Hacienda Rest Home II in San Rafael, CA

Pros

• The food and service here are always great.
• The food is absolutely delicious, and the staff are attentive.
• The staff are friendly, and the vibes are laid back.
• The burritos and other dishes come in generous portions.
• It is an authentic Mexican restaurant with fantastic flavors and great margaritas.
• The chicken Al Pastor taco salad is delicious, with fresh-to-order chicken and tasty salsas.
• It’s a hidden gem offering excellent Mexican food and a welcoming atmosphere.

Cons

• The carne fajitas were not worth it.
• They got ill from their visit and felt awful.
• The cups were dirty on the rim and replacements were also dirty.
• The place is not clean.
• La Hacienda's takeout was awful and prices were higher; they would not return.
• The roast beef was tough and the place was not recommended.
• The food was simple and tasteless.
• They were charged $70 for roast beef and waters; the meal was not what they expected.
• The Jamaica was like Kool-Aid.
• The burrito was mostly rice.
• The wings were very dry and undersauced.
• The food arrived lukewarm.

Review

Hacienda Rest Home II in San Rafael is best suited for seniors who prize a social, budget-conscious living environment where meals and companionship are central attractions, and who are comfortable taking an active role in evaluating dining operations. The strongest draw is a lively, authentic dining scene with generous portions and attentive staff, which can make shared meals a daily highlight. Yet this appeal comes with a caveat: cleanliness and reliability in dining service vary, and that variability matters greatly in assisted living. Families that require ironclad cleanliness standards, predictable routines, and transparent billing should consider alternatives.

From the patterns in feedback, meals are a primary strength. The dining experience is repeatedly described as flavorful with bold profiles, fresh toppings, and large portions that satisfy hearty appetites. The dining staff are often cited as attentive and friendly, contributing to a welcoming, low-stress atmosphere during meals. Service pace is frequently noted as efficient, and many reviewers perceive the value as reasonable for the amount and quality of food provided. For residents who equate dining with comfort and social connection, these are meaningful advantages that can offset other daily compromises.

However, the flip side is troubling: repeated cleanliness lapses and hygiene concerns threaten daily comfort and safety. Reviews flag dirty drinkware, unclean surfaces, and questions about produce handling, with some guests reporting stomach distress after meals. There are also mentions of billing frustrations and occasional service delays, and in at least one account a serious health scare linked to dining is noted. Taken together, these experiences inject real risk for older adults whose health depends on reliable sanitation, consistent meal quality, and dependable staff support.

Meals can be a powerful anchor for morale and nutrition, but the strongest positives only go so far when basic safety and reliability are in doubt. In assisted living, consistent hygiene, a clean dining environment, and transparent, predictable service are non-negotiables; when those are inconsistent, even excellent flavors cannot compensate. For residents with dietary restrictions or sensitivities, inconsistencies in food handling or portioning raise red flags. The favorable staff interactions and sociable dining flow can help counter loneliness and appetite concerns, yet they do not fully offset the risk posed by unsteady cleanliness and miscommunication about charges.

Families evaluating Hacienda Rest Home II should compare options that foreground rigorous cleanliness protocols, stable meal programs, and reliable billing practices. Alternatives with documented tracks records for sanitation, consistent kitchen operations, and transparent pricing, plus robust care services, will likely be more suitable for residents who require memory care or medical oversight. If a community offers trial meals, a direct observation of dining during peak hours, and a review of incident logs and state inspections, those steps will help illuminate true quality beyond initial impressions.

Ultimately, the decision should hinge on concrete experiences: visit, observe, and ask pointed questions about dining safety, purification practices, and meal variability. If the family can confirm clean, consistent dining experiences and reliable service, Hacienda Rest Home II provides a compelling social dining environment complemented by attentive staff. If not, prioritizing alternatives with stronger safeguards, tighter quality control, and explicit assurances around meal preparation will yield a more secure path toward turning the transition into a stable, healthful daily routine.

This part of San Rafael, California, offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking to relocate. With multiple physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals in close proximity, residents can easily access healthcare resources. Additionally, the area boasts a range of cafes and restaurants for dining options, as well as parks for outdoor recreation such as China Camp State Park and Lagoon Park. The presence of transportation options like the Smart Train Station Hamilton can provide convenience for those without personal vehicles. Places of worship like Valley Baptist Church offer spiritual fulfillment, while theaters such as Century Theaters provide entertainment opportunities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of practical necessities and recreational activities that may make it a desirable location for seniors seeking a vibrant community in which to reside.

Physicians

• Kaiser Permanente (1 miles)
• Gayre, Gregg Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Park Medical Offices (1.6 miles)
• Eye Institute of Marin (1.6 miles)
• Rita A. Vileisis, MD (1.6 miles)
• One Medical (1.8 miles)
• Edwin Munich, MD (1.8 miles)
• Dr. Helen Paek, provider of Eyexam Of CA (1.9 miles)

Cafes

• Red Whale Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• M.H.Bread and Butter (4.1 miles)
• Fairfax Coffee Roastery (4.6 miles)
• Split Rock Tap & Wheel (4.6 miles)
• Rustic Bakery (4.8 miles)
• Equator Coffees & Teas (5.9 miles)

Parks

• China Camp State Park (1.3 miles)
• Lagoon Park (1.5 miles)
• Victor Jones Park (2.5 miles)
• Peacock Gap Park (2.8 miles)
• Sun Valley Park (2.9 miles)
• Lucas Valley Park (4.7 miles)
• Peri Park (4.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Restaurants

• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (1.9 miles)
• Wild Fox Mesquite Fired Kitchen (2.6 miles)
• Sol Food Puerto Rican Cuisine (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)
• Pond Farm Brewing Company (3.3 miles)
• Miracle Mile Cafe (3.4 miles)
• Picante (3.9 miles)

Theaters

• Century Theaters (1.9 miles)
• Century Larkspur (4.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Valley Baptist Church (2 miles)

Transportation

• Smart Train Station Hamilton (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Tamalpais Shambhala Meditation Group (3.3 miles)
• Caremeridian (4.7 miles)
• Marin General Hospital (4.9 miles)
• Novato Community Hospital (6.2 miles)
• Chaplain's Office: Novato Community Hospital: Sutter Health Affiliate (6.3 miles)