About Assisted LivingAssisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.Complete guide to assisted livingBest of 2024 Assisted Living Winners
About Memory CareMemory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering. Complete guide to memory careBest of 2024 Memory Care Winners
About Independent LivingIndependent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to independent livingBest of 2024 Independent Living Winners
About Senior LivingSenior living is a term used to describe various housing and care options for older adults from maintenance-free, 55+ facilities for active seniors, to secure, fully staffed facilities for seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia. Complete guide to senior livingFind senior living facilities near you
About Nursing HomesNursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.Complete guide to Nursing Homes
About Senior ApartmentsSenior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.Complete guide to Senior Apartments
About Care HomesResidential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.Complete guide to care homes
Veteran ResourcesVA benefits for long-term care, such as Aid and Attendance benefits, can help eligible veterans and their surviving spouses pay for senior care.Guide to VA benefits for long-term care
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10 Best Independent Living Communities in Santa Barbara, CA

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If you’re looking for independent living in the Santa Barbara area, our local senior living advisors can help you each step of the way. From affordable independent living for seniors to luxury options, we’ll work with you to understand the cost of independent living in Santa Barbara. From there, we’ll show you the best independent living communities for your lifestyle, interests, and budget.

Discover unique independent living amenities, social activities, dining, and more independent living benefits. With 15 independent living facilities in Santa Barbara, A Place for Mom makes it easier to find your new, maintenance-free home.

We are also serving Assisted Living facilities in surrounding neighborhoods like Goleta, Carpinteria and Santa Ynez.
You may also consider nearby communities such as Goleta, Carpinteria and Santa Ynez.

Santa Barbara Independent Living Facilities | 145 Reviews
Showing 15 communities
Last Updated: 3/13/24
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Best of Senior Living

The top senior living communities stand out for their exceptional care and support of seniors in independent living, assisted living, memory care, and in-home care. Our Best of Senior Living Award winners represent the top 1-2% of senior care providers nationwide based on reviews from those who matter most: residents and families.

Review Score
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Amenities
Providers
Types of care available in Santa Barbara, CA
Independent Living
Independent Living
Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Assisted Living
Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Nursing Homes
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Memory Care
Memory Care
Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Residential Care Home
Residential Care Home
Residential care homes are shared neighborhood homes for seniors who need a live-in caregiver to assist with activities of daily living, like dressing and bathing.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Senior Apartments
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Average starting price $X,XXX/month
Home Care
Home Care
Home care relies on trained aides to provide companionship and non-medical care for seniors living at home.
Recent reviews of Independent Living in Santa Barbara, CA
5 / 5.0

My mom has been at Autumn Years for over a year now. They have been unfailingly warm and helpful, to us as well as to her. We took care of Mom for two years and understood that it wouldn't be an easy matter to work with her emotional swings, yet the staff at Autumn Years has been beyond wonderful. T...

4.7 / 5.0

Alexander Gardens is by far the most peaceful, beautiful, and friendly place I've seen. My mom loved being there, and the staff went above and beyond to make Mom feel at home. The grounds are the most beautiful and tranquil and amazing that I've seen in any other resident facility that I visited.

4.9 / 5.0

A home means being among friends who care about you and among people who’s primary purpose there is to care for you, keep you safe, well fed, entertained, comfortable and welcomed. As a family, we spent years of angst deciding what to do and where to send our parents. Then after months of research, ...

