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Best Assisted Living in Santa Barbara, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 15 assisted living communities in Santa Barbara, CA using CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank assisted living in CA
Reviewed by
Last updated
Jul 2026
We analyzed
15 homes
Other senior care options in Santa Barbara:

Video Tour: Top-rated Assisted Living facilities in Santa Barbara, California.

Watch this Video to see Santa Barbara's Top-rated Senior Communities
Avg Walk Score: 53/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in Santa Barbara, CA. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 112The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Santa Barbara, CA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Assisted Living around Santa Barbara (Metro Area)

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.

Covenant Living at the Samarkand
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara (Samarkand)
379
Facility 379
CA AVG 104
Rank #31 / 1646
No 50
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #461 / 1475
8
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #211 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1434
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #88 / 1504
85.2% - Covenant Living West -
Heritage House
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 104
Rank #1013 / 1646
No 67
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1475
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 13
Rank #319 / 1504
85.3% - Heritage House Group Private Rooms
Vista Del Monte Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley)
266
Facility 266
CA AVG 104
Rank #74 / 1646
Yes
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 59
Rank #1872 / 2058
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #408 / 1475
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #326 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1434
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #155 / 1504
75.6% A+ Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, Doug Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Divine Care For The Elderly
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 104
Rank #1319 / 1646
No 68
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1475
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1128 / 1504
83.3% A+ Divine Care For The Elderly, LLC Private Rooms
Your Home Santa Barbara
AL
RESC
Santa Barbara (East Mesa)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 104
Rank #1319 / 1646
No
35
Facility 35
CA AVG 59
Rank #1645 / 2058
95
Facility 95
CA AVG 81
Rank #123 / 1475
5
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #211 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #652 / 1504
100.0% - Your Home-Rcfe, Inc -
Abundant Care
AL
HOS
MC
RESC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 104
Rank #1319 / 1646
No 54
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #408 / 1475
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1434
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #267 / 1504
100.0% - Timothy Pryko & Daniel Bond -
Casa Dorinda
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara
360
Facility 360
CA AVG 104
Rank #34 / 1646
No
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 59
Rank #2043 / 2058
89
Facility 89
CA AVG 81
Rank #521 / 1475
12
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #526 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1434
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #105 / 1504
85.3% - Montecito Retirement Association -
Maravilla
AL
IL
MC
Santa Barbara (Calle Real)
131
Facility 131
CA AVG 104
Rank #481 / 1646
Yes 42
66
Facility 66
CA AVG 81
Rank #1229 / 1475
20
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #846 / 1388
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 3
Rank #1245 / 1434
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #652 / 1504
95.4% - Maravilla Subtenant LLC And Srg Managment LLC 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Alexander Gardens
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Upper East)
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 104
Rank #1229 / 1646
No 64
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 81
Rank #911 / 1475
13
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #590 / 1388
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #1157 / 1434
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #704 / 1504
63.9% - Gl And Vl LLC Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara
AL
IL
Santa Barbara (Laguna)
126
Facility 126
CA AVG 104
Rank #519 / 1646
Yes
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 59
Rank #87 / 2058
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 81
Rank #911 / 1475
18
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #810 / 1388
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 3
Rank #1095 / 1434
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1234 / 1504
73.8% - Ventas Santa Barbara Opco, LP And Capital Sr. Mgmt 2 Studio / Alcove / 1 Bed
Wood Glen Hall
AL
IL
RC
Santa Barbara (East San Roque)
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 104
Rank #977 / 1646
No 54
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 81
Rank #699 / 1475
18
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 13
Rank #993 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1434
- 68.1% A+ Wood Glen Hall Inc Private Rooms
Mission Villa
AL
HOS
MC
RESC
Santa Barbara (Oak Park)
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 104
Rank #1286 / 1646
No
73
Facility 73
CA AVG 59
Rank #641 / 2058
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 81
Rank #1068 / 1475
19
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #810 / 1388
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1011 / 1434
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1128 / 1504
80.0% A+ Universal Bond, LLC Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Westmont of Santa Barbara
AL
IL
MC
Goleta
99
Facility 99
CA AVG 104
Rank #725 / 1646
Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 59
Rank #1795 / 2058
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 81
Rank #1344 / 1475
43
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 13
Rank #1182 / 1388
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 3
Rank #1392 / 1434
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #774 / 1504
72.7% A Mariposa Mgr Gp Of Mariposa Oper And Westmont Living Studio / 1 Bed
Santa Barbara Memory Care
AL
MC
RC
Santa Barbara (Oak Park)
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 104
Rank #1229 / 1646
Yes
76
Facility 76
CA AVG 59
Rank #529 / 2058
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 81
Rank #1344 / 1475
43
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 13
Rank #1182 / 1388
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 3
Rank #1417 / 1434
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #518 / 1504
44.4% A+ Pac Coast Inc., Pacifica Coast LP, And Santa Barbara Mgr 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cliff View Terrace
AL
Santa Barbara (Alta Mesa)
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 104
Rank #977 / 1646
No
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 59
Rank #673 / 2058
95
Facility 95
CA AVG 81
Rank #123 / 1475
7
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #326 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1434
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #88 / 1504
55.6% - Cliff View Terrace, Inc -
Overview of Covenant Living at the Samarkand

