Key Takeaways
Summary: These are twenty Silicon Valley assisted living communities I’d put in front of a family starting their search, from Belmont Village and Atria to smaller board and care homes, with verified addresses, care levels, and what makes each one stand out. Check every community’s state license record, ask exactly who’s on staff overnight, and plan how you’ll pay for care, which usually means planning the sale of the family home, before you sign anything.
Searching for the right assisted living community for yourself or an older adult in Silicon Valley can feel like a lot. I’ve spent more than twenty years helping longtime homeowners and their families through this exact transition, usually while we’re also getting the family home ready to sell, and what I’ve learned is that the “best” place depends completely on the person moving in. For me, a community stands out when it has a warm feel, a care team that knows the residents by name, activities people actually show up for, and those small touches that make it feel like home rather than a facility.
Silicon Valley isn’t just about tech. It’s also home to some wonderful senior living communities, and it’s one of the most expensive places in the country to receive care, which is why I think families deserve a straight, practical list. I built this one from my own work with clients, community tours, and research on sites like Seniorly and each operator’s own website. I last reviewed every entry in September 2026, and I corrected names, addresses, and care levels where things had changed. If you’re still sorting out which level of care fits, start with my guide to independent living vs. assisted living vs. memory care, then come back to this list.
My Favorite Assisted Living Communities in Silicon Valley
These are in no particular order. I’ve noted the city each community is actually located in, since a few carry the name of a neighboring town, along with the care levels each one offers.
1. Belmont Village Los Gatos (San Jose)
Address: 5121 Union Ave, San Jose, CA 95124 (near the Los Gatos border). Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite stays. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Belmont Village puts real thought into keeping residents sharp and connected. I’m drawn to their Whole Brain Fitness program and their Circle of Friends® program, which is designed for residents living with mild cognitive impairment and early memory loss. It’s pet-friendly and has a salon on site, and families often tell me the building feels more like a nice hotel than a care setting. Their commitment to research-based programming is a big plus for me.
2. Belmont Village Sunnyvale (Sunnyvale)
Address: 1039 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite stays. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Like its sister community on Union Avenue, the Sunnyvale location runs the Whole Brain Fitness and Circle of Friends programs, and it advertises a licensed nurse on site 24/7, which is less common in assisted living than most families assume. It can also accommodate couples with different care needs, and that’s a huge consideration when one spouse needs more help than the other. I wrote a full profile of Belmont Village Sunnyvale if you want the details.
3. Atria Willow Glen (San Jose)
Address: 1660 Gaton Dr, San Jose, CA 95125. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Atria Willow Glen gets my attention for its welcoming feel, 24/7 staffing, and a dedicated memory care neighborhood, all on one campus just off Lincoln Avenue. Families who want Mom or Dad close to the shops and restaurants of downtown Willow Glen love the location. I toured it and covered monthly rent, what’s included, and how families usually pay for it in my Atria Willow Glen profile.
4. Atria Sunnyvale (Sunnyvale)
Address: 175 E Remington Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Atria Sunnyvale consistently shows up among the top-rated communities in the area, and its reputation for a supportive, engaging atmosphere is well earned. Having all three levels of care in one building means a resident can move from independent living into more support later without starting over somewhere new, which I find reassuring for families planning ahead.
5. Carlton Senior Living San Jose (San Jose)
Address: 380 Branham Ln, San Jose, CA 95136. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: What stands out for me here is Carlton’s recognition as a Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care® Designated Organization. That signals a deep commitment to person-centered care, especially for people living with dementia. They offer 24-hour staffing, help with daily living, fitness classes, on-site physical therapy, and they’re pet-friendly. If your parent is showing signs of cognitive change, my article on moving a parent with dementia or cognitive decline is a good companion read.
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6. Merrill Gardens at Willow Glen (San Jose)
Address: 1420 Curci Dr, San Jose, CA 95126. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Family reviews speak volumes, and one I read said the family “couldn’t be more pleased” with how helpful, responsive, and compassionate the staff had been. Knowing the team works hard to follow through on requests, even on the days when every care setting feels short-staffed, shows real dedication.
7. Sunrise of Cupertino (Sunnyvale)
Address: 581 E Fremont Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 (near the Cupertino border). Care levels: Assisted living and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: The emphasis on a welcoming environment where residents get personalized attention tailored to their own needs and routines is exactly what I look for. Round-the-clock support and a solid range of care services make Sunrise of Cupertino a strong contender for someone who needs a caring, secure home more than a big independent living campus.
8. Avella at Almaden, formerly The Watermark at Almaden (San Jose)
Address: 4610 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118. Care levels: Assisted living and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: This community changed hands in 2026 and now operates as Avella at Almaden, so if you’ve been searching for The Watermark and coming up confused, that’s why. It’s conveniently located right on Almaden Expressway, and families have long praised its activities program and courteous staff. When ownership and management change, I always tell families to ask what’s staying the same, especially staffing, pricing, and programs, before they commit.
