17 Assisted Living Communities in San Marcos, California

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $4,500 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 17 Assisted Living Communities in San Marcos and several in surrounding areas.

Assisted living: $4,500
Nursing home semiprivate room: $8,517
In-home care: $4,767
Adult day health services: $1,733

Assisted Living Facilities near San Marcos, California

Compare Costs, Photos, & Reviews of All Your Options Near San Marcos

By clicking "Get Costs" I am providing express written consent to receive calls including automated/pre-recorded calls and automated texts for which I may incur a cost, as well as emails from Caring and its partners. I understand I am not obligated to provide this consent to utilize Caring’s service(s). I acknowledge I was able to review the Agreement to be Contacted, Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.

Our Family Advisors can help your family make a confident decision about senior living.

Call 1 (844) 759-0108

Reviews of Assisted Living Facilities in San Marcos

Gladys H.

June 16, 2020

I am/was a resident of this facilityReview of Meridian at Lake San Marcos

I have lived here at the meridian since the beginning. I was the 3rd person to move in. We are very fortunate because we have beautiful grounds to enjoy and walk around. Lots of beautiful well-maintained flowers and landscape. It is so wonderful that I don’t have to do my laundry they do it for me. They also clean my apartment every week. Launa, the Executive Director, is top-notch. She runs our community so well. She is so beautiful and elegant and throws terrific parties. She threw me a suprime 99th birthday party and she has able to get the Mayor of our city to come! Shaun M. is very friendly and professional and he can help you find an apartment.

Tracie

October 8, 2019

I visited this facilityReview of Brookdale San Marcos

The apartment at Brookdale San Marcos had a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. The place was clean and looked nice. Meals were included and they provide activities. The staff member was very helpful, very pleasant, has followed up a couple of times, and is very thorough. I was happy and pleased. The dining hall was nice, and they had activity rooms.

Dianne

October 29, 2018

I visited this facilityReview of Meridian at Lake San Marcos

The Meridian at Lake San Marcos was gorgeous, and the food was all done by chefs and dieticians. When you first drive up, it's beautiful. When you first walk in, it's absolutely spectacular, with high ceilings and Italian villa décor that was warm and inviting. The people were very gracious and professional. They had a lot of experienced, licensed people. The residents were all healthy looking, and a lot were walking around on their own. The dining room was beautiful, and the food looked very nice and well-presented. The room selection had different, great floor plans. I like that you can have a small pet and that they're allowed to decorate their door to determine that it's different from somebody else's. They also had a pool. Austin, the nice young man who helped us was spectacular, really professional, and knew his stuff. We had a great conversation, and he took us everywhere. He knew my parents were very skeptical, so he has been very patient and checked in with me from time to time. The overall facility was super clean and really nice, bright and sunny, not dark and dingy.

Barbara

August 30, 2018

I am a friend or relative of a current/past residentReview of Silvergate San Marcos

I like Silvergate San Marcos a lot. My mom has enjoyed it, but now she needs a little bit more care. Every time we upped the care, it would cost us more. Nevertheless, I think it is a great place. I would recommend it to anybody. The food is good. They have something going on all the time. They have different kinds of games, bingo, bridge class, exercise classes, and movies. The place is great; I like it. It is a nice size, it is not small, and it is a good value.

Sandy

July 2, 2018

I am a friend or relative of a current/past residentReview of Brookdale San Marcos

Brookdale San Marcos is good. The staff is very nice. They have a lot going on like exercise programs and get-togethers. My father is in a one-bedroom apartment and it's very nice and spacious. I'm not too crazy about the dining area, but it's nice. They have housekeeping and laundry, and they take them to the doctor, on outings, on scenic drives, and to various places.

Caroline

February 23, 2018

I visited this facilityReview of Silvergate San Marcos

David of Silvergate San Marcos was very informative, showed us around, and followed up with us. He even sent a nice bouquet to my mother-in-law. He was very helpful. We saw a room that was very clean, but the place wasn't ideal for my mom-in-law because it had an elevator, and they didn't have a room available on the first floor. It was a smaller community, which I really liked, and they seemed to know everybody's name. Overall, it was a very nice visit.

Caroline

February 23, 2018

I visited this facilityReview of Brookdale San Marcos

We went to Brookdale San Marcos with my mother-in-law and saw an apartment available on the first floor, which was what we needed. We had a very good lunch. It was a bigger, very clean, and very nice place. Everybody was very professional and very friendly, but my mother-in-law didn't think she could walk to the dining room because it was further away. I would recommend them to anybody.