Covenant Living at the Samarkand is a senior living community that mainly provides services for residential living, assisted living, and skilled nursing seniors. The senior living community is dedicated to empowering all residents to live on their terms. The resort-like community boasts a relaxing and calming experience for its residents because it allows them to choose a lifestyle that matches their needs independently.
The Covenant Senior Living lifestyle is all about convenience and individuality. Many of their amenities and services are designed to ensure that a resident’s needs are met and satisfied. These include a library, wellness center, courtyard, and garden, and an arts and crafts studio, while services include housekeeping, laundry, and transportation.

Contact Covenant Living at the Samarkand

Heritage House

5200 Hollister Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Overview of Heritage House

Operated by Heritage House Group, Heritage House is an assisted living and memory care community in the Goleta area of Santa Barbara, California. Alejandra Nunez serves as the administrator. The two-story community is about 8.5 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. It offers 68 beds with private rooms and has served residents for 23 years.

The community currently has 58 residents, with an occupancy rate of about 85%. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 67, which is moderately walkable. Some nearby shops and services can be reached on foot, but other errands and outings require a short drive.

Meals are prepared by an on-site culinary team and served in a pub, café, and dining room, giving residents several places to dine and socialize. Shared amenities include a ballroom, billiards lounge, fitness centre, computer and media centre, and a fireplace lounge. Residents also have access to wheelchair-accessible showers, kitchenettes, and ground-floor accommodation.

Alongside assisted living, Heritage House provides specialized memory care for residents living with memory loss. Recreational and social programmes are available across both care settings. Transportation services help residents attend appointments and local outings.

State inspections by California regulators have consistently found the community free of deficiencies. Reviews noted well-maintained facilities, strong fire safety practices, and accurate staff and medication records. Families touring Heritage House should ask how the memory care program is staffed.

Contact Heritage House

Overview of Vista Del Monte Retirement Community

Vista Del Monte is a cozy, comfortable, and oasis-like home with quality service. Offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services, residents continue to maintain their individuality. Vista Del Monte is undeniably a place where seniors belong to live on their terms. Seniors will discover an elevated lifestyle in its elegant and gracious approach to modern-day senior living.

As a member of the Front Porch group, a not-for-profit organization, it provides philanthropic support for its seniors to gain a wonderful experience during their stay. They also offer their exclusive Humanly Possible® program that focuses on the holistic wellness of its residents in a positive, person-centered approach to individual growth.

Contact Vista Del Monte Retirement Community

Overview of Divine Care for the Elderly

Divine Care for the Elderly is an astounding senior living community located in Frances Street, Santa Barbara, CA providing 24-hour care, Personal Care, Recreational Activities, and Meal Preparation for seniors. The community focuses on individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The community provides dedicated care professionals round-the-clock to assist with their needs to ensure the seniors receive the high-quality care they deserve.

Divine Care for the Elderly promotes a warm and friendly environment to ensure the comfort of its residents. The community also conducts brain-stimulating activities to keep the seniors socially and mentally active. For the residents’ dietary restrictions and preferences, healthy and delicious meals are served daily.

Contact Divine Care For The Elderly

Overview of Your Home Santa Barbara

Welcome to Residential Assisted Living Santa Barbara, a cozy and supportive home located in the beautiful city of Santa Barbara. Nestled in this charming community, our assisted living facility provides a warm and inviting atmosphere for seniors seeking comfort and care. Dedicated caregivers ensure personalized assistance and attention to promote the well-being and happiness of residents. With tailored services, engaging activities, and a serene environment, our goal is to create a sense of community and foster an active and fulfilling lifestyle. At Residential Assisted Living Santa Barbara, we strive to enhance the quality of life for residents and offer peace of mind to their loved ones.

Contact Your Home Santa Barbara

Overview of Abundant Care

Abundant Care is a boutique-style Santa Barbara community offering memory care support. The elegant community gives off a homelike atmosphere for residents to feel a sense of belonging in a community they found. Abundant Care provides endless opportunities for seniors to discover their new home.
Community accommodations are designed and created to maximize every feature for an enhanced living. The staff encourages an active lifestyle, providing activities that include outings and programs while experiencing state-of-the-art amenities. The well-trained nursing staff helps the residents fulfill their wellness, safety, and security.

Contact Abundant Care

Casa Dorinda

300 Hot Springs Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Overview of Casa Dorinda

Casa Dorinda is a nursing home in Santa Barbara, California. It’s located on Hot Springs Road in a quiet, car-dependent area outside the city center. Medicare and private pay are welcome, so families have different coverage options. Owned by Ramona Clark, the community is operated by the Montecito Retirement Association under Brian Mccague’s administration.

