Ocean views, sandy beaches, and a vibrant, healthy lifestyle await seniors in San Diego, California. Active seniors ready for the next independent stage in their retirement can find a variety of senior apartments in San Diego — senior-specific housing options that offer maintenance-free living, desirable amenities, and fulfilling activities both in and out of the community. Enjoy a quiet retirement in a private beachfront studio, get involved in a community of peers, or explore San Diego’s endless popular attractions. San Diego has so much to offer that it might be difficult to decide which senior apartment community is right for you.
Let A Place for Mom assist you, with our 20+ years’ experience in the senior living industry and over 14,000 partner senior living communities. This all-inclusive guide scores San Diego senior apartments based on reviews from real seniors and their families. We also rank senior apartments based on features that are important to residents, from private community pools to affordable rent. You’ll also find average senior apartment costs, a review of common payment methods, and California’s laws and regulations for these communities.
Typically, San Diego senior apartments don’t provide senior care services. While some seniors may receive on-site home care services from a third-party, others may want to check out other types of senior living communities in San Diego. For example, assisted living and memory care communities are designed to provide care and assistance with activities of daily living.
Senior Living Apartments in San Diego, CA
Ocean views, sandy beaches, and a vibrant, healthy lifestyle await seniors in San Diego, California. Active seniors ready for the next independent stage in their retirement can find a variety of senior apartments in San Diego — senior-specific housing options that offer maintenance-free living, desirable amenities, and fulfilling activities both in and out of the community. Enjoy a quiet retirement in a private beachfront studio, get involved in a community of peers, or explore San Diego’s endless popular attractions. San Diego has so much to offer that it might be difficult to decide which senior apartment community is right for you.Read more
Let A Place for Mom assist you, with our 20+ years’ experience in the senior living industry and over 14,000 partner senior living communities. This all-inclusive guide scores San Diego senior apartments based on reviews from real seniors and their families. We also rank senior apartments based on features that are important to residents, from private community pools to affordable rent. You’ll also find average senior apartment costs, a review of common payment methods, and California’s laws and regulations for these communities.
Typically, San Diego senior apartments don’t provide senior care services. While some seniors may receive on-site home care services from a third-party, others may want to check out other types of senior living communities in San Diego. For example, assisted living and memory care communities are designed to provide care and assistance with activities of daily living.
Senior Apartments Facilities near San Diego, CA
I can’t say enough good things about Novellus Clairemont. We moved my mother (102 years old) there six months ago after living on her own and it has been a fantastic experience in every way. All of the staff...
Undoubtedly, Casa Aldea at University City Village is a unique senior living community. I could sense the kind, inviting vibe this establishment emanates as soon as I came through the doors—the same vibe I...
North Park Sunshine is a particularly exceptional community for older citizens. This community offers its inhabitants a friendly and inviting atmosphere, from its lovely surroundings to its caring personnel....
Our free advisors can help
- Compare local facilities
- Determine care type
- Schedule tours
- Evaluate pricing
- Costs of senior apartments in the San Diego area
- How people pay for senior apartments in San Diego
- Understand California laws and regulations for senior apartment communities
- What to expect from senior apartments in San Diego
- Explore senior care with confidence
- Unfamiliar with San Diego? Highlights for seniors
Costs of senior apartments in the San Diego area
Features like the floor plan, built-ins, and location typically affect the cost of San Diego senior apartments. You can expect monthly rent and fees of senior apartments to cover maintenance, landscaping, security, some utilities, and senior-specific amenities or services. Senior apartment costs are typically reflected in three different pricing tiers: affordable, market-rate, and luxury. Each of these options can be found in San Diego.
- Affordable apartments typically offer programs for low-income seniors, while still offering convenient, senior-specific amenities.
- Market-rate apartments base their monthly rates on local competitors and the current demand in the neighborhood, which can make apartments slightly more or less affordable than the average rate.
- Luxury apartments offer high-end amenities, services, and may have larger floor plans available, which raises their monthly rate.
The following figures reflect starting costs for San Diego’s senior apartments. Keep in mind that starting costs don’t always include add-ons, such as pet rent or other on-site services.
Average cost comparisons near San Diego, CA
Average monthly costs
San Diego, CA
How people pay for senior apartments in San Diego
Similar to regular apartments, seniors can use their personal assets, VA benefits, or explore some housing assistance resources to cover the cost of rent on their senior apartment. For seniors in need of in-home care services, they can check out some Medi-Cal resource information.
