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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.
Lower than the California average: 72.8%Santa Maria Terrace is legally operated by Oceano Senior Living, Inc., and administrated by Sanjuana Enriquez.
In California, the Department of Social Services (for assisted living facilities) and the Department of Public Health (for nursing homes) conduct inspections to ensure resident safety and regulatory compliance.
A composite 0–100 score combining this facility's inspections, citations, complaints, and enforcement actions relative to the California state average. See the assisted living residences benchmark below for the typical California score; higher is better.
Well below the California average for assisted living residences.
California assisted living residences benchmark: C 76/100
Inspection score: 53 out of 100. Letter grade F. Well below the California average for assisted living residences.
This scorecard compares key inspection, citation, and complaint metrics at this facility against the California state average. Metrics rated ≥15% worse than average are highlighted in red; those ≥15% better are highlighted in green.
Citations
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total citations
Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.
| 30 | 10 | This facility has 200% more total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (30 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 200% worse |
|
Serious citations (Type A)
Violations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action.
| 13 | 3 | This facility has 333% more serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (13 vs. CA avg 3).↑ 333% worse |
|
Moderate citations (Type B)
Violations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.
| 17 | 4 | This facility has 325% more moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (17 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 325% worse |
|
Citations per year
Average citations per year since 2020.
| 5 | 1.7 | This facility has 194% more citations per year than a typical California assisted living residence (5 vs. CA avg 1.7).↑ 194% worse |
|
Citations per inspection
Average citations per inspection.
| 0.7 | 3.3 | This facility has 79% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.7 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 79% better |
Inspections & Visits
| This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total visits
Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections.
| 44 | 16 | This facility has 175% more total visits than a typical California assisted living residence (44 vs. CA avg 16).↑ 175% worse |
|
Complaint visits
On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.
| 32 | 13 | This facility has 146% more complaint visits than a typical California assisted living residence (32 vs. CA avg 13).↑ 146% worse |
|
Other visits
Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits.
| 7 | 7 | This facility has other visits in line with the California average (7 vs. CA avg 7).— At avg |
|
Official inspections
Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.
| 5 | 4 | This facility has 25% more official inspections than a typical California assisted living residence (5 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 25% worse |
|
Complaint investigations
On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.
| 22 | 10 | This facility has 120% more complaint investigations than a typical California assisted living residence (22 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 120% worse |
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
Pets Allowed
Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed
Building Type: Mid-rise
Fitness and Recreation
75.7 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Santa Maria's city center to Santa Maria Terrace's address, calculated via Google Maps.
— 0.11 miles to nearest hospital (Community Health Centers - Arbor Women's Health)
Add your location
Santa Maria Terrace is located in Santa Maria, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
| Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Santa Maria | 330 | Yes | 20 | 4 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
11.6
Rank
#654 / 1397 | 1
Facility
1
CA AVG
3.2
Rank
#413 / 1164 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
13
Rank
#1094 / 1485 |
59.7%
Facility
59.7%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#1047 / 1249 | A+ | Mg At Santa Maria, LP ; Shi-IV Merrill Gp, LLC ; M | Studio / 1 Bed |
| Santa Maria Terrace |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support. | Santa Maria | 140 | Yes | 24 | 5 | 32
Facility
32
CA AVG
11.6
Rank
#1278 / 1397 | 13
Facility
13
CA AVG
3.2
Rank
#1096 / 1164 | 6
Facility
6
CA AVG
13
Rank
#885 / 1485 |
68.6%
Facility
68.6%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#829 / 1249 | - | Oceano Senior Living, Inc. | Studio / 1 Bed |
| The Oaks at Nipomo |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Nipomo | 122 | Yes | 43 | 5 | 34
Facility
34
CA AVG
11.6
Rank
#1289 / 1397 | 9
Facility
9
CA AVG
3.2
Rank
#1033 / 1164 | 7
Facility
7
CA AVG
13
Rank
#804 / 1485 |
78.7%
Facility
78.7%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#603 / 1249 | - | Nipomo Oaks,Gp Of Nipomo Oaks Ops LP;Westmont Lvng | Studio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed |
| Magnolia and Primrose |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence. | Santa Maria | 14 | No | 7 | 5 | 4
Facility
4
CA AVG
11.6
Rank
#529 / 1397 | 2
Facility
2
CA AVG
3.2
Rank
#600 / 1164 | 15
Facility
15
CA AVG
13
Rank
#492 / 1485 |
64.3%
Facility
64.3%
CA AVG
75.9%
Rank
#961 / 1249 | - | Senior Living Resources | Studio / 1 Bed |
The legal owner and operator of Santa Maria Terrace is Oceano Senior Living, Inc..
Santa Maria Terrace has a walk score of 24. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
Santa Maria Terrace's occupancy is 69%.
Sanjuana Enriquez is the administrator of Santa Maria Terrace.
Santa Maria Terrace has 140 beds.
Santa Maria Terrace has had 30 recently reported deficiencies.
Yes — there are 6 photos of Santa Maria Terrace in the photo gallery on this page.
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