Visitor

August 22, 2017

I visited this facilityReview of Silvergate San Marcos

The marketing director from Silvergate San Marcos was pleasant and easy to work with. The place is nice and different; however, it is not a good fit for what I was looking for. In a unique way, it's different from a majority of the other ones, but I felt it was overpriced for the quality of the actual facility. It was also an older community.

Map of San Marcos, California

Assisted Living Costs in San Marcos

In its 2018 Cost of Care Survey, Genworth reveals San Marcos’ average monthly cost of assisted living to be $4,500 per month. This is $500 more per month than the national average of $4,000 but equal to the California state average. While surrounding cities, such as El Centro ($3,650), Riverside ($3,500) and Bakersfield ($3,150), enjoy much lower assisted living costs, the fees in nearby Santa Maria, Los Angeles and Oxnard are the same or higher than those in San Marcos.

Note: Senior care cost data wasn’t available for San Marcos, so data for the closest city, San Diego, was used.

Cost of Assisted Living Comparison Chart

San Marcos/San Diego area

$4,500

National average

$4,000

State average

$4,500

El Centro

$3,650

Riverside

$3,500

Los Angeles Area

$4,500

Oxnard Area

$4,575

Bakersfield

$3,150

Santa Maria Area

$4,825

Care Cost Comparison

As in many cities, the cost of nursing home care in San Marcos is much higher than those of an assisted living home. The cost of at-home care, including homemaker services and home health aides, is slightly more expensive than assisted living (about $300 more per month) but doesn’t include the additional living expenses of utilities, home maintenance and room and board. For San Marcos residents who don’t require full-time care, adult day health is the least expensive care option with an average cost of $1,733 per month. Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

Assisted living: $4,500

Homemaker services: $4767

Home health aide: $4,799

Adult day health: $1,733

Nursing home care (semiprivate room): $8,517

Cost of Homemaker/Home Health Aide Comparison Chart

Assisted living

$4,500

Homemaker services

$4,767

Home health aide

$4,799

Adult day health

$1,733

Nursing home care (semiprivate room)

$8,517

Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in San Marcos

Medicaid in California

California’s Medicaid program, also known as Medi-Cal, is jointly funded by state and Federal funds. Medi-Cal provides low-income California residents with a wide range of medical care and services, including hospitalization, physical therapy, outpatient and emergency services, chronic disease management and mental health services.

There are several ways San Marcos seniors can qualify for Medi-Cal. One is to earn below the annual income limits, which are $16,395 for individuals and $22,108 for married couples. Seniors must also have less than $2,000 (individual) or $3,000 (couple) in assets. These asset limits exclude the applicant’s home, furnishings, personal items and one vehicle.

Seniors may also qualify if they:

Are blind, disabled or aged 65 and older
Receive refugee services for a limited time
Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Reside in a nursing home or an intermediate care facility

San Marcos residents can apply for Medi-Cal online or call (866) 262-9881 for more information.

Assisted Living Waiver

Within the larger Medi-Cal program, smaller programs exist to aide residents of varying ages and needs. One such program for seniors is the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW). Participants have access to three waiver benefits within the ALW, including care coordination, assisted living services and nursing facility transition care coordination.

The ALW is available to California seniors enrolled in Medi-Cal who require a nursing home level of care but prefer to live in the community. To participate in the ALW program, seniors must first request an assessment with a nurse employed by their local Care Coordination Agency (CCA).

Some assisted living services offered through the ALW include laundry, housekeeping, help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, recreational activities and three meals per day.

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

San Marcos residents may also be eligible to receive services through the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), a program offered to certain Medi-Cal seniors through the federal Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waiver. The program aims to help seniors remain at home or in the community and includes services, such as personal care assistance, adult day health centers, care management, meals, transportation, respite and housing assistance.

To be eligible for the MSSP, seniors must be over age 65, qualify for Medi-Cal and certify as needing nursing home level care. The cost of services must also remain below that of nursing home care. Because services provided are not entitlements, those wishing to enroll may be put on a waiting list. The San Marcos MSSP program is offered through San Diego County’s Aging and Independent Services agency and can be contacted by calling (800) 339-4661.

Other Financial Assistance Programs for Assisted Living

Veterans Aid and Attendance Benefit

Financial assistance from the national Veterans Aid and Attendance program may be available to qualified San Marcos veterans or their surviving spouses. To qualify, applicants must already receive or be eligible to receive a VA pension, and they must also require the aid of a caregiver to perform personal activities of daily living. Seniors requiring aid may also qualify if they are legally blind, bedridden or live in a nursing facility.

To be eligible, veterans must earn below $22,577 in annual income as an individual (no dependents) and below $26,765 if married or caring for a dependent. A surviving spouse must earn below $14,529. Assets may not exceed $126,000 including annual income (excluding homes and vehicles). When calculating income, unreimbursed medical expenses should be deducted.

