Best Assisted Living in Santa Maria, CA

Average Monthly Cost of Assisted Living in Santa Maria: $5,500
Staff-to-Resident Range for Santa Maria Communities 1:6 to 1:12
Monthly Cost Range of Assisted Living in Santa Maria: $4,500–$7,500
~15–20 Licensed Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Maria Area
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Comparison Chart

Compare Assisted Living around Santa Maria
Community
Type of Care
Location
Bed Options
Bed #
Pets Allowed
BBB Score
Walk Score
Occupancy
The Oaks at Nipomo
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Nipomo
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
-
Yes
-
43
-
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

MC

Specialized care for those with Memory Loss, Alzheimer's, or dementia, ensuring safety and support.

Santa Maria
Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
330
Yes
A+
20
59.7%
Santa Maria Terrace
AL

For seniors needing help with daily tasks but not full-time nursing.

IL

For self-sufficient seniors seeking community and minimal assistance.

Santa Maria
Studio / 1 Bed
140
Yes
-
24
68.6%

The Oaks at Nipomo

177 Mary Ave, Nipomo, CA 93444

Ideally situated in the harmonious neighborhood of Nipomo, CA, is the idyllic senior living community of The Oaks at Nipomo that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. The community goes above and beyond to provide top-tier care and assistance with a kind and specially trained team attending to their needs and preferences. Residents have a relaxing and safe retirement surrounded by the scenic views and vineyards of Nipomo.

With a meticulously curated calendar of fun recreation and exciting events, residents have more opportunities to learn and do the things they love. Here, residents have the finest dining experience with delicious and healthy meals that satisfy their nutritional needs and tastes. The Oaks at Nipomo is ideal for those seeking solace in their golden years living in a stress-free environment.

Overview of The Oaks at Nipomo

Ideally situated in the harmonious neighborhood of Nipomo, CA, is the idyllic senior living community of The Oaks at Nipomo that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care services. The community goes above and beyond to provide top-tier care and assistance with a kind and specially trained team attending to their needs and preferences. Residents have a relaxing and safe retirement surrounded by the scenic views and vineyards of Nipomo.

With a meticulously curated calendar of fun recreation and exciting events, residents have more opportunities to learn and do the things they love. Here, residents have the finest dining experience with delicious and healthy meals that satisfy their nutritional needs and tastes. The Oaks at Nipomo is ideal for those seeking solace in their golden years living in a stress-free environment.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: 2-story

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

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Three Meals Per Day

Type of Care Available

Independent Living Assisted Living Memory Care
Contact The Oaks at Nipomo

Highlighting seniors’ needs and aspirations, Merril Gardens at Santa Maria is a respected senior living community situated on the serene grounds of Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features over 200 snug and sophisticated accommodations in various studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring seniors experience unmatched comfort and convenience. With a dedicated and highly qualified team delivering top-tier care and assistance, seniors ease their minds and experience a glorious retirement.

Mingle with people from different backgrounds and learn new things through enjoyable events and exciting activities. Treat yourself to a lifetime vacation with the luxurious spaces of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Available at every time of the day, seniors enjoy delicious and healthy meals for dietary satisfaction. Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is ideal for seniors aiming to optimize their independence while keeping their peace of mind.

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

Highlighting seniors’ needs and aspirations, Merril Gardens at Santa Maria is a respected senior living community situated on the serene grounds of Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA, that offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care. The community features over 200 snug and sophisticated accommodations in various studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans, ensuring seniors experience unmatched comfort and convenience. With a dedicated and highly qualified team delivering top-tier care and assistance, seniors ease their minds and experience a glorious retirement.

Mingle with people from different backgrounds and learn new things through enjoyable events and exciting activities. Treat yourself to a lifetime vacation with the luxurious spaces of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. Available at every time of the day, seniors enjoy delicious and healthy meals for dietary satisfaction. Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria is ideal for seniors aiming to optimize their independence while keeping their peace of mind.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Room Sizes: 410 / 426 / 436 / 449-557 / 552-654 / 577 / 619 / 665 / 932 / 779 / 982 / 1071 / 1289 sq. ft

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed

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Building Type: 3-story

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Transportation Services

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Fitness and Recreation

Types of Care Available

Assisted Living Independent Living Memory Care
Contact Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria

A charming community providing independent living and assisted living in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Terrace is one of the best retirement communities in the neighborhood. The upscale senior living home ensures that quality caregiving is the top priority on their list, enabling a level of trust that many families have praised over the years. Santa Maria’s devout care staff excels in providing personalized care uniquely designed for individuals’ needs in a nurturing environment.

Accommodations include premium services and amenities– fitness activities, recreational programs, scheduled outings, entertainment programs, specialized programs, gourmet-style dining, housekeeping, transportation, and ADLs.

Overview of Santa Maria Terrace

A charming community providing independent living and assisted living in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Terrace is one of the best retirement communities in the neighborhood. The upscale senior living home ensures that quality caregiving is the top priority on their list, enabling a level of trust that many families have praised over the years. Santa Maria’s devout care staff excels in providing personalized care uniquely designed for individuals’ needs in a nurturing environment.

