Alvarado Convalescent Hospital

Pros

• The staff were kind and caring.
• Ryan, the nurse, was exceptional.
• Phill was kind when he took care of the EKG.
• Melissa is kind and caring.
• Felipe and Ian were really great.
• Dr. Christian Dameff was kind and caring to the patient.
• The nurses were incredibly attentive and checked in on patients constantly.
• The team made the patient feel safe and cared for.

Cons

• The emergency room reception was poor and unhelpful, with long waits.
• They were told the patient had not yet been transferred from another hospital, causing delays.
• A homeless man in the ER was not attended to and the area smelled unbearable.
• The interior quality was poor, with low-quality medical devices and cramped two-bed rooms.
• The nursing service, security, and food were terrible; there were no blankets or refrigeration, only a small fan.
• A nurse forgot to bring the sleep apnea machine.
• The ER staff were rude and dismissive, and the patient was not prioritized despite pain.
• The hospital was described as the worst in San Diego due to lack of urgency and poor patient flow.
• There were long waits with minimal triage and patients left in pain.
• There were reports of neglect and lack of regular check-ins by doctors, with missed updates and incomplete care.

Review

Across a wide range of experiences, this hospital in San Diego elicits strong and often conflicting impressions. A moving first-person account describes an extremely difficult emergency visit: a two-hour stay in the ER, a long period of waiting, and a sense of disorganization around where the patient should be and who would provide information. The writer recounts being told that their son had not yet been transferred from another hospital, despite already being on site. The entrance experience was confusing, with directions that sent them to the ER because that would be where information would be provided when the ambulance arrived. Amidst the confusion, the writer encountered a homeless person in the ER who appeared to be untreated and left unattended; the overall environment was described as smelly and chaotic, with the writer noting a lack of basic care for the individual in distress. This same account references real concerns about the hospital's physical condition and equipment - small, low-quality medical devices mounted on the walls, cramped spaces with only two beds, and a setup that did not feel conducive to proper, private care for a child who experiences seizures and sleep apnea. The patient had recently been transferred from a higher-quality facility (Scripps) and carried insurance through a prestigious employer, yet the experience at this hospital felt incongruent with expectations of care. The writer criticized what they saw as terrible nursing and security, substandard food, and the absence of blankets or refrigeration, with only a small fan for comfort. In a troubling aside, a nurse allegedly forgot the sleep apnea machine for the child, which contributed to a deep sense of vulnerability and fear for the child's safety. This account ends with a firm resolve to publicly hold the hospital accountable should anything happen to their son, underscoring a fear that the hospital's shortcomings could have life-impacting consequences.

In contrast, other accounts from the same hospital paint a much more hopeful picture, highlighting moments of exceptional care and exemplary staff. On September 18 and 19, 2025, several patients specifically praised individual team members. Dr. Pederson was described as kind to the writer's mother, and a nurse named Ryan was deemed exceptional. Phill was singled out for his considerate handling of an EKG, and Melissa, Felipe, Ian, Enid, and Leithe were recognized for their caring attitudes and for making patients feel that the staff truly cares about them. These reviews emphasize a culture of empathy, clear communication, and steady support from nurses who checked in regularly, ensured comfort, and answered questions. A separate message celebrated Dr. Christian Dameff for his kindness and attentiveness to a 90-year-old mother who cut her leg getting out of a car. The doctor made sure the wound was cleaned, administered a tetanus shot, applied a bandage, and provided practical guidance on signs of infection, highlighting a thorough, compassionate approach to care.

Other voices within the same broader dialogue describe a mixed experience in the same facility. One reviewer labeled the hospital as the worst in San Diego, criticizing the lack of urgency, rude ER nurses, and a perception that patients - especially a vomiting 16-year-old - were left waiting for hours without being made a priority. Another account notes that while some staff are consistently friendly, the overall experience for an endocrine appointment could involve long wait times, suggesting that patience and preparation (like bringing a book) are helpful. Yet there are also memories of a calmer visit in which the entire experience conveyed courtesy and attentiveness, including praise for the staff who made a patient feel safe and cared for during a potentially stressful procedure such as a port placement. This juxtaposition - of compassionate, patient-centered care in some moments and frustration or neglect in others - recurs across multiple reviews.

