Pricing ranges from
    $5,000 – 8,085/month

    Maravilla

    5500 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, CA, 93111
    4.5 · 89 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Resort-like community, pricey, understaffed concerns

    I toured the community and loved the resort-like, beautifully maintained grounds, restaurant-quality dining, nonstop activities, and warm, friendly staff - residents seemed engaged and happy. Apartments and cottages are roomy with great amenities (pools, gyms, outings), but it's pricey. My main concerns were chronic understaffing, occasional meds/care-management and admin responsiveness issues. Overall very positive first impression if your budget fits and you don't need heavy, hands-on care.

    Pricing

    $6,310+/moStudioAssisted Living
    $7,200+/mo1 BedroomAssisted Living
    $5,000+/moSuiteAssisted Living
    $7,198+/moSemi-privateMemory Care
    $8,085+/moSuiteMemory Care

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Coordination with health care providers
    • Hospice waiver
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 12-16 hour nursing
    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Internet
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Spa
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Dementia waiver
    • Mild cognitive impairment
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (medical)
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
    • Transportation to doctors appointments

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Computer center
    • Dining room
    • Fitness room
    • Gaming room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination
    • Swimming pool

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    4.52 · 89 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.5
    • Staff

      4.6
    • Meals

      4.4
    • Amenities

      4.5
    • Value

      2.6

    Pros

    • Beautiful, resort-like grounds and landscaping (40 acres, courtyards, gardens)
    • Well-maintained, clean buildings and common areas
    • Spacious housing options (cottages ~1800 sq ft, villas, one-bedrooms with full kitchens)
    • Independent casitas/cottages with private meals and cleaning
    • Resort-style amenities (two pools, two exercise rooms, putting green, spa/massage room, beauty parlor)
    • Restaurant-quality dining with a knowledgeable chef and fresh local ingredients
    • Wide variety of activities and clubs (music, art, bridge, book club, hiking, fitness, yoga)
    • Frequent on-site entertainment and musical groups
    • Robust transportation/outings program (buses for shopping, doctors, symphony, trips)
    • Strong sense of community and engaged residents
    • Friendly, welcoming, family-like staff interactions reported frequently
    • Multiple social spaces (large lounge, library, internet/computer lounge)
    • Pet-friendly policy (up to two pets)
    • Flexible living levels (independent and assisted living options)
    • Regular special events (luncheons, seasonal events) and resident-led activities
    • High-quality tours and strong initial admissions experience
    • Good walkability to nearby hotels, groceries, pharmacies, restaurants
    • Private balconies/patios and well-appointed apartment finishes
    • Perceived high standard compared to competitors (often described as best or five-star)
    • Range of in-house services (on-site doctors/nurses visiting, movies, virtual visit scheduling)

    Cons

    • High cost / expensive monthly rates and buy-in fees
    • Perceived hidden fees and high utility costs (PG&E mentioned)
    • Understaffing at multiple levels (nursing, caregiving, housekeeping, night staff)
    • Management and administration responsiveness issues
    • Medication management and care-quality concerns for some residents
    • Inconsistent or inadequate assistance for residents who need help
    • Reports of unresponsive night staff and call-button delays
    • Housekeeping limited to weekly cleaning and upcharges for extras
    • Mixed reports on meal nutrition despite good presentation
    • Some reviewers noted decline in service responsiveness over time
    • Occasional complaints about food quality and kitchen performance
    • Perceived elitist/ostentatious environment and affordability barrier
    • Security concerns regarding valuables mentioned by one reviewer
    • Noise/neighbor issues and some structural/building complaints

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment: Reviews of Maravilla are overwhelmingly positive in regard to the physical environment, social life, dining experience, and the welcoming nature of much of the staff and resident community. Many reviewers describe Maravilla as resort-like or five-star, praising its immaculate grounds, well-maintained architecture, and high-end finishes. Multiple detailed mentions of amenities — two pools, two gyms, extensive gardens and courtyards, a large library and lounges, art and music programs, and abundant clubs — paint a picture of a community with a rich, active lifestyle and many choices for residents. The property’s cottages and casitas (including references to 1800 sq ft two-bedroom cottages), villa clusters, and well-appointed one-bedroom apartments with full kitchens and balconies reinforce that physical quality is a standout feature.

