Best Memory Care in Santa Barbara, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 13 memory care providers in Santa Barbara, CA using CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank memory care in CA
Reviewed by
Last updated
We analyzed These are the providers in Santa Barbara, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every memory care provider in Santa Barbara, CA. Home health and home care providers may be included if they specialize in memory care services.
13 providers
Other senior care options in Santa Barbara:

Video Tour: Top-rated Memory Care facilities in Santa Barbara, California.

Watch this Video to see Santa Barbara's Top-rated Senior Communities

Compare Memory Care 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. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. 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.
A 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. This is a proprietary Assisted Living Magazine grade. It is not a government rating. A dash means we have no inspection data for that facility.
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.
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
MC
AL
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 116
Rank #690 / 1,021
A+No
67
Facility 67
CA AVG 56
Rank #421 / 1,105
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 956
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 979
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 12
Rank #189 / 974
85.3%
Facility 85.3%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #234 / 926
-Heritage House GroupPrivate Rooms
Vista Del Monte Retirement Community
MC
AL
IL
Santa Barbara (Hidden Valley)
266
Facility 266
CA AVG 116
Rank #54 / 1,021
A-Yes
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 56
Rank #989 / 1,105
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #172 / 956
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #297 / 979
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 12
Rank #81 / 974
75.6%
Facility 75.6%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #452 / 926
A+Walgenbach, Brian & Gill, DougStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Divine Care For The Elderly
MC
AL
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 116
Rank #870 / 1,021
A+No
68
Facility 68
CA AVG 56
Rank #403 / 1,105
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 956
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 979
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 12
Rank #710 / 974
83.3%
Facility 83.3%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #274 / 926
A+Divine Care For The Elderly, LLCPrivate Rooms
Abundant Care
MC
AL
HOS
RESC
Santa Barbara (Goleta)
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 116
Rank #870 / 1,021
B+No
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 56
Rank #639 / 1,105
5
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 13
Rank #1 / 956
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #461 / 979
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 12
Rank #159 / 974
100.0%
Facility 100.0%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #1 / 926
-Timothy Pryko & Daniel Bond-
Villa Alamar
MC
Santa Barbara (North State)
43
Facility 43
CA AVG 116
Rank #793 / 1,021
C+No
86
Facility 86
CA AVG 56
Rank #141 / 1,105
9
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 13
Rank #172 / 956
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #658 / 979
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 12
Rank #65 / 974
60.5%
Facility 60.5%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #750 / 926
-Gl And Vl 2, LLC, Gp Of G And V 2 LP-
Maravilla
MC
AL
IL
Santa Barbara
131
Facility 131
CA AVG 116
Rank #341 / 1,021
D+Yes
42
Facility 42
CA AVG 56
Rank #787 / 1,105
20
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #535 / 956
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 3
Rank #827 / 979
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 12
Rank #383 / 974
95.4%
Facility 95.4%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #109 / 926
-Maravilla Subtenant LLC And Srg Managment LLC1 Bed / 2 Bed
Mission Villa
MC
AL
HOS
RESC
Santa Barbara (Oak Park)
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 116
Rank #851 / 1,021
DNo
73
Facility 73
CA AVG 56
Rank #324 / 1,105
19
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #512 / 956
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #658 / 979
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 12
Rank #710 / 974
80.0%
Facility 80.0%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #365 / 926
A+Universal Bond, LLCPrivate Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Alexander Gardens
MC
AL
Santa Barbara (Upper East)
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 116
Rank #818 / 1,021
C-No
64
Facility 64
CA AVG 56
Rank #468 / 1,105
13
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #343 / 956
6
Facility 6
CA AVG 3
Rank #763 / 979
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 12
Rank #416 / 974
63.9%
Facility 63.9%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #695 / 926
-Gl And Vl LLCPrivate Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms
Westmont of Santa Barbara
MC
AL
IL
Goleta
99
Facility 99
CA AVG 116
Rank #527 / 1,021
D-Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 56
Rank #939 / 1,105
43
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 13
Rank #794 / 956
18
Facility 18
CA AVG 3
Rank #943 / 979
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 12
Rank #439 / 974
72.7%
Facility 72.7%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #507 / 926
AMariposa Mgr Gp Of Mariposa Oper And Westmont LivingStudio / 1 Bed
Santa Barbara Memory Care
MC
AL
RC
Santa Barbara (Oak Park)
36
Facility 36
CA AVG 116
Rank #818 / 1,021
D-Yes
76
Facility 76
CA AVG 56
Rank #272 / 1,105
43
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 13
Rank #794 / 956
23
Facility 23
CA AVG 3
Rank #966 / 979
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 12
Rank #294 / 974
44.4%
Facility 44.4%
CA AVG 74.2%
Rank #883 / 926
A+Pac Coast Inc., Pacifica Coast LP, And Santa Barbara Mgr1 Bed / 2 Bed

Rank badges are statewide and care-type specific: each memory care community is ranked against every other CA memory care community we track that reports that metric, not just the 13 analyzed for Santa Barbara. See how we rank facilities

Rows per page:
View all Nearby Homes

Heritage House

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

Operating since 2002, Heritage House offers assisted living and memory care in Santa Barbara, California. Residents receive support for daily tasks, including bathing and medication. Specialized care is also provided in a supervised environment for residents with memory-related conditions.

