Assisted Living in Santa Cruz, CA

Last updated March 01, 2025

Santa Cruz offers a diverse range of 19 Assisted Living communities giving families varied options to choose from. The average cost of assisted living living in the Santa Cruz area is $3,750, and the communities in the Santa Cruz area have a average rating of 9.9 out of 10. Seniorly also uses Seniorly Price Estimate for cost comparisons with nearby cities, and even highlights new construction facilities for those seeking modern amenities. Families can look at 71 photos, 234 ratings and reviews, and 14 prices in the Santa Cruz area to get a sense of assisted living in the area. Not to be confused with nursing homes, which offer medical care, assisted living provides daily help with activities of daily living like dressing or bathing. And with services catering to all care levels, many facilities enable residents to age in place, whether it's a 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom option. For personalized assistance, Seniorly local advisors Lauren Ross and Sebastian Frey are available to help with your search.

The 19 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Cruz, CA

19 communities near Santa Cruz, CA

Verified

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community - image 1

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community - image 2

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

80 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Assisted Living , Memory Care

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community, stands as a beacon of warmth and care, nestled in a vibrant neighborhood known for its inviting atmosphere and scenic views. The community is ideally positioned within walking distance of the Santa Cruz Wharf, beach, and boardwalk, offering residents the chance to enjoy the coastal beauty and engaging local attractions. The charming building, with its r...

From $4,600/mo

9.8

See details

Verified

Dominican Oaks

3400 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

Assisted Living

"I moved to Dominican Oaks six years ago, and I can say with all honesty that it was a great decision. The staff are incredibly caring and welcoming, the other residents are friendly and compasionate, the food is really good and there's always something fun going on. It's got some lovely outdoor areas and I am actually finding it much more social than I originally thought it would be. " - David

From $4,890/mo

9.5

See details

Verified

Westwind Memory Care

160 Jewell Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Assisted Living , Memory Care

Westwind Memory Care stands as a beacon of compassionate senior living, nestled in a vibrant neighborhood that offers a harmonious blend of serene living and accessible amenities. This large community is designed to provide exceptional care and medical services, ensuring that residents receive the attention and support they need to thrive. With a focus on personalized care, Westwind Memory Care of...

From $5,750/mo

9.3

See details

Verified

Aegis Living Aptos

125 Heather Terrace, Aptos, CA 95003

Assisted Living , Memory Care

"I have been very impressed with Aegis Aptos memory care unit. While my dad has lots of ups and downs, he seems more balanced since he moved there. This diagnosis has been a rough journey for the whole family, but I am seriously grateful for the people who work there - not only do they take great care of my dad but they are such a support for the rest of the family too. " - Louise

From $6,030/mo

9.9

See details

Verified

Brookdale Scotts Valley

100 Lockwood Lane, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Assisted Living

Brookdale Scotts Valley is a vibrant senior living community that offers a comprehensive range of care and medical services. Residents can enjoy peace of mind knowing that the dedicated staff is available 24/7 to address emergencies and provide assistance with activities of daily living. The community offers personalized care, including medication management and coordination with healthcare provid...

From $4,035/mo

9.8

See details

Paradise Villa

2177 17Th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living

Nestled along the picturesque Santa Cruz coastline, Paradise Villa offers a welcoming environment for seniors seeking a vibrant and fulfilling community life. With a strong emphasis on care and medical services, this senior living community ensures that residents receive the support and attention they deserve. The dedicated team at Paradise Villa provides a comprehensive range of health care servi...

From $3,800/mo

9.4

See details

Valley Haven III

2266 Chanticleer Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living , Memory Care

Valley Haven III offers a welcoming and supportive environment for seniors, focusing on exceptional care and medical services. Located at 2266 Chanticleer Avenue, this medium-sized community provides an array of health care services, including a 24-hour call system, supervision, assistance with bathing, dressing, and transfers, as well as medication management. Additionally, the community is well-...

From $3,500/mo

8.6

See details

Twin Lakes Manor

777 Volz Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home

Twin Lakes Manor, a small and welcoming community located in the beautiful city of Santa Cruz, California, offers a variety of care and medical services to cater to the diverse needs of its residents. The property's services include assisted living and board and care home, making it an ideal choice for seniors who require additional support in their daily lives. With an average pricing of $4,250, ...

From $4,250/mo

7.3

See details

Maple House Ii

2000 Brommer Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living

Nestled in the heart of California, Maple House II stands as a beacon of comfort and care for its residents. This medium-sized senior living community is thoughtfully designed to provide a nurturing environment with a focus on comprehensive care and medical services. Residents benefit from a robust array of healthcare services, including a 24-hour call system, supervision, and assistance with dail...