Private pay methods, or personal finances, can include a variety of sources. Social Security benefits, pensions, investment returns, and more can be used to cover rent in a senior apartment.
Seniors should note that long-term care insurance won’t cover rent in senior apartments. This is because senior apartments don’t provide the care services found in communities such as assisted living or memory care facilities.
Read the following resources for other ways people tend to pay for their senior living lifestyle:
San Diego veterans 65+ have many resources available to them. California’s veteran services program, called CalVet, provides a Veterans Benefit Enhancement Program (or VBE) for qualifying senior veterans and their surviving spouses. VBE helps seniors transition from California’s Medicaid program to VA health care, so that seniors with disabilities can qualify for additional living assistance benefits from the VA.
Veterans or their surviving spouses who are eligible for a VA pension and enrolled in VA health care may be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit. The pensions and the Aid and Attendance benefit can go towards rent at a senior apartment in San Diego or anything that improves a veteran’s quality of life. To qualify for the VA Aid and Attendance, the veteran must already qualify for the pension and meet at least one of these additional eligibility requirements:
- The senior requires help with some daily activities.
- The senior has an illness that if untreated keeps them in bed for most or all of the day.
- The senior has significantly impaired eyesight.
- The senior is currently in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility.
The Housebound allowance is another benefit that can be added to a VA pension. This specific benefit is meant to go towards helping a housebound disabled senior pay for in-home care services. You cannot receive the Aid and Attendance benefit and the Housebound allowance at the same time.
To qualify for these VA benefits, seniors must be enrolled in VA health care and have acknowledgement from the VA that they need specific treatments. Seniors can apply for the Aid and Attendance or the Housebound allowance by downloading VA Form 21-2680. Local senior veterans can find assistance with their benefit applications by contacting the San Diego’s VA Regional Benefit Office.
Approximate number of veterans living in San Diego, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of veterans in San Diego over the age of 55, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Additional resources for San Diego veterans
8810 Rio San Diego Drive
San Diego, CA 9108
Phone: 800-827-1000
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 858-694-3222
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
San Diego Central Library, Room 316
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-236-5800
Hours: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 619-400-5157
One San Diego public housing assistance option is the HUD 202 voucher — a voucher from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (or HUD) available to seniors with low-income status. If a senior apartment community accepts HUD 202 vouchers, the senior can use them to help cover part of their rent. You can see if you qualify by contacting a California HUD office.
Social Security Income (or SSI) may be another option available to seniors. SSI is a resource for seniors over 65 who meet all required financial criteria. Seniors may also be able to use these monthly payments to help with rent, in addition to their other retirement benefits.[02]
California’s Medicaid program is called Medi-Cal. Though it will not cover rent, it can help people of low-income status pay for their health care services. If you wish to live in a senior apartment but require medically necessary in-home care in your new apartment, you can apply for California’s In-Home Support Services program. This program may cover some of the costs of in-home care for seniors who are eligible for Medi-Cal that meet additional requirements.
Covered California is the health care portal specifically for California residents. It offers Medi-Cal as well as affordable full coverage health care plans to low-income residents. The Covered California application is the same as the Medi-Cal application, so when you apply through their web portal you will also see if you qualify for Medi-Cal. Covered California and Medi-Cal work in tandem to give low-income California residents access to full, essential health care benefits through one easy-to-use web portal.
San Diego resident Medicaid resources
Health and Human Services Agency
1600 Pacific Highway, Room 206
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 619-515-6555
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
1879 Logan Ave. J
San Diego, CA 92113
Phone: 800-300-1506
Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 5 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Phone: 1-866-262-9881
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 800-640-4661
While Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of rent in senior apartments, it may cover some medical costs. Seniors already enrolled in Medicare may be eligible for Medicare Savings Programs that may cover part of a senior’s Medicare premium. Low-income requirements must be met in order to be eligible for Medicare Savings Programs in California.
There are four different Medicare Savings Programs in California, each of which may cover some of Medicare Part A, B, C, or a combination of parts. Seniors can apply for Medicare Savings Programs online and see which program best fits their needs.
San Diego resident Medicare resources
1333 Front St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: 800-772-1213
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
Phone: 1-800-434-0222
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 858-495-5885
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
5560 Overland Ave., Suite 310
San Diego, CA 92193
Phone: 800-640-4661
Understand California laws and regulations for senior apartment communities
To feel confident in your choice of a senior apartment, it’s important to know the laws associated with renting a senior apartment in San Diego, California. Below we’ve outlined several points of interest to prospective tenants of senior apartments in San Diego. For a complete guide to all of the laws regarding renting in California, check out the California Tenants Guide published by the California State Department of Real Estate (also known as DRE).