Senior San Marcos veterans or surviving spouses can apply by visiting their local benefit office, calling (855) 898-6050 or writing their regional pension management center.

Supplemental Security Income

California provides Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to people with disabilities and certain seniors who are at least 65 years old. Eligible seniors can receive monthly financial benefits for nonmedical out-of-home care up to $1,194.37 for an individual or $2,388.74 for a married couple.

To meet the low-income and asset requirements, seniors must:

Earn less than $771 per month as an individual or $1,157 as a married couple

Have less than $2,000 in assets as an individual and $3,000 as a married couple (homes, cars and burial plots are excluded)

In addition to financial assistance, some seniors may qualify to receive protective services or an additional allowance for a service dog if the individual is blind or disabled.

San Marcos residents can apply for SSI online or call (800) 772-1213.

Assisted Living Resources in San Marcos

Community and Senior Centers

Several community and senior centers provide free programs to enrich the quality of life for seniors, their caregivers and families. These centers often provide free classes, information and social activities on issues relevant to seniors lives and needs.

San Marcos Senior Activity Center
111 Richmar Ave., San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 744-5535

Alzheimer’s San Diego
6632 Convoy Ct., San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 492-4400
This center offers free programs, support groups and resources to help people with dementia and their families

The Foundation for Senior Wellbeing
131 Richmar Ave., San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 891-8176
The foundation’s Information Resource Center provides seniors, their caregivers and families with resources and information on topics including housing, meals, medical issues and transportation.

Area Agency on Aging

San Marcos’ Area Agency on Aging provides resources and programs designed to help seniors and family members live healthy, more independent lives. Services include care coordination, in-home support, an ombudsman program, nutrition, mental health care and legal services. Aging and Independence Services (AIS)
151 Van Houten Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
(800) 510-2020

Veterans Resources

Veterans resource centers in and around San Marcos provide benefits counseling, claims processing, pension filing, loan assistance and many other services to veterans and their families.

San Marcos Veterans Center
1 Civic Center Dr. #150, San Marcos, CA 92069
(855) 898-6050

Escondido Military and Veterans Affairs Resource Center
649 W Mission Ave., Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 740-5573

Nearby Assisted Living Communities

Go a bit further out to explore pricing and amenities.

Find Communities

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.

17 Assisted Living Communities in San Marcos, California

Assisted Living Facilities near San Marcos, California

Silvergate San Marcos

Brookdale San Marcos

Meridian at Lake San Marcos

Country Rose Estate Memory Care

Twin Oaks Garden

Twin Oaks Manor

Compare Costs, Photos, & Reviews of All Your Options Near San Marcos

Majella Assisted Living of San Marcos

Twin Oaks Garden II

Astoria Villa

Daybreak Retirement Villa (2)

Mary Katherine's Home

Richland Manor

San Marcos Cottage

San Marcos Villa

Sapphire Pacific I

Summer Hill Rest Home Ii

Twin Oaks Garden III

Silvergate Fallbrook

Pacifica Senior Living Escondido

Pacifica Senior Living Vista

White Sands La Jolla

Alta Vista Senior Living

Belmont Village Sabre Springs

Felicita Vida

Redwood Terrace

Oakmont of Escondido Hills

Sunrise at La Costa

Westmont Town Court

Brookdale Oceanside

Pacifica Senior Living Oceanside

Vi at La Jolla Village

Belmont Village Cardiff by the Sea

Regency at Fallbrook

Pacifica Senior Living Rancho Peñasquitos

Laguna Estates Senior Living

Las Villas Del Norte

Pacifica Senior Living Encinitas

La Marea Senior Living

Ocean Hills Senior Living

Crest View Manor

Gardens at Escondido

Oakmont of Pacific Beach

Everest at Oceanside

Pacifica Senior Living Poway

Golden Retreat

Ivy Park at Sabre Springs

Pebble Brook Assisted Living

Gold Canyon Care Home

Ivy Park at La Jolla

Sunview Gardens

North County Cottage

Splendor Valley

Santianna

La Costa Elder Care

La Costa Golf Care

Villa Monticello Assisted Living

Marama

Westmont of Encinitas

Monarch Cottages La Jolla

The Hills of Alcoba II

Carlsbad Elder Care

Heaven's Grace Care Home

Belmont Village La Jolla

Senior Comfort Care

Lone Oak Gardens

La Costa Glen

Fairwinds - Ivey Ranch

Wesley Palms

Casa de Manana

Cypress Court

Bayshire Carlsbad

The Remington Club

Carlsbad By the Sea

Aegis at Shadowridge

Lakeside Manor Elderly Care

Coral Tree Care

Deer Hill Estates