9. Palo Alto Commons (Palo Alto)
Address: 4075 El Camino Way, Palo Alto, CA 94306. Care levels: Independent living (The Avant), assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Palo Alto Commons, operated by WellQuest Living, offers on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapy, which shows a real commitment to residents’ physical well-being and saves a lot of trips across town. It’s pet-friendly and has a wide range of activities, and having independent living on the same campus gives couples and planners more flexibility.
10. Serenity of Silicon Valley (San Jose)
Address: 777 Terrazzo Dr, San Jose, CA 95123. Care levels: Assisted living in a licensed six-bed residential care home.
Why it’s on my list: This is a small board and care home rather than a large community, and that setting can be wonderful for someone who does better with a quieter house and a higher ratio of caregivers to residents. They offer 24-hour supervision, help with daily activities, and medication management in a peaceful residential neighborhood, often at a lower cost than the big-name communities. If you haven’t looked at this option yet, read my guide to residential care homes in the Bay Area.
Free Guide for Families
Selling Mom or Dad's Home to Pay for Care?
Bay Area assisted living runs $7,800 to $8,300 a month, and the house is usually the only asset big enough to cover it. This guide walks you through timing the sale, who has legal authority to sign, the capital gains rules for seniors in care, and how a sale affects Medi-Cal and VA benefits, so the decision gets made from strength instead of in a crisis.
Read the Family Guide →11. Atria Evergreen Valley (San Jose)
Address: 4463 San Felipe Rd, San Jose, CA 95135. Care levels: Independent living with assisted living services, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: One family member wrote that the building is “beautiful and kept clean and odor free,” that the staff had been “incredibly kind and caring,” and that their mom was well taken care of and happy there. That kind of endorsement from a family, not a brochure, makes Atria Evergreen Valley a standout for me, especially for families in the Evergreen and Silver Creek area who want to stay close.
12. Merrill Gardens at Campbell (Campbell)
Address: 2115 S Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Merrill Gardens at Campbell regularly appears among the top-rated communities in the area, which suggests a consistent level of quality and resident satisfaction. Its location on Winchester makes it easy for family in Campbell, Los Gatos, and West San Jose to visit often, and for me, reputation plus easy visiting are two of the best predictors of a good experience.
13. Sunrise of Sunnyvale (Sunnyvale)
Address: 633 S Knickerbocker Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94087. Care levels: Assisted living, memory care, and short-term stays. Community website
Why it’s on my list: I like their focus on personalized care plans that are reviewed regularly as needs change. They offer 24-hour care, medication management, and a pet-friendly policy, and the reviews I’ve read consistently praise compassionate caregivers and engaging activities. Short-term stays are also a great way to try a community out after a hospital stay or while a family caregiver takes a break.
14. Villa Fontana Retirement Community (San Jose)
Address: 5555 Prospect Rd, San Jose, CA 95129. Care levels: Independent living with assisted care available, with caregivers on site 24/7. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Villa Fontana offers a nice blend of tranquility and convenience in West San Jose, close to Saratoga and Cupertino. For me, a location that’s peaceful yet close to shopping, doctors, and family offers the best of both worlds. It’s a better fit for someone who’s still fairly independent, since memory care isn’t one of its listed services.
15. Westmont of San Jose (Milpitas)
Address: 1620 S Main St, Milpitas, CA 95035. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Despite the name, this community is in Milpitas, which surprises a lot of families. Its warm and welcoming atmosphere is designed to foster a sense of belonging while protecting independence, something I value highly. Having all three care levels on site means fewer moves down the road.
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Book My Family Strategy Session →16. Ivy Park at Los Gatos (Los Gatos)
Address: 400 Blossom Hill Rd, Los Gatos, CA 95032. Care levels: Assisted living and memory care (Evergreen at Ivy). Community website
Why it’s on my list: Ivy Park sits in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, right next to Vasona Park, and that peaceful hillside setting is a big part of its appeal. They prioritize personalized, around-the-clock care and well-being, and their memory care neighborhood is a nice option for couples when one spouse needs more support. I cover it in depth in my Ivy Park at Los Gatos profile.
17. Moldaw Residences (Palo Alto)
Address: 899 E Charleston Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation. Community website
Why it’s on my list: For families looking at the higher end, Moldaw stands out as a continuing care retirement community on the Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life. It uses an entrance-fee model, and when I checked in September 2026, independent living entrance fees started around $904,000 (85 percent refundable) plus monthly fees starting around $6,330, with assisted living starting around $11,950 a month. That’s a big number, but for a longtime Palo Alto homeowner selling a paid-off house, it can pencil out. My article on whether a CCRC is worth it in the Bay Area walks through the math.
18. Villa Siena Senior Living Community (Mountain View)
Address: 1855 Miramonte Ave, Mountain View, CA 94040. Care levels: Independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Villa Siena describes itself as a nurturing environment for seniors who want a blend of comfort, care, and community, and that simple focus speaks volumes. Having skilled nursing on the same campus is unusual and valuable. It doesn’t have a dedicated memory care unit, so it’s a better fit for someone without significant memory loss.
