Pricing ranges from
    $3,000 – 3,900/month
    1. Home
    2. Assisted Living
    3. California
    4. Santa Barbara

    Villa Santa Barbara

    227 E Anapamu St, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
    4.5 · 181 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    For pricing and availability(510) 508-4507
    For the front desk(805) 963-4428
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Warm social community with inconsistencies

    I live here and overall I'm very pleased - the staff are kind, professional and genuinely caring, and the community feels warm and social. The downtown Santa Barbara location is fantastic (close to State Street and the beaches) with lovely patios and rooftop views. The chef cooks fresh, tasty meals with many choices, though food quality can be inconsistent, sometimes cold, and diabetic/vegan options are limited. There are tons of activities, friendly neighbors, and clean, comfortable common spaces (my apartment is adequate though a bit small/dated in spots). Medical care and nursing are available and usually good, but staffing shortages have led to slow emergency responses, weekend med limits and occasional medication/communication issues. Management is engaged and many staff go above and beyond, but expect some turnover, occasional housekeeping/laundry hiccups, and minor maintenance or odor problems. I would recommend this community for independent seniors who want an active, caring environment, but be mindful of service inconsistencies.

    Pricing

    $3,000+/moSemi-privateAssisted Living
    $3,600+/mo1 BedroomAssisted Living
    $3,900+/moStudioAssisted Living

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • 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
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Transportation arrangement
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

    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

    Activities

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

    4.50 · 181 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1

    • Care

      4.2

    • Staff

      4.5

    • Meals

      4.2

    • Amenities

      4.1

    • Value

      3.7

    Location

    Map showing location of Villa Santa Barbara

    About Villa Santa Barbara

    Villa Santa Barbara, run by Civitas Senior Living, sits at 227 E. Anapamu Street and offers a range of living and care options for seniors, you know there's independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and even continuing care all together so you don't have to move if your needs change, and they've got semi-private, single-room, and studio apartments, 33 different floor plans, so folks have a lot of choices for where to live, plus every room is wired with cable, free high-speed WiFi, and its own kitchenette, some even have balconies and garages, and the whole place is pet-friendly, which is nice for people with animals, now they take credit card and check payments and meet state licensing standards with regular reviews, so that's covered too. Residents might enjoy spending time on the rooftop terrace with city and ocean views or in the arts and crafts area, gym, or game room, or maybe getting a haircut at the beauty salon/barbershop, playing games, or relaxing in one of the common areas, and they've got a lot of programs with educational, social, and fun activities to keep people engaged and feeling connected, including religious services, fitness programs, and outings to places for shopping or doctor visits, you get weekly housekeeping, laundry for linens, chef-prepared meals with dietary options like low fat, no added salt, or vegetarian, and meal plans use quality ingredients, so meals are nutritious as well as tasty. For care, trained and friendly staff help with things like bathing, dressing, and grooming, and there's medication administration, skilled nursing for those who need more help, hospice care, and memory care for adults with Alzheimer's or dementia, and people can age in place if their situation changes, which means you don't have to leave your community just because you need more help as you get older, plus there's respite care so caregivers can take a break, whether it's for a day, week, or month, and all the common spaces and dining areas are clean and set up to be comfortable, with a real focus on making things accessible and safe-lots of features for people using wheelchairs and some age-exclusive neighborhoods for more independent seniors who want active, maintenance-free living. For fun, the place puts on group events, has a library, and offers transportation for shopping or personal errands, and laundry, emergency response, and housecleaning come with your stay, so you don't have to worry about those chores, and with staff on hand and a range of programs, people usually find the place inviting and feel looked after, and the website has plenty of photos and videos, so you can look online and get a good sense of what daily life is like at Villa Santa Barbara before you visit.

    About Sonida Senior Living

    Sonida Senior Living, Inc. (NYSE: SNDA) is a leading owner, operator, and investor in senior housing communities across the United States, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Originally established as Capital Senior Living by founder Jim Stroud, the company rebranded to Sonida Senior Living in November 2021 following a $154.8 million investment from Conversant Capital. As of June 2025, Sonida operates 96 senior housing communities across 20 states, serving approximately 10,000 residents with an aggregate capacity that includes 83 owned communities and 13 managed properties, making it one of the nation's most significant senior living providers by resident capacity. The company provides a comprehensive continuum of care services including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care programs. Sonida's communities offer essential services such as nutritious meals, housekeeping, laundry, 24-hour staffing, transportation, social and recreational activities, and healthcare monitoring. Select communities feature the specialized Magnolia Trails™ memory care program designed specifically for residents with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Beyond basic care, Sonida emphasizes signature programming that includes daily fitness and wellness classes, engaging activities that promote joy and companionship, and personalized care plans tailored to each resident's unique needs and preferences. Sonida's mission is to create a safe and caring environment where team members thrive and residents find joy in new experiences and friendships. The company's philosophy centers on recognizing residents as unique individuals, knowing their hobbies, preferences, and personal histories to provide dignified, person-directed care. They believe that simple things matter most: friendly faces, clean and comfortable spaces, amenities that promote safety and independence, and maintaining a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This approach emphasizes creating meaningful connections and celebrating both significant milestones and everyday moments in residents' lives. The company has earned substantial recognition for its commitment to excellence, with 30 communities receiving Best Senior Living Awards from U.S. News & World Report in 2022, and 20% of their communities winning the A Place for Mom 2025 Best of Senior Living Award. Several communities have also been honored with the prestigious Caring Stars 2024 award by Caring.com. Under the leadership of President and CEO Brandon Ribar, who brings over 15 years of senior living industry experience, Sonida has demonstrated strong operational performance with an average occupancy rate of 84.7% in Q1 2025 and a 27.4% increase in adjusted EBITDA from 2023 to 2024, reflecting their commitment to operational excellence and quality care delivery.

