Other senior care options in Santa Barbara:

Page 2 of Best Assisted Living in Santa Barbara, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 14 assisted living communities in Santa Barbara, CA using California Department 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
14 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: 51/ 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: 117The 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)

The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.

Covenant Living at the Samarkand
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara (Samarkand)
379
Facility 379
CA AVG 104
Rank #31 / 1648
No
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 57
Rank #1343 / 2087
90
Facility 90
CA AVG 81
Rank #398 / 1399
6
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 13
Rank #210 / 1388
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #599 / 1160
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #92 / 1494
85.2% A+Covenant Living West-
Heritage House
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 104
Rank #1013 / 1648
No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 57
Rank #829 / 2087
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 81
Rank #1 / 1399
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 1388
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1160
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 13
Rank #292 / 1494
85.3% -Heritage House GroupPrivate Rooms
Vista Del Monte Retirement Community
AL
IL
MC
Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley)
266
Facility 266
CA AVG 104
Rank #74 / 1648
Yes
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 57
Rank #1869 / 2087
91
Facility 91
CA AVG 81
Rank #355 / 1399
37
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #159 / 1494
75.6% A+Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, DougStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Casa Dorinda
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara
360
Facility 360
CA AVG 104
Rank #34 / 1648
No
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 57
Rank #2039 / 2087
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #630 / 1399
5
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1388
-
32
Facility 32
CA AVG 13
Rank #108 / 1494
85.3% -Montecito Retirement Association-
Wood Glen Hall
AL
IL
RC
Santa Barbara (East San Roque)
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 104
Rank #977 / 1648
No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1240 / 2087
85
Facility 85
CA AVG 81
Rank #687 / 1399
11
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 13
Rank #991 / 1388
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #412 / 1160
- 68.1% A+Wood Glen Hall IncPrivate Rooms
Alexander Gardens
AL
MC
Santa Barbara (Upper East)
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 104
Rank #1230 / 1648
No
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 57
Rank #922 / 2087
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 81
Rank #630 / 1399
7
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #588 / 1388
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 3
Rank #753 / 1160
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #667 / 1494
63.9% -Gl And Vl LLCPrivate Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Mission Villa
AL
HOS
MC
RESC
Santa Barbara (Oak Park)
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 104
Rank #1288 / 1648
No
73
Facility 73
CA AVG 57
Rank #641 / 2087
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 81
Rank #1050 / 1399
9
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #809 / 1388
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #829 / 1160
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #1108 / 1494
80.0% A+Universal Bond, LLCPrivate Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Maravilla
AL
IL
MC
Santa Barbara (Calle Real)
131
Facility 131
CA AVG 104
Rank #482 / 1648
Yes
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 57
Rank #1523 / 2087
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 81
Rank #1155 / 1399
12
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #845 / 1388
7
Facility 7
CA AVG 3
Rank #984 / 1160
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #614 / 1494
95.4% -Maravilla Subtenant LLC And Srg Managment LLC1 Bed / 2 Bed
Cliff View Terrace
AL
Santa Barbara (Alta Mesa)
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 104
Rank #977 / 1648
No
72
Facility 72
CA AVG 57
Rank #673 / 2087
89
Facility 89
CA AVG 81
Rank #461 / 1399
5
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #324 / 1388
-
33
Facility 33
CA AVG 13
Rank #92 / 1494
55.6% -Cliff View Terrace, Inc-
Westmont of Santa Barbara
AL
IL
MC
Goleta
99
Facility 99
CA AVG 104
Rank #726 / 1648
Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 57
Rank #1793 / 2087
59
Facility 59
CA AVG 81
Rank #1300 / 1399
23
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 13
Rank #1182 / 1388
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 3
Rank #1129 / 1160
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #746 / 1494
72.7% A-Mariposa Mgr Gp Of Mariposa Oper And Westmont LivingStudio / 1 Bed
Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara
AL
IL
Santa Barbara (Laguna)
126
Facility 126
CA AVG 104
Rank #520 / 1648
Yes
94
Facility 94
CA AVG 57
Rank #87 / 2087
77
Facility 77
CA AVG 81
Rank #924 / 1399
10
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #809 / 1388
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 3
Rank #895 / 1160
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #1215 / 1494
73.8% -Ventas Santa Barbara Opco, LP And Capital Sr. Mgmt 2Studio / Alcove / 1 Bed

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

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 Westmont of Santa Barbara

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.

Contact Westmont of Santa Barbara

Overview of Garden Court at Villa Santa Barbara

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.

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.
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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.