Best Nursing Homes in Santa Barbara, CA

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 3 nursing homes in Santa Barbara, CA using CMS data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank nursing homes in CA
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We analyzed These are the facilities in Santa Barbara, CA our team has analyzed — not a count of every nursing home provider in Santa Barbara, CA.
3 homes
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Avg Overall CMS Rating: 4.7/ 5The average Overall CMS Rating for all CMS-certified nursing homes in Santa Barbara, CA. Ratings combine health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, with inspections weighted most. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.2/ 5
Avg Staffing Rating: 2.7/ 5The average Staffing Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Santa Barbara, CA. Reflects nursing staff hours per resident per day (including RNs), adjusted for residents' care needs. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.4/ 5
Avg Health Insp. Rating: 4.7/ 5The average Health Inspection Rating across all CMS-certified nursing homes in Santa Barbara, CA. Based on each facility's recent inspections and complaint investigations, weighing the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 3.0/ 5

Compare Nursing Homes around Santa Barbara (Metro Area)

Info below is compiled from CMS reports & 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.

The facility name. Click to view the full profile page on Assisted Living Magazine, including photos, services, and contact info.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that regulates nursing homes) Overall 5-star rating — a composite of Health Inspection, Staffing, and Quality Measures scores. 5 stars = top 10% nationally. 1 star = bottom 10%. The single most important number to start with when comparing facilities.
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.
Neighborhood or city area where the facility is located. Proximity to family, hospitals, and green space matters for both quality of life and ease of visitation. Consider drive time and transit access when evaluating location.
Licensed bed capacity. Larger facilities (300+ beds) often have more specialized programs but can feel institutional. Smaller homes (under 150 beds) tend to deliver more personalized care. Compare with Avg Res/Day to understand how full the facility typically runs.
Percentage of licensed beds filled on an average day. Color indicates financial health: green (90%+) = operationally strong, typically profitable. Amber (80–89%) = stable but leaving revenue on the table. Orange (70–79%) = financial strain likely, may struggle with fixed costs. Red (<70%) = significant distress, closure or ownership change risk increases sharply.
This facility's occupancy rate compared to the statewide average for similar facilities. A positive number means above-average demand. Facilities running 5%+ above the state average are typically the most sought-after in their market — a strong proxy for reputation.
CMS-adjusted total nurse hours per resident per day (RN + LPN + CNA combined). The national average is approximately 3.5 hrs. Higher is better — more direct care time per resident. Below 3.0 is a red flag. CMS weights RN hours more heavily because RNs handle complex clinical decisions that CNAs cannot.
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.
CMS Health Inspection star rating (1–5 stars), based on the 3 most recent annual state surveys plus any complaint investigations. This is the hardest rating to manipulate — it reflects real surveyor findings on-site. 5 stars = fewest deficiencies found. 1 star = most. It carries the heaviest weight in the Overall CMS rating.
CMS Staffing star rating (1–5 stars), based on daily nurse staffing hours submitted to CMS via verified payroll data. Compares RN, LPN, and CNA coverage relative to resident acuity level. 5 stars = well above expected staffing. Weekend staffing is evaluated separately, as that's where many facilities quietly reduce coverage.
CMS Quality Measures star rating (1–5 stars), based on 15 clinical outcome metrics including fall rates, pressure ulcers, antipsychotic drug use, and hospital readmissions. Captures actual resident health outcomes, not just compliance. High QM combined with low Health Inspection scores can indicate a facility with strong care but weak documentation practices.
Registered Nurse hours per resident/day compared to the statewide average. RNs are the highest-skilled nursing staff — they assess residents, manage medications, and respond to emergencies. A value of +50% means RN coverage is 50% above the state norm. Negative values are a concern for residents with complex or acute medical needs.
Total nursing staff hours (RN + LPN + CNA combined) per resident/day vs. the statewide average. A broader measure than RN vs State — it captures the entire care team. A facility can have high total staffing but low RN hours, meaning more aides and fewer nurses. Read both columns together for the full picture.
Total dollar amount of federal monetary fines (civil money penalties) issued by CMS in the past 3 years. Fines are only levied for serious violations — typically actual harm to residents, repeated uncorrected deficiencies, or systemic non-compliance. Even a single fine is noteworthy. Multiple fines strongly suggest a pattern, not isolated incidents.
Total health deficiency citations from the most recent standard inspection cycle. Minor citations (scope A–C) are common and often administrative in nature. Higher counts aren't always disqualifying, but should be read alongside Severe Citations to understand actual harm levels. Under 10 is strong for a large facility; 30+ warrants a closer look.
