Assisted Living & Board and Care in Huntington Beach, CA — 69 Licensed Homes

Huntington Beach is home to 69 licensed senior care homes, with 64 operating as board and care facilities and 5 as larger assisted living communities. This mix means families have substantial options across different home sizes. The 64 board and care homes represent the majority of available licensed care in the city, while the 5 larger communities offer an alternative approach. Combined, these homes provide 1053 licensed beds, with capacity ranging from 4 to 185 residents per home.

Families typically begin exploring residential care when an aging parent or spouse needs help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, or other support with activities of daily living, but does not require the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home. A Residential Care Facility for the Elderly, or RCFE, is a licensed home—whether a converted house or a larger community building—where trained staff assist residents with these daily needs. When medical care becomes the primary need, such as wound care, dialysis, or other clinical services, a nursing home becomes the appropriate choice instead.

The board and care homes in Huntington Beach tend to be smaller, converted residential properties, while the 5 larger communities operate on a different scale and model. Families weighing these options should consider what matters most: the size of the community, how staffing is organized, the types of activities and social opportunities, meal arrangements, and how the home handles specific needs or preferences. A visit to any home under consideration is essential, along with direct questions about daily routines, staffing, costs, and how the home manages emergencies.

Before choosing a home, families should verify its current standing by reviewing license status and inspection reports through the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division. These public records provide transparency about each facility's compliance history and operational record.

Veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for VA Aid and Attendance benefits, which can help cover care costs at an RCFE. For those without VA eligibility, private funds and long-term care insurance are common payment sources. Families should contact homes directly to discuss costs, as pricing varies significantly. Orange County participates in California's Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver, which can help pay for care services (not room and board) at participating homes. Slots are limited and there is currently a waitlist; new applicants enroll through a Care Coordination Agency. 12 homes in Huntington Beach currently accept this waiver.

Starting with the board and care homes listed on this directory allows families to explore the smaller-scale options available in Huntington Beach before broadening the search to include the larger assisted living communities.