    Facilities and amenities: Physical upkeep and amenities are repeatedly lauded. Reviewers commonly note beautiful landscaping across roughly 40 acres, clean and modern common areas, thoughtfully designed indoor/outdoor flow, and a broad menu of on-site conveniences (beauty parlor, massage room, putting green, computer/internet lounge). The transportation program earns frequent praise — buses that take residents to shopping, doctor appointments, cultural events and farther afield are described as flexible and comprehensive. Many reviewers highlight particular appeal for independent living residents: private cottages/casitas with their own meals and housekeeping, resort-style socialization, and a strong calendar of both staff- and resident-created activities.

    Dining and events: Food is one of Maravilla’s strongest recurring positives. Numerous reviewers call the dining room restaurant-like, note a knowledgeable chef and fresh local ingredients, and describe attentive servers and appealing presentation. Special events, luncheons, and regular musical entertainment are frequently called out as highlights that foster community engagement. That said, a minority of reviews raise concerns about the nutritional quality of some meals and occasional inconsistency in kitchen performance; a few residents or families felt meals may look good but lack nutrition or that the kitchen was "poor" in isolated accounts.

    Staff and care quality: Staff impressions are mixed but lean positive. Many reviewers describe staff as warm, welcoming, genuinely caring, and attentive; tours and admissions experiences are often singled out for being thorough and personal, with staff learning residents’ names and providing strong hospitality. Several reviewers credit the staff with excellent recovery support and around-the-clock care when needed. Contrastingly, a significant and repeated concern involves understaffing — especially in nursing, caregiving, housekeeping, and night coverage. Multiple reviewers reported management unresponsiveness, problems with medication administration, and staff stretched too thin. Practical consequences cited include delays responding to call buttons, limited night staff presence, and perceived declines in service responsiveness over time. For families considering assisted care-level needs, these reports suggest variability in day-to-day care quality despite the positive environment.

    Activities and community: Social life and activities are one of Maravilla’s clear strengths. Reviewers consistently describe an active, engaged resident population with a wide range of offerings: fitness classes, walking/hiking clubs, musical groups, arts and crafts, bridge and book clubs, field trips, and social hours with food and wine. Several notes about resident-driven programming indicate a community where residents shape the calendar, contributing to a strong sense of belonging. The resident community is often described as joyful, friendly, and creative, which many reviewers found to be a major factor in the decision to move or recommend Maravilla.

    Management, cost, and variability: Cost is a common caveat. Many reviewers emphasize that Maravilla is expensive — both in monthly fees and buy-in expectations — and some mentioned hidden fees or high utility bills as additional affordability issues. A recurring pattern is a split between those who feel the extra expense is "worth every cent" and those who view the community as ostentatious or beyond their budget. Management responsiveness shows notable variability in the reviews: initial tours and admissions interactions are frequently praised for their attentiveness, yet several reviewers recount later problems with administrative follow-through, delays in coordination after hospital/rehab discharges, and a feeling that management is not always proactive in addressing operational concerns.

    Patterns and recommendation guidance: Taken together, the dominant pattern is that Maravilla offers high-end, well-maintained facilities and an exceptionally rich activity and dining experience that many residents and families love. It appears especially well-suited for independent-living seniors or those needing light assistance who prioritize community, amenities, and high-quality dining. However, prospective residents and families should be mindful of several red flags repeated across reviews: reported understaffing (especially for higher-care needs and nights), occasional management responsiveness issues, potential medication-management concerns, and the overall high cost (including potential hidden charges). For people requiring reliable, high-level assisted nursing care, these mixed reports suggest performing thorough, targeted due diligence: request staffing ratios, observe evening/night coverage, ask for clinical examples and references from current assisted-living families, clarify all fees and utility responsibilities, and confirm how transitions from independent to higher care levels are handled on-site.