From $3,850/mo

7.3

See details

Flor's Guest Home 1

1106 Darlene Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home

Flor's Guest Home 1 offers a warm and inviting senior living community, nestled in a serene neighborhood on Darlene Drive. This small, close-knit community prioritizes exceptional care and medical services, ensuring residents receive the support they need around the clock. With 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and transfers, and meticulous medication...

From $4,600/mo

5.5

See details

Hanover Guest Home

813 Hanover Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home

Hanover Guest Home, nestled on 813 Hanover Street, offers an inviting atmosphere for seniors looking for a peaceful and supportive community. With a focus on comprehensive care and medical services, residents benefit from 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, ensuring they receive the attention and care they need. The community ...

From $2,750/mo

5.5

See details

Alexandria Victoria

226 Morrissey Boulevard, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home , Memory Care

Alexandria Victoria is a charming senior living community nestled at 226 Morrissey Boulevard, offering residents a serene and supportive environment. With a focus on providing exceptional care and medical services, Alexandria Victoria ensures that residents receive the attention and assistance they need. The community offers 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dr...

From $5,850/mo

5.5

See details

Nona's Cottage

161 Archer Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home

Nona's Cottage, nestled in the heart of Santa Cruz at 161 Archer Drive, offers a warm and inviting environment for seniors seeking a supportive and vibrant community. This small, close-knit community is dedicated to providing exceptional care and medical services to its residents. With 24-hour supervision, assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management, Nona'...

From $4,600/mo

5.5

See details

Live In Serenity

1340 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living

Welcome to Live In Serenity, an intimate board and care home in Santa Cruz, CA. Live In Serenity is located at 1340 17th Ave, and offers assisted living to older adults. We know that price is an important factor in

From $4,600/mo

4.2

See details

Rachelle's Home Iii

4101 Fairway Drive, Soquel, CA 95073

Assisted Living

Nestled in the heart of California, Rachelle's Home III offers a welcoming and nurturing environment for its residents. This medium-sized senior living community is dedicated to providing exceptional care and medical services, ensuring peace of mind for both residents and their families. The community is equipped with a comprehensive range of health care services, including a 24-hour call system, ...

From $3,800/mo

7.3

See details

The Maple House

410 Pennsylvania Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living

From $4,600/mo

3.6

See details

Alexandria Victoria 2

228 Morrissey Boulevard, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living

Alexandria Victoria Assisted Living is a warm and welcoming community that has been dedicated to providing exceptional care since 1974. Nestled in the heart of a vibrant neighborhood, this family-run establishment is renowned for its personalized approach to assisted living. With a focus on the well-being of each resident, Alexandria Victoria ensures a nurturing environment where everyone is treat...

From $5,850/mo

3.8

See details

Seaview Guest Home

7321 Mesa Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home , Memory Care

Seaview Guest Home, nestled at 7321 Mesa Drive, offers an inviting and supportive environment for seniors. This small community in California is dedicated to providing exceptional care and medical services, ensuring that residents receive the attention and assistance they need around the clock. The caring staff is available 24/7 to assist with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and medica...

From $4,800/mo

7.3

See details

Wrc-2

174 Willowbrook Drive, Ben Lomond, CA 95005

Assisted Living , Board and Care Home , Memory Care

Wrc-2 is a senior living community nestled in the charming neighborhood of Ben Lomond, California. This small, intimate community provides a warm and welcoming environment where residents can enjoy a variety of amenities and the highest standard of care. With walking paths and a serene garden, residents have ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The community also hosts movie nights, schedule...

From $3,600/mo

5.5

See details

1 - 19 of 19 results

Top rated assisted living in Santa Cruz, CA

In Santa Cruz, California, there are 18 assisted living communities, with 7 rated above 8. Top-rated facilities include Aegis Living Aptos, Sunshine Villa, and A Merrill Gardens Community. The area features 6 large, 3 medium, and 9 small assisted living communities. Recent activity includes 6 moves and 8 tours facilitated by Seniorly, with Lauren Ross serving as the local advisor.

20+

Assisted living communities analyzed

230+

Comprehensive reviews

70+

Community photographs

10+

Detailed pricing sources

Verified

Aegis Living Aptos

125 Heather Terrace, Aptos, CA 95003

Assisted Living , Memory Care

From $6,030/mo

9.9

See details

Verified

Sunshine Villa, A Merrill Gardens Community

80 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Assisted Living , Memory Care

From $4,600/mo

9.8

See details

Best value assisted living in Santa Cruz, CA

In Santa Cruz, California, Brookdale Scotts Valley and Paradise Villa are identified as the best value assisted living communities. These communities have been highly rated for their quality of care while maintaining a lower cost of care, based on an analysis of 234 reviews and 14 price data points.