Average deficiency citations per CMS inspection (survey) in the reporting window — total citations divided by the number of inspections. Lower is better; compare alongside total Citations and Severe Citations for context.
Citations at CMS scope/severity level G or higher — G–I means actual harm occurred; J–L means residents were placed in immediate jeopardy. (D–F is potential for harm only). Examples include unaddressed falls, medication errors causing injury, neglect, or abuse.
Average number of residents in the building on any given day, derived from annual census data. Reflects true operating scale — a 400-bed facility running 200 residents/day operates very differently from one at 390. Higher resident counts generally mean more funded staffing hours.
Better Business Bureau rating (A+ to F). Reflects complaint history, business transparency, and how family disputes were resolved. A+ means no significant unresolved complaints. A blank (—) means the facility isn't BBB-accredited, which is common for healthcare providers and not necessarily a negative signal.
Walk Score® (0–100). Measures walkability of the surrounding area. 90–100 = Walker's Paradise. 70–89 = Very Walkable. 50–69 = Somewhat Walkable. Below 50 = Car-Dependent. Higher scores benefit family visitors, resident outings, and staff commuting.
The licensed owner or operator of record filed with CMS — the individual or organization legally accountable for the facility. Searching the operator name across other facilities can reveal chain or multi-site ownership, which matters: chain-operated homes tend to have more variable quality outcomes than independently run facilities.
What the home actually collects for resident care, after contractual allowances, bad debt and discounts — not gross billings. Taken from the latest complete annual cost report, so it is comparable across homes reporting the same period. Revenue alone doesn't indicate care quality, but it funds staffing and capital reinvestment. Pair with Payroll %. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Staff salaries plus wage-related benefits from the latest complete annual cost report. Contract and agency labour is counted separately, under other operating costs, so a home leaning on agency staff can show a low figure here. Payroll is the cost most directly tied to care quality — compare with Payroll % for full context. Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
Payroll as a share of NET PATIENT REVENUE (not gross revenue). Both figures come from the same cost-report year. A higher figure means more of each revenue dollar goes to staff pay. Read with the Staffing star rating to judge whether spend translates into coverage — and note that homes whose patient revenue covers only part of their operation can read implausibly high. The California average is: 61.1% Figures are from each facility's most recent complete fiscal year — hover a value for the exact year; a * marks homes that report an older period than most facilities.
CMS Certification Number: the unique federal identifier for this skilled nursing provider.
Mission Terrace
NH
SNF
Santa Barbara (Samarkand)
138
Facility 138
CA AVG 148
Rank #110 / 328
92.1%
Facility 92.1%
CA AVG 82.5%
Rank #100 / 289
+12%
4.69
Facility 4.69
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #62 / 289
A+98 / 100 — 15 points above the California average for CMS-certified facilities (83/100) -60%+11%
$0
Facility $0
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #1 / 294
14
Facility 14
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #16 / 291
1.4
Facility 1.4
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #1 / 291
-127-
62
Facility 62
CA AVG 60
Rank #192 / 354
Evelina Murphy
$19.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $19.9MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $15.7M
Rank #65 / 260
$10.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $10.8MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #68 / 260
54.1%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 54.1%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG 61.1%
Rank #122 / 260
55991
Covenant Living at the Samarkand
NH
AL
MC
SNF
Santa Barbara (Samarkand)
379
Facility 379
CA AVG 148
Rank #21 / 328
85.2%
Facility 85.2%
CA AVG 82.5%
Rank #175 / 289
+3%
4.65
Facility 4.65
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #71 / 289
- -5%+10%
$0
Facility $0
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #1 / 294
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #107 / 291
4.0
Facility 4.0
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #217 / 291
-323-
50
Facility 50
CA AVG 60
Rank #243 / 354
Covenant Living West
$11.4MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $11.4MFiscal year ending 09/2023
CA AVG $15.7M
Rank #173 / 260
$6.3MFiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility $6.3MFiscal year ending 09/2023
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #183 / 260
55.8%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
Facility 55.8%Fiscal year ending 09/2023
CA AVG 61.1%
Rank #109 / 260
555762
Casa Dorinda
NH
AL
MC
SNF
Santa Barbara
360
Facility 360
CA AVG 148
Rank #24 / 328
85.3%
Facility 85.3%
CA AVG 82.5%
Rank #173 / 289
+3%
2.55
Facility 2.55
CA AVG 4.22
Rank #289 / 289
- +170%-40%
$8.3k
Facility $8.3k
CA AVG $56.5k
Rank #188 / 294
31
Facility 31
CA AVG 50.2
Rank #91 / 291
5.2
Facility 5.2
CA AVG 4.6
Rank #239 / 291
1307-
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 60
Rank #350 / 354
Montecito Retirement Association
$36.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $36.4MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $15.7M
Rank #4 / 260
$19.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility $19.2MFiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG $8.9M
Rank #7 / 260
52.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
Facility 52.7%Fiscal year ending 12/2023
CA AVG 61.1%
Rank #145 / 260
555023

