California’s leading hospitals offer top-notch medical care. They’re equipped with advanced technology and skilled staff. They’re also leaders in medical research.
Many have outstanding emergency departments. Some have even earned national recognition.
For example, UCSF is one of the best hospitals in the nation for neurology and neurosurgery, geriatric care, cancer, rheumatology, and psychiatry.
1. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai is a world-renowned healthcare organization founded in 1902 that is known for its cutting-edge research and impact on future medical professionals. Its dedication to providing the best care possible has earned it honors from every corner of the industry.
This year, it earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – an honor only 14% of hospitals earn. The hospital received high marks in categories including mortality rates, readmission rates after common procedures and patient satisfaction.
It is also one of only two hospitals in California to receive Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This award recognizes outstanding nursing services and staff.
It was named a Top Workplace by Comparably in 2019. The company was recognized for its great benefits, employee appreciation and opportunities to volunteer. Employees also appreciate the CEO’s leadership style, according to surveys conducted by Comparably. They rated Cedars-Sinai’s executive team an A+, the highest rating possible. This demonstrates that Cedars-Sinai’s leadership is truly exceptional.
2. UCLA Health
The UCLA Health system is one of the largest academic medical centers in the world. Its hospitals and clinics provide state-of-the-art patient care and train top medical professionals. Innovative research at the David Geffen School of Medicine and other UCLA professional schools leads to new treatments and technologies benefiting patients throughout California.
Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a stunning 10-story hospital that takes healthcare design to the next level. Its open spaces and ample natural light inspire a sense of wellness and healing.
Across the UCLA Health system, the network includes 13 top-10 rankings(Link opens in new window) in specialty areas, including cancer; gastroenterology and geriatrics; ophthalmology; and orthopedics. It also has high marks in the treatment of common conditions, such as heart disease and cancer.
Moreover, the system’s nurses have been recognized as Magnet-designated. Its researchers are at the forefront of discoveries in a range of fields, from organ transplantation to brain cancer. And its scientists have helped to identify how the brain links memories—an important step in developing personalized medicine.
3. University of California San Francisco Medical Center
UCSF is a world-renowned center of excellence in biomedical discovery and graduate-level health sciences education. Its hospital facilities include UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Heights, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco and UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, as well as the UCSF Faculty Practice.
The UCSF Helen Diller Hospital is designed to create an optimal healing environment that addresses all aspects of patient needs in one place, from the physical to the psychological and spiritual. This holistic approach to care is reflected in the hospital’s design, by HDR and Herzog de Meuron, which features light-filled private rooms and gardens, open spaces, fresh air, and a focus on human connection.
In 2018, UCSF Medical Center was named the best hospital in California and the West in neurology/neurosurgery, geriatrics, cancer, rheumatology and pulmonology/lung surgery. It was also ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the nation for seven specialties, including urology and ophthalmology. Founded in 1864 as Toland Medical College, UCSF gained administrative independence from the University of California system in 1964. In the decades that followed, the Medical Center became renowned for innovation in research and patient care.
4. San Francisco General Hospital
Founded in 1872, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center is a non-profit, public hospital that offers medical services. It provides primary, emergency and diagnostic care for adults over the age of eighteen. It also has a number of ambulatory clinics for various medical issues and conditions.
The main attraction of this facility is that it accepts a wide range of insurance plans and has competitive rates for those who opt to pay out-of-pocket. Its location in the 94110 zip code makes it easy to get to and from for patients in need of urgent care.
In 2009, Vox published an investigation of ER billing practices that revealed that the hospital overcharged some private insurance patients tens of thousands of dollars for treatment that would have been covered by their health plans at other hospitals. Several of the patients Vox spoke to were able to reverse their bills, but only after a great deal of time and effort. They may have been able to do so more easily had they known that the hospital did not negotiate prices with their insurers.
5. Sutter Health
Sutter Health is a not-for-profit healthcare network with hospitals, doctors and other medical services throughout Northern California. Its system of hospitals and medical centers have been recognized multiple times by U.S. News & World Report for their quality of care and service.
Sutter Novato Community Hospital earned silver status on the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Honor Roll in 2024. The award recognizes top performing hospitals committed to preventing the emergence of antibiotic resistance infections.
California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) | Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento received a CMQCC Maternal Data Center Superstar award and a Quality & Sustainability award. The honors acknowledge the hospital’s participation in a statewide program to reduce C-sections among first-time mothers with low-risk pregnancies.
Reputation Institute | Sutter’s network of hospitals and physician practices were rated highly in the 2024 Healthcare Reputation Report by Reputation Institute. The rating measures how well a healthcare provider listens to and responds to customer feedback.
Sutter’s network of physicians and care locations earned the Reputation 800 award in 2018. The ranking indicates the number of Sutter hospitals, physicians and other providers who ranked high in the survey. The top performers have a strong track record of listening to their patients’ needs and responding with quality care.
