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Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Santa Cruz, CA
Exterior view of Sunshine Villa facility with landscaped grounds Outdoor gazebo with white chairs and trees Common area with a cozy seating arrangement and bookshelves Brightly lit common area with dining table and bookshelf

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

Assisted Living & Memory Care · Santa Cruz, CA
80 Front St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 View map Calculator: See prices in your area
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Overview of Sunshine Villa, a Merrill Gardens Community

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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.

Facility Direct Line (831) 291-4601
Facility Direct Line (831) 291-4601
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Capacity and availability

Residents per day
105
Bed community size
132-bed community Rank #474 / 1646Bed count — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 474th out of 1,646 homes we track in California for bed count. Shows this facility's certified or reported bed count compared to other California facilities. Larger communities may offer more amenities, programs, and on-site services for residents and families.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.
Years in operation
6 years in operation Rank #926 / 1504Years in operation — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 926th out of 1,504 homes we track in California for years in operation. Shows how long this facility has been in operation compared to other California facilities. Longer operating histories may benefit residents, families, and staff.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.
Walk Score
Walk Score: 93 / 100 Rank #111 / 2058Walk Score — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 111th out of 2,058 homes we track in California for walk score. Shows how walkable this facility's neighborhood is compared to the average walk score across California facilities. Higher scores benefit residents, families, and staff.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate
80%
Rank #683 / 1492Occupancy rate — State benchmarkedThis home is ranked 683rd out of 1,492 homes we track in California for occupancy. Shows this facility's occupancy rate versus the California average, with its Statewide rank out of 1492. Higher occupancy signals strong local demand and financial stability.Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.Click the rank badge to see the full State ranking.Click here to see the full State ranking.
Higher than the California average: 72.8%
Occupied beds
105 / 132
Average occupied beds in California homes 87 beds

License Details

Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly
IssuanceJuly 30, 2020
CountySanta Cruz

Ownership & Operating Entity

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is legally operated by Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC and Merrill Gardens LLC, and administered by Candace Bolin.

Contact Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

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.

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. 16 citations 44 total visits 26 complaint visits 4 official inspections 18 complaint investigations
Inspection Score Info A composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. The score below shows how many points this facility sits above or below the typical California assisted living residence score (the benchmark); higher is better.This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.

22 points below the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Rank #1344 / 1475 in California Inspection Score — State benchmarked This home is ranked 1344th out of 1,475 homes we track in California for inspection score. Shows this facility's inspection score compared to the California average among 1475 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score. Inspection score: 59 out of 100. Letter grade F. 22 points below the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Inspection Scorecard Info 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 3 Worse Metrics worse than California average:
• Total citations (60% above)
• Serious citations (Type A) (200% above)
• Moderate citations (Type B) (75% above) 1 Better Metrics better than California average:
• Citations per inspection (88% below)

Citations Info Citations are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.

This FacilityCA Averagevs. CA Avg
Total citations Info Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types. 1610 This facility has 60% more total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (16 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 60% worse
Serious citations (Type A) Info Citations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action. 93 This facility has 200% more serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (9 vs. CA avg 3).↑ 200% worse Rank #1265 / 1434 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 1265th out of 1,434 homes we track 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. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
Moderate citations (Type B) Info Citations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards. 74 This facility has 75% more moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (7 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 75% worse
Citations per inspection Info Average citations per inspection. 0.43.3 This facility has 88% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.4 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 88% better

Inspections & Visits Info State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.

This FacilityCA Averagevs. CA Avg
Total inspections Info 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. 4516 This facility has had 181% more total inspections than the California average (45 vs. CA avg 16). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 181% more
Complaint visits Info On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff. 2613 This facility has had 100% more complaint visits than the California average (26 vs. CA avg 13). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 100% more Rank #1217 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 1217th out of 1,388 homes we track 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. Communities with the same value for a metric share the same rank. Rankings cover every community we track in California that reports data for that category. Communities without available data are excluded, so the pool size varies from metric to metric.
Other visits Info Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits. 157 This facility has had 114% more other visits than the California average (15 vs. CA avg 7). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 114% more
Official inspections Info Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards. 44 This facility has official inspections in line with the California average (4 vs. CA avg 4).— At avg
Complaint investigations Info On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators. 1810 This facility has had 80% more complaint investigations than the California average (18 vs. CA avg 10). More inspections can mean more regulatory scrutiny rather than worse care.↑ 80% more
Show Inspection Reports

What does this home offer?