    People often ask...

    State of California Inspection Reports

    48

    Inspections

    16

    Type A Citations

    15

    Type B Citations

    6

    Years of reports

    14 Apr 2025
    Identified that staff did not answer a resident's call button promptly, resulting in a fracture. A $500 immediate civil penalty was assessed.
    • § 87468.2(a)(4)
    15 Jan 2025
    Identified medication administration discrepancies at the home, including giving one Senna tablet each evening instead of the prescribed two and administering an extra Acyclovir tablet beyond the prescribed amount, with one Senna dose reportedly refused. Currently 96 residents reside there, with two on hospice.
    • § 87465(c)(2)
    06 Sept 2024
    Investigated the allegation that staff did not assist residents with incontinence needs; found insufficient evidence to support that claim and no ongoing odor issues were found. Investigated the allegation that a resident developed a pressure injury while in care; found insufficient evidence that this occurred due to care.
    29 May 2024
    Investigated the allegation that staff did not meet the resident's needs and that pressure injuries occurred. Found no evidence of pressure injuries or wounds in hospital or hospice records, and the available documentation did not support the claim.
    29 May 2024
    Investigated the allegation that staff did not meet a resident's needs, specifically regarding pressure injuries, and found insufficient evidence to support this claim.
    06 Mar 2024
    Identified an immediate exclusion of a staff member whose fingerprint clearance remained linked to the current license, despite not having worked there since 2018. Observed no sign of the excluded staff member at the location during the visit, and the administrator reviewed the current personnel roster to confirm removal.
    06 Mar 2024
    Confirmed an immediate exclusion for a former staff member and verified their absence during the site visit.
    27 Feb 2024
    Identified medication-count discrepancies and expired medications during an unannounced annual visit, including overcounts for aspirin 81 mg and levothyroxine, with about eight expired meds; a destruction record was completed.
    27 Feb 2024
    Identified deficiencies in medication management during the inspection.
    • § 87465(i)
    • § 87465(c)(2)
    • § 87465(c)(2)
    21 Dec 2023
    Identified three allegations about a resident: (1) failure to conduct a re-appraisal after a dementia diagnosis; (2) failure to meet daily needs, including weight loss and safety concerns; and (3) failure to follow physician-directed meals for a diet that required staff to cut food. Records showed a dementia diagnosis and a move-out occurred before any re-appraisal or updated dietary changes were completed.
    21 Dec 2023
    Confirmed staff did not conduct re-appraisals after receiving information of a diagnosis of dementia, did not meet resident's daily needs, and did not follow physician's orders for meals.
    • § 87463(c)
    • § 87555(b)(7)
    11 Dec 2023
    Found that staff refused to allow the resident to remove personal belongings from the premises; the allegation was not proven at this time.
    11 Dec 2023
    Confirmed that staff did not refuse to allow a resident to remove personal belongings from the facility.
    20 Sept 2023
    Identified that staff did not answer a resident’s call pendant in a timely manner. Eight call pendant activations from 9/13/2023–9/17/2023 were answered within 10–29 minutes, and a live test showed a response about 21 minutes after activation.
    • § 87468
    02 Jun 2023
    Found no evidence that staff spoke inappropriately toward residents or failed to treat residents with dignity at the home. Residents described staff as satisfactory and said they would speak up if concerns arose.
    02 Jun 2023
    Determined that allegations of staff speaking inappropriately to residents and failing to treat them with dignity were unsubstantiated after interviews with residents and staff. Further training emphasized the importance of respectful communication.
    25 May 2023
    Identified that slow call-button responses contributed to a resident’s falls and that meals were not consistently accessible. Found privacy intrusions by a former administrator and that activities were inconsistently offered during COVID-19 restrictions.
    • § 87468.2(a)(4)
    25 May 2023
    Confirmed multiple falls and inadequate meal service, as well as delayed response to call buttons and lack of privacy for residents.
    • § 87468.2(a)(4)
    15 Nov 2022
    Found licensing requirements met for the home serving elderly residents, with capacity for 126 non-ambulatory residents and a hospice waiver for 10; there were 66 residents at the time. Noted that required posters and resident records were in place, the environment was clean and well-maintained, and fire safety and overall building condition were satisfactory.
    15 Nov 2022
    Inspection confirmed facility met licensing requirements per regulations.
    05 Oct 2022