19. Campbell Village (Campbell)
Address: 290 N San Tomas Aquino Rd, Campbell, CA 95008. Care levels: Assisted living and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Campbell Village keeps its focus on the care essentials: 24-hour supervision, help with daily activities, and memory care. That strong focus on the basics, done well, makes it a noteworthy option, especially for families who don’t need a resort-style campus and would rather put their money toward care.
20. Sonnet Hill Senior Living (San Jose)
Address: 429 Meridian Ave, San Jose, CA 95126. Care levels: Assisted living and memory care. Community website
Why it’s on my list: Sonnet Hill offers a nurturing environment in a central San Jose neighborhood, with 24-hour supervision, medication management, and a specialized memory care program. When I checked in September 2026, it was private pay only with rates starting around $4,975 a month, which is on the more accessible end for Silicon Valley.
How to Check Any Community Before You Tour
Every assisted living community and board and care home in California is licensed by the Department of Social Services as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly. Before you visit, look the community up on the CDSS Community Care Licensing facility search. You’ll see the license status, inspection reports, and any citations or complaints, and you can ask the director to walk you through anything that concerns you. California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform also has a helpful guide on what to look for.
When you tour, ask who’s on duty overnight and whether a licensed nurse is on site or only on call, how care fees are assessed and how often they go up, what happens if care needs increase beyond what the community can handle, and how long the current executive director and care manager have been there. Low turnover in those two roles tells you a lot. My checklist for moving a parent into assisted living covers the rest of the process, from the assessment to move-in day.
How Families Usually Pay for Assisted Living
Assisted living is mostly private pay. Medicare doesn’t cover it, and while California’s Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver does help with care costs, it only works at participating facilities, has a waitlist, and doesn’t cover room and board. Long-term care insurance and VA Aid and Attendance benefits can help if your parent qualifies. For context, Genworth’s 2024 survey put the California median for assisted living at $88,200 a year, and most of the communities on this list run above that.
For most of my clients, the family home is the biggest asset and the thing that ends up paying for care. That’s where I come in. Selling a home to fund a move like this has its own timeline, tax questions, and emotional weight, and I cover it step by step in selling a Bay Area home to pay for senior care. If your parent is 55 or older and might buy a smaller home instead, Prop 19 may let them carry their low property tax base with them. And if the move needs to happen before the house sells, Compass has a program that can cover assisted living move-in costs up front.
Finding Your Own Favorite
This list reflects my own experience and research, but the right assisted living community is deeply personal and depends on health needs, the lifestyle your loved one wants, how close family lives, and budget. Use resources like Seniorly to compare options, look at photos, and read reviews, then check the state license record and tour your top two or three more than once, ideally at a mealtime. If you’d like help thinking through the move and what to do with the house, I’m always happy to talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does assisted living cost in Silicon Valley?
Base rents at the communities on this list run from just under $5,000 a month at smaller communities to $12,000 or more at the high end, and most add care fees on top based on how much help your loved one needs. Genworth’s 2024 survey put the California median at about $7,350 a month, and Silicon Valley typically runs higher.
What’s the difference between assisted living and a board and care home?
Both are licensed in California as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly. Assisted living communities are larger buildings with dining rooms, activity calendars, and often independent living and memory care on the same campus. Board and care homes are usually converted houses with six or fewer residents, which means more one-on-one attention and often a lower monthly cost.
Do assisted living communities in California have nurses on staff 24 hours a day?
Not necessarily. California requires staff on site around the clock but doesn’t require assisted living to employ a licensed nurse. Some communities, like the Belmont Village locations, advertise a licensed nurse on site 24/7, while others have nurses on weekdays or on call. Always ask exactly who’s on duty overnight.
How do I check an assisted living community’s license and inspection history?
Search the community by name on the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing facility search at ccld.dss.ca.gov. It shows the license status, inspection visits, citations, and substantiated complaints.
Does Medicare or Medi-Cal pay for assisted living in California?
Medicare doesn’t pay for assisted living. Medi-Cal’s Assisted Living Waiver can cover care services at participating facilities, but it doesn’t cover room and board, availability is limited, and there’s usually a waitlist, so most families pay privately.
Should we sell Mom or Dad’s house to pay for assisted living?
For many Silicon Valley families the house is the largest asset and the most practical way to pay for care, but the right answer depends on taxes, other income, and whether renting the home makes more sense. Talk with a CPA or elder law attorney and a real estate agent who specializes in senior moves before deciding, and plan the timing so you aren’t forced to sell in a rush.
What happened to The Watermark at Almaden?
The community at 4610 Almaden Expressway in San Jose changed ownership in 2026 and now operates as Avella at Almaden. It still offers assisted living and memory care.
Gracious Homes at The Villages in San Jose
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