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:
- Valle Verde
- Vista del Monte
- Samarkand
- Mariposa at Ellwood Shores
- Villa Santa Barbara
- Maravilla
- Casa Dorinda
- Pacifica Senior Living
- Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara
- Cliff View Terrace
- Granvida Senior Living
- Villa Alamar
Whether you’re 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 Alzheimer’s support, the retirement communities in Santa Barbara, CA, are a great choice all around.
12 Best Santa Barbara Retirement Communities
1. Valle Verde
Situated in Santa Barbara itself, Valle Verde brands itself as a “premier living community” with a great mix of residents and top-of-the-line facilities. They offer various living options, from residential independent to skilled nursing and different assisted living options.
Even if you’re after residential living only, you will be able to take advantage of some excellent add-ons like the dining options, including a poolside grill. You also won’t be far from Santa Barbara’s own restaurant scene.
Valle Verde is an excellent option for independent living while also catering to those looking for retirement communities in Santa Barbara with a bit more support. Their assisted living community features daily meals, assistance with daily activities, medication management, and monitoring, transportation, and 24/7 security and emergency call systems for extra peace of mind.
2. Vista del Monte
The retirement community at Vista del Monte has a beautiful location where you can enjoy great views of the sea and the mountains. There is lots of open space and fresh air to enjoy while also taking advantage of dining prepared for you by chefs and many social events on-site. You’ll also be close to the Santa Barbara city center and the beach.
Living at Vista del Monte comes with more than just accommodation. Even for independent living options, you’ll get a dining plan, linen service, housekeeping, Fitness and Aquatic Center programs, and more.
At the same time, you can opt for assisted living services and memory care too. Finally, Vista del Monte is also open for short-term respite care, where you can join them for a short stay while transitioning from hospitalization, for example.
3. Samarkand
Choose the Samarkand retirement community for a great mix of activities, good living options, and excellent staff. The Covenant Living at the Samarkand offers so much it’s actually hard to wrap your head around all the options. Go through their homepage quiz to find out what option best suits you, but you’ll be spoilt for choice with this community. You’ll find one- and two-bedroom homes with patios or balconies, all absolutely maintenance-free, and you can take advantage of the local shuttle van to explore the area or enjoy the many group activities on offer for all types of hobbies.
You’re never too far from the vibrant art and food scene of Santa Barbara, too.
4. Mariposa at Ellwood Shores
This is one of the top retirement communities in Santa Barbara County if you’re seeking an assisted living arrangement. Located in Goleta, CA, only about 15 miles from Santa Barbara in stunning surroundings near Santa Barbara Shores Park and the Sandpiper Golf Club, Mariposa focuses on offering stellar assistance for retired people. There are also options for independent living, as well as memory care specialists. From the movie theater to the library, including a fitness center and a wonderful restaurant, the facilities are just superb.
5. Villa Santa Barbara
If you want to live close to downtown, you have an excellent option with Villa Santa Barbara. Choose between the independent and assisted living plans living close to the city while still enjoying a laid-back, maintenance-free retirement.
In the independent living community, you’ll enjoy fantastic meals and great group activities while also taking advantage of transport services or ad-hoc medical care. In the assisted living community, you will get home support and assistance with daily activities and 24/7 caregivers while maintaining your independence as much as possible.
Villa Santa Barbara also offers a memory care plan or temporary care options.
6. Maravilla
Residents of Maravilla refer to it as a “five-star hotel” – whether having spent a few weeks there or retiring in their independent or assisted living community. This luxurious senior living facility offers a spa, heated pool, massages, and exercise programs. It really looks like a holiday retreat. Maravilla features a fancy lounge, a billiards room, a library, and even a full-service beauty salon and barbershop.
Additionally, you’ll be within walking distance of Goleta Valley’s shopping districts and in a scenic location by the San Jose Creek.
Choose from independent living options, assisted living, or memory care plans.
7. Casa Dorinda
Another luxury retirement community, Casa Dorinda, welcomes its residents in different communities for independent and assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing care. Originally a grand estate built in 1919 by the Castor Oil fortune, Casa Dorinda has a fascinating history, having served as a rest and recuperation center for the Navy during World War II, an all-girls’ school in the 1940s and 1950s, and finally becoming a retirement community in 1975.
There is an emphasis on fitness and wellness at Casa Dorinda, while each apartment is completely unique. Lovely meals are prepared daily for residents, and activities include anything from fitness classes to meditation or TV nights.
8. Pacifica Senior Living
This retirement community in Santa Barbara is dedicated to memory care. It offers long-term dementia and Alzheimer’s care and also has respite care accommodation for those recovering from hospital treatment and transitioning into unassisted living.
Pacifica offers 24/7 assistance for peace of mind with meals, transportation, multiple amenities, and activities.
9. Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara
Another facility specialized in memory care for retired persons with dementia and Alzheimer’s; 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 Cottage’s 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.
10. Cliff View Terrace
Cliff View Terrace is a skilled nursing facility for retirement, offering private residential accommodation while also giving you the additional permanent care and support of highly-trained specialized nurses. Their services cover long-term care and short-term rehabilitation, covering physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory therapies.
11. Granvida Senior Living
Located in Carpinteria, CA, just at the edge of the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and a stone’s throw away from the ocean, Granvida is an assisted living and memory care facility like few others. Their approach to care is person-centered and holistic, making this a fantastic retirement community in Santa Barbara County that caters to those who need daily activity assistance or are struggling with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Whatever your needs, you will be treated as a family member while living in beautiful, unique surroundings.
12. Villa Alamar
This facility is an excellent memory care retirement home with lots of supportive activities, social engagement, and gorgeous surroundings at the heart of Santa Barbara. They offer meals, an on-site beauty salon, and lots of activities to support mental stimulation and engage residents daily. Exercise and art are only two of how you’ll be spending your time here: they believe in music’s healing properties, gardening, religious services, but also have a local book club and access to a variety of sensory stimulation environments. Villa Alamar strives to continue its reputation as the gold standard in memory care in Santa Barbara.
Conclusion – Retirement Communities in Santa Barbara For All Interests and Needs
To summarize, here are the best retirement communities in Santa Barbara:
- Valle Verde
- Vista del Monte
- Samarkand
- Mariposa at Ellwood Shores
- Villa Santa Barbara
- Maravilla
- Casa Dorinda
- Pacifica Senior Living
- Oak Cottage of Santa Barbara
- Cliff View Terrace
- Granvida Senior Living
- Villa Alamar
The Santa Barbara retirement communities excel in their variety and high standard of lifestyle, activities, services, and care options. From independent living in stunning locations with maintenance-free apartments where you enjoy three excellent meals every day and a wide range of activities to multiple care options such as assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care, there is something for everyone when it comes to retirement living. Given the beautiful location and the great climate, Santa Barbara is an ideal place to retire.