Occupancy rate
83%
Higher than the California average: 72.8%
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Santa Cruz, CA
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living & Memory Care · Santa Cruz, CA
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.
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
Higher than the California average: 72.8%
Occupied beds
109 / 132
Average residents per home in California
87 per day
Facility TypeResidential Care Elderly
StatusLicensed
IssuanceJuly 30, 2020
CountySanta Cruz
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is legally operated by Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant Llc; Merrill Gardens Llc, and administrated by Candace Bolin.
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
Types of Care at Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Assisted Living
Memory Care
Inspection History
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.
Since 2021 · 5 years of data
16 citations
42 total visits
24 complaint visits
4 official inspections
18 complaint investigations
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
6 Worse
Metrics worse than California average:
• Total citations (60% above)
• Citations per year (60% above)
• Total visits (163% above)
• Complaint visits (85% above)
• Other visits (100% above)
• Complaint investigations (80% above) 1 At Avg Metrics at California average:
• Official inspections (at CA avg) 1 Better Metrics better than California average:
• Citations per inspection (88% below)
• Total citations (60% above)
• Citations per year (60% above)
• Total visits (163% above)
• Complaint visits (85% above)
• Other visits (100% above)
• Complaint investigations (80% above) 1 At Avg Metrics at California average:
• Official inspections (at CA avg) 1 Better Metrics better than California average:
• Citations per inspection (88% below)
Latest Inspection
October 7, 2025
Complaint Investigation
Citations
Citations are formal regulatory issues recorded during state inspections.
| Metric | This Facility | CA Average | vs. CA Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
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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). Click this badge to view the full California ranking.↑ 60% 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.
|
9 | — | — |
|
Moderate citations (Type B)
Violations that do not pose an immediate risk but still represent a departure from required care or operational standards.
|
7 | — | — |
|
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). Click this badge to view the full California ranking.↑ 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). Click this badge to view the full California ranking.↓ 88% better |
Inspections & Visits
State inspections evaluate whether the facility meets health and safety standards.
Inspection Reports Summary
An editor-reviewed summary of the themes and findings across this facility's recent inspection reports.
This facility’s inspection record is mixed, with repeated deficiencies related to staffing, medication management, and resident supervision, including elopements and failure to meet care needs. The most recent inspection on October 7, 2025, cited no deficiencies, but prior visits in 2025 documented two elopement-related citations with a $500 fine and substantiated medication errors involving incorrect dosing and insufficient staff competency. While some complaints were unsubstantiated, the record shows ongoing challenges in ensuring adequate supervision and medication safety, though recent inspections suggest some improvement.
Read the full inspection reports for this facility, including detailed findings and corrective actions.
Show Inspection ReportsLiving Spaces & Floor Plans for Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
Sunshine Villa A Merrill Gardens Community 1 Bed
Sunshine Villa A Merrill Gardens Community Studio
Sunshine Villa A Merrill Gardens Community 1 Bed B
Financial Assistance for
Assisted Living in California
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is located in Santa Cruz, California.
Here are the financial assistance programs available to residents in California.
Places of interest near Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
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)
Calculate Travel Distance to Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
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Compare Assisted Living around Santa Cruz
The information below is reported by the California Department of Social Services and Department of Public Health.
Filter by care type
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| Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community |
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.
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 Cruz (Beach & Boardwalk Commercial District) | 132 | Yes | 93 | 4 | 24 | 9 | 5 | 82.6% | Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant LLC; Merrill Gardens LLC | Studio / 1 Bed |
| Maple House II |
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 Cruz (Yacht Harbor Manor) | 40 | No | 74 | 1 | - | 1 | 1 | 52.5% | Divine Senior Care Inc. | Private / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Maple House |
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.
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 Cruz (Seabright) | 22 | No | 92 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 50.0% | Divine Senior Care Inc. | Private / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Alexandria Victoria |
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.
HC
Home Care Professional care delivered in the person's own home — from companionship and errands to skilled nursing and therapy. Allows seniors to age in place. Medicare covers skilled home health when medically necessary.
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 Cruz (Banana Belt) | 13 | No | 85 | 4 | 3 | - | 8 | 69.2% | Ofelia Jony Inc | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Alexandria Victoria II |
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 Cruz (Banana Belt) | 8 | No | 85 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 75.0% | Ofelia Jony Inc | Suite |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community
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?
The legal owner and operator of Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community is Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant Llc; Merrill Gardens Llc.
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 83%.
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 recent deficiencies or citations?
Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community has had 16 recently reported deficiencies.
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