A Welcoming Place Where Friendships Blossom
The California spirit is alive and well at Santa Barbara retirement homes. A pillar of the daily experience is to foster personal growth and social interaction. The culture at Vista del Monte is like a family, not just between neighbors but between residents and caregivers, too. Every activity, every day is geared toward creating an environment where people connect, learn and share in common and uncommon experiences.
From art programs to creative writing classes, virtual lectures, discussion groups, beach walkers and foodie groups, youll find a myriad of ways to express yourself and push your boundaries side by side with friendly people walking along the same path.
In celebration of all the knowledge our residents bring to the table, the Life Enrichment program allows passionate residents with unique skills and interests to play the role of teacher and guide others in a learning journey. In this way, Santa Barbara retirement communities are at the forefront of changing the way we view senior living.
And dont worry, if your best friend walks with four legs, theyll be welcome at Vista del Monte. As a pet friendly community, we believe furry family members are as much part of the family as anyone else. Take your pooch out for a walk along well-maintained pathways and show them countless gardens and flowers to sniff. The pedestrian-friendly downtown is also pet friendly meaning your pal can leash up and go along everywhere that you do.
Santa Barbara Ca Independent Living Communities
There are 25 different Independent Living communities in Santa Barbara to choose from. One is sure to fit the needs of you and your family. See below or click to view a list of the Independent Living communities in Santa Barbara, CA. Some of the amenities that these communities offer include restaurant style dining and apartment or condo style living units as well as community trips. All of these Independent Living Communities offer different services & amenities. A few of the options include:
Active Adult Communities are communities with homes for sale. Most offer a clubhouse where a variety of activities are offered. Services such as landscaping, maintenance & housekeeping are usually offered as well.
Senior Apartments are living units with an age requirement, offering limited additional services. Most have a clubhouse where groups meet for activities, and some offer transportation to planned activities & events.
Retirement Communitiesoffer independent living with amenities such as meals, transportation and activities included in the monthly fee.
Continuing Care Retirement Community offer independent living along with assisted living and nursing care in a single setting. You can start on the independent level and progress as need be, staying on one campus. These communities normally require an entry fee and offer a living unit, meals, and health care up to the nursing level.
What Makes Vista Del Monte Stand Out From The Rest
Not all Santa Barbara retirement communities are created equal. If youre looking to get more out of your next chapter, discover some of the many ways Vista del Monte creates a warm, inviting environment seniors love to live in. Stop looking at Santa Barbara retirement homes where youll be told how to live youve just found a community where you can enjoy life as you desire.
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What It Is Like To Retire In Santa Barbara
One of the nations top tourist and retirement communities is Santa Barbara, California. Located about 85 miles north of Los Angeles, this charming mission city on the Pacific, has done a superb job of preserving its heritage and creating a livable, modern city. The graceful adobe architecture of the Spanish Mission style is everywhere – from the historic Mission Santa Barbara to the original Motel 6 here in town. The Santa Ynez Mountains rise up 4000 to the east and provide a stunning backdrop. The downtown offers wonderful high-end shopping. No billboards are permitted in town, and other signs are required to be small. Santa Barbara has an active cultural life with many museums and colleges . There are more than 15 notable parks, some of them quite large. The citys population is 86,000. The greater metropolitan area has a population of about 200,000 and includes the cities of Goleta and Carpinteria and the communities of Montecito, Summerland, Isla Vista, and Hope Ranch.Santa Barbara is located in Santa Barbara County. Here is information on retirement in California. Don‘t miss our short video of Santa Barbara .
Staff That Love Their Job

At Vista del Monte youll notice our staff smiling as much as our residents do. After all, were a family here and from the kitchen to the health and wellness center to the community store, everyone understands that theyre part of something special.
As a team, our goal is simple, to provide all the help you need to live life on your own terms, at your own pace.
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Other Ways To Pay For Assisted Living In Santa Barbara
Since not everyone can afford to pay for assisted living out-of-pocket, its important to find alternative methods to help make assisted living more affordable. Some of these options include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about your options for making assisted living more affordable, visit our guide to Assisted Living in Santa Barbara.
For Artists Assisted Living Santa Barbara Ca Features Private Resident Only Studio
Embrace your inner Monet with watercolor classes at the Vista del Monte studio. Try new mediums with the opportunity to express yourself with block printmaking, air-dry clay, mosaics, sculpting, woodworking and performance arts.
Along with hands on classes, the community often hosts local museum docents for special presentations and outings to local galleries or exhibitions. For the musically inclined, the Vista Choir is always in need of another pair of strong lungs.