Pets allowed icon
Pets allowed icon

Pets Allowed

Room sizes icon
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Room Sizes: 320 / 490 - 576 sq. ft

Housing options icon
Housing options icon

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed

Building type icon
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Building Type: 3-story

Transportation services icon
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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

1 Bedroom
1 Bedroom
Layout
Studio
Studio
Layout
1 Bedroom
1 Bedroom
Layout

Places of interest near Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

Address 1.1 miles from city center Info 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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Compare Assisted Living around Santa Cruz

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.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. HOS (Hospice Care): Comfort-focused care for those with a terminal illness, prioritizing quality of life over treatment.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
A composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. See the benchmark below for the typical California score; higher is better. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine score.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Visits or investigations linked to complaints, as counted in the state record (may differ from routine annual surveys).
Count of California state "Type A" citations — the state's most serious citation category (immediate or serious harm to residents), from California state inspection data.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Name of the licensed owner, operator, or managing entity as filed with the state. Useful for grouping facilities under the same organization.
Housing or bed configuration options (e.g. studio, shared), often from facility-reported amenities and licensing details.
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
AL
MC
Santa Cruz
132
Facility 132
CA AVG 104
Rank #474 / 1,646
Yes
93
Facility 93
CA AVG 59
Rank #111 / 2,058
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 81
Rank #1,344 / 1,475
45
26
Facility 26
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,217 / 1,388
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,265 / 1,434
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 13
Rank #926 / 1,504
 79.5% Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC And Merrill Gardens LLCStudio / 1 Bed
Valley Haven
AL
HOS
MC
RC
Santa Cruz (Live Oak)
48
Facility 48
CA AVG 104
Rank #1,159 / 1,646
Yes 56
95
Facility 95
CA AVG 81
Rank #123 / 1,475
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #326 / 1,388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,434
12
Facility 12
CA AVG 13
Rank #604 / 1,504
 56.3% Jesus & Josephine ArcillaPrivate Rooms
Maple House
AL
MC
Santa Cruz (Seabright)
22
Facility 22
CA AVG 104
Rank #1,278 / 1,646
No
92
Facility 92
CA AVG 59
Rank #137 / 2,058
-2-
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,434
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,415 / 1,504
 50.0% Divine Senior Care IncPrivate / Semi-Private Rooms
Alexandria Victoria
AL
HOS
MC
Santa Cruz (Banana Belt)
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 104
Rank #1,298 / 1,646
No
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 59
Rank #290 / 2,058
93
Facility 93
CA AVG 81
Rank #271 / 1,475
9
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #443 / 1,388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,434
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #704 / 1,504
 61.5% Ofelia Jony, IncPrivate Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Paradise Villa
AL
MC
RESC
Santa Cruz (Pleasant Acres Mobile Home Park)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 104
Rank #1,319 / 1,646
No 70
83
Facility 83
CA AVG 81
Rank #765 / 1,475
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,388
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,011 / 1,434
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,128 / 1,504
 83.3% A Paradise Villa, IncSuite
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Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in California

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is located in Santa Cruz, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.

Get Financial aid guidance

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).
CA

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
CA

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
CA

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.
CA

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
CA

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.
CA

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)

Frequently Asked Questions about Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

Who is the owner of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is legally operated by Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC and Merrill Gardens LLC, and administered by Candace Bolin.

Is Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community in a walkable area?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has a walk score of 93. Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.

What is the occupancy rate at Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community's occupancy is 80%.

How long has Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community been in business?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has been operating for approximately 6 years, based on available licensing and registration records.

Are pets allowed at Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Yes, Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community allows residents to bring their pets.

Who is the administrator of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Candace Bolin is the administrator of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community.

How many beds does Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community have?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has 132 beds.

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