
Compare Assisted Living around Santa Barbara (Metro Area)
The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
| Westmont of Santa Barbara | AL IL MC | Goleta | 99
Facility
99
CA AVG
103
Rank
#725 / 1657 | Yes |
24
Facility
24
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1798 / 2092 | 59
Facility
59
CA AVG
81
Rank
#1301 / 1401 | 23 | 24
Facility
24
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1187 / 1397 | 18
Facility
18
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1133 / 1164 | 8
Facility
8
CA AVG
13
Rank
#738 / 1487 |
72.7%
Facility
72.7%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#782 / 1368 | A- | Mariposa Mgr Gp Of Mariposa Oper; Westmont Living | Studio / 1 Bed |
| Maravilla | AL IL MC | Santa Barbara (Calle Real) | 131
Facility
131
CA AVG
103
Rank
#482 / 1657 | No |
42
Facility
42
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1527 / 2092 | 67
Facility
67
CA AVG
81
Rank
#1156 / 1401 | 12 | 10
Facility
10
CA AVG
13
Rank
#850 / 1397 | 7
Facility
7
CA AVG
3
Rank
#988 / 1164 | 11
Facility
11
CA AVG
13
Rank
#610 / 1487 |
95.4%
Facility
95.4%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#181 / 1368 | - | Maravilla Subtenant LLC; Srg Managment LLC | 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Wood Glen Hall | AL IL RC | Santa Barbara (East San Roque) | 72
Facility
72
CA AVG
103
Rank
#981 / 1657 | No |
54
Facility
54
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1242 / 2092 | 85
Facility
85
CA AVG
81
Rank
#688 / 1401 | 11 | 14
Facility
14
CA AVG
13
Rank
#995 / 1397 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
3
Rank
#413 / 1164 | - |
68.1%
Facility
68.1%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#895 / 1368 | A+ | Wood Glen Hall Inc | Private Rooms |
| Heritage House | AL MC | Santa Barbara (Goleta) | 68
Facility
68
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1017 / 1657 | No |
67
Facility
67
CA AVG
57
Rank
#830 / 2092 | 96
Facility
96
CA AVG
81
Rank
#1 / 1401 | 5 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1 / 1397 | 0
Facility
0
CA AVG
3
Rank
#1 / 1164 | 23
Facility
23
CA AVG
13
Rank
#289 / 1487 |
85.3%
Facility
85.3%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#374 / 1368 | - | Heritage House Group | Private Rooms |
| Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara | AL IL | Santa Barbara (Laguna) | 126
Facility
126
CA AVG
103
Rank
#520 / 1657 | Yes |
94
Facility
94
CA AVG
57
Rank
#87 / 2092 | 77
Facility
77
CA AVG
81
Rank
#925 / 1401 | 10 | 9
Facility
9
CA AVG
13
Rank
#814 / 1397 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
3
Rank
#895 / 1164 | 3
Facility
3
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1210 / 1487 |
73.8%
Facility
73.8%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#754 / 1368 | - | Ventas Santa Barbara Opco, LP; Capital Sr. Mgmt 2 | Studio / Alcove / 1 Bed |
| Vista Del Monte Retirement Community | AL IL MC | Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley) | 266
Facility
266
CA AVG
103
Rank
#74 / 1657 | Yes |
18
Facility
18
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1874 / 2092 | 91
Facility
91
CA AVG
81
Rank
#355 / 1401 | 37 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
13
Rank
#324 / 1397 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
3
Rank
#413 / 1164 | 28
Facility
28
CA AVG
13
Rank
#158 / 1487 |
75.6%
Facility
75.6%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#711 / 1368 | A+ | Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, Doug | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Covenant Living at the Samarkand | AL MC NH | Santa Barbara (Samarkand) | 379
Facility
379
CA AVG
103
Rank
#31 / 1657 | No |
50
Facility
50
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1345 / 2092 | 90
Facility
90
CA AVG
81
Rank
#398 / 1401 | 6 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
13
Rank
#210 / 1397 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
3
Rank
#600 / 1164 | 33
Facility
33
CA AVG
13
Rank
#91 / 1487 |
85.2%
Facility
85.2%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#379 / 1368 | A+ | Covenant Living West | - |
| Alexander Gardens | AL MC | Santa Barbara (Upper East) | 36
Facility
36
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1238 / 1657 | No |
64
Facility
64
CA AVG
57
Rank
#923 / 2092 | 86
Facility
86
CA AVG
81
Rank
#630 / 1401 | 7 | 5
Facility
5
CA AVG
13
Rank
#592 / 1397 | 3
Facility
3
CA AVG
3
Rank
#753 / 1164 | 10
Facility
10
CA AVG
13
Rank
#662 / 1487 |
63.9%
Facility
63.9%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#1025 / 1368 | - | Gl And Vl LLC | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Casa Dorinda | AL MC NH | Santa Barbara | 360
Facility
360
CA AVG
103
Rank
#34 / 1657 | No |
2
Facility
2
CA AVG
57
Rank
#2044 / 2092 | 86
Facility
86
CA AVG
81
Rank
#630 / 1401 | 5 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
13
Rank
#529 / 1397 | - | 32
Facility
32
CA AVG
13
Rank
#106 / 1487 |
85.3%
Facility
85.3%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#374 / 1368 | - | Montecito Retirement Association | - |
| Mission Villa | AL HC MC RC | Santa Barbara (Oak Park) | 15
Facility
15
CA AVG
103
Rank
#1297 / 1657 | No |
73
Facility
73
CA AVG
57
Rank
#642 / 2092 | 72
Facility
72
CA AVG
81
Rank
#1051 / 1401 | 9 | 9
Facility
9
CA AVG
13
Rank
#814 / 1397 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
3
Rank
#828 / 1164 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1100 / 1487 |
80.0%
Facility
80.0%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#593 / 1368 | A+ | Universal Bond, LLC | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Cliff View Terrace | AL | Santa Barbara (Alta Mesa) | 72
Facility
72
CA AVG
103
Rank
#981 / 1657 | No |
72
Facility
72
CA AVG
57
Rank
#674 / 2092 | 89
Facility
89
CA AVG
81
Rank
#461 / 1401 | 5 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
13
Rank
#324 / 1397 | - | 33
Facility
33
CA AVG
13
Rank
#91 / 1487 |
55.6%
Facility
55.6%
CA AVG
74.8%
Rank
#1167 / 1368 | - | Cliff View Terrace, Inc | - |
Have a blissful retirement with the distinguished senior living community of Westmont of Santa Barbara in Goleta, CA, which provides assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. With its commitment to improving residents’ quality of life, the community features purposely built and sophisticated amenities, alongside top-tier care and assistance. Residents have more time to do the things they love with a compassionate and highly trained team caring for their personal needs and household responsibilities.