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Best Santa Barbara Retirement Communities
Retiring in the Golden State can be a very tempting opportunity: nice weather, great health-conscious communities, and an overall relaxed vibe await. The retirement communities in Santa Barbara County are a particularly great choice for being in a vibrant city while not living in a crowded, hectic place. Santa Barbara is located about 85 miles north of Los Angeles, yet manages to offer wonderful natural surroundings and clean air, with Santa Ynez Mountains setting a stunning backdrop for your home. So, what are the best retirement communities in Santa Barbara?
There are many great places, such as Valle Verde, a wonderful community with high-quality facilities, professional staff, and friendly residents. Samarkand is another excellent option that has a lot to offer. Enjoy the beautiful weather and central location.
Here are our top 12 Santa Barbara retirement communities:
Whether youre looking for a place for independent living with excellent facilities and easy-to-access care options, or a more involved community like assisted care or Alzheimers support, the retirement communities in Santa Barbara, CA, are a great choice all around.
Plan Your Visit Today
When touring Southern California retirement homes, Santa Barbara needs to be at the top of your list. Come see what were doing differently at Vista del Monte and discover a place where our passion for individuality means your next chapter will be a time for moving forward, not slowing down. We cant wait to show you around our peaceful campus set among the pines. Dont wait, call 805.687.0793 today and schedule a tour.
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Santa Barbara Retirement Homes Make It Easy To Stay Fit & Healthy
A vital part of making the most of your retirement years is keeping your body in the right shape to get out and explore. When youre shopping for retirement homes Santa Barbara style go straight to the pool!In the heart of the community is our state-of-the-art Vista del Monte Fitness and Aquatic Center. Working out in the water is an excellent low-impact solution for people who might struggle to get enough exercise in a traditional gym environment and a selection of guided lessons are available including aqua aerobics and water balance classes. Once you get the hang of things you can ramp up the fun by taking part in an exciting game of water volleyball or lap swims!
Vista del Monte Fitness and Aquatic Center includes an indoor heated pool and hydrotherapy pool heated to 95 degrees. Certified personal trainers and lifeguards are also available onsite.
Additional fitness programs available out of the water include strength training, gentle movement class, yoga and Pilates, chair cardio and strengthening, chair yoga, Keiser strength training equipment and NuStep and CyberCycle fitness bikes.
Senior Housing And Care Options
Helping a parent move to senior housing can seem more intimidating than orchestrating a rocket launch. The death of a spouse, declining health or safety concerns can trigger the need to move. The first phase comes with the realization that the family home is no longer suitable. Emotional ties to a place are hard to overcome. Talk to family and/or friends. Your doctor can help discuss the pros and cons of senior living options. He or she can help you decide when and where to go. Some older adults may be unable to decide due to health reasons. In this case, family or other caregivers will have to make the best choice. Finding a new home that is appealing and appropriate is no easy task, and neither is culling through a lifetime’s accumulation of “stuff.”
Here are some tips to help make the transition easier:
Different Types of Senior Housing
There are many types of senior living communities and housing. Each one provides different services. The services are based on the lifestyle and health care needs of the residents. People choose to move into senior living communities for different reasons. Some move because they are lonely and want to be around other older adults. Some older adults can’t take care of their home and need help with daily tasks. Others move because their family can’t provide a safe environment or proper medical care. Below are some options for senior living.
Active Adult Communities
Independent Living Communities
Assisted Living
Continuing Care Communities
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The Top Assisted Living Communities In The Santa Barbara Area
In order to find the top assisted living communities in the Santa Barbara area, our team of researchers:
- Sorted through 30 communities using our unique methodology
- Spent over 15 hours researching assisted living communities in Santa Barbara
- Read more than 240 reviews left by residents and their family members
After filtering out facilities that didnt meet our high standards, we were left with 10 assisted living communities that earned our seal of approval. Through this process we discovered that the average cost of assisted living in the city of Santa Barbara is $5,300, which is about the same as the state average of $5,250 and higher than the national average of $4,500.
Christina Drumm-Boyd
Christina Drumm-Boyd
Christina is a Certified Senior Advisor and Geriatric Care Manager who is passionate about seniors and their families. Along with her staff, Christina works hands-on with each client to find the best solutions for the challenges that often come with aging.
Read on for in-depth information about the top assisted living facilities in Santa Barbara, a brief dive into our methodology for determining the best assisted living communities, and a searchable directory of 30 communities in the Santa Barbara area.
Access To Innovative Memory Care

Those with a family member suffering from Alzheimers or dementia understand that the special personalized care required to look after a loved one with memory loss is hard to understand until youve gone through it. At Vista del Montes Summer House, youll find two dozen residences expertly designed for Alzheimers and dementia sufferers and a team of compassionate caregivers dedicated to enriching the lives of those who struggle to do it on their own.
Summer House at Vista del Monte is the kind of memory care you simply wont find at all Santa Barbara retirement homes.
