MonteCedro Retirement Community

    2212 El Molino Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living
    • Memory Care
    • Skilled Nursing

    Impressive upscale nonprofit retirement community

    I toured this upscale nonprofit retirement community by appointment and came away very impressed: attractive exterior, neat/clean/organized interiors, terrific facilities (two dining areas), friendly A+ staff, and a lively, welcoming resident community with multiple levels of care available. Type 1 construction and an excellent evacuation response give me confidence residents are safe. I loved what I saw and think it's well worth exploring, though I plan to tour the rest before making a final decision.

    Loved one of resident
    Jul 2026

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor patio
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    3.42·(24)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      1.0
    • Staff

      2.1
    • Meals

      3.4
    • Amenities

      5.0
    • Value

      3.4

    Pros

    • Upscale non-profit campus
    • Well-maintained, organized interior
    • Multiple dining venues
    • Continuum of care across levels
    • Active social and activity programming
    • Clean and safe environment
    • Friendly, attentive staff in many areas
    • Demonstrated emergency-response capability (per some accounts)
    • Type I fire-resistant construction

    Cons

    • High entrance fees and financial burden
    • Perceived prioritization of financial transactions over resident-centered care
    • Opacity in ownership and financial transparency
    • Gaps in emergency evacuation procedures and accountability
    • Inconsistent staff responsiveness and communication
    • Variability in care quality across departments
    • Staff conduct and resident interactions in memory/activities units
    • Transportation safety and driver competence concerns
    • Outdated online materials and marketing imagery
    • External scrutiny and regulatory attention

    Summary of reviews

    MonteCedro presents as an upscale, non-profit retirement campus with well-maintained grounds and interior spaces. The facility offers multiple dining venues and a continuum of care that includes independent living and memory-care options. Physical construction and building systems are cited positively (Type I, fire-resistant construction), and many reviewers describe a clean, organized, and safe environment. Social programming and communal activities — including lively events — are highlighted as strengths by several residents and visitors.

    Accounts of staff and care quality are mixed. A number of reviewers praise friendly and attentive staff and, in some instances, note effective emergency response and resident safety. Conversely, other reviewers describe inconsistent responsiveness, unfriendly interactions in certain departments (notably memory care and activities), and variability in clinical/care quality across units. These contrasts suggest uneven execution of daily care and resident interaction norms rather than uniformly positive or negative staffing performance.

    Emergency preparedness and operational accountability emerge as a prominent pattern. While some praise the facility's handling of emergent situations, others describe breakdowns in evacuation procedures and follow-up accountability. Taken together, the feedback indicates potential gaps between written emergency plans and on-the-ground execution, and inconsistent incident communication and follow-up with families.

    Financial and management issues recur in the commentary. Reviewers note high entrance costs and express concern about how financial matters are handled at the facility, including perceptions that financial transactions receive substantial emphasis. There are also concerns about ownership transparency and ongoing external scrutiny; these items contribute to an elevated degree of community and family uncertainty about leadership and oversight.

    Operationally, reviewers call out several other recurring issues: transportation and driver competence concerns, uneven staff conduct in specific departments, and the presence of outdated marketing materials that do not reflect the current campus. At the same time, the facility’s physical attributes, dining options, and activity programming are frequently cited as reasons to visit and consider residency.

    For prospective residents and families: schedule a comprehensive tour that includes dining during service, a walkthrough of memory-care areas, and a review of written emergency plans. Ask for current staffing ratios, incident-log summaries, driver training documentation, and a clear explanation of entrance fees, monthly charges, and refund/assessment policies. Request documentation about any regulatory actions or investigations and speak with multiple families and staff members to build a balanced perspective on day-to-day care, responsiveness, and management transparency.

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    Location

    Map showing location of MonteCedro Retirement Community

    MonteCedro Retirement Community is located at 2212 El Molino Ave, Altadena, CA, 91001.

    About MonteCedro Retirement Community

    MonteCedro Retirement Community - Senior Living, Independent Living sits on eight secure and scenic acres in the foothills of Altadena, near the San Gabriel Mountains, so the air feels fresher and there's mountain views peeking through the trees, with courtyards and gardens right outside the welcoming apartments. The community focuses on helping seniors keep their independence and health, blending programs for fitness, arts, and learning. Folks can join in with Creative Living programs that include educational, cultural, and social activities every day, and it's all meant to help residents feel active and connected, whether wandering the quiet gardens or meeting friends in common areas for a meal or a game.

