The Sisters of Nazareth came to America, nearly a century ago at the invitation of the Archbishop of Los Angeles, California. He had asked them to come to America to educate and care for the growing population of orphans in San Diego. The first Nazareth House was established in San Diego in 1923.

Today, there are three Nazareth Houses offering a range of assisted living services to senior residents in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Fresno. The orphanage has been replaced with Nazareth School San Diego, where 300 students from preschool through 8th grade receive an education.