Renters and their rights
San Diego senior apartment renters and their landlords have many local and federal laws they need to follow, in order to maintain the interests of both parties. To start, senior apartments have an age minimum requirement stating that at least one person living in the apartment must be at least 55 years old.[03] It’s also important to know that all renters have the right to on-site services, such as continued maintenance and fully functioning utilities.
Renters also have the right to at least 30 days’ notice before their landlord increases the cost of rent, which can happen up to twice a year. However, California has a rent cap law that keeps landlords from increasing rent more than a certain amount. Some housing does fall outside of California’s rent-cap law, like low-income housing and corporate-owned housing.[04]
Apartment quality and inspections
Not all senior apartments in California are required to be licensed or regularly inspected. However, apartments with residents who receive Section 8 housing rental assistance are subject to inspections every two years.[05] California also has a requirement that senior-specific apartment complexes must have at least 35 units.[06] And each apartment must include the following elements:[07]
- Functioning appliances and fixtures
- Functioning locks on all windows and the front door
- Functioning smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors
- A minimum area of 70 square feet in each bedroom
- Handrails on stairs that have at least four risers
Accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities
Seniors with disabilities have protections under the law when renting apartments, which include but are not limited to the following rights:
- In California, it’s illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone due to a disability.[08]
- Apartments must follow building requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (or ADA), which has standards in place to make spaces accessible to people with different abilities.[09]
- Landlords must agree to reasonable apartment accommodations, which will be paid for by the senior renter.[08]
Accommodations involve changes to access and tasks:
- Offering designated parking spaces close to the building
- Allowing residents to have a service animal
Modifications involve changes to the apartment itself:
- Installing easy-to-reach appliances
- Putting a ramp at the building’s entrance
The ability for renters to have a service animal is included as a reasonable apartment accommodation. Service animals are trained to help in different ways depending on the person’s needs, often including physical and emotional support. Seniors who rent apartments that fall under the Unruh Civil Rights Act may find the following information useful if they want to live with a service animal:
- Seniors can have service animals even if the apartment has a no-pet policy.
- The landlord can only ask if the animal is needed due to the senior’s disability and what the animal has been trained to do.
- Service animals don’t need to be certified in order to live in an apartment.
- The animal must not be a threat to the rental property or other residents.[10]
California Department of Public Health contact information
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Phone: 916-558-1784
Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/
COVID-19 regulations for San Diego residents
The most current San Diego County recommendations include staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and getting tested if you have symptoms of the virus. Wearing a mask in public isn’t required unless you have COVID-19 symptoms, had a recent positive test, or have been exposed to the virus.
Read the most recent San Diego County COVID-19 guidelines here.
Masking. Masks aren’t required in public unless you have COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19, or are visiting an at-risk setting, such as a senior care facility.
What to expect from senior apartments in San Diego
Senior apartments in San Diego offer a range of affordable options and high-end communities, making it a location that can meet many seniors’ needs. You’ll also find many apartments located near local beaches and in a wide variety of unique San Diego neighborhoods.
Proximity to beaches
Anywhere in San Diego, you can achieve the ultimate coastal retirement. Several senior apartments are placed near the shores of Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and the San Diego Bay, giving you convenient access to the surf and sand. Spend idyllic evenings on the shores with family and new friends from the community. Take advantage of sunset views from your private balcony, and make walks along the beach a part of your daily routine.
Unique neighborhoods
San Diego’s senior apartments are located in a variety of suburbs and niche neighborhoods, allowing seniors to choose a precise location that matches their personalities. If you want to stay as near as possible to the Pacific Ocean yet live in a quieter area, there are options in Mission Bay and Pacific Beach. Find your new favorite laid-back surfing spot, walk to nearby restaurants and cafes, and enjoy the privilege of living near the ocean.
For those who want to rent a senior apartment in a vibrant, bustling neighborhood, consider choosing one of the many apartments in the Gaslamp Quarter or La Jolla. The Gaslamp Quarter is right in downtown San Diego, and La Jolla is located to the north of Pacific Beach, right along the coast. Unique stores, local coffee shops, popular restaurants, and historic buildings are at the heart of these neighborhoods.
