All states › California › La Jolla › The Cove at La Jolla
7160 Fay Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037 · San Diego County
All 2 nursing homes in La Jolla, CA (1 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555545 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
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.
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%).
About this nursing home
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.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
June 6, 2024 · 6 citations
EEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
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.
December 9, 2021 · 5 citations
FKeep all essential equipment working safely.
EProvide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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.
Questions to ask on a tour of The Cove at La Jolla
- What do families most often ask you about before moving in?
- 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 month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
-
3.5 mi
VA San Diego Healthcare System San DiegoEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 4h 22m for patients treated and sent home
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4.3 mi
Scripps Memorial Hospital la Jolla La JollaEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 3h 6m for patients treated and sent home
- 4.5 mi
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
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 ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- The Springs at Pacific Regent · San Diego · 5 stars · 3.7 mi
- Vi at La Jolla Village · San Diego · 5 stars · 3.7 mi
- Kearny Mesa Convalescent and Nursing Home · San Diego · 5 stars · 6.3 mi
- Helen Bernardy Center D/P SNF · San Diego · 5 stars · 7.4 mi
Other The Ensign Group nursing homes in California
- Pacifica Nursing and Rehabilitation Center · Pacifica · 5 stars
- Upland Rehabilitation and Care Center · Upland · 5 stars
- The Springs at Pacific Regent · San Diego · 5 stars
- Grossmont Post Acute Care · La Mesa · 5 stars
- Grand Terrace Health Care Center · Grand Terrace · 5 stars
- The Grove Care and Wellness · Riverside · 5 stars
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.