Susie's Place

Pros

• The staff are friendly and the facility is very clean.
• The nurses are nice and patients experience short waits.
• The new location is clean, convenient, with ample parking and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Vaccination services are fast and efficiently handled, with easy same-day appointments.
• The Covid vaccination process is simple and well-organized, with automatic follow-up scheduling.
• The center is affordable and offers waivers for those without insurance.

Cons

• The facility closed early (an hour and a half) with no notice on the door.
• Angelica, the front desk clerk, was described as extremely rude and unhelpful.
• Staff were accused of being lazy and uncaring, denying people help.
• The old location was a hassle and had a poor feel.
• Service could be slow despite having an appointment.
• The center was said to be running on a skeleton crew due to Covid, causing delays.
• There was no signage explaining the early closure, which was deemed unacceptable.

Review

Across multiple visits and locations, the health center network repeatedly earns praise for being professional, well run, and convenient. Reviewers describe a healthcare experience that feels organized and efficient, with nurses and staff who are consistently kind and attentive. The common thread is a sense that care is accessible, the facility is clean, and the costs are reasonable or affordable, which makes it feel like a solid model of how public healthcare can operate in the U.S. The overall sentiment is one of confidence in the system, tempered by a few real-world hiccups.

Many patients highlight the staff's friendliness and the smoothness of the process. Frontline nurses are singled out as pleasant and reassuring, and the experience often includes short or no waits, particularly when appointments are kept. The environment is described as clean and welcoming, with a palpable emphasis on comfort and care. The combination of polite, capable nurses and an organized flow leads to several accounts of quick turns around routine services - such as flu vaccines - where patients are in and out in a matter of minutes. The sentiment even extends to more complex preventive care, with patients noting successful administration of vaccines like HPV and COVID boosters in a streamlined fashion.

A newer location in North County is highlighted as a standout improvement: "pretty awesome," with attention to being clean, inconspicuous, and well-pitted for parking. The convenience factor is underscored by the ability to secure vaccines quickly - often within a day - without having to travel farther to alternative counties. In one case, a patient was able to get both a COVID and flu shot the same day, with ample appointment options, illustrating how the updated site can meet urgent demand and fit patients' schedules. For many, the new site feels more accessible and patient-friendly than the old location, reinforcing the sense that the network is evolving to better serve the community.

Still, even with broad positivity, there are notes about slower days or occasional operational strains. A few reviewers point to slower movement or longer waits at times, suggesting that factors like staffing levels or pandemic-era constraints can affect throughput. One reviewer explicitly links slower service to a skeleton crew or lingering COVID-related challenges. Another comment contrasts the old site's hassles with current experiences, implying that improvements in the newer locations are real but that occasional slowdowns can happen, especially when demand is high or staffing is stretched.

Scheduling quirks and information gaps also surface as practical pain points. In at least one instance, GPS and door signage suggested the clinic was closed earlier than the posted hours, which frustrated a patient who understands hospital environments and expected transparency. There's also a helpful example where a patient discovered the STD panel could still be seen even if a GPS listing indicates closure, with directions to simply enter and turn right. These anecdotes highlight how digital tools can sometimes mislead, even as the clinics themselves remain accessible and capable.

The network's approach to vaccinations and uninsured care receives specific praise. A "Simple Covid Process" is described as efficient, with the county website facilitating same-day appointments and automatic scheduling of a recommended second dose about 30 days later. The ability to obtain vaccines quickly and the existence of financial support for those without insurance - through waivers - are cited as important advantages. This combination of streamlined vaccination pathways and financial accessibility reinforces the center's public health mission and makes preventive care more attainable for a broad segment of the community.

Not all experiences are uniformly positive, however. There are isolated criticisms of frontline staff behavior. One reviewer described a single front desk clerk - named Angelica - as extremely rude, alleging rushed service without apology and a failure to escalate or facilitate the next steps. The account includes frustration about appointment timing and a lack of assistance in scheduling subsequent visits, eventually requiring a nurse to intervene. While this is presented as a single negative incident, it stands in relief against the otherwise consistent portrayal of friendly, patient-centered care and serves as a reminder that individual interactions can significantly impact a visit.

In sum, the feedback paints a picture of a county health system steadily delivering professional, patient-focused care across multiple sites and services. The majority of experiences emphasize quick, efficient visits, approachable staff, and a clean, supportive environment. Vaccination services - both COVID-related and routine - are highlighted as particularly strong, with fast processing times and thoughtful scheduling practices. While occasional slowdowns, miscommunications, or isolated gaps in frontline service occur, the overarching narrative is one of a well-run public health resource that is increasingly accessible, responsive, and capable of meeting the needs of a diverse community. Prospective patients are encouraged to arrive early if possible, verify hours, and take advantage of the new North County location and its robust vaccination offerings, especially if uninsured care needs to be addressed without financial barriers.

This part of Oceanside, California, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors considering living in the area. There are several restaurants nearby for dining options, including fast food chains like McDonald's and Wendy's, as well as more specialized cuisine such as Ocean Thai Cuisine and In-N-Out Burger. Access to healthcare is readily available with physicians' offices and pharmacies within a short distance, along with hospitals like Tri-City Medical Center for any medical needs. For leisure activities, there are cafes like Starbucks and Panera Bread for social gatherings, as well as nearby parks like Marlado Highlands Park and Guajome Regional Park for outdoor recreation. Transportation options are also easily accessible with train stations like Melrose Sprinter Station and Vista Transit Center nearby. Overall, this part of Oceanside provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle down in the area.

Restaurants

• Valerie's Taco Shop (0.1 miles)
• Jack In The Box (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.5 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• Ocean Thai Cuisine (1.6 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2 miles)
• Wendy's (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Lam H Do M.D. (1.2 miles)
• James C Kringel M.D. (1.2 miles)
• Morris Eye Group (1.9 miles)
• Orthopaedic Specialists of North County (1.9 miles)
• Ent Associates Medical Group (2 miles)
• Heart Care Associates (2 miles)
• Goldberg Barry MD (2 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Carlsbad Neighborhood Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Hospitals

• North Coast Surgery Center (1.9 miles)
• Eye Surgery Associates (2 miles)
• Tri-City Medical Center Registration (2.1 miles)
• Tri-City Medical Center (2.1 miles)
• Rady Children's Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Optum - Carlsbad State (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (2.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.8 miles)
• Beach Break Cafe (3.8 miles)
• Communal (4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Marlado Highlands Park (2.6 miles)
• Vista Sports Park (3.3 miles)
• Guajome Regional Park (3.4 miles)
• Holiday Park (3.9 miles)
• Luiseno Park (4.4 miles)

Transportation

• Melrose Sprinter Station (3 miles)
• Vista Transit Center (3.8 miles)
• Oceanside Transit Center (4.1 miles)

Theaters

• Cinépolis Vista (3.9 miles)