A bit farther inland are the Logan Heights and Lemon Grove areas. You’ll enjoy quieter San Diego living away from the heart of the city. Schools, public parks, and local shops make daily living in these areas the perfect balance of eventful and tranquil.
Bankers Hill is another inland option. Nestled between Balboa Park and the Pacific coast, this neighborhood has historic homes and is known as an affluent area. Near the park, popular restaurants, and a variety of cafes, Bankers Hill is a wonderful place to consider renting a senior apartment.
Affordable options
Several senior apartments sprinkled throughout San Diego are geared towards seniors of low-income status. And many of these communities have a minimum age requirement of 62 years.
These affordable apartments still offer features such as on-site laundry, pet-friendly policies, and private patios and balconies. Some are also gated to provide an extra level of security. Seniors who rent these apartments can typically choose between studio and one-bedroom apartments at an affordable monthly rate, allowing them to pick an option that best suits their current needs.
Luxe amenities
In San Diego’s high-end senior apartments, unique outdoor amenities await. From heated saltwater hydrotherapy pools and heated spas to cozy outdoor fireplaces and spacious dog parks, seniors can take full advantage of their new homes. Pick up a new hobby in the on-site art studio or take a cooking class. Spend time in the exclusive clubhouse or start a bocce ball tournament with your new neighbors.
Some apartment complexes also offer high-end indoor features, such as hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and large walk-in closets. It’s also common for these communities to have access to sprawling walking trails, resident-only gardens, pet parks, and inviting courtyards. You’ll find some apartments that even have convenient access to the heart of downtown and other popular areas of San Diego. And, many communities are fully gated, bringing peace of mind to those who want to feel secure in a large city. Many of A Place for Mom’s partner communities offer these kinds of amenities.
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Unfamiliar with San Diego? Highlights for seniors
876937
Residents in San Diego who are 55+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
Percentage of the San Diego population that is 55+, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
77
Average high temperature (Fahrenheit) in August — San Diego’s warmest month, according to Weather Spark
Health care for seniors in San Diego
Senior residents in San Diego, California, have access to several nationally ranked hospitals and senior health care centers.
UC San Diego Health – La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals
UC San Diego Health – La Jolla and Hillcrest Hospitals are teaching hospitals that provide general and surgical care. They’re nationally ranked for several areas of adult care, including cancer surgeries, cardiology, and their geriatric clinic.
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla provides general and surgical care. They’re nationally ranked for care including cardiology and orthopedics.
Sharp Memorial Hospital
Sharp Memorial Hospital is nationally ranked for lung surgery and urology. This hospital also provides general medical and surgical care, in addition to having geriatric specialists and several senior resource centers.
Transportation for seniors in San Diego
Seniors have many options for exploring the coastline, running errands, and enjoying memorable experiences. While San Diego has many areas that are easily traveled to on foot, many residents rely on the city’s public transportation system.
San Diego Public Transportation has a program called PRONTO that enables riders to buy their tickets online through an app. Their trolleys, trains, and buses are wheelchair accessible via ramps and lifts. In addition, public transportation options in San Diego have discounted fares for seniors 65+.
Browse the following transportation options for San Diego residents:
- The San Diego Trolley allows people to travel as far north as the VA medical center, as far south as the Mexican border, and everywhere in between.
- The COASTER train is a great option for people who want to spend a day at the beach, as the train has routes to several popular beach communities, such as Carlsbad and Solana Beach.
- There are several local buses with a variety of routes.
- The SPRINTER is the city’s light rail, which offers convenient routes for a small fare.
- Pedicabs are available for exciting tours of unique San Diego locations.
- Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is a popular train for touring around southern California.
San Diego also has transportation options designed with seniors in mind.
- Happy2Help Transportation helps seniors travel to and from medical and nonmedical appointments for a fee with wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
- Ride FACT is another senior-specific option with low prices. Seniors at least 60 years of age are eligible and must schedule their transportation in advance.
The scores below are based on San Diego’s accessibility of different transportation methods. The highest and best possible score is 100, meaning that higher numbers indicate a popular and easy-to-use method of getting around San Diego.[14]
53
Walk Score
37
Transit Score
43
Bike Score
Coastal living and senior activities in San Diego
Endless entertainment awaits seniors in San Diego, California. Lounge on sandy beaches, visit your new favorite cafes and restaurants, and experience unique public programs, including cruises, through the Port of San Diego. From exciting activities, world-renowned museums, landscapes, and food to peaceful, laid-back living — this city truly has something for everyone.