    Bottom line: Maravilla is frequently described as an exceptional, resort-like senior community with outstanding grounds, amenities, dining, and resident engagement. The community culture and many staff interactions are major strengths. The main cautions are cost and several recurring operational concerns around staffing and management responsiveness that could impact higher-acuity care. Prospective residents should weigh the high-quality lifestyle and strong community against affordability and verify clinical and staffing details if advanced care needs are anticipated.

    Location

    Map showing location of Maravilla

    About Maravilla

    Maravilla sits on beautifully landscaped grounds with palm trees, a putting green, and a courtyard with a fountain, and you'll notice the Spanish revival style as soon as you come up the drive, while eucalyptus trees and San Jose Creek line the campus and make it feel peaceful and private. The community offers a range of living options including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and continuing care, so there are choices for those who want to live on their own or for people who need help, and you'll see that staff are around 24 hours a day to respond to calls or give assistance as needed. Residents find amenities like an athletic club with trainers, a fitness center, and three pools including an Olympic-sized heated pool and two Jacuzzis, as well as a spa for relaxation and massage services, and a Clubhouse for activities such as karaoke, book club, concerts, and social gatherings. The property is pet friendly, and you can bring a cat, dog, or a bird if you want, and there's a small library, game room, computer center, and outdoor leisure areas, plus a clubhouse for gatherings and club meetings. The dining options include the Monarch Grille and Mariposa Grille, with a large menu open 12 hours a day and hundreds of choices, so you don't have to worry about preparing meals, and there's a housekeeping and laundry service that handles chores. Maravilla provides transportation for doctor visits, errands, and medical appointments, and there's respite care for people who only need help for a short time, which takes the pressure off caregivers for a while. For those who need more support, the care team helps with daily living activities, medication management, personal care, diabetes blood sugar checks (though the staff can't give insulin shots), rehabilitation, and wound care, while the memory care section offers specialized programs, 24-hour support, and memory-enhancing activities. Residents can choose from studios, one-bedroom, and semi-private rooms, with different monthly fees based on the level of care, and there's a $3,750 one-time community fee. The Maravilla community has been accredited by CARF, which means an outside group reviewed their services. On-site, you'll find indoor common areas, a beauty salon, skilled nursing for higher care needs, and wellness programs focused on fitness and "Zestful Living," plus community events like music programs, presentations, planned outings, and regular social times that help everyone keep connected. Housekeeping and meals are included, so people can relax and join in on the active social life or enjoy quiet time in the gardens and courtyards. Activities, dining, amenities, and care options all come together in one retirement campus, and there's a place here for both folks who live independently and those who need more health support as time goes on.

    People often ask...

