | San Francisco Human Services Agency
2 Gough St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-558-4700
Email: SFMedi-Cal@sfgov.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Area Agency on Aging
1650 Mission St., Fifth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: 415-355-3555
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
6221 Geary Blvd., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-751-9788
Email: ombudsman@felton.org
Medicare won’t pay for assisted living custodial costs, meaning that it cannot be applied toward room and board. However, seniors are still encouraged to consider Medicare benefits as they can assist with medically necessary in-home care provided at an assisted living facility. You can also consider the following resources to help reduce your medical expenses even further.
If you are at least 65, you can apply for Medicare online or contact your nearby Social Security Administration office. There is help if you have questions about the process. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) gives presentations and offers free one-on-one counseling for seniors and their families to assist with both Medicare and Medicaid applications. The long-term care ombudsman is an additional resource you can turn to for help.
San Francisco resident Medicare resources
Medicare Savings Programs
Phone: 800-541-5555
Program of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE)
Gee Center
1333 Bush St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
Phone: 415-292-8888
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
601 Jackson St., Second Floor
San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: 415-677-7520
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
San Francisco Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
6221 Geary Blvd., Third Floor
San Francisco, CA 94121
Phone: 415-751-9788
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Francisco Health Plan
7 Spring St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-547-7800
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Social Security Administration Offices
90 Seventh St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
1098 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
560 Kearny St.
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In California, assisted living facilities — called Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) — are licensed by the Department of Social Services’ California Senior Care Licensing Program. They’re also inspected every year to ensure they’re in compliance with laws and regulations. If you’d like to access inspection reports, you can use this facility search webpage provided by the California Department of Social Services.
Assisted living facilities are held to certain standards by law in a broad range of areas from staff expectations to facility requirements. Here are some of the standards that apply:
For a full explanation, review this Manual of Policies and Procedures for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) or the California Code of Regulations.
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-558-1784
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Francisco Department of Public Health
101 Grove St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-554-2500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Because assisted living is considered long-term care, such facilities are provided with guidance on how to safeguard residents and visitors from COVID-19 by the San Francisco Department of Public Health. There are even some mandatory requirements that are specific to the San Francisco area.
Staff are required to have an initial series of COVID-19 vaccines and at least one booster.
Staff are required to wear a mask when working with residents. Note that this is a San Francisco-specific requirement and it is more strict than the state of California’s guidelines. Visitors are strongly encouraged to mask and wash their hands upon arrival.
Facilities must disinfect surfaces per CDC guidance and in accordance with Cal/OSHA standards.
Staff should wear personal protective equipment as needed.
While a quarantine is not mandated, it is recommended that both staff and residents be isolated for five days after the start of symptoms and continue to wear a mask for at least 10 days after that.
Assisted living in the Golden City truly offers something for everyone’s needs. Great outings, care, and on-site socializing are just the tip of the iceberg. In this section, we look at the highlights that you can expect as an assisted living resident in San Francisco, plus additional information about the types of combination communities that are available in the city.
Many assisted living communities in San Francisco offer full medication management. Many also have an on-call doctor or facilitate visiting providers like nurses, occupational therapists, podiatrists, and physical therapists. Assistance is also given with daily activities, and most facilities also have on-site nursing, on-site hospice, some aspect of memory care, and 24-hour awake staff.
Do you fear that assisted living facilities might not offer much in the way of socializing? That’s not true in San Francisco — many of these communities provide day trips and outings so you can enjoy all the city has to offer, hobby-oriented classes, BBQs and picnics, birthday and holiday celebrations, live music, devotional activities, exercise classes, and more.
Within a 10-mile radius of the downtown area, there are 28 assisted living facilities partnered with A Place for Mom.
San Francisco’s broad range of care options ensures that there’s something for everyone who’s interested in assisted living.
Know where to start.
Identify the right care for your loved one with our free assessment.
See what you can afford.
Understand cost and payment for long-term care based on your loved one's needs.
Find top facilities for you.
Free, personalized guidance from our Senior Living Advisors can help you narrow your search.
Tour your favorite facilities.
Our free touring checklist can help you choose the right community.