Scenic excitement
From popular and unique restaurants to senior centers and sports arenas, you’ll find something to make each day of your new lifestyle as fulfilling as you’d like. Find every cuisine imaginable in San Diego’s popular restaurants. Seafood fine dining experiences can be found in Top of the Market — one of San Diego’s most popular restaurants. ANIMAE is another popular option that offers a unique steakhouse environment. Or, you can visit Little Italy and enjoy a wonderful Mediterranean dish at Herb & Wood.
San Diego is also home to a lively sports scene. Participate in America’s favorite pastime by attending a San Diego Padre’s baseball game in Petco Park. View the latest professional football or soccer games at Balboa Stadium, or even catch a rugby or lacrosse game at Snapdragon Stadium. You can also join in on the fun yourself at one of many local recreation centers and golf courses. For example, at the Ed Brown Center for Active Adults, you can enjoy senior-specific access to boxing, tai chi, and dance parties. For golf lovers, Torrey Pines Golf Course, Balboa Park Golf Course, and dozens more offer remarkable landscapes to perfect your swing.
Active senior apartment residents can also take advantage of the scenic biking and hiking trails throughout San Diego. Mission Trails Regional Park and the San Diego River Trail lend themselves to both activities, offering mountainous coastal views and wildlife. Visit a popular ocean-side hiking path via the scenic Sunset Cliffs Coastal Trail.
Laid-back living
For more laid-back enjoyment, San Diego’s public library is internationally recognized for its programs and offers 35 locations to choose from. In fact, almost every suburb has its own branch of the public library, making it incredibly easy for you to find your favorite authors or access educational resources. The Mira Mesa Senior Center is another place where you can enjoy exclusive senior activities, socialize with peers, and sign up for continuing education programs and community college classes.
Of course, you also have an abundance of gorgeous beaches to choose from, including La Jolla Shores and Cove. Natural beauty, stunning ocean views from the rocky cliffs, unique shops and restaurants, and marine life sightings await. Day trips to Coronado Island are also popular, where coastal cafes, sandy beaches, and more are available to visitors.
Historical attractions
Old Town San Diego is another popular attraction. Home to delicious outdoor dining, shops, and historic landmarks, this area is perfect for spending the day when you’ve had your beach fix. Perhaps the most popular destination in San Diego is Balboa Park — a historical site that stretches over a thousand acres and is home to several main attractions. The Comic-Con Museum, the San Diego Museum of Art, breathtaking gardens, tropical trails, and much more are all located in the park. Balboa Park is also home to a senior lounge, where seniors can socialize and relax while sipping warm beverages.
The San Diego History Center is another popular museum about local history and doesn’t have an admission fee. San Diego also has its own Natural History Museum, where seniors can find ever-changing exhibits, weekly events, and a discounted admission fee.
Themed adventures
Seniors who are new to the area won’t want to miss out on San Diego’s most popular attractions. SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo, and the USS Midway Museum are just a few among many must-see places. Many of San Diego’s tourist attractions are also wheelchair accessible and make accommodations for people with disabilities. Most of them offer wheelchair rentals, tour scripts, and accessibility guides.
Frequently asked questions
Novellus Clairemont, Casa Aldea at University City Village and Town Park Villas are the top-rated Senior Apartments facilities near San Diego, CA. These Senior Apartments facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Senior Apartments in San Diego is 1615.32 per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
References
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Sex by age by veteran status for the civilian population 18 years and over (B21001) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Social Security Administration. Supplemental security income.
Intergenerational Housing for Senior Citizens, California Civil Code § 51.3.5 (1988 & rev. 2017).
Tenant Protection Act of 2019, Assembly Bill No. 1482, Chapter 597 (2019).
San Diego Housing Commission. Rental housing unit inspection.
Iger, D. (2022). New definition for senior housing requirements. The California Association of Homeowners Associations, Inc.
San Diego Housing Commission. (2022, November 9). Housing inspection checklist.
California Department of Justice. (2003, November). Legal rights of persons with disabilities, 4th edition.
ADA Solutions. (2022). California ADA requirements. SureWerx.
Disability Rights California. (2022, December 1). Fact sheet: Rights to assistance animals in housing.
United States Census Bureau. (2021). Age and sex (S0101) [Data set]. American Community Survey.
Weather Spark. (2022). Average temperature in San Diego.
U.S. World and News Report. (2022). Best hospitals in San Diego, California.
Walkscore. (2022). Living in San Diego.
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