Board and Care Homes Directory: San Diego County

Last verified: October 2026 · Also see: Assisted living (all RCFEs) · Memory care

How many board and care homes are licensed in San Diego County?

453 small RCFEs in San Diego County are licensed for six or fewer residents - the homes San Diegans call board and care. They make up 74% of the county's 616 active RCFE licenses but hold only 2,670 of its 22,355 licensed beds. The largest clusters are 151 in San Diego, 61 in Escondido, 40 in Oceanside, 27 in Poway, 24 in El Cajon, 22 in Chula Vista.

A six-bed home is held to the same RCFE regulations as a 300-bed community, and many carry the same dementia and hospice approvals. What differs is the feel - a converted house, one or two caregivers on shift, shared meals at one table - and usually the price.

All board and care homes in San Diego County (A-Z)

What is the difference between assisted living and memory care in San Diego County?

Both are licensed in California as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) by CDSS Community Care Licensing; memory care is RCFE care for people with dementia, which the CCLD record shows as a "983 - RCFE / Dementia" client-served approval and, for a locked or alarmed unit, a delayed-egress or secured-perimeter approval. There is no separate memory care license in California.

Who licenses assisted living and memory care in San Diego County?

The California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), licenses every RCFE under the Health and Safety Code (section 1569 et seq.) and Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. San Diego County facilities are overseen by CCLD's Adult and Senior Care San Diego Regional Office, 7575 Metropolitan Dr., Suite 109, (619) 767-2300.

How do I check a San Diego RCFE's inspection and complaint record?

Click the CCLD record link on any listing. CCLD's Care Facility Search shows every visit date, each complaint with its allegation outcomes (substantiated, inconclusive, unsubstantiated), Type A and Type B citations, and the inspection reports themselves. Our full profiles summarize that record for the featured communities.

How much does a board and care home cost in San Diego in 2026?

Typical 2026 pricing in San Diego County is $3,200-$5,500 a month, usually below a large community offering the same care level. CCLD does not publish rates, so ask each facility for its written rate sheet and care-level fees.

How do I narrow this list to a real shortlist?

Filter by area or city, keep the facilities whose approvals match the care needed (dementia, hospice, non-ambulatory), then open each CCLD record. Or use the chat on this page: a San Diego Senior Advisor advisor will match needs, budget and location to a short list of licensed options with openings - free to families.