Occupancy rate
83%
Higher than the California average: 72.8%Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living in Santa Cruz
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living in Santa Cruz
Sunshine Villa, a Merrill Gardens Community, is a senior living community situated in the vibrant heart of Santa Cruz, within walking distance of the Santa Cruz Wharf, beach, and boardwalk. With individualized care services catered to each resident’s needs and preferences, this historic landmark provides high-quality assisted living and memory care. Since 1990, Sunshine Villa has been a dependable member of the Santa Cruz community, offering top-notch care in a lovely, idyllic environment.
Sunshine Villa’s goal is to provide its residents with a satisfying and rewarding lifestyle, and it is committed to meeting and beyond their expectations. The community offers a number of amenities, such as chef-prepared meals, elegantly furnished common rooms, a library, landscaped gardens with courtyards, private dining room, on-site RNs/LPNs, and a Victorian sunporch, ensuring a comfortable and engaging living experience.
132-bed community
A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.
5 years in operation
An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.
Walk Score: 93 / 100
Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.
About this community
Occupancy
Higher than the California average: 72.8%Occupied beds
109 / 132
Average residents
87 per day
Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly
StatusLicensed
IssuanceJuly 30, 2020
CountySanta Cruz
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is legally operated by Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant Llc; Merrill Gardens Llc, and administrated by Bolin, Candace.
What does this home offer?
Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed
Room Sizes: 320 / 490 - 576 sq. ft
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed
Building Type: 3-story
Transportation Services
Fitness and Recreation
Types of Care at Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Inspection History
In California, the Department of Social Services (for assisted living facilities) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.
42 visits
Inspections are mandatory, regular evaluations conducted by state health departments or regulatory agencies. They ensure the community provides safe, compliant care, covering areas like resident health, staff and management.
California average: 16 visits
Breakdown by visit type
24 total complaint visits
14 other visits
Other visits include regulatory visits that are not routine inspections or complaint investigations, such as administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, or licensing-related visits.
California average
13 total complaint visits
7 other visits
Show Inspection Reports
18 complaint investigations
Inspections conducted in response to complaints filed by residents, families, staff, or others about possible problems at the facility.
Investigations can have many visits.
California average: 10 complaint investigations
4 official inspections
Routine inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state care and safety standards.
California average: 4 official inspections
16 total citations
Citations indicate regulatory violations. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.
California average: 10 citations
9 serious citations
A violation that poses an immediate risk to resident health or safety, or represents a substantial failure to comply with licensing requirements.
California average: 3 serious citations
7 moderate citations
A violation that does not pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety but requires correction to remain in compliance.
California average: 4 moderate citations
Latest inspection
Date
October 7, 2025
Complaint Investigation15 deficiencies
Deficiencies indicate regulatory issues. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.
California average: 8 deficiencies
Inspection Report Summary for Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
This facility’s inspection record is mixed, with repeated deficiencies related to staffing, medication management, and resident supervision, including elopements and failure to meet care needs. The most recent inspection on October 7, 2025, cited no deficiencies, but prior visits in 2025 documented two elopement-related citations with a $500 fine and substantiated medication errors involving incorrect dosing and insufficient staff competency. While some complaints were unsubstantiated, the record shows ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate supervision and medication safety, though recent inspections suggest some improvement.
Compare Assisted Living around Santa Cruz The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
Filter by care type
| Atria Walnut Creek |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Walnut Creek | 200 | Yes | 40 | 5 | 32 | 3 | 26 | 67.5% | - | Wg Montego Heights Sh Lp; Atria Management Co Llc | Studio / 1 Bed |
| Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Santa Cruz (Beach & Boardwalk Commercial District) | 132 | Yes | 93 | 4 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 82.6% | - | Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant Llc; Merrill Gardens Llc | Studio / 1 Bed |
| Maple House II |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Santa Cruz (Yacht Harbor Manor) | 40 | No | 74 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 52.5% | - | Divine Senior Care Inc. | Private / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Maple House |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Santa Cruz (Seabright) | 22 | No | 92 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 50.0% | - | Divine Senior Care Inc. | Private / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Brookdale at Home Hemet |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Hemet | - | Yes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | A+ | - | Studio / 1 Bed |
Living Spaces & Floor Plans
Sunshine Villa A Merrill Gardens Community 1 Bed
Sunshine Villa A Merrill Gardens Community Studio
Sunshine Villa A Merrill Gardens Community 1 Bed B
Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in California
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Places of interest near Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
1.1 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Santa Cruz's city center to Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 13.05 miles to nearest hospital (Watsonville Community Hospital)
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