Oakmont Retreat Rest Homes

Pros

• Oakmont of Escondido Hills is a beautiful, resort-like senior living community.
• The care staff are knowledgeable, experienced, and genuinely caring, often described as extended family.
• Adriana is consistently attentive, knowledgeable, and compassionate in tours and questions.
• Mercedes, the chef, is an amazing chef and a personable, helpful team member; dining is restaurant-quality.
• The dining experience features full linen service, real silverware, fresh flowers, and menus that change daily.
• The grounds and facilities are beautifully maintained, with trees, flowers, a fountain, and a welcoming courtyard.
• The community offers abundant activities and amenities, including movies, therapy, pool, fitness, spa, library, and social events.
• The Traditions Memory Care program is described as fabulous and a blessing.
• There is no buy-in requirement to move in, which is viewed positively.
• Oakmont feels like home, with staff across all departments who truly care for residents and families.

Cons

• One reviewer did not choose Oakmont for their mother due to ambiguity in the pricing scale.
• The pricing policy was described as unclear, making the decision process stressful for the reviewer.

Review

Oakmont of Escondido (and its Escondido Hills campus) stands out as a senior living community that blends beauty, thoughtful design, and a genuine sense of care. Across multiple experiences, residents and families describe a place that feels welcoming from the moment you arrive, with a range of living options designed to meet different needs and budgets. What truly differentiates it is the people who lead and staff the building - professional, knowledgeable, and deeply dedicated to making every resident feel seen, safe, and at home.

Several reviewers highlight the staff as the heart of the community. In one story, a long-time friend was placed there because of proximity to family and a friend's recommendation, and the experience quickly evolved into a sense of extended family. Front desk staff, especially Michelle, are described as friendly and genuinely concerned. The care team in the medication department, including Ladie, is consistently praised for how smoothly they handle questions and coordination. A maintenance team member who earned the nickname "Hey Hey" left a lasting impression with his courtesy and help with apartment setup, while another gentleman from maintenance helped ensure the new resident's space was in top shape at move-in. Dining room staff are attentive and know residents by name, often remembering favorites and adapting service to individual needs. Taken together, these anecdotes convey a culture where staff members go beyond procedure to form real, trusting relationships with residents and families.

The leadership and frontline staff are repeatedly described as professional and empathetic. A guide named Adriana is singled out for kindness, thoroughness, and a patient, informative approach to questions and tours. In one whole-house tour, Adriana's warm, helpful manner left a positive impression, reinforcing the sense that Oakmont is not just a place to live but a community that cares deeply about each person's well-being. Reviewers note that Adriana's involvement makes tours informative and reassuring, and they appreciate the clarity and care she brings to answering questions about care levels, amenities, and lifestyle options.

Tours and first impressions often emphasize the beauty and practicality of the campus. The Escondido Hills location is described as gorgeous - trees, flowers, a refreshing courtyard fountain, and a sense of resort-like tranquility that balances elegance with accessibility. Families look closely at the practical side as well: one-bedroom floor plans, the option of a casita for more space, and even a two-bedroom unit for longer-term comfort. A standout feature is the dining experience: a true restaurant-style setting with full linen service, real silverware, and daily menu changes. A delicious lunch during a visit underscored the quality of meals and the attention given to resident preferences, making the prospect of moving feel less daunting and more inviting, especially in the absence of any required buy-in.

Memory care at Oakmont is repeatedly described as top-notch. The Traditions Memory Care program is called a blessing, reflecting both the quality of specialized care and the peace of mind it gives families. When memory care is needed, residents and their families find reassurance in knowing that professionals are trained to provide compassionate, specialized support in a setting that still feels personal and respectful. Reviewers emphasize the range of amenities in the broader community - social events, live entertainment, game days, movies, a pool table, spa and hair services, a swimming pool, a gym, a library, and regular community outings - all designed to keep residents engaged and connected. The dining experience within the community, including the attention of chefs and servers, the option for in-room meals, and the presence of fresh flowers on tables, further enhances the sense of a well-catered, restaurant-like ambiance.