Number of seniors over the age of 65 currently living in San Francisco
Median annual income for San Francisco seniors 65 and older
This massive 15-story hospital is considered the fourth-best hospital in the state of California. The hospital provides a shuttle service around its large campus and also explains on its website which public bus routes to take to get to it. The hospital is rated as high performing in 14 surgical procedures.
Kaiser Permanente, with 15 San Francisco locations, is another Level 1 Trauma Center and is well-known for its cardiac care and stroke treatments.
This VA hospital takes care of the bay area’s veterans by offering everything from primary care checkups and home health to geriatric care and mental health care.
Most of our partner assisted living communities in San Francisco typically offer their own transportation services to residents. Among A Place for Mom’s partner communities, 75% of the facilities offer complimentary transportation services, while 39% offer at-cost transportation. Additionally, 68% of our partner assisted living communities are located close to public transit, which is good news because there is a healthy amount of public transit in San Francisco to choose from.
San Francisco Muni offers a substantial public transportation system that includes highly recognizable cable cars, as well as light rails, trolleys, streetcars, and public buses. The Muni has a transportation guide for older adults and people with disabilities that explains the myriad accessibility options available on all types of public transportation in the area. Free travel training is offered for seniors and people with disabilities to ensure they can feel comfortable using the Muni’s options. For additional information, seniors can contact the Mobility Management Center.
Seniors with physical or mental challenges can board special taxis or use SF Paratransit. Paratransit’s Van Gogh shuttle is another option offering both individual and group rides specifically to social events. The Shop-a-Round shuttle is available to take eligible seniors and those with disabilities to the grocery store or farmer’s markets.
If you want to run a quick errand on foot, San Francisco is a great place to do that. According to Walk Score, which looks at features in cities that make them walker-friendly, San Francisco is a very walkable city. This rating system scores locations on a scale with 100 signifying a fully walkable area, and with a score of 89, San Francisco allows you to run many errands and outings on foot.
San Francisco is packed with things to do, places to visit, and cuisines to sample. Whether you love nature, science, history, art, or simply delectable food, good times are ahead! In this section, we’ll look at some of the top entertainment highlights that this bustling city has to offer for you and your loved ones.
No matter where you are in San Francisco, you’re never far away from a park. But one of the best to visit is Golden Gate Park. This 1,017-acre reserve is perfect for picnics, but you can also explore the park’s gardens, activity sites, and restaurants.
The California Academy of Sciences is another brilliant choice for nature lovers. This amazing place wears many hats, including an aquarium, a four-story rainforest, a planetarium, and a natural history museum.
A popular place to visit in San Francisco is the California Grand Casino. However, the city offers other thrilling opportunities for seniors who want an exciting day. For example, there are many outdoor festivals throughout the year, walking ghost tours where you can use real equipment to hunt for phantoms, and several show venues offering concerts, performances, and theater pieces that are always ready for an audience.
If spending quality time with loved ones at a good restaurant is your thing, San Francisco’s menus are a must. Known as one of the top food cities in the world, you can look forward to dining at award-winning establishments. The cuisine encompasses nearly everything you can set your sights on, drawing inspiration from local flavors and different cultures, ranging from exquisite seafood delicacies to the humble French fry.
If you’re a sports fan, there are a lot of options for you. You can take in a game and cheer for the college athletes of the University of San Francisco. If professional sports teams are your cup of tea, take in a game and root on the NFL’s 49ers, the MLB’s Giants, and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. You can also head out and star in your own game of golf by teeing off at one of San Francisco’s six public golf courses.
Sunrise of San Mateo, Coterie Cathedral Hill and Sagebrook Senior Living at San Francisco are the top-rated Assisted Living facilities near San Francisco, CA. These Assisted Living facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Assisted Living in San Francisco is $11,523 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Stacker. (February 2023). Best Big Cities for Retirees in America.
A Place For Mom. (2023). A Place For Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Stacker. (February 2023). Best Big Cities for Retirees in America.
A Place For Mom. (2023). A Place For Mom proprietary data.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Veteran Status (S2101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and Sex (S0101) [Data Set]. American Community Survey.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). UCSF Health-UCSF Medical Center.
U.S. News & World Report. (2022). Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center.