Inspection record
Read cited deficiencies, dates, scope and severity instead of relying on a summary alone.
California care, compliance & accountability
See the full record behind California nursing homes
Search 1,165 facilities across 55 counties. Compare federal ratings, staffing, serious-harm citations, ownership signals, and $29.5 million in recorded fines—then turn the record into better questions.
No facility pays to appear or rank higher.
California at a glance
A statewide view of nursing-home data
Summary indicators calculated from the CMS facility data currently used by this site. Enforcement totals reflect records in the dataset and should be reviewed in context.
1,165CMS-certified facilities
114,990Certified beds statewide
$29.53MFines recorded in the data
503Facilities with penalties274Five-star facilities36Special Focus facilities or candidatesData updated July 2026Ratings and enforcement history can changeLearn how to interpret these measures →
A practical starting point
Look beyond a single star rating
Use several signals together, then visit in person and ask how the home would meet your loved one’s specific needs.
Staffing context
Compare reported nursing hours and turnover with the statewide median.
Ownership and enforcement
Review ownership information, federal fines and payment denials in one profile.
A clearer research process
How to evaluate a California nursing home
No single metric tells the whole story. Build a shortlist with public data, confirm that each home can meet the resident's clinical needs, and then test what you learned during a visit.
Define the care needs
List mobility, medication, behavioral-health, dementia, therapy, dietary, communication, and transportation needs before calling facilities.
Create a care profileCompare several signals
Review inspections, staffing, turnover, quality measures, ownership, penalties, and the individual parts of the federal rating.
Understand star ratingsVisit and ask questions
Observe everyday care, ask how call-outs are covered, and confirm that admission documents match verbal promises.
Review staffing questionsStay involved after admission
Attend care-plan meetings, track changes from baseline, document concerns, and know where to obtain outside help.
Know resident rightsCalifornia family guides
Practical help for difficult care decisions
Our guides explain the questions families commonly face before admission and while advocating for a resident. They are educational starting points—not medical, legal, or financial advice.
Explore all California guides →What this site can—and cannot—tell you
Use public data as a starting point
Facility profiles organize federal information so families can identify questions and compare homes consistently. Ratings and reported measures can change, may reflect earlier periods, and cannot predict an individual resident's experience.
Always confirm current services, bed availability, rates, staffing, payer participation, and clinical capability directly with the facility.
When safety is the concern
For an immediate emergency, call 911. California’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman can help residents and families address care and rights concerns. The California Department of Health receives facility complaints. This website is independent and is not a government agency or law firm.
See California reporting options · Learn about an attorney case review