Residents of El Cerrito Royale enjoy a plethora of outings that ranges from picnics at Lake Merritt to tours of the San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers. They volunteer their time in the residents’ council and engage in diverse activities such as pet therapy, cooking classes, tai chi and trips to the local farmers’ market. Residents’ fondness for outings is facilitated by their proximity to El Cerrito Del Norte BART station. BART trains roar past the rear of the home, which boasts gorgeous architecture marked by brick columns, a pointed roof and arched windows with noise-minimizing double panes. A community center is next door. Benches in the front yard sit among flowers, trees, a water fountain and a unique sculpture.
Inside, the vaulted ceiling soars two stories above the entry. A stunning chandelier imbues the room with golden light and a grandfather clock reflects the majestic scene. The building houses a library as well as a Mardi Gras-themed activity room, in which a festive bingo board lights up when players call out “bingo!” Residents run an onsite convenience store stocked with snacks and toiletries. The majority of residents were in their rooms during our visit, but the handful we met were very friendly, as was the staff. All residents’ rooms feature walk-in closets and a patio or balcony. Studios range in size from 498 to 570 square feet. The facility features a limited number of rooms funded by Social Security Insurance; however, there is a waiting list and current residents have priority.
Bright floral wallpaper adds elegance to the formal dining room, where the high ceiling contributes an airy feel. The lunch menu listed several choices including lasagna, cheese soufflé, soup and hot dogs. The dinner menu boasted turkey divine, beef burgundy and lemon herb chicken. If nothing on the menu tempts residents’ palates, they may request alternatives ahead of time.