Accommodations include premium services and amenities– fitness activities, recreational programs, scheduled outings, entertainment programs, specialized programs, gourmet-style dining, housekeeping, transportation, and ADLs.

What does this home offer?

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Pets Allowed: Yes, Pets Allowed

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Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed

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Building Type: Mid-rise

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Fitness and Recreation

Type of Care Available

Assisted Living Independent Living
Contact Santa Maria Terrace

Assisted Living Magazine Ranking Methodology

View Full Ranking Methodology

How We Score & Rank Senior Living Communities

At Assisted Living Magazine, our rankings are designed to help families compare senior living communities with clarity and confidence.
Each community is evaluated and ranked based on reputation, transparency, digital trust, and on-site quality signals.
Below is the full explanation of every factor and the exact weight it contributes to the final score.

Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.

What We Prioritize Most

The largest portion of every community’s score comes from resident feedback and online reputation (40%), which reflects real experiences shared by families and caregivers.
An additional 45% of the score comes from a combination of transparency and operational quality signals, including:

  • Photos, videos, and virtual tours (visual transparency)
  • Website quality and digital trust indicators
  • Occupancy levels and number of units (community scale & stability)

These factors help us evaluate how well a community presents itself and how consistently it meets resident needs.

Balancing Additional Factors

The final 15% of the score comes from supportive context data, including:

  • Walkability and local accessibility
  • Estimated property value
  • Pricing information

These elements provide helpful context but carry less weight because our rankings prioritize real-world satisfaction and care consistency first.
The result is a fair, clear, and data-driven ranking system for families researching senior living options.

What Families Search for Most in Santa Maria

A quick look at the senior living and care categories people explore the most. Find the options that matter to you in one place.

Best Nursing Homes in Santa Maria
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We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos

Check out our photo album

Check out our virtual tours

Check out our home videos

Resident interviews at our senior living facilities

Check out our resident interviews

Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.

Check out our cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions from families.
What government services provide money for senior housing?

Several government programs offer financial assistance for senior housing in various countries, focusing on the United States for a broad overview:

  • Medicaid: Medicaid is a state and federally funded program that can cover the costs of nursing home care for those who meet eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits. Some states also offer Medicaid waivers that help pay for home and community-based services to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
  • Medicare: Medicare, primarily a health insurance program for people aged 65 and over, does not cover long-term housing costs. However, it can cover short-term stays in a skilled nursing facility under specific conditions following a hospital stay.
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides housing for low-income seniors. It offers rental assistance and access to supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties: While not a direct subsidy, LIHTC encourages developers to create affordable housing. Seniors with low incomes can find reduced-rent apartments through this program.
  • State and Local Programs: Many states, counties, and cities offer their own programs to assist seniors with housing costs. These can include property tax relief programs, rental assistance programs, and programs that offer affordable senior housing options.
  • Veterans Affairs (VA): The VA offers several programs for veterans, including the Aid and Attendance benefit, which provides monthly payments to veterans who require the aid of another person, or are housebound, to help cover the cost of care in homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.
  • Social Security: While Social Security primarily provides retirement income, for many seniors, these benefits are a crucial part of their budget, including housing costs.
How do you pick the homes you recommend?

Before recommending homes, we conduct a thorough evaluation on crucial factors that define a senior home such as the quality of care they provide, the reputation of the organization, and a comprehensive review of community testimonials as well. Every detail is assessed to assure that seniors are offered not just senior care options, but trustworthy homes where they can experience the care that they deserve.

Do you help families that need Medicaid?

Yes. Assisting families who need Medicaid is important to us as it plays a crucial role in offering financial support to seniors confronting economic challenges. We would like to keep essential healthcare services accessible to all community members, irrespective of one’s financial circumstances.

Cost guide to senior living, assisted living, nursing homes, and more.

Check out our cost guide.

How much does this service cost?

We extend our services at no cost, ensuring that families and seniors can benefit from tailored assistance in their search for care and home options. Our ability to offer personalized guidance without charge to families and seniors is made possible through the support and funding from the communities with which we team up. 

What services do you offer?
  • Finding and ranking the best assisted living facilities
  • Finding and ranking the best nursing homes
  • Finding and ranking the best memory care facilities
  • Our concierge service helps seniors move into the perfect home for them
  • Helping seniors use medicare, medicaid, and other government programs to pay for their homes
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Helping seniors avoid senior homes that have bad service or fraud
  • Autobiography & Family History Writing + Research
  • Senior-focused concierge medicine
  • Senior-focused nutritionist
  • Senior-focused personal training
  • Memory care specialists
  • Custom wheelchairs at all price points.
  • Custom hearing aids
  • Cosmetic skincare + dermatology
  • Companionship: We offer in-person and virtual companionship services. Someone engaging to hang out with or talk to on video chat.
  • Senior housing concierge. Our service finds the best senior living options based on your needs, income, and personality.
Virtual Tours & Videos

Check out our photo album

Check out our virtual tours

Check out our home videos

Resident interviews at our senior living facilities

Check out our resident interviews