The Sequoias Portola Valley

    501 Portola Rd, Portola Valley, CA, 94028
    4.7 · 24 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    • Skilled nursing
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Scenic comfortable campus, pricey, cramped

    I toured six CCRCs and this was the best - beautiful, scenic grounds and a quiet, comfortable, first-class feel. Staff were honest and helpful; the campus has three levels of care, varied one- and two-bedroom and individual units, a pool, gym and arts & crafts, with one-level units around a square central office/lounge/dining area. Downsizing and steep entrance + monthly fees are real negatives, there's a 2½-year wait, and some units are cramped (little/no closet or hanging space, tiny sink, low non-ADA toilet); privacy was an issue too - no Do Not Disturb sign and a maid entered while I was sleeping. Overall I liked it and would recommend it if you can afford the cost and wait.

    Pricing

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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

    4.71 · 24 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      4.7
    • Staff

      3.0
    • Meals

      4.7
    • Amenities

      1.0
    • Value

      2.0

    Location

    Map showing location of The Sequoias Portola Valley

    About The Sequoias Portola Valley

    The Sequoias Portola Valley sits on 42 acres with landscaped grounds and walking trails that connect right up to Windy Hill Preserve, and the place is known for awards in care, dining, activities, and friendliness, and you keep seeing the place mentioned for great meals, good staff, and plenty to do, with activities both outdoors and inside, including devotional activities, games like bridge and Mahjong, crafts like painting, pottery, and woodworking, along with programs that get people moving and thinking. The apartments have a lot of light and come in studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, some with private patios and gardens where residents can sit or garden themselves if they want, and the common areas inside are set up for people to gather, with air conditioning, restrooms, and parking for visitors.

    Healthcare at The Sequoias Portola Valley covers a lot: there's high acuity care, diabetic and incontinence care, as well as help for people who can't walk on their own, and the place has a full range of services from independent living for healthy folks to assisted living for those needing help with things like bathing, dressing, and taking medicine, then memory care that's set up to help people with Alzheimer's stay safe, and for those who need it, there's skilled nursing with around-the-clock staff. The place is wheelchair accessible and has a modern emergency call system in every unit, so people can get help fast if they need it, while meals are prepared with care for nutrition and taste, and guests can visit overnight for up to 14 days with guest rooms available for a small fee.

    The staff runs a Resident Services Program and Intergenerational Program that bring people together, and pets are allowed if they're within certain rules for size and type, mostly dogs, cats, and some smaller animals. Residents need to be at least 60, go through an application process that includes medical and financial checks, which usually takes about a month or two, and acceptance requires Medicare or similar coverage, though people can keep their own doctors. The monthly care fee covers meals, housekeeping, linen service, transportation, fitness classes, and visits to the on-site clinic, and there are wellness programs, fall prevention, and social connections happening around the community. The Sequoias Portola Valley is owned and run by Sequoia Living, which is a nonprofit, and the place also connects with services and other communities in Northern California, with some contracts offering partial refunds on entrance fees and several affordable housing sites tied to the organization. Residents can enjoy activities for the mind, body, and spirit, and folks form friendships with neighbors while keeping their independence in a safe and caring setting.

    People often ask...

    State of California Inspection Reports

    12

    Inspections

    1

    Type A Citations

    2

    Type B Citations

    6

    Years of reports

    01 May 2025
    Found that a resident slipped and fell in their room on 4/17/2025 and staff responded promptly after being notified by a family member. Reviewed the resident's physician's report and needs assessment; no deficiencies were cited.
    • § 9058
    07 Mar 2025
    Reviewed case management materials about a resident's self-reported incident involving multiple fractures, and found no deficiencies. Conducted an exit interview with the director.
    25 Nov 2024
    Found no deficiencies identified; residents observed engaged and well cared for, rooms and bathrooms in good repair, hot water measured at 106 degF, adequate food supplies, and eight resident and eight staff records reviewed with medications accounted for.
    16 Dec 2023
    Identified deficiencies in four resident files and noted an administrator change. Observed secure storage of toxins and medications, active exit alarms, proper hot water temperatures, and staff fingerprint clearances; requested several annual documents.
    16 Dec 2023
    Identified deficiencies were cited during the inspection. No health or safety concerns were observed in common areas and resident rooms.
    06 Oct 2023
    Identified noncompliance with the transfer process required by health and safety code. The resident should be discharged from the SNF and moved to an assisted living setting to meet his/her needs.
    06 Oct 2023
    Confirmed finding of substantiated allegation regarding failure to comply with transfer process for resident seeking placement back into independent living.
    • § 87506(a)
    16 Feb 2021
    Found the specific allegation unfounded after interviews with the administrator and the resident's family and review of supplemental information. County contacts confirmed the resident lives in independent living and that CDSS does not oversee that portion.
    16 Feb 2021
    Determined that the allegation was unfounded based on interviews and a review of documentation, confirming the resident was in independent living without facility oversight.
    • § 1788(a)(10)
    28 Sept 2020
    Found that the resident lived in the independent portion, confirmed by the administrator and family. Found that the allegation was not true.
    28 Sept 2020
    Confirmed allegation was false, based on interviews and documentation.
    11 Dec 2019
    Inspection confirmed approved fire clearance for changes to facility capacity. Updated license to reflect approved changes pending review of resident information.

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