The Cottages of Carmel

The Cottages Of Carmel sits in a picturesque spot in Carmel-by-the-Sea, with a newer, small campus that feels more like a boutique hotel or charming bed and breakfast, and you walk in under a covered, stone-accented porte-cochère to a comfortable, well-cared for lobby. The community offers assisted living at The Inn and memory care at The Gardens, both supported by caregivers and certified dementia practitioners who truly care about the residents and work to keep them safe and happy. Residents can pick from studio, suite, or deluxe studio apartment homes, even two-bedroom units, all with modern details and restful, sunlit spaces, and common areas are full of natural light, warm lighting, comfy seating, and thoughtful touches like wood-paneled walls, fireplaces, private patios, and stylish furniture.

Special attention is given to memory care for people living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, and The Gardens provides a safe, supportive environment, with painting classes, a putting green, bocce ball, and a bistro for snacks like fresh fruit and pastries. There are amenities everywhere you look, so residents have access to a full-service salon for hair and nails, a library, activity and fitness rooms, a happy hour space, and walking paths through landscaped grounds, plenty of benches, plus a wooden gazebo with simple outdoor seating.

Dining is restaurant-style, and residents get two daily specials at every meal along with an anytime menu, all crafted by a well-known Executive Chef and culinary team, and the dining room's got wood-paneled walls, chandeliers, and neatly set tables to make it feel homey. The community supports residents with dietary management, wellness programs, medication management, and personalized care available round-the-clock, including 24-hour personal care, daily housekeeping, weekly laundry, move-in help, and even concierge physician services for those who want it.

Safety stays top of mind, with an emergency response system, pendant call buttons in assisted living, and regular Covid and flu vaccine clinics. The Cottages of Carmel is pet-friendly, so residents can keep beloved animals with them, and transportation's provided at no extra fee for doctor visits or group outings, giving everyone more freedom.

A community entry fee of $25,000 lets residents age in place and is fully refundable if they change their mind, which can offer some extra comfort. Utilities and basic cable are covered, there's onsite maintenance, and the team runs a full calendar of engaging activities, outings, and fitness classes. The Cottages Of Carmel focuses on comfort, security, and independence, and it's meant to feel like family, helping residents thrive at their own pace without making things overly complicated.

The Cottages of Carmel is managed by Oakmont Senior Living.

Founded in 2001 by Bill Gallaher, Oakmont Senior Living has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in luxury senior living, headquartered in Windsor, California. The family-owned and operated company has grown to serve over 8,000 seniors across 80 luxury communities throughout California, Nevada, and Hawaii, generating annual revenue of $750 million. Oakmont Management Group, established in 2012 as the sole operator of these luxury communities, works in partnership with the Gallaher Family development company, which has been building seniors housing since the 1990s. The company has achieved remarkable growth, adding 1,811 units to its portfolio between 2024 and 2025, ranking No. 12 on the ASHA 50 list of largest senior living operators.

Oakmont provides comprehensive care services including assisted living, memory care, and retirement living, with a company-wide focus on individualized attention and luxury amenities. Their premier communities feature wellness centers, assistance with personal care, medication management, award-winning culinary programs, movie theaters, and pet therapy. The company has pioneered innovative programs such as virtual reality therapy using the Rendever platform, allowing seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia to relive past experiences and participate in new adventures. Their signature Traditions memory care neighborhoods provide individualized 24-hour care by providers trained in dementia education, offering daily reminiscence activities designed to help older adults recall positive memories.

Oakmont's mission centers on delivering meaningful lifestyles and relationships with residents, families, and team members by developing a winning culture anchored in five core values: authenticity, teamwork, compassion, commitment, and resilience. The company maintains an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and high standards of service, with a philosophy of creating communities where residents can continue living even as their needs change. Their approach emphasizes creating safe, nurturing environments where both residents and team members can be the most authentic versions of themselves, fostering a culture that treats residents like family while maintaining luxury standards.

Oakmont's industry leadership has been recognized through numerous achievements, including ranking among the nation's largest operators and maintaining a 97 percent occupancy rate across their portfolio. The company was a 2022 Yass Prize finalist for innovation in education, and their SVP of Human Resources was inducted into McKnight's 2023 Hall of Honor for excellence in talent development. Recent strategic partnerships include an expanded relationship with Welltower and the launch of the Ivy Living brand, alongside major real estate transactions involving Healthpeak's $1.3 billion acquisition of 24 Oakmont communities. These partnerships and recognitions underscore Oakmont's position as an industry innovator committed to setting new standards in luxury senior living while maintaining their foundational values of personalized care and exceptional service.