The physical environment contributes to the feeling that Oakmont is a welcoming home rather than an institution. Reviewers describe bright, well-appointed apartments with easy access for mobility devices, wide hallways, accessible restrooms, and thoughtful accommodations that staff will personalize with additional devices as needed. The grounds and common areas are designed to invite conversation and interaction, with spaces for residents to gather, chat, or simply relax in a setting that feels cared-for and uplifting. The overall impression is that Oakmont provides a balance of independence and support, enabling residents to stay active and engaged while feeling secure.

Beyond aesthetics and care, several reviews address the practical considerations of choosing Oakmont. One reviewer appreciated the ??no buy-in'' model, noting it as a decisive factor when considering long-term care options for a loved one. They also highlighted the transparency they hoped to see from pricing, acknowledging that price policies can influence a difficult decision at a stressful time. A salesperson, Mercedes, is singled out as exceptionally helpful and supportive during the tour process, though some reviewers wish for even clearer, more straightforward pricing information. The sentiment is that, if pricing were more transparent and easier to compare - especially with fixed levels or flat amounts for specific care tiers - it would further simplify the decision for families facing imminent care needs.

Overall, the sentiment across these experiences is overwhelmingly positive. Families describe Oakmont of Escondido and Oakmont of Escondido Hills as places where care, comfort, and community come together in meaningful ways. They speak of staff who treat residents like family, leaders who set a tone of empathy and professionalism, and facilities that feel both luxurious and welcoming. From the first tour to the daily routines of meals, activities, and care, the community appears to offer a robust, supportive environment that enables residents to thrive, maintain independence where possible, and find real belonging - whether they are just beginning their journey in assisted living or transitioning into memory care. In several accounts, Oakmont is remembered as a place that turned apprehension into reassurance and made the idea of moving a loved one into care feel like a hopeful and positive step forward. It is, by many accounts, a place families would readily recommend and consider home for their family members.

This part of Escondido, California, offers a diverse range of amenities and services that cater to senior living. With numerous restaurants, cafes, and pharmacies in close proximity, residents can easily access dining options and essential healthcare needs. The area also boasts several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. For medical care, there are reputable physicians' offices and hospitals nearby. Additionally, public transportation options are available for convenient travel within the community. Overall, this neighborhood provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years with easy access to necessities and recreational activities.

Restaurants

• Orfila Vineyards (1 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Thorntree Terrace (2.7 miles)
• Burger Bench (3.3 miles)
• Plan 9 Alehouse (3.3 miles)
• Filippi's Pizza Grotto Escondido (3.4 miles)

Parks

• Kit Carson Park (1.1 miles)
• Rancho Bernardo Community Park (3.3 miles)
• Liberty Park (5.3 miles)
• Pioneer Park (5.7 miles)
• Lucido Park (5.9 miles)
• Woodland Park (6.8 miles)
• Rolling Hills Park (7.1 miles)

Transportation

• MTS Del Lago Station (1.9 miles)
• Sabre Springs Parkway Transit Center (8.9 miles)

Physicians

• Allergy & Asthma Med Group (2.2 miles)
• Graybill Medical Group - Escondido Grand Office (3.2 miles)
• Sarina Adhikary Sharma, MD (3.2 miles)
• Richard M. Foxx, MD (3.3 miles)
• VA Clinic Escondido (3.3 miles)
• Dr Schiffmans (3.3 miles)
• Valley Parkway Medical Building (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• Vons Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Okavango Outpost (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Mostra Coffee 4S (6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.2 miles)
• Angelika Film Center & Cafe - Carmel Mountain (7.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Palomar Medical Center Escondido (5.2 miles)
• Premiere Surgery Center (5.5 miles)
• Pomerado Hospital (6.2 miles)
• Scripps Clinic Rancho Bernardo (7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Mission Hills Church (7.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Poway 1 (9 miles)