The home is a substantial community with 360 beds, currently at 70 percent occupancy with 251 residents. After operating for over three decades, the community has built a stable resident population with an average stay length of 126 days, reflecting a mix of short-term rehabilitation stays and longer-term nursing care. Casa Dorinda employs a full clinical team, with total nursing care averaging nearly 6 hours per resident day, supported by a mix of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides. Daily life centers on structured meals and recreation. The kitchen prepares three fresh-made meals per day, with special events like Sunday Champagne Brunch and holiday celebrations in the calendar. Residents can partake in cultural events, arts and crafts, fitness classes at an on-site gym, and nature walks that get people outside when the weather permits.

For residents working on recovery post-hospital stays or injury, Casa Dorinda supports rehabilitation services. A fitness center and gym exist for residents wanting to maintain strength and mobility, and housekeeping services keep the building tidy and orderly. Families evaluating Casa Dorinda should take time to tour the home and meet the care team, so that a real sense of the daily environment and the care pacing is felt and perceived.

Contact Casa Dorinda

Maravilla

5486 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Overview of Maravilla

Managed by Senior Resource Group, Maravilla is a senior living community in Santa Barbara, California. It offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community is operated by Maravilla Subtenant LLC and SRG Management LLC, with Ruth E. Grande serving as the administrator.

The three-story community has 131 beds. It offers suites along with one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom residences. Maravilla has served residents for 11 years. Currently, it has an occupancy rate of 95%, which shows residents and families have a steady home here.

Resident services include beauty services, housekeeping, transportation, a swimming pool, fitness and recreation programs, and a variety of social activities. The community also offers the Zest Wellness fitness and wellbeing program, the Dine Your Way dining program and the broader SyneRGy wellness initiative. The Walk Score for the neighborhood is 42, so it’s somewhat walkable. You can walk to a few places nearby, but for most trips and errands, you’ll need a car.

State inspections have mainly focused on staff training, communication, building safety systems, and the timely delivery of care, including mobility assistance and family communication. Earlier inspections also identified a caregiver background check issue that was later corrected. Families touring Maravilla may want to ask how these areas are monitored as part of the community’s daily operations.

Contact Maravilla

Alexander Gardens

2120 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Overview of Alexander Gardens

Alexander Gardens Assisted Living proudly provides a home-like environment where its residents are treated like family. Residential living heeds a lifestyle of comfort. The community is where seniors thrive and retire gracefully thanks to the genuine support and care from a team of professionals. The assisted living home promotes a villa-type setting balanced with a permanent vacation feeling that can inspire residential living. This unique community is the last independently owned provider on Santa Barbara’s Upper East Side.

One of Santa Barbara’s most trusted communities, Alexander Gardens practices a person-centered approach, providing a reliable environment through maintenance-free services, housekeeping services, comfortable common spaces, and delicious dining experiences. They boast their highly trained care staff, spacious apartments, and a list of calendar-filled activities for an engaging and enriching experience during their stay.

Contact Alexander Gardens

Overview of Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara

Operated by Ventas Santa Barbara Opco, LP and Capital Sr. Mgmt. 2, Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara is a residential care community in downtown Santa Barbara, CA, that offers independent living, assisted living, and respite care. With a 126-bed capacity, the two-story community offers studio, alcove, and one-bedroom residences. It is currently operating at 74% occupancy, with 93 occupied beds, supporting a balance between personalized care and an active living environment.

A 24-hour care team and concierge are provided, along with medication management and incontinence care. Therapy is also available on-site, while transportation is scheduled for doctor appointments. The surrounding neighborhood has an excellent Walk Score of 94, allowing residents and visiting families to easily reach nearby shops, restaurants, galleries, and essential services on foot.

Recent state inspections identified opportunities to improve response times to resident needs and medication management, and the community has implemented corrective action plans to address these findings.

Contact Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a community and you move in, that community may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Assisted Living in Santa Barbara, CA

What's the difference between assisted living and memory care in California?

Assisted living in California supports residents with daily activities (bathing, dressing, medication management) while preserving independence. Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's or dementia, and adds 24/7 secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and structured routines designed to reduce confusion and wandering.

What's the difference between assisted living and a nursing home in California?

Assisted living in California is a residential model focused on housing, hospitality, and help with daily activities. Nursing homes (skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses for residents with significant health needs, and are regulated more strictly under both state and federal CMS rules.

Does California Medicaid cover assisted living?

California Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for assisted living, but most states (including California) offer Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers that can offset the cost of care services delivered inside a licensed community. Eligibility, waitlists, and covered services vary — check directly with the state Medicaid agency.

What is assisted living?

Assisted living combines private or semi-private apartments with help on activities of daily living (meals, bathing, dressing, medication management) and a social calendar — for residents who need some support but do not need 24/7 medical care.

How many assisted living facilities are listed on this page?

This page features 15 assisted living facilities in Santa Barbara, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right assisted living facility in Santa Barbara, CA?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in Santa Barbara, CA, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting assisted living facilities in Santa Barbara, CA?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.