    The campus includes many amenities, like dining rooms with meals prepared by chefs who pay attention to balanced, nutritious food, plus property features including game rooms, activity spaces, art programs, salon and barbershop, guest parking, secure gates, and Wi-Fi throughout, which folks enjoy especially when family visits. For those who want more help, there's assisted living, memory care for those with Alzheimer's or dementia, and skilled nursing, with trained staff always available, all overseen under the community's California license, #197610430. The community has a broad range of care, including help with medication, personal care like dressing and bathing, nurses on staff, wound care and occupational therapy, and individualized care plans for those who need it, and there's supervision around the clock. Residents can use long-term care insurance, which helps some families plan ahead.

    People here can stay busy with devotional groups, educational classes, social outings, arts and crafts, and fitness programs, or relax in their choice of private and customizable homes or apartments. Laundry and housekeeping services mean folks don't have to worry too much about chores. The community's shuttle takes residents for appointments, shopping or trips to nearby places like Old Pasadena's cafes and shops, or the Huntington Memorial Hospital and nearby pharmacy, so getting around is fairly easy. For those who want, there's both independent living and higher levels of care available, so residents don't have to move if their needs change, which takes a bit of worry off the future. People enjoy the company of other seniors, and the staff has a good reputation for helpful and kind service, keeping the place friendly and making it feel like home.

    MonteCedro operates as part of Episcopal Communities & Services, and their nonprofit status means they're focused on care for seniors, not profits. Residents must usually be at least 62 years old, and the environment is welcoming and peaceful, with lots of activities and engagement, plus those beautiful mountain views. Community members and families have given them a strong rating and have shared good words about the care teams. Prospective residents can come for a tour or even try a virtual visit to see if the place feels right to them, walk through the mountain air and get a sense of the community.

    People often ask...

    MonteCedro Retirement Community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.

    There are 21 photos of MonteCedro Retirement Community on Mirador.

    Yes, MonteCedro Retirement Community allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.

    The full address for this community is 2212 El Molino Ave, Altadena, CA 91001.

    No, MonteCedro Retirement Community does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Safety & Compliance

    In California, the Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division licenses residential care facilities for the elderly, conducting inspections and investigating complaints.

    License number197610430
    StatusLicensed
    Facility typeRcfe-continuing Care Retirement Community
    Capacity300 residents
    LicenseeEPISCOPAL COMMUNITIES & SERVICES FOR SENIORS
    EffectiveJuly 31st, 2023
    View the official license record

    Inspection Reports

    14

    Reports

    1

    Type A Citations

    1

    Type B Citations

    4

    Complaints

    7

    Years

    18 Feb 2026Complaint
    Investigated a resident's injury and whether medical care was provided promptly. Findings concluded the allegations were unsubstantiated.
    19 Aug 2025Inspection
    Observed no health and safety hazards; medications were properly labeled and stored, and resident and staff records reviewed were complete.
    08 Aug 2025Complaint
    Investigated allegation that proper evacuation procedures were not followed, leaving two residents behind during an emergency evacuation.
    • Type A1569.695(a)(7)(H)
    08 Aug 2025Inspection
    Observed hot water temperatures in bathrooms ranged from 108.1°F to 114.1°F; no health and safety issues noted.
    17 Dec 2024Complaint
    Investigated a set of complaints about food quality, ADA compliance, bathroom cleanliness, room temperature, odor, and window screens; interviews with residents and inspections found no evidence supporting these concerns.
    07 Aug 2024Inspection
    Identified safety and care concerns during an unannounced visit, including hot water temperatures, feeding assistance practices, and missing addendums to the resident agreements. No citations were issued.
    03 Jul 2023Inspection
    Observed readiness for licensure with a current fire clearance and functioning safety systems throughout. Memory care has its own dining and activity space, and the environment was clean, comfortable, and properly maintained.
    30 Jun 2023Inspection
    Concluded COMP II interview with applicant and administrator, confirming understanding of license type, resident populations, admissions policies, staffing requirements and training, restricted health conditions, general provisions, emergency preparedness, complaints & reporting, and pre-licensing readiness.
    08 Jan 2023Inspection
    Observed infection control measures in place, PPE stock and safety features, with staff adhering to masking and screening protocols. Resident and staff records appeared complete and up-to-date.
    29 Sept 2021Inspection
    Observed entry screening, posted infection control signs, and available PPE; no deficiencies were found.
    25 Jun 2020Complaint
    Determined that allegations about medical instruments not being cleaned between uses were unsubstantiated based on virtual tours, interviews, and documentation showing compliance with health guidelines.
    09 Mar 2020Inspection
    Noted changes to the facility's physical layout were identified during the visit, along with minor documentation and safety issues that were promptly addressed.
    • Type B87305
    30 Oct 2019Inspection
    Identified deficiencies in documenting and updating resident assessments and service plans.
    28 Oct 2019Inspection
    Reviewed inspection found changes to the physical plant and services not documented, as well as minor issues with resident medical assessments. No citations were issued.

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of MonteCedro Retirement Community. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact MonteCedro Retirement Community directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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