Verified

Brookdale Scotts Valley

100 Lockwood Lane, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

Assisted Living

From $4,035/mo

9.8

See details

Paradise Villa

2177 17Th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Assisted Living

From $3,800/mo

9.4

See details

Compare average cost of assisted living in Santa Cruz, CA area with nearby cities

The figures below show the average monthly starting costs for assisted living of nearby cities. Keep in mind that these figures are an average, and that the numbers used to calculate it spanned a wide range. In fact, Seniorly data suggests that most families will underestimate their monthly budget by almost 20%, meaning that once inclusions and services are factored in, they can actually afford more than they originally thought.

$5,498/mo

Watsonville

See communities

$5,247/mo

Los Gatos

See communities

$5,296/mo

Saratoga

See communities

$5,565/mo

Campbell

See communities

$5,147/mo

Morgan Hill

See communities

$4,647/mo

Marina

See communities

Assisted Living amenities in Santa Cruz area

100% of these assisted living have walking paths

50% of these assisted living feel like home

50% of these assisted living offer resident-run activities

50% of these assisted living have a restaurant style

33% of these assisted living are verified

33% of these assisted living offer fitness activities

Average Seniorly Community Score in Santa Cruz

7.5

Very good

Seniorly Community Score

What is Seniorly Community Score?

The Seniorly Community Score is a comprehensive and unbiased rating system that takes into account multiple factors crucial to senior living quality. We've meticulously analyzed thousands of senior living communities across the country to create an innovative and accurate assessment of each community's strengths and offerings. The Seniorly Community Score employs a user-friendly scale from 1 to 10, with 10 signifying an exceptional senior living community and 1 representing the lower end of quality, ensuring an easy-to-understand and transparent evaluation for families.

Get to know Santa Cruz area

Total population: 64,522

28% of population is 50+ years old, 12% is 65+ years old

Median income: $80,554

The poverty rate is 9% higher for this region compared to the California state average, which is 12%

Diversity

10% Asian, 21% Hispanic, and 74% White of population

Learn about assisted living citations in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz assisted living communities had an average of 3.6 citations in 2023. This is 80% higher than the Santa Cruz County average of 2 citations and 24.28% lower than the California average of 4.75 citations.

What are citations?

Citations are official notifications issued by regulatory agencies during inspections of assisted living facilities. These citations are given when violations or deficiencies related to resident safety, care, or adherence to regulations are identified. They serve as a means to highlight areas where the facility may not be meeting the required standards, prompting the need for corrective action. Citations can range in severity, with Type A citations addressing more serious violations that may pose potential harm to residents, and Type B citations addressing less severe infractions.

Learn about assisted living allegations in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz assisted living communities had an average of 6.3 allegations in 2023. This is 26% higher than the Santa Cruz County average of 5 allegations and 34.35% higher than the California average of 4.69 allegations.

What are allegations?

Allegations are critical in California assisted living licensing compliance as they signal potential issues and trigger thorough investigations. By addressing allegations promptly, regulators can enforce corrective actions, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for senior living communities' residents. Maintaining accountability through investigations helps uphold the highest standards of care in the industry.

Learn about assisted living inspections in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz assisted living communities had an average of 3.1 inspections in 2023. This is 1.71% lower than the Santa Cruz County average of 3.15 inspections and 9.96% higher than the California average of 2.82 inspections. A lower number of inspections in assisted living facilities is actually better because it indicates a higher level of consistent compliance with regulations and standards.

What are inspections?

Inspections play a vital role in the context of California assisted living licensing compliance as they are key to maintaining the highest standards of care and safety for seniors. Regular and thorough inspections are conducted by regulatory authorities to assess whether assisted living facilities meet the required licensing standards and regulations. These inspections help identify any potential issues, deficiencies, or violations within the facilities, ensuring prompt corrective actions and improvements are implemented. By holding facilities accountable through inspections, California can ensure that seniors residing in these communities receive the best possible care and support, fostering an environment of trust and confidence for families seeking suitable living options for their loved ones.

Explore other types of communities in Santa Cruz, CA

Independent Living

For active older adults who want to downsize to a home in a retirement community but don't need help to live independently.

Memory Care

A supervised and secured community designed to support engagement and quality of life for residents living with dementia.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

For residents who want to age in place as their care needs change—from Independent Living to nursing care. Requires a buy-in fee.

Nursing Homes

For seniors with more serious medical needs who require skilled care following a hospitalization, illness, or surgery. Nursing Homes are also known as skilled nursing facilities.

Board and Care Home

Homes in residential neighborhoods that are equipped and staffed to provide daily care for a small number of residents.