Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community in Santa Cruz, CA

Overview of Sunshine Villa, a Merrill Gardens Community

Sunshine Villa, a Merrill Gardens Community, is a senior living community situated in the vibrant heart of Santa Cruz, within walking distance of the Santa Cruz Wharf, beach, and boardwalk. With individualized care services catered to each resident’s needs and preferences, this historic landmark provides high-quality assisted living and memory care. Since 1990, Sunshine Villa has been a dependable member of the Santa Cruz community, offering top-notch care in a lovely, idyllic environment.

Sunshine Villa’s goal is to provide its residents with a satisfying and rewarding lifestyle, and it is committed to meeting and beyond their expectations. The community offers a number of amenities, such as chef-prepared meals, elegantly furnished common rooms, a library, landscaped gardens with courtyards, private dining room, on-site RNs/LPNs, and a Victorian sunporch, ensuring a comfortable and engaging living experience.

Facility Direct Line (831) 291-4601

132-bed community

A larger shared setting that may offer more common spaces and organized community services.

5 years in operation

An established community with some operational experience and growing routines.

Walk Score: 93 / 100

Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.

About this community

Occupancy

Occupancy rate

80%

Higher than the California average: 72.8%

Occupied beds

105 / 132

Average occupied beds in California homes 87 beds

Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly

IssuanceJuly 30, 2020

CountySanta Cruz

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is legally operated by Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC and Merrill Gardens LLC, and administered by Candace Bolin.

Since 2021 · 5 years of data 16 citations 44 total visits 26 complaint visits 4 official inspections 18 complaint investigations

Inspection Score

22 points below the California average for assisted living residences (81/100)

Inspection Scorecard 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.

Since 2021 vs. California state average

Overall vs. CA average

Latest Inspection May 14, 2026

Citations Citations are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total citations Formal regulatory issues recorded by inspectors across all inspection types.	16	10	This facility has 60% more total citations than a typical California assisted living residence (16 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 60% worse
Serious citations (Type A) Citations that pose an immediate risk to resident health or safety. Type A citations are the most serious and typically require prompt corrective action.	9	3	This facility has 200% more serious citations (type a) than a typical California assisted living residence (9 vs. CA avg 3).↑ 200% worse Rank #1029 / 1160 Serious citations (Type A) — State benchmarked This home is ranked 1029th out of 1160 homes in California for # of serious citations. Shows this facility's # of serious citations compared to the California average among 1160 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Moderate citations (Type B) Citations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.	7	4	This facility has 75% more moderate citations (type b) than a typical California assisted living residence (7 vs. CA avg 4).↑ 75% worse
Citations per year Average citations per year since 2021.	3.2	2	This facility has 60% more citations per year than a typical California assisted living residence (3.2 vs. CA avg 2).↑ 60% worse
Citations per inspection Average citations per inspection.	0.4	3.3	This facility has 88% fewer citations per inspection than a typical California assisted living residence (0.4 vs. CA avg 3.3).↓ 88% better

Inspections & Visits State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.	This Facility	CA Average	vs. CA Avg
Total visits Combined count of complaint visits, other regulatory visits, and official scheduled inspections.	45	16	This facility has 181% more total visits than a typical California assisted living residence (45 vs. CA avg 16).↑ 181% worse
Complaint visits On-site visits triggered by formal complaints filed by residents, families, or staff.	26	13	This facility has 100% more complaint visits than a typical California assisted living residence (26 vs. CA avg 13).↑ 100% worse Rank #1217 / 1388 Complaint visits — State benchmarked This home is ranked 1217th out of 1388 homes in California for # of complaint visits. Shows this facility's # of complaint visits compared to the California average among 1388 comparable communities in the ranking pool. Rankings are based only on facilities in California that report data for that category. Facilities without available data are excluded from the ranking.
Other visits Regulatory visits that are neither routine inspections nor complaint investigations — administrative check-ins, follow-up reviews, licensing-related visits.	15	7	This facility has 114% more other visits than a typical California assisted living residence (15 vs. CA avg 7).↑ 114% worse
Official inspections Routine, scheduled inspections conducted by state regulators to evaluate whether the facility meets federal and state standards.	4	4	This facility has official inspections in line with the California average (4 vs. CA avg 4).— At avg
Complaint investigations On-site investigations triggered by complaints filed with California regulators.	18	10	This facility has 80% more complaint investigations than a typical California assisted living residence (18 vs. CA avg 10).↑ 80% worse

Inspection Reports Summary An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.

The most recent inspection on March 9, 2026, cited no deficiencies despite ongoing investigations into incidents involving staff and residents.
The facility had multiple substantiated deficiencies in 2024-2025, including medication errors, insufficient staffing, failure to prevent resident elopements, and unmet personal care needs.
Follow-up inspections in April 2025 cleared prior elopement-related deficiencies after documented staff training, showing partial improvement in supervision and safety measures.

