facebook tracking The Sequoias, Portola Valley CA: CMS Ratings & Inspections
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The Sequoias

All states › California › Portola Valley › The Sequoias

501 Portola Road Portola Valley, CA 94028 · San Mateo County

(650) 851-1501

Accepts Medicare 43 certified beds Non profit Continuing care retirement community

CMS certification number 055466 · 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 Sequoias 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 Sequoias as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, above the California average of 3.2. Inspectors issued 20 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 1 penalty, including $12,703 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 5 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 4.13 hours per resident per day at The Sequoias, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.60 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.53 hours, 39% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 100% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.

Nursing care per resident per day 4.13 hours
Below the California median of 4.27 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.60 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 2.53 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 100% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 100% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left — Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds43
Residents per day 33 About 77% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare
Certified sinceJanuary 1967
Legal business nameSEQUOIA LIVING INC

Paying for care at The Sequoias: Medicare and Medicaid

The Sequoias 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. 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 August 7, 2025 and found 5 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 20 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 20 citations at The Sequoias across 3 inspection dates, 1 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 20 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (6) and pharmacy service (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards" (tag F0812, level F, May 24, 2024).

August 7, 2025 · 5 citations

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 (Aug 29, 2025)

DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0582 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 29, 2025)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 29, 2025)

DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0755 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 29, 2025)

DImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0881 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 29, 2025)

May 24, 2024 · 9 citations · includes complaint inspection

FProcure 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 (Jul 1, 2024)

DHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2024)

DEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0640 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2024)

DEnsure 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 (Jul 1, 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 (Jul 1, 2024)

DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0726 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2024)

DImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0758 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2024)

DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2024)

DElectronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0851 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 1, 2024)

December 30, 2021 · 6 citations

ECreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0655 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 27, 2022)

EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 27, 2022)

EDispose of garbage and refuse properly.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0814 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 27, 2022)

EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 27, 2022)

DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0692 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 27, 2022)

DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 27, 2022)

Questions to ask on a tour of The Sequoias

  1. CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
  2. Weekend staffing is 39% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
  3. Nursing staff turnover was 100% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  4. 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

1 penalty in the last three years, including $12,703 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Oct 30, 2023 Fine $12,703

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 5/5 5/5 2/5 5/5
August 2026 5/5 5/5 4/5 5/5
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Location

Hospitals near The Sequoias

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

Vi at Palo Alto Palo Alto · 5.0 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 5/5 44 beds
Atherton Park Post-Acute Menlo Park · 5.6 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 160 beds · Medicaid
The Terraces at Los Altos Health Facility Los Altos · 5.6 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 5/5 30 beds
Palo Alto Post-Acute Palo Alto · 5.7 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 3/5 66 beds · Medicaid
Webster House Palo Alto · 6.1 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 5/5 145 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near The Sequoias ›   All nursing homes in Portola Valley ›

Compare The Sequoias with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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/portola-valley/the-sequoias/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.