Best Nursing Homes for Seniors in the Bay Area

When you’re helping a loved one transition into a nursing home, the stakes are high. You want skilled care, compassionate staff, and a setting where your family member can feel safe, respected, and truly cared for. I’ve spent more than two decades working with families across the Bay Area as a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES), and I’ve toured a number of the region’s top-rated facilities myself. Whether you’re looking for short-term rehab after surgery or long-term skilled nursing for chronic conditions, this guide highlights many of the best nursing homes in the Bay Area.

For each facility you’ll find the current name, address, website, number of skilled nursing beds, its Medicare Care Compare rating, which insurance it accepts, who it’s best suited for, and why families and professionals respect it. I updated this guide in September 2026 after rechecking every entry against government data, and I removed facilities that turned out to be assisted living communities rather than nursing homes or that no longer met the rating bar.

How I Chose These Nursing Homes

A “nursing home” in California is a licensed skilled nursing facility, which is different from assisted living or memory care. To make this list, a facility had to hold a current SNF license with the California Department of Public Health and carry an overall rating of 4 or 5 stars on Medicare’s Care Compare tool, which scores nursing homes on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Ratings below are from the August 2026 CMS data release. I layered that data on top of what I’ve seen in person and heard from the families, geriatric care managers, and discharge planners I work with.

A few of these nursing homes sit inside continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs, also called Life Plan communities). Some of those accept outside patients directly, while others give priority to their own residents, so call ahead. If you’re weighing a CCRC for the long run, my guide to what a CCRC is and whether it’s worth it in the Bay Area walks through the contracts and costs.

South Bay and Peninsula Nursing Homes

1. The Terraces of Los Gatos

Address: 800 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032

Website: humangood.org/the-terraces-of-los-gatos

Skilled nursing beds: 59

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall, with 5 stars in inspections, staffing, and quality

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: West Valley families who want top-rated skilled nursing inside a nonprofit Life Plan community.

Why it’s one of the best: It’s one of the few Bay Area nursing homes that scores 5 stars in every Care Compare category, and it’s operated by HumanGood, one of the largest nonprofit senior living providers in the country. Because it sits within a full Life Plan community, residents can move between levels of care on the same campus. I’ve written a detailed profile of The Terraces of Los Gatos if you want to go deeper.

2. Saratoga Retirement Community Health Center

Address: 14500 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070

Website: transformingage.org

Skilled nursing beds: 94

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall, including 5 stars for health inspections

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Families who want a larger, well-inspected nursing center on a historic nonprofit campus in the Saratoga foothills.

Why it’s one of the best: The Health Center is part of a nonprofit community with roots going back more than a century, and its inspection record is among the strongest in Santa Clara County. With 94 beds it has more capacity than most CCRC health centers. See my Saratoga Retirement Community profile for contract types and costs.

3. Lincoln Glen Skilled Nursing

Address: 2671 Plummer Ave, San Jose, CA 95125

Website: lgmanor.org/skilled-nursing

Skilled nursing beds: 59

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: San Jose families who want a smaller, faith-based nonprofit setting close to home.

Why it’s one of the best: Lincoln Glen is a church-related nonprofit, and its nursing center pairs a 5 star overall rating with the feel of a neighborhood community rather than a large institution. It accepts Medi-Cal, which matters a great deal for families planning for a long stay.

4. Sunny View Manor (Sunny View Care Center)

Address: 22445 Cupertino Rd, Cupertino, CA 95014

Website: sunnyviewrehab.org

Skilled nursing beds: 48

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for staffing and quality

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: West Valley families who want a calm, campus setting with strong staffing.

Why it’s one of the best: Sunny View is operated by the nonprofit Front Porch and has Lutheran roots. It’s known for its serene campus, and the nursing wing is well integrated with the rest of the community, which reduces the institutional feel. Its 5 star staffing score backs up what families have long said about the consistency of its care team.

5. Creekside Post-Acute (formerly San Tomas Convalescent Hospital)

Address: 3580 Payne Ave, San Jose, CA 95117

Website: creeksideskillednursing.com

Skilled nursing beds: 130

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Affordable, dependable skilled nursing in the South Bay.

Why it’s one of the best: Families report that care here is consistent and respectful, and the staff is multilingual, which helps a diverse resident population. It isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable and steady, and it earns a 5 star overall rating while accepting Medi-Cal. If you knew it as San Tomas Convalescent Hospital, it’s the same building under a new name.

