facebook tracking The Cove at La Jolla, La Jolla CA: CMS Ratings & Inspections
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The Cove at La Jolla

All states › California › La Jolla › The Cove at La Jolla

7160 Fay Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 · San Diego County

(858) 459-4361

All 2 nursing homes in La Jolla, CA (1 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare 59 certified beds For profit

CMS certification number 555545 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

Is The Cove at La Jolla a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record

There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for The Cove at La Jolla as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the California average of 3.2. Inspectors issued 19 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 4 out of 5; for long-term residents, 5 out of 5.

Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 4.91 hours per resident per day at The Cove at La Jolla, above the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 1.18 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.35 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 39.4% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%).

Nursing care per resident per day 4.91 hours
Above the California median of 4.27 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 1.18 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 4.35 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 39.4% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 38.5% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds59
Residents per day 52 About 88% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare
Certified sinceMarch 1993
Part of a chainThe Ensign Group
Legal business nameNAUTILUS HEALTHCARE, INC.

Paying for care at The Cove at La Jolla: Medicare and Medicaid

The Cove at La Jolla is certified for Medicare but not Medicaid. It can provide short-term skilled nursing and rehab covered by Medicare Part A, but if long-term care is needed and Medicaid becomes the payer, a move to a Medicaid-certified home would be needed. 1 other home in La Jolla accepts Medicaid. Nursing homes that accept Medicaid in California.

In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.

Health inspections

The most recent standard inspection was on May 16, 2025 and found 7 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 19 citations in the last three years.

Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.

What the inspections found

Over the last three years, inspectors issued 19 citations at The Cove at La Jolla across 4 inspection dates, 1 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 19 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were nutrition and dietary (7) and resident assessment and care planning (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "keep all essential equipment working safely" (tag F0908, level F, December 9, 2021).

May 16, 2025 · 7 citations

EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0804 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0806 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 3, 2025)

June 6, 2024 · 6 citations

EEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0641 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2024)

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2024)

DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0558 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2024)

DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2024)

DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2024)

DHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0865 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 26, 2024)

January 17, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DProvide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0773 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 26, 2024)

December 9, 2021 · 5 citations

FKeep all essential equipment working safely.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0908 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2022)

EProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0802 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2022)

EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0804 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2022)

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2022)

DProvide at least one room set aside to use as a resident dining room and for activities, that is a good size, with good lighting, air flow and furniture.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0920 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 20, 2022)

Questions to ask on a tour of The Cove at La Jolla

  1. What do families most often ask you about before moving in?
  2. When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?

Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.

Fines and payment denials

CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 4/5 4/5 4/5 4/5
August 2026 5/5 4/5 4/5 5/5
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Location

Hospitals near The Cove at La Jolla

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

La Jolla Post-Acute La Jolla · 1.6 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 3/5 161 beds · Medicaid
The Springs at Pacific Regent San Diego · 3.7 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 3/5 59 beds
Vi at La Jolla Village San Diego · 3.7 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 5/5 60 beds
Kearny Mesa Convalescent and Nursing Home San Diego · 6.3 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 3/5 98 beds · Medicaid
The Pavilion at Ocean Point San Diego · 6.4 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 2/5 133 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near The Cove at La Jolla ›   All nursing homes in La Jolla ›

Compare The Cove at La Jolla with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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Other The Ensign Group nursing homes in California

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 347 The Ensign Group nursing homes ›

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/california/la-jolla/the-cove-at-la-jolla/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.