Several critics focus on systemic and communication issues that undermine patient trust. One reviewer commented on how a hospital response to a concern felt deficient, noting that simply providing a phone number for follow-up left the patient with the impression that responsibility and accountability had not been meaningfully addressed. The desire for proactive administration-level engagement - an on-site administrator or head nurse to apologize and commit to retraining - was voiced as a necessary step to restoring confidence. Additional concerns centered on patient comfort and dignity during exams, with a pelvic ultrasound conducted by a male clinician without notice or consent for a same-sex provider, which can be an uncomfortable experience for patients who have endured trauma. There are also references to experiences with patients who are homeless or otherwise vulnerable, with some reviewers alleging that services were refused or that patients were not treated with the respect and neutrality expected of a major medical center.

In sum, the collective voice surrounding this hospital is a complex tapestry of praise and critique. On one end, there are testimonies to compassionate clinicians and attentive nurses who go above and beyond to ensure patients feel seen, heard, and safe - instances of kindness that deeply affect families when they are at their most vulnerable. On the other end, there are urgent concerns about wait times, triage decisions, staffing, cleanliness, and basic comforts that can leave patients frightened and frustrated. Some families report dire experiences that make them hesitant to return, including fears for patient safety when critical equipment is forgotten or when patients observe what feels like neglect or confusion in the emergency department. The arc across multiple reviews suggests that while there are remarkable individuals delivering high-quality care, there are also significant gaps in process, communication, and resource allocation that can radically alter a family's perception of the hospital and, more importantly, its ability to keep patients safe and comfortable.

This part of San Diego, California offers convenience and accessibility for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community. With several cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, hospitals, physicians' offices, transportation options, parks, places of worship, and theaters within close proximity, residents can easily access essential services and amenities. The area boasts a mix of well-known chain establishments such as Starbucks and CVS Pharmacy as well as local dining options like Sombrero Mexican Food and Brigantine Seafood Restaurants. Additionally, the presence of reputable healthcare facilities such as Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center and Sharp Grossmont Hospital ensures that seniors have access to quality medical care. Nearby parks like Mount Helix Park and Balboa Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a balanced mix of convenience and leisure activities for senior living.

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.7 miles)
• The Simple Coffee House (2 miles)
• Communal Coffee (5.1 miles)
• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Kaiser Zion Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Sombrero Mexican Food (2.4 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.4 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (2.6 miles)
• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse (2.8 miles)
• Jack In The Box (2.8 miles)
• Brigantine Seafood Restaurants (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center/Kaiser Foundation Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Sharp Grossmont Hospital Brier Patch (3.2 miles)
• Sharp Soc (4.8 miles)
• Rady Children's Hospital (5.6 miles)
• Rady's Children's Hospital San Diego Large Waiting Room, Frost Street, Entrance 8 (5.7 miles)
• Stanford Court Nursing (5.8 miles)
• Sharp Memorial Hospital (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• Kaiser Permanente Vandever Medical Offices (2.5 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Viewridge Medical Offices 2 (5.1 miles)
• Sharp Rees-Stealy San Diego Radiology (5.9 miles)
• Fereshteh Jahanpanah Medical Clinic (6 miles)
• Dr Dominguez And Dr Ancona-Young Office (6.5 miles)
• Internal Medicine Associates (6.6 miles)

Transportation

• Grossmont Transit Center (2.7 miles)
• Montgomery Field Airport (MYF) (5.3 miles)
• Fashion Valley Trolley Station and Transit Center (6.5 miles)

Parks

• Mount Helix Park (4.4 miles)
• Civita Park (5.3 miles)
• Cal's Point (5.6 miles)
• Balboa Park (6.2 miles)
• Lindbergh Park (6.6 miles)
• Town Center Community Park (6.8 miles)
• Balboa Park South Loop (6.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• El Camino Grace Church (5.3 miles)
• Foothills Christian Church (6.1 miles)
• Skyline Church (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Mission Valley 2 (5.3 miles)
• AMC Fashion Valley 18 (6.3 miles)