    State of California Inspection Reports

    28

    Inspections

    7

    Type A Citations

    4

    Type B Citations

    5

    Years of reports

    05 Feb 2025
    Identified required postings, working fire safety equipment, and a clean kitchen with sufficient perishables and non-perishables; reviewed resident files showing admissions, medical assessments, identification/emergency information, needs/service plans, and health screenings. Found 21 residents with dementia, 18 on hospice, and 7 on oxygen, with no bedridden residents; due to time constraints, a follow-up visit was planned to continue the annual review.
    25 Sept 2024
    Identified that a background check for a private caregiver assigned to a resident had not been completed and that the caregiver had provided companionship since May 3, 2024.
    25 Sept 2024
    Investigated the allegation that a resident’s personal belongings, including jewelry and cash, went missing while the resident was in the hospital; found insufficient evidence to identify who took them or to prove staff involvement.
    07 Jun 2024
    Investigated the allegation that staff did not assist a resident to the correct room, resulting in a memory care mix-up by agency staff, and the allegation that staffing levels were inadequate. Found insufficient evidence to prove or disprove these allegations, leaving them unsubstantiated.
    07 Jun 2024
    Investigated whether staff assisted residents correctly and if staffing was adequate; found that agency staff mixed up residents due to not following transfer policies, leading to a substantiated incident, while staffing levels were deemed insufficient but not directly linked to the mistake.
    • § 87355(e)(1)
    07 Feb 2024
    Identified a medication count discrepancy for a resident's Metropolol XL 100mg, with 125 tablets remaining from a 150-tablet supply. MAR did not reflect administration or refusals to account for the discrepancy.
    07 Feb 2024
    Identified a discrepancy in the medication count for a resident, with additional observations of fire safety and resident activity participation, and noted that a follow-up visit is needed to complete the assessment.
    • § 87468.2(a)(4)
    10 Oct 2023
    Found insufficient evidence to prove the allegations of rough handling by staff, verbal abuse toward residents, failing to accord residents with dignity, not meeting residents’ needs, and not safeguarding residents’ belongings.
    15 Feb 2023
    Identified deficiencies in care and reporting, including late hospice notification for a resident and a 911 call after staff observed respiratory symptoms.
    10 Oct 2023
    Investigated allegations of rough handling, verbal abuse, lack of dignity, neglect, and theft, with findings indicating insufficient evidence to support any of these claims.
    • § 87465(c)(2)
    29 Sept 2023
    Found no evidence to support the allegations that staff ignored call buttons, injured a resident, failed to inform authorized representatives, mishandled medications, or were understaffed.
    29 Sept 2023
    Investigated allegations of staff neglect in meeting incontinence needs, resident injury, poor communication with authorized representatives, medication administration issues, and staffing inadequacy; found no evidence to support any of these claims.
    • § 87632(d)(2)
    • § 87211(a)(1)
    15 Feb 2023
    Identified that two elevators were out of order on multiple dates, causing a resident to be unable to return to a room after a visit and to be detained on another floor for about two hours. Found that staff were coordinating with an elevator vendor to fix the issue, and by day’s end both elevators were repaired, with modernization needed to prevent future problems.
    • § 87303(a)
    15 Feb 2023
    Found that a resident’s prescribed morning medication was not administered on 1/13/2023, 1/14/2023, and 1/15/2023 and was later located in the overflow cart. Identified that the issue came to light through a self-reported notification and involved review of medication administration records.
    15 Feb 2023
    Identified the death as ethylene glycol ingestion, with the coroner determining the manner of death as suicide. A bottle of antifreeze was found in the resident's room; a private caregiver admitted bringing it in, staff knew about it but did not report or remove it, and a $500 immediate civil penalty was assessed.
    15 Feb 2023
    Found infection control measures in place at the site, including a 30-day PPE supply, trained staff, and plans for isolating or quarantining residents; cleaning and hygiene practices were maintained and residents continued participation in activities.
    15 Feb 2023
    Reviewed infection control practices, resident safety measures, and staff training, confirming adherence to state and CDC guidelines, including PPE use, sanitation, and protocols for managing COVID-19 cases.
    • § 87465(c)(2)
    13 Jul 2022
    Determined that the allegation regarding a resident’s call button issues and staff not seeking timely medical attention involved a person who does not reside in the licensed area, since the individual lives in the Independent Living section on the same property which is not licensed, and a roster confirmed they do not reside in the licensed sections. The allegation is deemed Unfounded.
    13 Jul 2022
    Determined that the resident who was the subject of the call button and medical attention concerns did not live in the licensed section, and the allegation was unfounded because the individual resides in an unlicensed area on the same property.
    • §
    04 Mar 2022
    Investigated five allegations about communication of changes in resident condition, adherence to care plans, call button responsiveness, language barriers, and understaffing. Information obtained indicated that changes were communicated to representatives and physicians, care plans were followed, call buttons were responded to promptly, residents could communicate with staff, and staffing levels were adequate.
    04 Mar 2022
    Investigated the allegation that staff did not communicate changes in resident’s functionality and did not follow care plans properly, and found that staff documented updates and adhered to care plans; also addressed issues of call response times, language barriers, and staffing levels, concluding that resident needs were appropriately met and communication was adequate.
    24 Feb 2022
    Found two staff working without required criminal record clearance and removed them from the schedule. Observed an unlocked cabinet in the memory care unit containing cleaning products, resulting in a civil penalty.
    24 Feb 2022
    Found that two staff members lacked required criminal background clearances, leading to a citation, and identified unsecured cleaning supplies in a memory care unit, resulting in another citation and civil penalty.
    30 Dec 2021
    Found insufficient evidence to support the allegation that a resident required and did not receive one-on-one supervision to manage aggressive behavior.
    30 Dec 2021
    Determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegation that residents were evicted or that one-on-one care was improperly provided.
    • § 87705(f)(2)
    • § 87355(e)(1)
    30 Nov 2021
    Investigated a resident's death on 11/26/2021; a case management visit occurred with staff interviews and extensive records requested for Resident 1. Found that an outside caregiving agency provided staff who also had contracts with residents for companionship, and that one staff member helped with feeding on-site and thus was required to be associated with work; the death was referred to the Investigation Branch, and a deficiency was cited with a civil penalty assessed.
    30 Nov 2021
    Reviewed the death of a resident, with staff interviews and record requests, and referred the case to the investigation branch for further follow-up. Confirmed the presence of a staffing agency contract and the need for certain staff to be associated due to care provision.
    19 Feb 2020
    Reviewed the facility's conditions, safety measures, medications, and resident records during an unannounced annual visit, with no significant issues noted at that time.
    • § 87355(c)