Photo of Cliff View Terrace
99 Photos available
10
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25 reviews
10
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25 reviews
5 star
92%
4 star
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My husband was very ill when I brought him to Cliff Terrace. He was nursed back to health by a competent, compassionate, professional staff. I will never be able to express my gratitude to the staff of Cliff...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Cliff View Terrace residents become part of our family. Our goal is for our residents to feel that Cliff View Terrace is home. The luxurious yet comfortable accommodations and caring staff with decades of experience distinguish Cliff View Terrace as the premier facility in Southern California. ...
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Photo of Villa Santa Barbara
1616 Photos available
33 Floor plans available
8.9
Review score
66 reviews
8.9
Review score
66 reviews
5 star
58%
4 star
20%
3 star
14%
2 star
5%
1 star
3%
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The Villa Santa Barbara is a very nice community for several reasons. The food is better than in any of the past 5 places I have stayed. The rent is better (by far) than in any of the previous places that...
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Live life in style at Villa Santa Barbara, where residents can soak up the Southern California sun and enjoy desired amenities and services fit for the American Riviera. Our goal is to enrich the lives of our residents by providing an environment that is physically, mentally, spiritually and...
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Photo of Mariposa at Ellwood Shores
1818 Photos available
44 Floor plans available
8.4
Review score
28 reviews
8.4
Review score
28 reviews
5 star
74%
4 star
11%
3 star
11%
2 star
4%
1 star
0%
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Overall it was a great experience. The place is new and clean. The staff is very helpful and friendly. They offer a lot of activities, including optional outings. They have in-house physical therapy,...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Mariposa at Ellwood Shores Assisted Living in Santa Barbara County is a warm, inviting senior living community designed for your comfort and care.Here, you’ll find Independent and Assisted Living as well as Memory Care options, with amenities and activities designed to promote optimum well-being...
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Photo of Alexander Gardens
99 Photos available
5 star
50%
4 star
25%
3 star
25%
2 star
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It is a lovely facility. It is an older estate donated by the family years ago to be an assisted living home. It almost could operate as a bed and breakfast, it is that nice. A couple of things we learned...
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Alexander Gardens is a spectacular historic home nestled in the Mission area of downtown Santa Barbara, amongst lush, stunning gardens. Concern for the care and needs of seniors has been a hallmark of Alexander Gardens, since the original family built 'casitas' for their elderly loved ones....
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Photo of Wood Glen Senior Living
1010 Photos available
5 star
80%
4 star
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3 star
20%
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LOVE Wood Glen Hall! A perfect place for family/loved ones. We pre-viewed 9 other facilities in the SB area for our mother and this is the ONLY one that felt like home. The ambiance is cheerful, full of...
Provides: Assisted Living, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nestled in the foothills with a spectacular view of the blue Santa Barbara Mountains, cooled by ocean breezes, ringing with the genial laughter of family and friends, and typifying the gracious, relaxed and respectful service you are right to expect, Wood Glen Hall is a home you can make your...
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1.0
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2 reviews
1.0
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2 reviews
5 star
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3 star
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Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living, Nursing Homes
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Nursing Homes: Nursing homes provide short-and long-term care for seniors who have physical or mental health conditions that require 24-hour nursing and personal care.
A nationally accredited continuing care retirement community, The Samarkand’s scenic 16-acre campus offers views of both the beautiful blue Pacific and the Santa Ynez Mountains. We offer a residential setting for every aspect of retirement. Residential styles availableCottages, villas and...
Photo of Garden Court On De La Vina (HUD)
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Villa Riviera
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Vista Del Monte
5 star
25%
4 star
25%
3 star
25%
2 star
25%
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They are very good but they are more expensive. My parents chose it years ago. First they went to the independent living and then the assisted living and then my father went in to the skilled nursing. They...
Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
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Photo of Valle Verde
5 star
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To: "Room for improvement" 1. Our residential unit has the microwave below the counter. I do not know that all units have this arrangement, but they are being upgraded and remodeled constantly. 2. ...
Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Provides: Senior Apartments
Care types provided by this community
Senior Apartments: Senior apartments offer accessible, no-frills living for seniors who are generally active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Casa Dorinda Retirement
5 star
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Provides: Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
Photo of Heritage House
5 star
50%
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Finding Heritage House was the best thing that happened to our family when we needed to find an Assisted Living facility for our mother. Prior to moving to Heritage House she lived at Maravilla and our...
Provides: Assisted Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Photo of Maravilla Senior Living Community
5 star
60%
4 star
20%
3 star
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1 star
20%
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Provides: Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living
Care types provided by this community
Assisted Living: Assisted living facilities offer housing and care for active seniors who may need support with activities of daily living, like bathing, dressing, and medication management.
Memory Care: Memory care facilities provide housing, care, and therapies for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia in an environment designed to reduce confusion and prevent wandering.
Independent Living: Independent living facilities offer convenient, hassle-free living in a social environment for seniors who are active, healthy, and able to live on their own.
At Maravilla, you’ll find every retirement lifestyle you could wish for. A full-service community located in scenic Santa Barbara, Maravilla’s beautifully designed campus offers 32 cottages, 60 Senior Residences, 155 Independent Living residences, 108 Assisted Living Suites, and a secured...

Cost of independent living in Santa Barbara, CA

The average cost of senior living in Santa Barbara is 4941.2 per month. Cheaper nearby regions include Tajiguas, CA with an average of 4440.9 per month.

Average cost comparisons near Santa Barbara, CA

Average monthly costs

Santa Barbara, CA

$4,941

Discover the many ways to pay for senior living

Planning ahead can better position you to make good choices for your loved one’s care in the future. But if your aging family member needs care now, there are ways to finance the cost of long-term care through a combination of approaches.

What is independent living?

Independent living offers a stress-free lifestyle for older adults. Independent living communities don’t provide personal care or supervision, but do offer generally healthy adults opportunities for socialization and hassle-free living. Independent living services often include:

  • Nutritious meals and snacks
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Home maintenance and repairs
  • Social activities and outings
Complete guide to independent living
How to Choose an Independent Living Community to Call Home
An Active, Engaging Retirement: Top 5 Benefits of Independent Senior Living Communities
Are You Ready for Independent Living? Ask Yourself These 14 Questions

Learn more about other types of senior living

Frequently Asked Questions

Cliff View Terrace, Villa Santa Barbara and Mariposa at Ellwood Shores are the top rated independent living facilities near Santa Barbara, California. See full list of communities.

There are 15 independent living facilities near Santa Barbara, California. See the full list.

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