Rank badges are statewide: each nursing home is ranked against every CA nursing home we track that reports that metric, not just the 3 analyzed for Santa Barbara. See how we rank facilities

Mission Terrace

623 W Junipero St, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Overview of Mission Terrace

Mission Terrace, nestled in Santa Barbara, California, envisions a rehabilitation and skilled nursing community where the little joys of life contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling experience. Prioritizing comfort and an exceptional quality of life, Mission Terrace offers a range of amenities and activities. Residents can indulge in various enriching pursuits, from exercise classes and religious services to movies, bingo, and arts and crafts. The inviting decor, including elegant armoires and floral bedspreads, creates a homey atmosphere. Families are encouraged to spend quality time in the tastefully adorned surroundings, fostering a sense of welcome and comfort in the accessible location near downtown Santa Barbara.

Mission Terrace’s commitment to excellence extends to the facilities and services provided. The ornate and eye-catching decor of the accommodations reflects a dedication to creating a comfortable living environment. For rehabilitation services, Mission Terrace stands out as Santa Barbara’s preferred choice for optimal recovery, especially for post-operative patients of various specialties. The culinary experience is elevated through collaboration between a licensed dietitian and an Executive Chef, ensuring residents savor fresh and delicious culinary delights prepared by trained assistants from a culinary institute. Mission Terrace offers skilled nursing and rehabilitation services at its best.

Contact Mission Terrace

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

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

Ranking Methodology

How we rank these nursing homes

Every nursing home above is evaluated across five weighted categories using CMS data including Care Compare, Payroll-Based Journal, and Medicare Cost Reports.

  • CMS data
  • 5 weighted categories
  • Updated quarterly
Full methodology

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Care Quality
  • 20%
    Staffing
  • 20%
    Regulatory
  • 20%
    Operational
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Care Quality 35%

The largest single share of every ranking. CMS star ratings and quality measures that reflect actual care delivered to residents.

  • Includes
  • Overall Rating
  • Health Inspection
  • QM Rating
  • Long-Stay QM
  • Short-Stay QM
02

Staffing Adequacy 20%

The strongest predictor of resident outcomes. Volume and stability of nursing care, drawn from CMS Payroll-Based Journal.

  • Includes
  • Nurse Hrs/Res/Day
  • RN vs State
  • Total Nurse Staff Hrs vs State
  • RN Turnover
03

Regulatory & Safety Record 20%

Inspection patterns that star ratings can mask. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • Citations
  • Citations/Inspection
  • Severe Citations
  • Fines
  • Accreditations
04

Operational & Financial Stability 20%

Stable operations and sound finances are leading indicators of consistent care over time.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy vs State
  • Avg Length of Stay
  • Revenue
  • Payroll %
  • Years in Operation
  • Admin Tenure
05

Environment & Accessibility 5%

Context that matters to families but doesn't directly measure clinical care. Weighted lower for nursing homes than for assisted or independent living.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • BBB Rating
No paid rankings Facilities cannot pay to influence placement.
How we're paid: If we help you find a home and you move in, that home may pay us a referral fee. This never affects where they rank or what you pay. Learn more
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nursing Homes in Santa Barbara, CA

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 nursing home care?

Yes — California Medicaid covers nursing home care for residents who meet income, asset, and medical-need eligibility requirements. Most CMS-certified nursing homes accept Medicaid as a primary payer once long-term-care eligibility is established.

What is nursing home care?

Nursing homes (also called skilled nursing facilities) provide 24/7 medical care from licensed nurses, rehabilitation services, and long-term custodial care for residents with significant health or functional needs.

How many nursing homes are listed on this page?

This page features 3 nursing homes in Santa Barbara, CA. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right nursing home 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 nursing homes 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.