High Desert Haven in Ridgecrest, CA

Pros

• High Desert Haven is an excellent facility with a loving and caring staff.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and homey.
• The staff are friendly, attentive, and genuinely care for residents.
• The meals are of excellent quality and the dining experience is well-regarded.
• The activities program is lively, with daily exercise, Bingo, and other engaging events.
• The memory care and assisted living units are designed with safety and accessibility in mind.
• Residents are treated with dignity and respect at High Desert Haven.
• Family members report thorough communication and responsive administration.

Cons

• The facility has gone to hell since the new owners took over.
• The new owners are running off the good caregivers, removing services, and raising prices.
• Linda P. acts like she cares but does not, and she has gotten rid of all the people who actually do care.
• Since the new owners took over, the operation has been chaotic and unprofessional, and the care may have declined.
• The reviewer would have given zero stars and plans to report the facility to the state.
• Phone numbers were changed or disconnected with no notice, leaving families unable to reach their loved ones.

Review

High Desert Haven is best suited for families seeking a clean, homey, memory-care–savvy environment with real on-site programming and a sense of safety. The community shines for residents who value a modern, well-designed layout, private apartments with living rooms, bedrooms, and baths; three meals a day in a dining room; accessible hallways; and a memory-care unit that is secured and purpose-built. With a robust calendar of activities, transportation to appointments, and on-site services, this option serves as a pragmatic, if not luxe, setting for seniors who want dignity, routine, and social engagement without surrendering independence.

Those weighing alternatives should pay particular attention to operational stability and communication channels. A segment of families reports significant disruption following ownership changes in July 2024, including difficulties contacting leadership, shifts in staffing, and concerns about the consistency of care. For residents or families who rely on predictable communication, rapid issue resolution, and transparent pricing, HDH may feel unsettled at times. Prospective entrants should come prepared to probe current management responsiveness, and consider whether a more consistently staffed, straightforward administrative experience is essential.

On the upside, the pros are substantial and often well aligned with everyday senior living needs. The facility is noted for being notably clean, with recently added wings that expand living space and enhance accessibility. Each unit’s private layout, bedroom and bath with a shared living area, creates a comfortable, semi-private home feel. Meals are frequently described as high quality and ample, with dietary accommodations common, including vegetarian options and allergy awareness. The staff, cited repeatedly as professional and genuinely caring, helps sustain a warm environment, reinforced by on-site activities, exercise classes, bingo, and community worship services that keep residents socially engaged and mentally stimulated.

The principal drawbacks center on management turbulence and its ripple effects. Reviews describe a breakdown in routine contact with family members, confusion among staff, and inconsistent access to the memory-care unit’s communications. There are reports of added charges for special needs and unexpected price increases tied to ownership changes, which complicate budgeting for families. The memory-care area, while securing residents, has also experienced growing pains in coordination and response, and there are isolated concerns about safety incidents and the speed of incident reporting. Long application times and unanswered calls add to the sense that administrative processes have not kept pace with resident needs.

Despite these challenges, the core strengths often offset the negatives for many residents. The combination of a well-maintained physical plant, thoughtful design that prioritizes safety and independence, robust meal programs, and a memory-care environment that emphasizes dignity can still deliver solid value. When leadership and staffing stabilize, the consistent delivery of compassionate care, reflected in happy residents, active daily programming, and reliable transportation, tends to reassert the community’s reputation. For families who can tolerate a transitional period, HDH remains a compelling choice in Ridgecrest, especially where memory-care security and on-site services are a priority.

Practical next steps guide the decision-making process. Schedule a targeted tour with a focus on current memory-care operations: request direct contact with the memory-care director, and confirm whether current phone and communication pathways are functioning smoothly. Verify current staffing levels, particularly on evenings and weekends, and ask for a transparent, line-by-line explanation of any anticipated pricing changes or additional fees for specialized care. Compare HDH’s offerings, meal quality, activity depth, transportation options, and apartment design, with nearby alternatives to ensure alignment with the resident’s care needs, financial plan, and desired level of community engagement. In the end, HDH is a strong option for families prioritizing a clean, active, and memory-care–oriented setting, provided there is confidence in the leadership’s ability to deliver consistent communication and stable operations.

This area of Ridgecrest, California offers a variety of conveniences and amenities that cater to senior living. With several places of worship nearby, residents can easily access spiritual support and community engagement. There are also a diverse selection of restaurants within close proximity, providing options for dining out or grabbing a quick meal. Pharmacies and healthcare facilities, such as Ridgecrest Regional Hospital and various physician offices, ensure easy access to medical care. Additionally, parks and theaters offer opportunities for recreation and entertainment. The neighborhood is well-connected with transportation options like Budget Truck Rental and U-Haul services available for any moving or travel needs. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient environment for seniors looking to settle in Ridgecrest.

Places of Worship

• It's A Girl Thing (0.2 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Ridgecrest (1.1 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (1.3 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (1.3 miles)
• RCA Church (1.4 miles)
• Valley Community Baptist Church (1.4 miles)
• Cornerstone Bible Church (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Jack In The Box (0.4 miles)
• Cosina Caliente (0.4 miles)
• Subway (0.5 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (0.7 miles)
• Golden Ox (1 miles)
• Carl's Jr. (1.2 miles)
• Arby's (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Albertsons Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Center Professional Pharmacy (2.7 miles)

Parks

• Rademacher Hills Sunland Trailhead (0.8 miles)
• Ridgecrest Park & Recreation (1.3 miles)
• Kerr Mcgee Field (1.7 miles)
• Leroy Jackson Park (1.9 miles)

Theaters

• Ridgecrest Cinemas (1.1 miles)

Transportation

• Budget Truck Rental (1.5 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.8 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• My Enchanted Cottage and Tea Rms (1.5 miles)
• The Outpouring Coffee (1.7 miles)
• Midway Cafe (2.4 miles)
• Pony Espresso (3.1 miles)
• Beanster's Expresso (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (1.8 miles)

Physicians

• Pathology (2.5 miles)
• High Desert Gastroenterology (2.5 miles)
• Bermani Jawad MD (2.5 miles)
• Gunter Jeffrey R MD (2.6 miles)
• Desert Oasis Clinic: Pedro L. Farinha, MD (2.7 miles)
• Southern Sierra Medical Clinic (2.7 miles)
• Ridgecrest Regional Hospital (2.7 miles)