From state-of-the-art experiential engagement technologies to cutting edge techniques and practices, the whole-person style of care is what youll find here.
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Oak Cottage Of Santa Barbara
Another facility specialized in memory care for retired persons with dementia and Alzheimers the Oak Cottage, excels in safety and care. There are three different neighborhoods where you can live, with various living spaces and community spaces such as dining areas, garden view rooms, patios, lunges, etc.
Part of Oak Cottages unique approach is their seven components of vibrant life, which they stand by for all community members: from being inspired by a deeper sense of spirituality to being social by embracing friendships and social moments.
Assisted Living Vs Other Types Of Care
The fees for other types of care in Santa Barbara often exceed assisted livings average of $5,300. These include homemaker services and the additional medical support offered by home health aides, both of which typically charge $6,673 per month. Nursing home care is also more expensive, with fees of around $10,737 for a semiprivate room. The 2021 Genworth survey doesnt record the median fee for adult day health care in Santa Barbara, but the state average of $1,842 should give some indication of likely costs.
- Assisted Living Facility: $5,300
- Adult Day Health Care: N/A
- Nursing Home Facility : $10,737
Note:Data for Santa Barbara was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Santa Maria, was used instead.
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The Facts About Independent Living In Santa Barbara Ca
Independent living communities are offered to seniors who want to maintain their independent lifestyle. These communities offer personal services that focus on promoting seniors independence along with social activities and weekly outings to integrate residents. Most communities offer assistance with common household chores and transportation services. In certain communities an extra monthly fee associated may be associated with these activities and amenities. The purpose of independent living is to give seniors a living option that maximizes their independence while in a living community.
A Scenic Setting For Your New Start
Here, youll find Independent and Assisted Living as well as Memory Care options, with amenities and activities designed to promote optimum well-being and a positive, active lifestyle.
Santa Barbara County retains a relaxing, peaceful feel and offers both coastal scenic beauty and a bounty of things to do. Amidst the Santa Ynez Mountains base and within minutes of the coastal beaches, youll find farmers markets, churches, golf courses, parks, and several stores and restaurants. And, of course, all of Santa Barbara County and Goleta are yours to explore, with its beautiful beaches, shopping and attractions.Here, you can enjoy the freedom of Independent Living or the added convenience of assistance with our Assisted Living and Memory Care programs. Whatever your needs, you’re sure to find just what you’re looking for, with a host of amenities and activities to live an active and positive lifestyle. Enjoy a movie in the theater, find a good book to read in the library, join a work-out group in the fitness center, or enjoy a fine meal in the restaurant. Whatever your likes, you’re sure to find it at Mariposa at Ellwood Shores.
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The Best Assisted Living Facilities In Santa Barbara Ca
Seniors who value independence yet need help with activities of daily living may benefit from an assisted living facility. In addition to personal care, these communities provide activities and life-enriching amenities. According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the monthly cost of assisted living in Santa Barbara is $5,300.
Where To Retire In Santa Barbara And Home Prices
Retirees will like living here because it has an unusually beautiful setting and a superb climate. There is a vital and prosperous downtown. Its strong economic base offers ample opportunities for work paid or volunteer. You can choose to live in a house or apartment near downtown, or you can choose an apartment or free-standing house farther out in a development. There are also many assisted living and continuing care facilities.Average home prices are exceptionally high, reflecting its premier coastal California environment. In mid-2021, Zillow reported the median home value in Santa Barbara to be over $1Million.
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Enjoy The Best Of Santa Barbara Ca At Our Exceptional Retirement& nbspcommunity
Covenant Living at the Samarkands stunning locationbetween the Pacific Ocean and the striking Santa Ynez Mountainsis the setting for one of the areas premier retirement communities. Here youll enjoy the superb climate and natural beauty of Southern California with its breathtaking beaches, spectacular parks and incredible sunsets.
While surrounded by all this natural beauty, city-lovers will enjoy our proximity to the cultural sophistication and year-round vibrancy of Santa Barbara. Nestled in the hills just above the town, Covenant Living at the Samarkand offers breathtaking views of the area and our proximity is ideal! Were just minutes from all the great shopping, fine art, film festivals, live music, theater, bistros and boutiques that this charming oceanside town is famous for.
Youll also find so much to do every day at Covenant Living at the Samarkand, from fireside outdoor dining to creative arts and special social events all year long. Stay active with a wide variety of on-site wellness and exercise classes in our professional-caliber fitness center. And thats just the start!
Covenant Living at the Samarkand gives you your choice of an array of stunning alcove, one- and two-bedroom apartment floor plans along with senior living advantages you wont find elsewhere.
So when you visit our community, you wont be surprised to learn that the word Samarkand means land of hearts desire.
For more information, call 412-6305 or