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
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in Santa Barbara, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every assisted living provider in Santa Barbara, CA.
15 homes
Other senior care options in Santa Barbara:

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

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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-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our 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. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. 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.
The ALM Inspection Grade — our own 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. It is not a government rating. A dash means we do not publish a grade for that facility: either its public record is too thin to be fair, or we hold nothing for it at all.
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.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
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.
Heritage House
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 103
Rank #888 / 1,492
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #746 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 13
Rank #287 / 1,452
85.3%
Facility 85.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #346 / 1,313
-Heritage House GroupPrivate Rooms
Vista Del Monte Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley)
266
Facility 266
CA AVG 103
Rank #69 / 1,492
Yes
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,707 / 1,887
A-90 / 100 — 7 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #133 / 1,452
75.6%
Facility 75.6%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #670 / 1,313
A+Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, DougStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Divine Care For The Elderly
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,166 / 1,492
No
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 57
Rank #723 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,081 / 1,452
83.3%
Facility 83.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #392 / 1,313
A+Divine Care For The Elderly, LLCPrivate Rooms
Covenant Living at the Samarkand
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara (Samarkand)
379
Facility 379
CA AVG 103
Rank #31 / 1,492
No
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,216 / 1,887
-8
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #67 / 1,452
85.2%
Facility 85.2%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #350 / 1,313
-Covenant Living West-
Your Home Santa Barbara
AL
RESC
Santa Barbara (East Mesa)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,166 / 1,492
No
35
Facility 35
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,490 / 1,887
A-92 / 100 — 9 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)5
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #611 / 1,452
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1 / 1,313
-Your Home-Rcfe, Inc-
Cliff View Terrace
AL
Santa Barbara (Alta Mesa)
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 103
Rank #860 / 1,492
No
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 57
Rank #611 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)7
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #325 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #67 / 1,452
55.6%
Facility 55.6%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,116 / 1,313
-Cliff View Terrace, Inc-
Abundant Care
AL
HOS
MC
RESC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,166 / 1,492
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,116 / 1,887
B+87 / 100 — 4 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #235 / 1,452
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1 / 1,313
-Timothy Pryko & Daniel Bond-
Mission Villa
AL
HOS
MC
RESC
Santa Barbara (Oak Park)
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 103
Rank #1,133 / 1,492
No
73
Facility 73
CA AVG 57
Rank #583 / 1,887
D64 / 100 — 19 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)19
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #809 / 1,387
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,010 / 1,433
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,081 / 1,452
80.0%
Facility 80.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #555 / 1,313
A+Universal Bond, LLCPrivate Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Casa Dorinda
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara
360
Facility 360
CA AVG 103
Rank #34 / 1,492
No
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,873 / 1,887
-12
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #84 / 1,452
85.3%
Facility 85.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #346 / 1,313
-Montecito Retirement Association-
Maravilla
AL
IL
MC
Santa Barbara
131
Facility 131
CA AVG 103
Rank #438 / 1,492
Yes
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,378 / 1,887
D+68 / 100 — 15 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)20
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1,387
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,244 / 1,433
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #611 / 1,452
95.4%
Facility 95.4%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #182 / 1,313
-Maravilla Subtenant LLC And Srg Managment LLC1 Bed / 2 Bed

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 15 analyzed for Santa Barbara. See how we rank facilities

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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 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

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 Cliff View Terrace

Cliff View Terrace is a 72-bed nursing home at 1020 Cliff Drive in Santa Barbara, California, operated by Cliff View Terrace, Inc. The community has been operating for 33 years and is found in a highly walkable neighborhood (Walk Score: 72), where a majority of errands can be done on foot and many essentials are within a short walk.

Cliff View Terrace delivers comprehensive nursing care supported by an on-site medical staff and doctor on staff. 24-hour staffing is available. The community emphasizes meal and dietary expertise as part of its care model, and service staff are spotlighted as central to the community’s operational philosophy.

State health inspections on file signify that the facility maintains its regulatory compliance with no recent deficiencies or citations, implying consistent adherence to health and safety standards.

Contact Cliff View Terrace

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

Mission Villa

321 W Mission St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Overview of Mission Villa

Operated by Universal Bond, LLC, Mission Villa is a senior living community in the Oak Park neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. Gerr serves as the administrator. The community offers assisted living, memory care, residential care, and hospice care in one location. The single-story building has 15 beds with private and semi-private rooms and has served residents for four years. It currently operates at about 80% occupancy.

Mission Villa is less than one-third of a mile from Pueblo Care Complex and about 1.25 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. Residents and families have convenient access to nearby medical care and local amenities. The neighborhood has a Walk Score of 73, which is very walkable. Many everyday errands are within walking distance.

Residents have access to transportation services along with fitness and recreation programs that support an active lifestyle. It’s easier to attend appointments and outings without relying on family for every trip.

State inspections in California have generally described the community as clean and well-maintained. Reviews have mainly focused on recordkeeping, staffing, and the management of daily resident care. More recent complaint investigations did not substantiate the reported concerns. Families touring Mission Villa may want to ask how these areas are managed as part of the community’s daily operations.

Contact Mission Villa

Casa Dorinda

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

Casa Dorinda provides assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care in Santa Barbara, California. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, and medication while a resident keeps an apartment. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering, while skilled nursing provides licensed nursing care on site around the clock.

Having these care levels within one community can suit a resident whose needs grow over time, since different levels of support remain available without requiring a move to another community. Casa Dorinda has 360 beds, making it a larger community with more residents and staff, as well as programming on a larger scale. Total nurse staffing is 2 hours and 33 minutes per resident each day, representing the amount of nurse staffing time allocated to each resident across a day.

Residents can use the pool and take part in cultural events, arts and crafts, fitness classes, and nature walks. These activities provide options for exercise, creative work, cultural programming, and time outdoors. Medicare and private pay are accepted, giving families the option to use Medicare coverage or pay directly. Montecito Retirement Association operates Casa Dorinda, and Brian McCague serves as administrator.

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

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.
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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.