Here, residents always have something new to learn with a full calendar of enjoyable activities and engaging events that encourage them to maintain an active lifestyle. Delightful and healthy meals are also available throughout the day, ensuring residents have a satisfactory dining experience. Westmont of Santa Barbara doubles its efforts to create a haven where residents thrive and reach their full potential with its state-of-the-art amenities and a trusted community.
Maravilla operates across three care levels (assisted living, independent living, memory care) at 5486 Calle Real in Santa Barbara, managed by Senior Resource Group under Ruth E Grande’s administration. The 131-bed community is structured as three stories with flexible housing: suites, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units ranging from 398 to 1,177 square feet. Eleven years of operating history, paired with 95% occupancy (125 of 131 beds filled), suggest consistent market demand.
The neighborhood scores 42 on the Walk Score, meaning some services are walkable but most trips require a car. It’s 8.8 miles from downtown Santa Barbara. The facility offers beauty services, transportation, housekeeping, social and recreational programming, exercise, a swimming pool, and structured programs called Zest Wellness, Dine Your Way, and SyneRGy. These are the operational anchors.
State surveys have documented serious deficiencies involving staff qualifications and building safety systems, including an immediate health and safety risk tied to staff management and an inoperable elevator. Substantiated complaints detail delays in toileting care, poor communication with residents’ authorized representatives, and failure to seek timely medical attention after a resident fall. A background check deficiency for a private caregiver was cited, then corrected. The facility shows seven serious citations against a state average of three, and seven moderate citations against an average of four.
The inspection pattern suggests systemic gaps in care coordination, staff management, and safety systems. Maravilla’s high occupancy and longevity don’t correlate with inspection findings that point to operational deficiencies families should evaluate directly before placement decisions.
Wood Glen Hall offers quality care for an adult care home that offers compassion and kindness; residents can feel comfortable with the team of dedicated staff who are ready to attend to any needs. The affordable assisted living services perform nothing less than quality service in a nurturing and cozy environment that inspires residents to thrive and live comfortably.
The premier community has boasted an elevated lifestyle through the high service provided to seniors who live independently. All-inclusive amenities include delicious and nutritious meals by a chef, weekly housekeeping and laundry, everyday fitness activities with their finest gym equipment, lush gardens, and a spacious community garden.
Heritage House is a cozy assisted living and memory care home that has continuously been practicing a personal approach to the meaningful service they are guaranteed to deliver to the seniors; they strive to make a difference in the lives of the elderly. The beautiful community has been a home of possibilities for seniors who want to discover the purpose in their lives that they have been searching for; a home that they deserve is found at the Heritage House in Santa Barbara.
The community’s home-like surroundings and nurturing environment are contributed by its in-house professional culinary team to provide the best and finest dishes at its pub, café, and dining room. Beautiful activities are found in their ballroom, billiards lounge, fitness center, computer or media center, and fireplace – among many others. Their essential services include wheelchair-accessible showers, kitchenettes, ground-floor units, specialized memory care support, and social and recreational activities.
Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara is an exquisite independent and assisted living community that boasts resort-style living in a modern apartment complex exclusively for seniors in the city. The retirement home encourages its seniors to maintain independence while receiving exceptional care from compassionate staff. The compassionate staff truly cares about its residents and families by creating a welcoming and comfortable environment that helps residents feel more comfortable.
As a Sonida Senior Living community, Garden Court provides a list of comprehensive amenities and services that help make its residents’ lives hassle-free. These include 24-hour licensed supervision, medication services, balanced meals provided, engaging scheduled activities, and a full-service salon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A cozy senior living community that offers exquisite assisted living and memory care benefits, Mission Villa is one of the premier senior living communities in Santa Barbara. The vibrant home provides the best convenience and comfort for seniors who want to stay active and have a quaint lifestyle. The nurturing environment empowers and enhances the quality of life for residents by tailored care to each unique individual. The cozy home offers an environment where the holistic wellness of seniors is met.
Mission Villa strives to provide its residents with a comfortable lifestyle of everyday living, making it an ideal place to call a new home. Regardless of your living option, management and staff are guaranteed to provide resort-like accommodations with world-class hospitality– assisted living activities, memory care programs, housekeeping, dining services, enriching programs, and 24/7 nursing supervision.
Ranking Methodology
How we rank these assisted living communities
Every community above is evaluated across six weighted categories using public data including state inspection records, review platforms, BBB profiles, and operator-published materials.
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
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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 14 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.


















