Lantern Crest Senior Living
Lantern Crest Senior Living is a senior living community in Santee, California, in East San Diego County, that offers independent living, assisted living and memory care on one campus.[1][2] Assisted living and memory care are provided at The Ridge, which the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) licenses as a residential care facility for the elderly (license no. 374603253, capacity 180).[8][9][5] Independent living is offered in The Pointe, The Plaza and The Villas,[3] and a newer building, The Legacy, began pre-leasing in April 2026.[6]
The community was developed by Michael Grant, a building contractor who has said he set out to build it after searching for an assisted living community for his father.[10][1] The state license was first issued on 30 May 2012; the community’s website dates its start to 2013, when The Ridge opened.[5][1]
What is Lantern Crest?
Lantern Crest describes itself as a resort-style, multi-level senior living community on 34 acres with panoramic views.[1] Press reports have given larger campus figures: about 40 acres in 2021 and 42 acres in 2026, when the San Diego Business Journal reported 472 residences across about 600,000 square feet of buildings.[10][6] On-site services reported by the press include a pharmacy, a credit union and a primary care office run by Sharp HealthCare.[10][11] See Amenities and dining.
What levels of care does it offer?
- Independent living in apartments at The Pointe and The Plaza and in one-story homes with garages at The Villas.[12][13]
- Assisted living at The Ridge, with 24-hour care for activities of daily living and a personal care plan.[8]
- Memory care at The Ridge for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia, in a secured environment.[9]
The website pages reviewed for this wiki do not mention respite (short-term) stays. Details are on the Care levels page.
Where is it?
The campus is at 300 Lantern Crest Way, off Graves Avenue in Santee.[10][4] The licensed assisted living and memory care facility is listed by the state at 800 Lantern Crest Way.[5] The community says it is close to State Routes 67, 125 and 52 and Interstate 8.[1] See Location and neighborhood.
Who owns and runs it?
The CDSS license lists Santee Snr Ret I LLC as owner and LCM, LLC as manager.[5] Michael Grant is the founder and chief executive,[6] and the community describes itself as privately owned by local owners.[1] A 2023 refinancing of The Plaza named The Grant Cos. as borrower.[14] See History and ownership and Leadership.
How is it licensed and inspected?
CDSS licenses The Ridge as a residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE);[5] its Senior Care Licensing Program licenses and monitors these facilities.[15] As of 30 September 2026, the state record listed the license as active and the most recent visit as 20 August 2026.[5] Inspection and complaint details are summarized on Licensing and inspections.
What does it cost?
The community does not publish prices on its website; its floor-plan pages say pricing and terms are subject to change.[16][17] In 2021 the San Diego Business Journal reported starting rents of $4,000 a month for independent living and $4,600 for assisted living, plus fees based on the services used.[10] Current prices are not verified here. See Costs.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lantern Crest Senior Living?
A senior living community in Santee, California, offering independent living, assisted living and memory care on one campus.[1]
Is Lantern Crest licensed by the state?
Yes. The Ridge holds California CDSS license no. 374603253 as a residential care facility for the elderly, with a capacity of 180.[5]
Does Lantern Crest offer memory care?
Yes. Memory care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias is provided at The Ridge in a secured environment.[9]
What is Lantern Crest’s phone number?
The number published on its website is (619) 258-8886.[7]
More questions are answered on the FAQ page.
See also
- Care levels · Licensing and inspections · History and ownership · Costs
- External: Official website · CDSS facility record
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "About Lantern Crest Senior Living | Santee, CA". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b "Life at Lantern Crest". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b c "Grand Opening of The Plaza at Lantern Crest Senior Living" (news release, 14 October 2021). Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b "Lantern Crest Congregate Care Facility Major Revision and Density Bonus", Notice of Determination, SCH no. 2008071057 (24 February 2023). City of Santee, via CEQAnet (State of California). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Lantern Crest" (facility no. 374603253), Care Facility Search. California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Madison Geering, "Lantern Crest Puts Fine Dining on Santee’s Menu" (29 May 2026). San Diego Business Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b "Senior Living in Santee, CA — Assisted Living & Memory Care" (home page). Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b "Assisted Living at The Ridge". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b c "Memory Care at The Ridge". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Ray Huard, "Santee Senior Living Center Adds $28 Million Project" (30 November 2021). San Diego Business Journal. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "SharpCare Lantern Crest". Sharp HealthCare. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "Independent Living, Your Way". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "Villa Floor Plans". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "CBRE Arranges $38.4M Refinancing for The Plaza at Lantern Crest in Santee, California" (28 February 2023). Seniors Housing Business. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "Senior Care Licensing". California Department of Social Services. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "Assisted Living Floor Plans". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ^ "Independent Living Floor Plans". Lantern Crest Senior Living (lanterncrestseniorlivingsantee.com). Retrieved 30 September 2026.