
Compare Nursing Homes 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 | NH AL MC | Santa Barbara (Samarkand) | 379
Facility
379
CA AVG
103
Rank
#31 / 1657 |
85.2%
Facility
85.2%
CA AVG
84.7%
Rank
#457 / 1537 | +1% | 4.42
Facility
4.42
CA AVG
4.22
Rank
#105 / 354 | -5% | +5% | $0
Facility
$0
CA AVG
$56.5k
Rank
#1 / 362 | 90
Facility
90
CA AVG
81
Rank
#398 / 1401 | 32
Facility
32
CA AVG
50.2
Rank
#128 / 361 | 5.3
Facility
5.3
CA AVG
4.6
Rank
#265 / 361 | - | 323 | A+ |
50
Facility
50
CA AVG
57
Rank
#1345 / 2092 | Covenant Living West | $11.4M
Facility
$11.4M
CA AVG
$17.0M
Rank
#182 / 355 | $6.3M
Facility
$6.3M
CA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#193 / 355 | 55.8%
Facility
55.8%
CA AVG
45.2%
Rank
#178 / 355 | 555762 | ||||
| Casa Dorinda | NH AL MC | Santa Barbara | 360
Facility
360
CA AVG
103
Rank
#34 / 1657 |
85.3%
Facility
85.3%
CA AVG
84.7%
Rank
#452 / 1537 | +1% | 5.99
Facility
5.99
CA AVG
4.22
Rank
#13 / 354 | +170% | +42% | $8.3k
Facility
$8.3k
CA AVG
$56.5k
Rank
#226 / 362 | 86
Facility
86
CA AVG
81
Rank
#630 / 1401 | 29
Facility
29
CA AVG
50.2
Rank
#107 / 361 | 5.8
Facility
5.8
CA AVG
4.6
Rank
#289 / 361 | - | 307 | - |
2
Facility
2
CA AVG
57
Rank
#2044 / 2092 | Ramona Clark | $36.4M
Facility
$36.4M
CA AVG
$17.0M
Rank
#20 / 355 | $19.2M
Facility
$19.2M
CA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#10 / 355 | 52.7%
Facility
52.7%
CA AVG
45.2%
Rank
#204 / 355 | 555023 | ||||
| Mission Terrace | NH | Santa Barbara (Samarkand) | 138
Facility
138
CA AVG
103
Rank
#446 / 1657 |
65.3%
Facility
65.3%
CA AVG
84.7%
Rank
#1116 / 1537 | -23% | 4.15
Facility
4.15
CA AVG
4.22
Rank
#160 / 354 | -60% | -2% | $0
Facility
$0
CA AVG
$56.5k
Rank
#1 / 362 | - | 14
Facility
14
CA AVG
50.2
Rank
#20 / 361 | 1.4
Facility
1.4
CA AVG
4.6
Rank
#1 / 361 | - | 129 | - |
62
Facility
62
CA AVG
57
Rank
#982 / 2092 | Evelina Murphy | $19.9M
Facility
$19.9M
CA AVG
$17.0M
Rank
#92 / 355 | $10.8M
Facility
$10.8M
CA AVG
$7.0M
Rank
#100 / 355 | 54.1%
Facility
54.1%
CA AVG
45.2%
Rank
#235 / 355 | 55991 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.