The community has 68 beds, with 85% occupancy. Private rooms are also available in a two-story setting. Moreover, fitness and recreation programs promote social interactions and help residents stay active.

Meanwhile, the area has a Walk Score of 67 and is somewhat walkable, so some errands can be handled on foot, and a resident who no longer drives may be able to reach nearby destinations independently. Alejandra Nunez serves as the administrator, and Heritage House Group operates the community.

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 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

Villa Alamar

45 E Alamar Ave, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Overview of Villa Alamar

Villa Alamar, located in Santa Barbara, CA, is a memory care community offering quality care services for their senior residents living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Their highly skilled staff ensures each residents wellness by providing personalized care through a variety of services including cognitive stimulation and social activities, assistance with daily living activities as well as medication management. This unique community is the last independently owned memory care provider on Santa Barbara’s Upper East Side
Additionally, this senior living community also provides residents with eating and dietary support monitoring by ensuring that they receive balanced and nutritious meals, daily. Furthermore, incontinence support and monitoring, beauty services, and laundry and linen services are also provided, to support the residents’ need of a hygienic living environment, where they can all thrive with dignity.

Contact Villa Alamar

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

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

Alexander Gardens

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

Operating since 2015, Alexander Gardens provides assisted living and memory care in Santa Barbara, California. Residents receive assistance with daily tasks, including bathing, dressing, and medication. Fitness and recreation provide opportunities for entertainment and wellness.

The home has 36 beds in a variety of private and semi-private rooms, allowing residents to stay by themselves or share with someone. Occupancy is at 63.9%. Its Walk Score of 64 also places the area in the somewhat walkable range.

Moreover, a beauty salon provides grooming services within the community, and chef-prepared meals are available. Gl and Vl operate Alexander Gardens, while Mitchell Leichter serves as administrator.

Contact Alexander Gardens

Overview of Westmont of Santa Barbara

Westmont of Santa Barbara offers assisted living, independent living, and memory care in Goleta, California. Assisted living includes help with daily tasks, while independent living provides a private residence without daily care. Memory care offers a secured setting with supervision for someone at risk of wandering.

Having all three care levels in one community may suit a resident whose needs could grow over time without requiring a move to a different community. The community has 99 beds and offers studio and one-bedroom residences, with a studio providing a single-room layout and a one-bedroom residence separating the sleeping area from the main living space.

Pets are allowed, so a resident can bring a pet when moving in. The starting price is $5,995 per month, establishing the initial monthly figure for planning a move. A salon and spa, outdoor spaces, and transportation give residents places for personal grooming, time outside, and travel beyond the community.

On-site therapy and rehabilitation services allow therapy to take place at the community rather than requiring separate travel. Jade Alma-Harris serves as administrator, and Mariposa Mgr Gp Of Mariposa Oper and Westmont Living operates the community.

Starting Price $5,995/Month

Contact Westmont of Santa Barbara

Overview of Santa Barbara Memory Care

Three care types are available at Santa Barbara Memory Care in Santa Barbara, CA. Those are respite care, memory care, and assisted living.

The secured, supervised one is memory care, for dementia that now carries a risk of wandering. The lighter one is assisted living, and the resident keeps their own space while staff take the daily tasks. Respite is the brief one, the level a family uses once and then knows about.

Oak Park is the neighborhood, and 36 beds are licensed. Housing features one-bedroom and two-bedroom options.

Needs that deepen can be answered at a level up. That suits a person whose dementia needs that level, and a family after short-term care.

Pets are allowed here, with Lisa Gerr as administrator. A score of 76 puts the area in very walkable territory. Most errands are within a walk.

Contact Santa Barbara Memory Care

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
Submit a correction
Who we are

Your Senior Care Partner, Every Step of the Way

We help families find affordable senior communities and unlock same day discounts, Medicaid, and Medicare options tailored to your needs.

Contact us Today

Frequently Asked Questions about Memory Care 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.

Does California Medicaid cover memory care?

California Medicaid does not directly pay room-and-board for memory care, 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 memory care?

Memory care is a specialized form of assisted living for residents living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, with secured environments, dementia-trained staff, and routines built to reduce confusion and wandering.

How many memory care communities are listed on this page?

This page features 13 memory care communities in Santa Barbara, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right memory care community 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 memory care communities 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.

Memory Care in Santa Barbara at a glance

Avg Walk Score: 54/ 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: 115The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in Santa Barbara, CA. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90