Best hospitals in San Diego, CA
3 CMS top-rated hospitals Β· 2 at 5 stars Β· mean GUHQI 89.3/100 Β· April 2026
What are the best-rated hospitals in San Diego, CA?
As of April 2026, San Diego, CA has 3 hospitals rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS (2 at the top 5-star level). Ranked by the Gera US Hospital Quality Index, Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr leads with a GUHQI of 95/100 (CMS 5 stars). The city's mean GUHQI across these hospitals is 89.3/100. All figures are from real CMS Hospital Care Compare open data.
| Hospital | CMS stars | GUHQI | Type | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr | 5 stars | 95 (Exceptional) | Acute Care Hospitals | Yes |
| Va San Diego Healthcare System | 5 stars | 86.4 (High performing) | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Yes |
| Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego | 4 stars | 86.4 (High performing) | Acute Care Hospitals | Yes |
Each hospital name links to its full CMS quality profile. Ratings are from CMS Hospital Care Compare and can be several months old β always check the latest detail before making a healthcare decision.
More in California
- California hospital quality overview β CMS star-rating distribution and GUHQI for the whole state.
- Best hospitals in Los Angeles, CA (3 top-rated Β· mean GUHQI 93.6)
- Best hospitals in La Jolla, CA (2 top-rated Β· mean GUHQI 96.6)
- Best hospitals in Torrance, CA (2 top-rated Β· mean GUHQI 94.8)
- Best hospitals in Redwood City, CA (2 top-rated Β· mean GUHQI 93.2)
- Best hospitals in Roseville, CA (2 top-rated Β· mean GUHQI 91.9)
- Best hospitals in Fresno, CA (2 top-rated Β· mean GUHQI 91)
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best hospital in San Diego, CA?
- By the Gera US Hospital Quality Index (GUHQI), the highest-rated hospital in San Diego, CA is Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr, with a CMS 5 stars and a GUHQI of 95/100 (Exceptional tier) as of April 2026. This is based on real CMS Hospital Care Compare data, not opinion.
- How many top-rated hospitals are in San Diego, CA?
- San Diego, CA has 3 hospitals rated 4 or 5 stars by CMS in the April 2026 dataset, of which 2 hold the top 5-star rating. Their mean Gera US Hospital Quality Index is 89.3/100.
- What does the CMS star rating measure?
- The CMS Overall Star Rating is a 1β5 summary of hospital quality across mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience (HCAHPS), and timely & effective care. It is published by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is a public-domain government dataset.
- Where does this hospital data come from?
- All ratings are from the CMS Hospital Care Compare "Hospital General Information" dataset (identifier xubh-q36u), as of April 2026. Ratings can be several months old β always check the latest detail on CMS Hospital Care Compare and consult your clinician before deciding.
Choosing care in San Diego, CA?
San Diego, CA has 3 CMS top-rated hospitals, led by Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr (GUHQI 95/100). A GeraClinic care navigator can help you interpret these ratings, prepare questions for your provider, and plan your next step β with a clinician available online.
Contains public sector information published by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and licensed under the U.S. Public Domain (federal government work). Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services β Hospital Care Compare (Hospital General Information) (April 2026, published 28 April 2026).
Informational/educational only β not a substitute for professional medical advice; a clinician interprets results.