    Nearby Communities

    • Exterior view of Aegis Living Ventura facility showing the entrance with a covered driveway, landscaped flower beds, an American flag on a flagpole, and a clear blue sky.
      $2,895 – $3,763+4.1 (53)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      assisted living, memory care, board and care

      Aegis Living Ventura

      4964 Telegraph Rd, Ventura, CA, 93003
    • Photo of Oakmont of Simi Valley
      $5,095 – $5,495+4.3 (60)
      Studio • Semi-private
      assisted living, memory care

      Oakmont of Simi Valley

      3110 Royal Ave, Simi Valley, CA, 93065
    • Entrance of a building with large columns and a covered porch, surrounded by well-maintained landscaping including green shrubs and red flowering plants under a clear blue sky.
      $4,275+4.5 (62)
      Studio
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Ivy Park at Simi Valley

      5300 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley, CA, 93063
    • Exterior view of Belmont Village Senior Living Calabasas showing a beige stucco building with a red tile roof, arched entryway, and several windows with green shutters under a clear blue sky.
      $5,160 – $14,800+4.5 (28)
      Studio • 1 Bedroom • 2 Bedroom
      assisted living, memory care

      Belmont Village Senior Living Calabasas

      24141 Ventura Blvd, Calabasas, CA, 91302
    • Photo of The Village at NorthRidge
      $6,500+4.2 (25)
      1 Bedroom
      independent living, assisted living

      The Village at NorthRidge

      9222 Corbin Avenue, Northridge, CA, 91324
    • Exterior view of Aegis Living Granada Hills facility with a beige stucco building featuring red tile roofing, surrounded by palm trees and other greenery under a clear blue sky. A sign in front displays the facility name and address.
      $5,460 – $6,450+4.7 (9)
      Studio • 1 Bedroom
      assisted living, memory care

      Aegis Living Granada Hills

      10801 Lindley Avenue, Granada Hills, CA, 91344

    Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

    87 facilities$5,445/mo
    39 facilities$6,004/mo
    39 facilities$6,004/mo
    83 facilities$5,447/mo
    46 facilities$4,676/mo
    12 facilities$6,390/mo
    9 facilities$7,354/mo
    4 facilities$7,567/mo
    7 facilities$5,090/mo
    7 facilities$5,090/mo
    7 facilities$5,090/mo
    © 2025 Mirador Living