Show Inspection Reports

What does this home offer?

Pets Allowed

Room Sizes: 320 / 490 - 576 sq. ft

Housing Options: Studio / 1 Bed

Building Type: 3-story

Transportation Services

Fitness and Recreation

Living Spaces & Floor Plans for Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

1 Bedroom

Studio

1 Bedroom

1.1 miles from city center Estimated distance in miles from Santa Cruz's city center to Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community's address, calculated via Google Maps. — 13.05 miles to nearest hospital (Watsonville Community Hospital)

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The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.


Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community	AL MC	Santa Cruz (Beach & Boardwalk Commercial District)	132	Yes	93	59	4	26 Facility 26 CA AVG 13 Rank #1217 / 1388	9 Facility 9 CA AVG 3 Rank #1029 / 1160	5	79.5%	Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC And Merrill Gardens LLC	Studio / 1 Bed
Valley Haven	AL HOS MC RC	Santa Cruz (Live Oak)	48	Yes	56	95	4	2 Facility 2 CA AVG 13 Rank #324 / 1388	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1160	12	56.3%	Jesus & Josephine Arcilla	Private Rooms
Maple House II	AL MC	Santa Cruz (Yacht Harbor Manor)	40	No	74	93	1	-	1 Facility 1 CA AVG 3 Rank #412 / 1160	1	57.5%	Divine Senior Care Inc	Private / Semi-Private Rooms
Maple House	AL MC	Santa Cruz (Seabright)	22	No	92	-	1	-	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1160	1	50.0%	Divine Senior Care Inc	Private / Semi-Private Rooms
Alexandria Victoria	AL HOS MC	Santa Cruz (Banana Belt)	13	No	85	93	4	3 Facility 3 CA AVG 13 Rank #441 / 1388	0 Facility 0 CA AVG 3 Rank #1 / 1160	10	61.5%	Ofelia Jony, Inc	Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms

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Multipurpose Senior Services Program

MSSP (Medi-Cal Waiver)

Age 65+

General California resident, Medi-Cal eligible, nursing home risk.

Income Limits (2025) ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 (individual), $3,000 (couple).

County-managed; waitlists possible.

Benefits

In-home support (4-6 hours/day) Respite care (14 days/year) Meals (~$6/meal) Transportation (8 trips/month) Care management

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)

California IHSS

Age 65+

General California resident, Medicaid-eligible or low-income.

Income Limits ~$1,732/month individual, Medi-Cal threshold

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Can hire family as caregivers.

Benefits

Personal care (up to 283 hours/month) Homemaker services Respite (varies)

Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP)

CA MSSP

Age 65+

General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible but community-capable.

Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Available in 38 counties; waitlists common.

Benefits

Case management Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Minor home mods (avg. $500) Adult day care (~$50/day)

Property Tax Postponement Program (PTP)

CA PTP

Age 62+

General California resident, own and live in home, 40% equity.

Income Limits (2025) ~$51,500/year household, adjusted annually

Asset Limits Equity-based; no strict asset cap.

Deferred taxes accrue interest (5% as of 2024); repaid upon sale/death.

Benefits

Property tax deferral (avg. $1,000-$3,000/year, varies by county)

Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)

CA ALW

Age 65+ or disabled

General California resident, Medi-Cal-eligible, nursing home-eligible.

Income Limits ~$2,829/month 300% FBR, individual

Asset Limits $2,000 individual

Available in 15 counties (e.g., LA, Sacramento); waitlists common.

Benefits

Personal care in ALFs (5-7 hours/day) Medication management Social services

California CARES Program

CA CARES

Age —

General Caregivers of California residents 60+ needing help with 3+ daily activities; no caregiver age limit.

Income Limits No strict limit; cost-sharing above ~$2,500/month threshold.

Asset Limits Not applicable; need-based.

High demand in urban areas; complements IHSS respite.

Benefits

Respite care (up to 10 days/year) Counseling (4-6 sessions/year) Training (2-3 workshops/year) Supplies (~$200/year)

What neighborhood is Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community in?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is in the Beach & Boardwalk Commercial District neighborhood of Santa Cruz.

Who is the owner of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is legally operated by Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC and Merrill Gardens LLC, and administered by Candace Bolin.

Is Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community in a walkable area?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has a walk score of 93. Walker's paradise. Daily errands do not require a car, with many shops and services nearby.

What is the occupancy rate at Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community's occupancy is 80%.

Who is the administrator of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community?

Candace Bolin is the administrator of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community.

How many beds does Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community have?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has 132 beds.

Has Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community had any citations?

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has had 16 reported citations since 2021 according to records from California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

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Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community