California Department of Mental Health

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Atascadero State Hospital [Graphic]

Due to security, and operational requirements/needs, visiting regulations are subject to change without prior notice. To ensure visitors are aware of current regulations, it is advisable to contact Telecommunications at (805) 468-2000 prior to visitation. Visitors may also contact Executive Services at (805) 468-2162 to request a copy of the hospital's visiting regulations.

Visiting hours are 8:15 AM until 1:45 PM daily. Please allow approximately one-half hour to be processed into the Visiting Room. We encourage you to visit on weekends and holidays so as not to interfere with the patient's treatment schedule. If you wish to talk with staff, however, it is best to visit on a weekday.

Please do not visit if you have a fever, a productive cough, or any illness that could be given to others in the visiting room. If you have been exposed to any diseases such as measles, mumps, or chicken pox, and you have not had the illness before, please wait at least 3 weeks before visiting.

General Regulations:

  • All visitors are required to register at the Telecommunications Center in the main lobby, and present a valid photo identification issued by a state or federal agency.
  • All visitors are processed through the metal detector, and all property is searched by Protective Services. Property which is restricted from the visiting room will be stored in individual lockers.
  • Children (under the age of 18) may be allowed access to the visiting area with prior approval from the Clinical Administrator/designee or the Executive Officer of the Day (EOD) after-hours. It is advisable to obtain this approval well in advance of the planned visit.
  • No more than six (6) visitors per patient are allowed at one time.
  • Visitor attire shall be conservative. Khaki-colored clothing (beige, tan, etc.) is prohibited.
  • The following clothing is restricted: strapless or transparent garments, halter/midriff tops, tank tops, any wrap-around clothing, under-wire garments, skirts or dresses shorter than mid-thigh length, clothing slits in excess of 4 inches, leg-warmers, lycra or spandex clothing, camouflage/fatigue designs, wigs (exception: for medical reasons with prior approval), no clothing with hoods, no scarves, gloves, or hats.
  • Visitors may not bring food into the visiting room. Box lunches are available Monday through Friday and may be purchased, if ordered, before 11:30 AM. Box lunches are not available on weekends or holidays). There are vending machines in the visiting room for beverages or snacks. Vending machines require silver coins, and a one-dollar change machine is also available. Visitors are allowed to bring up to $25.00 in coins or $1.00 bills into the visiting room.

Atascadero State Hospital
Postal: P.O. Box 7001, Atascadero, CA 93423-7001
Street: 10333 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
Phone: (805) 468-2000
Fax: (805) 466-6011
TDD: (800) 468-2009

Public Relations Officer:
cdacus@ash.dmh.ca.gov