Sorrento Tower

Pros

• The building is always clean and the grounds are well kept.
• The reviewer loves their new home, describing it as a wonderful retirement building with plenty of amenities and pet-friendly.
• It is a very nice and clean place for senior citizens.
• It is beautiful.
• Management has improved quite a bit, which improves much of everything else.
• It is a great place to live.
• It is the perfect place to take care of seniors.
• It has all the cleanliness and safety of San Diego.
• It is nice because it is close to the beach.
• It is a great place to live because there's a supermarket and a mall nearby.

Cons

• The building lacks adequate parking for residents and guests.
• There is no discernible on-site management, leaving residents without leadership.
• Seniors and disabled tenants were locked out of common rooms and told they were too immature to decide about beverages on Christmas Eve.
• The On-Call was unavailable, leaving over 200 units without staff to handle emergencies.
• Management allegedly dismissed residents' concerns, saying, "It doesn't concern me and I'm not responsible."
• Phone lines are frequently unanswered and calls are not returned.
• The environment is described in terms of imprisonment, with a question about being "another inmate at the Tower."

Review

Nestled in San Diego, the Winkle Tower complex markets itself as housing for low?income seniors and disabled residents, offering a retirement?oriented lifestyle with a range of amenities and a pet?friendly policy. Across firsthand accounts, the property consistently earns praise for the upkeep and the pleasant atmosphere that greets residents the moment they step inside. Several reviews highlight a clean, well?maintained building and grounds, painting a picture of a residence that prioritizes a tidy, orderly living environment as a foundation for daily life.

In terms of location and practical appeal, many observations focus on convenience and accessibility. Residents describe the building as "very nice and clean" and "beautiful," with a sense of safety that aligns with the broader impression of San Diego neighborhoods. The property is repeatedly noted as being in walking distance to the bay and nearby shopping opportunities, with mentions of proximity to the beach, a supermarket, and a mall. For those who value ease of access to outdoor spaces, retail, and services, these geographic and amenity advantages stand out as a core positive thread in the feedback.

Yet, there is a recurring caveat that tempers these strengths: parking. Several reviewers point out a lack of adequate parking for both residents and guests, a practical friction that can complicate day?to?day life despite the building's otherwise favorable attributes. The sentiment is that the overall quality of living - the cleanliness, amenities, and neighborhood perks - can be undermined by a seemingly insufficient parking setup. In other words, the ease of enjoying the location hinges in part on how parking is managed on busy days or during visits by family and friends.

The reviews do not shy away from more troubling experiences that touch on safety procedures and management responsiveness. One particularly jarring account describes an incident on Christmas Eve where seniors and disabled tenants were locked out of common rooms and allegedly deemed too immature to decide whether they wanted a beverage. The account goes on to say that the on?call service was "given the night off," leaving over 200 units without on?site coverage during what could be emergencies as minor as a backed?up toilet, or more serious events like an earthquake or fire. This combination of restricted access, perceived misjudgment, and staff unavailability has left a lasting impression of vulnerability and disorganization for those who rely on the property's on?site support.

Within these narratives, there are pointed remarks about the property's management. One review quotes a manager named Liz, recounting a first business day interaction in which the response was reportedly, "It doesn't concern me and I'm not responsible," a sentiment that paints a picture of a facility with perceived gaps in accountability and clarity of leadership. Another set of comments - though garbled in places - suggests a similar frustration with what is described as a lack of discernible management presence. Together, these quotes construct a perception that, for some residents, a reliable management team is not consistently accessible or engaged with residents' day?to?day needs.

Despite the darker notes, several observations point to improvements and a more hopeful trajectory. A number of residents acknowledge that "management has improved quite a bit," suggesting that changes may be underway that could enhance overall operations, responsiveness, and the quality of life for tenants. These positive reflections coexist with ongoing concerns about communication and service, illustrating a complex picture: a community that can be well?kept, safe, and convenient, yet imperfect in its governance and resident support.

Taken together, the reviews present a nuanced portrait of Winkle Tower. On the one hand, the building's cleanliness, pleasant environment, pet?friendly atmosphere, and advantageous location near the bay, a beachside vibe, and nearby shopping create a compelling living experience for seniors and disabled residents who value a tidy, well?maintained home with accessible amenities. On the other hand, persistent concerns about parking availability, the adequacy of on?site emergency coverage, and variably responsive management remind prospective residents and their families to weigh practical logistics and leadership quality as heavily as aesthetics and location. If you're considering this residence, it may be worth visiting to observe current management practices, test the responsiveness of the front office, and assess whether the parking situation and common?space access align with your needs and expectations.

Parks

• Mission Bay Park (1.1 miles)
• Crown Point (2.3 miles)
• Lindbergh Park (2.5 miles)
• Civita Park (2.7 miles)
• Kate O Sessions Memorial Park (2.9 miles)
• Cal's Point (3.2 miles)
• Mission Bay Park (3.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.9 miles)

Transportation

• Balboa Avenue Transit Center (1.6 miles)
• Fashion Valley Trolley Station and Transit Center (2.3 miles)
• Old Town Trolley Station and Transit Center (2.8 miles)
• Montgomery Field Airport (MYF) (3.2 miles)
• Firefly Car Rental (4 miles)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN) (4.3 miles)
• Terminal 2 (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• San Diego Mental Health Services (1.7 miles)
• Sharp Rees-Stealy San Diego Radiology (2 miles)
• Internal Medicine Associates (4.1 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Viewridge Medical Offices 2 (4.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Vandever Medical Offices (5.3 miles)

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (1.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2 miles)
• Nordstroms Cafe (2.2 miles)
• The Cheesecake Factory (2.3 miles)
• True Food Kitchen (2.3 miles)
• North Italia San Diego (2.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Kearny Mesa Convalescent and Nursing Home (2 miles)
• Sharp Memorial Hospital (2.1 miles)
• Rady's Children's Hospital San Diego Large Waiting Room, Frost Street, Entrance 8 (2.3 miles)
• Rady Children's Hospital (2.3 miles)
• UC San Diego Medical Center (3.1 miles)
• Sharp Soc (3.6 miles)
• Naval Medical Center San Diego (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Communal Coffee (4.4 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (4.4 miles)
• Bird Rock Coffee Roasters (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Fashion Valley 18 (2.3 miles)
• AMC Mission Valley 2 (3.1 miles)