Short answer: La Jolla Post-Acute in La Jolla holds Medicare's 3-star overall rating (health inspections 3, staffing 3, quality not rated). Its latest inspection cycle lists 9 health citations (Aug 13, 2026 most recent). Medicare lists no fines in about three years. California's State file lists 9 citations (1 Class AA, 1 Class A, 6 Class B, 1 staffing), the latest in December 2023.
2552 Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla · (858) 453-5810 · 161 certified beds · for profit - corporation. Owned by Covenant Care California, LLC.
Not sure where to start? Talk it through with PJ. In his words: "When my family went through it, the hardest part was not knowing what to ask or where to start." Text what you're weighing (a home, the cost, what to ask on a tour) and he answers himself. Asking is free. Talk it through with PJ
Medicare Open Enrollment is open: October 15 to December 7. Change your Medicare health or drug plan for 2027 now; changes start January 1. Free, unbiased help: HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 (run in San Diego by Elder Law & Advocacy). Bring your card and your medicine list. The free plan comparison worksheet.
Official: Medicare.gov: joining a plan (Open Enrollment Oct 15 to Dec 7). Checked Nov 4, 2026.
The latest inspection, citation by citation
| Date | What inspectors cited | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 2026 | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals (complaint) | D no actual harm, potential for more |
| Aug 5, 2026 | Honor 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 (complaint) | E no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Dispose of garbage and refuse properly | F no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months | E no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months | D no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment | D no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities | D no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist | D no actual harm, potential for more |
| Apr 24, 2025 | Ensure 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 | D no actual harm, potential for more |
CMS letters run A to L: A-C no harm with minimal potential, D-F no actual harm with potential for more, G-I actual harm, J-L immediate jeopardy. Fire-safety citations in the same cycle: 11. Source: CMS Care Compare health deficiencies (latest cycle).
Fines and payment denials
None in Medicare's penalty data (about three years).
A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying the home for new admissions for a stretch. Source: CMS Care Compare penalties.
The State's record
CDPH's enforcement file lists 9 citations for this home: 1 Class AA, 1 Class A, 6 Class B, 1 staffing, $72,851 final, the latest on Dec 20, 2023.
- Class AA: a Class A violation the State found was a direct cause of a resident's death (Health and Safety Code 1424).
- Class A: imminent danger, or a substantial probability, of death or serious harm to residents.
- Class B: a direct or immediate relationship to residents' health, safety or security, short of Class A.
- Staffing: an administrative penalty for falling below the State's minimum nursing hours per patient day (HSC 1276.5).
A home can appeal, and appeals can change the class or the amount. CDPH stopped updating this open file in mid-2024; newer ones are on Cal Health Find. Source: CDPH, Health Facilities State Enforcement Actions, matched by federal provider number.
The fix: check it yourself, then ask
- Medicare Care Compare: La Jolla Post-Acute's page has the full inspection reports and staffing.
- Cal Health Find: search La Jolla Post-Acute for State complaints and newer citations.
- On a tour: ask to see the home's most recent inspection report and its plan of correction (federal rules, 42 CFR 483.10(g)(11), let residents and families examine them), who covers nights and weekends, and how a fall or a change in condition gets reported to family.
Choosing a home for a parent in North County? PJ does the legwork with you: pulls both records, lines up tours and writes down the questions. Family Assist, $30 an hour; no medical or legal advice, and no home pays SideGuy. Text PJ.
Rather just ask? Text your question to PJ, a real person in Cardiff, and he answers it. Asking is free. Questions about La Jolla Post-Acute's record? A real person answers. Text PJ
Every nursing home near Solana Beach, side by side: North County nursing home ratings.
Sources: CMS Care Compare provider data (provider information, health and fire-safety deficiencies, penalties, ownership); CDPH Health Facilities State Enforcement Actions. Checked November 6, 2026.
Using these numbers? Please cite and link the page: SideGuy, "La Jolla Post-Acute: inspections, citations and fines," updated November 6, 2026, https://www.sideguysolutions.com/la-jolla-post-acute-nursing-home-inspections-citations.html
Writing a story or a post? PJ can walk you through where the data comes from: Text PJ.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · every 2027 Medicare plan · is my medication recalled? · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25. Your parent lives here and you don't? The Parent Check-In Plan, $25 a month.
Questions people ask
What is La Jolla Post-Acute's Medicare star rating?
3 of 5 overall: health inspections 3, staffing 3, quality measures not rated (CMS Care Compare).
Has La Jolla Post-Acute been cited by inspectors?
La Jolla Post-Acute in La Jolla holds Medicare's 3-star overall rating (health inspections 3, staffing 3, quality not rated). Its latest inspection cycle lists 9 health citations (Aug 13, 2026 most recent). Medicare lists no fines in about three years. California's State file lists 9 citations (1 Class AA, 1 Class A, 6 Class B, 1 staffing), the latest in December 2023.
Has La Jolla Post-Acute been fined?
Medicare lists no fines in about three years. California's State file lists 9 citations.
Who owns La Jolla Post-Acute?
CMS lists Covenant Care California, LLC with 5% or more direct ownership.
Know someone who needs this?
Got a question about this? Ask PJ a question. A real person in Solana Beach texts you back.
Something changed here? Text PJ the fix: if it changes this page, you get $5. How it works.
Spotted something new around town? Text it in. What do you want to see here? Ask PJ for a page. No login, a real person reads it.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.