Lowest-rated nursing homes in California
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These are the 25 nursing homes in California that CMS rates lowest, out of 1,165. Homes CMS lists as Special Focus Facilities come first, then Special Focus candidates, then the lowest overall star ratings; ties go to homes with the CMS abuse icon, a lower health inspection rating and more fines. The order comes from CMS's own ratings and flags, not from us; people often search for these as the worst-rated nursing homes in California. In California, CMS rates 179 homes 1 star, lists 5 as Special Focus Facilities and 30 as candidates, and shows its abuse icon on 115.
Lowest-rated nursing homes in California
How this list works
- Where do the ratings come from?
- From CMS's Nursing Home Care Compare (the same data as Medicare.gov), October 2026. The overall rating combines health inspections, staffing and quality measures; inspections weigh the most.
- What are the Special Focus Facility list and the abuse icon?
- CMS lists this nursing home as a Special Focus Facility: homes "included in a special program to stimulate improvements in their quality of care" because of a persistent record of serious problems. CMS marks this nursing home with its abuse icon. CMS shows the icon for homes with abuse citations in recent inspections: an abuse citation where residents were harmed (scope and severity G or higher) within the past year, or abuse citations at D or higher (potential for harm) in each of the last two years.
- Is this a recommendation?
- No. It is a ranking of CMS's published ratings. Ratings can change every month, and a home's rating may not reflect a recent change in ownership or staff. Visit, ask questions and read the inspection reports.
More lists for California
Lowest-rated nursing homes in other California cities
- Los Angeles (78)
- Long Beach (25)
- Sacramento (23)
- San Diego (21)
- Fresno (19)
- San Jose (19)
- Oakland (18)
- Riverside (18)
- San Francisco (18)
- Hayward (16)
- Anaheim (14)
- Stockton (14)
- Glendale (13)
- Pasadena (13)
- El Cajon (12)
- Santa Monica (12)
- Torrance (12)
- El Monte (11)
- San Bernardino (11)
- Bakersfield (10)
- Modesto (9)
- Pomona (9)
- Carmichael (8)
- Gardena (8)
- La Mesa (8)
- Redding (8)
- Santa Ana (8)
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home provider information and penalties, October 2026. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data.