Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

Highlighting seniors’ needs and aspirations, Merril Gardens at Santa Maria is a respected senior living community situated on the serene grounds of Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features over 200 snug and sophisticated accommodations in various studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring seniors experience unmatched comfort and convenience. With a dedicated and highly qualified team delivering top-tier care and assistance, seniors ease their minds and experience a glorious retirement.

Mingle with people from different backgrounds and learn new things through enjoyable events and exciting activities. Treat yourself to a lifetime vacation with the luxurious spaces of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Available at every time of the day, seniors enjoy delicious and healthy meals for dietary satisfaction. Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is ideal for seniors aiming to optimize their independence while keeping their peace of mind.

Facility Direct Line (805) 322-3349

330-bed community

A large-scale community that may provide a wide range of amenities, services, and structured programs.

4 years in operation

An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.

Walk Score: 20 / 100

Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

BBB Rating: A+ (Not Accredited)

An independent rating from the Better Business Bureau based on factors such as complaint history, transparency, and business practices.
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About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate

60%

Lower than the California average: 72.8%

Occupied beds

197 / 330

Average occupied beds in California homes 87 beds

Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credentialed Community

Bronze Level

Great Place to Work 2024-2025

Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly

IssuanceSeptember 10, 2021

CountySanta Barbara

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is legally operated by Mg At Santa Maria, LP, Shi-Iv Merrill Gp, LLC, and M, and administered by Michael Easbey.

Licensed Nurses/CNAs

24-Hour Staffing

HousekeepingYes

Emergency Call System

Transportation

Dining

Housekeeping

Swimming Pool

Pet Friendly

Wellness Center

Starting Price$3,300 per month

Since 2021 · 5 years of data These figures come from state-published and/or federal inspection records. The period covered can vary depending on document availability. 2 citations 15 total visits 6 complaint visits 4 official inspections 5 complaint investigations

Inspection Score

9 points above the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Inspection Scorecard This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the California state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.

Since 2021 vs. California state average

Overall vs. CA average

Citations Citations are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total citations Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.	2	10	This facility has 80% fewer total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (2 vs. CA avg 10).↓ 80% better
Serious citations (Type A) Citations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action.	1	3	This facility has 67% fewer serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (1 vs. CA avg 3).↓ 67% better Rank #478 / 1434 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 478th out of 1434 homes in California for # of serious citations. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1434 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Moderate citations (Type B) Citations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.	1	4	This facility has 75% fewer moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (1 vs. CA avg 4).↓ 75% better
Citations per inspection Average citations per inspection.	0.1	3.3	This facility has 97% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.1 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 97% better

Inspections & Visits State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total inspections Combined count of official scheduled inspections, complaint visits and other regulatory visits. California counts each evaluation report, so one trip can count twice when it serves two purposes.	15	16	This facility has had 6% fewer total inspections than the California average (15 vs. CA avg 16). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 6% fewer
Complaint visits On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.	6	13	This facility has had 54% fewer complaint visits than the California average (6 vs. CA avg 13). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 54% fewer Rank #652 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 652nd out of 1388 homes in California for # of complaint visits. Shows this facility's # of complaint visits compared to the California average among 1388 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Facilities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Other visits Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits.	5	7	This facility has had 29% fewer other visits than the California average (5 vs. CA avg 7). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 29% fewer
Official inspections Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.	4	4	This facility has official inspections in line with the California average (4 vs. CA avg 4).— At avg
Complaint investigations On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.	5	10	This facility has had 50% fewer complaint investigations than the California average (5 vs. CA avg 10). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↓ 50% fewer

Show Inspection Reports

What does this home offer?

Pets Allowed

Room Sizes: 410 / 426 / 436 / 449-557 / 552-654 / 577 / 619 / 665 / 932 / 779 / 982 / 1071 / 1289 sq. ft

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

Building Type: 3-story

Transportation Services

Fitness and Recreation

2.5 miles from city center Estimated distance in miles from Santa Maria's city center to Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria's address, calculated via Google Maps.

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Compare Assisted Living around Santa Maria

Info below is compiled from the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest to lowest based on our ranking methodology.


Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria	AL IL MC	Santa Maria	330 Facility 330 CA AVG 104 Rank #44 / 1646	Yes	20 Facility 20 CA AVG 59 Rank #1844 / 2058	90 Facility 90 CA AVG 81 Rank #461 / 1475	15	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 13 Rank #652 / 1388	1 Facility 1 CA AVG 3 Rank #478 / 1434	4 Facility 4 CA AVG 13 Rank #1128 / 1504	59.7%	A+	Mg At Santa Maria, LP, Shi-IV Merrill Gp, LLC, And M	Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Santa Maria Terrace	AL MC RC	Santa Maria	140 Facility 140 CA AVG 104 Rank #418 / 1646	Yes	24 Facility 24 CA AVG 59 Rank #1795 / 2058	59 Facility 59 CA AVG 81 Rank #1344 / 1475	44	32 Facility 32 CA AVG 13 Rank #1271 / 1388	13 Facility 13 CA AVG 3 Rank #1341 / 1434	6 Facility 6 CA AVG 13 Rank #926 / 1504	68.6%	-	Oceano Senior Living, Inc	Studio / 1 Bed
The Oaks at Nipomo	AL IL MC	Nipomo	122 Facility 122 CA AVG 104 Rank #549 / 1646	Yes	43	59 Facility 59 CA AVG 81 Rank #1344 / 1475	46	34 Facility 34 CA AVG 13 Rank #1282 / 1388	9 Facility 9 CA AVG 3 Rank #1265 / 1434	8 Facility 8 CA AVG 13 Rank #774 / 1504	78.7%	-	Nipomo Oaks, Gp Of Nipomo Oaks Ops LP And Westmont Lvng	Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Magnolia and Primrose	AL MC	Santa Maria	14 Facility 14 CA AVG 104 Rank #1294 / 1646	No	7 Facility 7 CA AVG 59 Rank #1988 / 2058	88 Facility 88 CA AVG 81 Rank #563 / 1475	9	4 Facility 4 CA AVG 13 Rank #526 / 1388	2 Facility 2 CA AVG 3 Rank #724 / 1434	15 Facility 15 CA AVG 13 Rank #518 / 1504	64.3%	-	Senior Living Resources	-

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Multipurpose Senior Services Program

MSSP (Medi-Cal Waiver)

Age 65+

General California resident, Medi-Cal eligible, nursing home risk.

Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

County-managed; waitlists possible.

Benefits

In-home support (4-6 hours/day) Respite care (14 days/year) Meals (~$6/meal) Transportation (8 trips/month) Care management

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

California IHSS

Age 65+

General California resident, Medicaid-eligible or low-income.

Income Limits ~$1,732/month individual, Medi-Cal threshold

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Can hire family as caregivers.

Benefits

Personal care (up to 283 hours/month) Homemaker services Respite (varies)

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

CA MSSP

Age 65+

General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible but community-capable.

Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Available in 38 counties; waitlists common.

Benefits

Case management Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Minor home mods (avg. $500) Adult day care (~$50/day)

Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP)

CA PTP

Age 62+

General California resident, own and live in home, 40% equity.

Income Limits (2025) ~$51,500/year household, adjusted annually

Asset Limits Equity-based; no strict asset cap.

Deferred taxes accrue interest (5% as of 2024); repaid upon sale/death.

Benefits

Property tax deferral (avg. $1,000-$3,000/year, varies by county)

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

CA ALW

Age 65+ or disabled

General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible.

Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Available in 15 counties (e.g., LA, Sacramento); waitlists common.

Benefits

Personal care in ALFs (5-7 hours/day) Medication management Social services

California CARES Program

CA CARES

Age —

General Caregivers of California residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.

Income Limits No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.

Asset Limits Not applicable; need-based.

High demand in urban areas; complements IHSS respite.

Benefits

Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Counseling (4-6 sessions/year) Training (2-3 workshops/year) Supplies (~$200/year)

Who is the owner of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is legally operated by Mg At Santa Maria, LP, Shi-Iv Merrill Gp, LLC, and M, and administered by Michael Easbey.

Is Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria in a walkable area?

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria has a walk score of 20. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.

What is the occupancy rate at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria's occupancy is 60%.

How long has Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria been in business?

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria has been operating for approximately 4 years, based on available licensing and registration records.

Are pets allowed at Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?

Yes, Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria allows residents to bring their pets.

Who is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?

Michael Easbey is the administrator of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria.

How many beds does Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria have?

Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria has 330 beds.

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