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6. The WIN Post-Acute (formerly Mission Skilled Nursing and Subacute Center)

Address: 410 N Winchester Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95050

Website: thewinpa.com

Skilled nursing beds: 133

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Santa Clara County residents who need mid-size skilled nursing or rehab close to Valley Fair and the Winchester corridor.

Why it’s one of the best: It has a solid track record for managing chronic conditions, a well-equipped rehab gym, and families appreciate the clear communication. CMS flags an ownership change within the past year, so ask who the current administrator and director of nursing are and whether staffing has stayed stable.

7. Palo Alto Post-Acute (formerly Palo Alto Sub-Acute and Rehabilitation Center)

Address: 911 Bryant St, Palo Alto, CA 94301

Website: papostacute.com

Skilled nursing beds: 66

Care Compare rating: 4 stars overall, with 5 stars for quality measures

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Short-term rehab after a hospital stay for Peninsula families, especially those discharged from Stanford.

Why it’s one of the best: The small size allows for personalized attention, and patients and families alike highlight the attentiveness and communication from the nursing team. It offers 24-hour skilled nursing plus physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The facility changed hands in 2026, so it’s worth asking what’s changed under the new ownership when you tour.

8. Vi at Palo Alto

Address: 600 Sand Hill Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94304

Website: viliving.com

Skilled nursing beds: 44

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare only (not Medi-Cal)

Best for: Residents of Vi and private-pay families who want a high-end setting next to Stanford.

Why it’s one of the best: Vi’s care center combines a 5 star rating with the amenities of a luxury CCRC beside the Stanford Shopping Center. Because it doesn’t accept Medi-Cal, it’s best suited to families with the resources to cover a long stay privately or through long-term care insurance.

9. The Terraces at Los Altos

Address: 373 Pine Ln, Los Altos, CA 94022

Website: humangood.org/the-terraces-at-los-altos

Skilled nursing beds: 30

Care Compare rating: 4 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare only (not Medi-Cal)

Best for: Residents transitioning from independent living to advanced care.

Why it’s one of the best: As part of a HumanGood continuing care retirement community, The Terraces makes transitions seamless. It’s beautifully maintained, well reviewed for staff professionalism and care quality, and many families appreciate the sense of dignity extended to residents. With only 30 beds, availability for outside patients can be limited.

10. Health Care Center at The Forum at Rancho San Antonio

Address: 23600 Via Esplendor, Cupertino, CA 95014

Website: theforum-seniorliving.com

Skilled nursing beds: 48 Medicare-certified (76 state-licensed)

Care Compare rating: 4 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare only (not Medi-Cal)

Best for: Forum residents and nearby families who want skilled nursing within a nonprofit CCRC near Rancho San Antonio Open Space.

Why it’s one of the best: The Forum’s health center gives residents continuity of care without leaving campus, and its quality and staffing scores are strong. Read my full guide to The Forum at Rancho San Antonio for entry fees and contract options.

San Francisco Nursing Homes

11. San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (formerly the Jewish Home)

Address: 302 Silver Ave, San Francisco, CA 94112

Website: sfcjl.org

Skilled nursing beds: 362

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Long-term skilled nursing with a deep cultural and community ethos.

Why it’s one of the best: It’s one of the largest senior care campuses on the West Coast and offers a full continuum, from short-term rehab and long-term nursing to assisted living and memory care, plus an on-site acute geriatric psychiatry unit that very few nursing homes can match. Residents benefit from an engaged staff and a wide range of enrichment programs.

East Bay Nursing Homes

12. Piedmont Gardens

Address: 110 41st St, Oakland, CA 94611

Website: humangood.org/piedmont-gardens

Skilled nursing beds: 94

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Those wanting skilled nursing with a progressive care philosophy.

Why it’s one of the best: Piedmont Gardens is part of HumanGood’s nonprofit network and scores 5 stars for inspections and staffing. Its location near Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue neighborhood makes visits easy for local families, and its activity and therapy programs are robust and resident-centered.

13. St. Paul’s Towers

Address: 100 Bay Pl, Oakland, CA 94610

Website: frontporch.net

Skilled nursing beds: 43

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare only (not Medi-Cal)

Best for: Seniors wanting sophisticated urban living with excellent care backup.

Why it’s one of the best: Set in a high-rise overlooking Lake Merritt, it offers beautiful views and strong clinical care. The community is vibrant and engaged, and nursing care is supported by wellness programs and an interdisciplinary team. It’s operated by the nonprofit Front Porch, which merged with the community’s former operator, Covia, in 2022.

14. The Reutlinger Community

Address: 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville, CA 94506

Website: thereutlinger.org

Skilled nursing beds: 60

Care Compare rating: 4 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Seniors with memory impairment or complex health needs.

Why it’s one of the best: This nonprofit community’s blend of Jewish cultural programming and high-level clinical care is rare. It offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing on one campus and has been affiliated with Eskaton since 2020. Families often praise the spiritual, emotional, and physical support, and it’s the deep sense of respect and kindness that wins people over.

15. La Casa Via Transitional Care Center (formerly Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation, Ygnacio Valley)

Address: 1449 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94598

Website: lacasavia.com

Skilled nursing beds: 99

Care Compare rating: 5 stars overall

Accepts: Medicare and Medi-Cal

Best for: Seniors in the East Bay needing short-term recovery after a hospital stay.

Why it’s one of the best: It offers excellent post-hospital therapy and well-maintained grounds, and it’s an especially good option when you need coverage close to home in central Contra Costa County. The nursing staff is known for quick responsiveness.

An Alternative Worth Knowing About: On Lok PACE

On Lok isn’t a nursing home, but it belongs in this conversation because it helps many seniors avoid one. On Lok runs a PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) that combines medical care, social services, and adult day health through centers in San Francisco, San Jose, Fremont, and Union City. It serves all of San Francisco and Santa Clara counties plus Fremont, Newark, and Union City. To qualify, a person must be 55 or older, live in the service area, need a nursing-home level of care, and be able to live safely at home with support. There’s no income limit. Medi-Cal members pay nothing extra, while Medicare-only and private-pay members pay a monthly premium.

How Families Pay for Nursing Home Care in the Bay Area

This is where I spend most of my time with families, because the money question usually arrives at the same moment as the medical crisis. Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing only after a medically necessary inpatient hospital stay of at least three consecutive days (observation days don’t count), and only while your loved one needs daily skilled care. In 2026, days 1 through 20 cost nothing after the $1,736 hospital deductible, days 21 through 100 cost $217 per day, and Medicare pays nothing after day 100. Long-term custodial care, meaning help with bathing, dressing, and eating, isn’t covered by Medicare at all.

After Medicare, most families pay privately, use long-term care insurance, or qualify for Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal has its own rules about the family home and estate recovery, which I cover in what happens to your home when a parent goes on Medi-Cal. For many longtime Bay Area homeowners, the house is the largest asset in the picture, and selling it, renting it, or borrowing against it can fund years of care. My guide to selling a home in the Bay Area to pay for senior care explains the timing, tax, and Prop 19 questions to sort out first, and it’s always smart to bring in an elder law attorney and CPA before you act.

What to Look For When You Tour a Nursing Home

• Pull the Care Compare report first. Look beyond the overall star rating at the inspection history, any abuse citations, and staffing turnover. California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) is another good source for facility histories.
• Ask about staffing. California requires at least 3.5 direct care nursing hours per resident per day. Ask what the facility actually provides, how often it uses agency staff, and how long the director of nursing has been there.
• Confirm payer sources in writing. Ask whether the facility is certified for both Medicare and Medi-Cal and whether a resident can stay if they transition from private pay to Medi-Cal.
• Visit more than once. Stop by at mealtime or on a weekend, when staffing is thinnest, and notice how quickly call lights get answered.
• Talk to the ombudsman. The California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for residents and can tell you about complaint patterns in your county.

If your parent may be able to stay in a less intensive setting, my list of favorite assisted living communities in Silicon Valley and the best independent living communities in the Bay Area are good next reads.

Conclusion

Choosing a nursing home is never easy, but it’s a decision that can bring great peace of mind when you find the right fit. Use this list as a starting point, check each facility’s current Care Compare report, and tour your top two or three before a hospital discharge forces a rushed decision. If you’re exploring options in the Bay Area and wondering how the family home fits into paying for care, I’d be honored to help you navigate this journey with insights, referrals, and support from someone who knows the landscape.

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