    Found the allegation that residents were not accorded dignity and were not free from humiliation or intimidation; accounts described a staff member speaking to residents in a rude, mean tone and ordering them to go to bed at night, and another staff member grabbing a resident’s chin and applying lipstick after the resident declined. The involved staff are no longer employed.
    05 Oct 2022
    Confirmed allegations of staff mistreatment towards residents and their families, leading to staff members being terminated.
    • § 87468.1(a)(1)
    01 Jun 2022
    Identified two staff not wearing masks while on duty; advised that masks must be worn at all times while working.
    01 Jun 2022
    Identified immediate health and safety risks after observing unlocked doors to the medication room and the Wellness Director’s office when staff were not present. Found personnel records inaccurately completed, with two new staff not yet associated to the center.
    01 Jun 2022
    Identified staff members not wearing masks during inspection.
    • § 87463(c)
    • § 87555(b)(7)
    31 May 2022
    Found hard-wired smoke alarms capable of alerting the local fire department, ten fire extinguishers serviced between October 26, 2021 and January 2022, and a kitchen stocked with two days of perishables and seven days of non-perishables. Time restraints limited the visit to a partial tour, an exit interview was conducted, and no citations were issued.
    31 May 2022
    Conducted an unannounced inspection at a residential care facility, observed the facility's operations and safety measures, and found no issues warranting citations.
    24 May 2022
    Found that lower-sugar options were available on the menu without a doctor's prescription, with substitutions for breakfast and meals. The dietary director stated they cannot create new special diets but can provide alternatives.
    24 May 2022
    Identified that the complaint about flies in the dining area and a torn dining room screen was supported by evidence, including photos showing flies on plates and cups and an admission by a staff member of seeing 1–2 flies during hot weather about two weeks earlier. The torn screen was observed during the visit.
    24 May 2022
    Confirmed presence of flies in the dining room based on photographic evidence and staff admission.
    • § 87303(a)
    21 Dec 2021
    Identified that an administrator began duties on 11/29/2021 without formal association to the site and with an incomplete Administrative Certificate needing about 20 CEUs. Noted that the VP of Operations remained the designated representative after a conference call, and a civil penalty was assessed.
    • § 87405(a)
    • § 87355(e)(2)
    21 Dec 2021
    Identified deficiencies and assessed civil penalty during visit. Required documentation for new administrator not provided.
    • § 87468.1(a)(1)
    22 Sept 2021
    Identified stained, discolored, and soiled carpet in R1's room installed without padding; steam cleaning and shampooing did not improve it.
    22 Sept 2021
    Observed deficiencies in carpeting cleanliness and installation during the inspection.
    02 Aug 2021
    Identified a torn dining room window screen, about 10 1/4 inches long.
    02 Aug 2021
    Identified deficiencies in the facility during an inspection.
    • § 87303(a)
    23 Jul 2021
    Determined that a 60-day written rate increase notice was not provided to the resident's power of attorney, resulting in overcharges for several months. Found that the financial abuse allegation did not apply.
    23 Jul 2021
    Found failure to provide 60-day notice before rate increase but uncovered no evidence of financial abuse.
    11 Jun 2021
    Identified an unlocked medication cart in a first-floor hallway containing narcotics, which was secured after discovery, and a later audit found medications had been given as prescribed. Found memory care is not approved and no dementia care plan; signage was posted as required, and infection-control basics such as sign-in, symptom screening, and PPE availability were in place.
    • § 87465(h)(2)
    11 Jun 2021
    Conducted onsite visit, found unlocked medication cart accessible to residents, issued citation.
    • § 87506(c)(1)
    • § 87465(h)(2)
    • § 87355(e)(2)
    06 May 2021
    Identified a discrepancy: the current resident agreement states a dementia-related plan of operation is available for review, while the approved plan indicates the home is not a dementia facility, and no revised admission agreement had been submitted for review.
    06 May 2021
    Identified deficiency related to services for Dementia or Alzheimer's disease in resident agreement not reflected in facility's plan of operation.
    • § 87303(a)
    04 May 2021
    Identified missing hospice records for a resident and a dementia diagnosis discrepancy between physician reports and the plan of operation, which does not admit or retain residents with dementia. Found five staff who spoke only Spanish or needed translators during interviews, and conducted a telephonic exit interview with the Administrator.
    • § 87506
    • § 87411
    • § 87208
    04 May 2021
    Found there was not an adequate number of staff to meet residents' needs, with some residents waiting over 30 minutes for assistance, and staffing schedules were inconsistent across printed, handwritten, and LIC500 records. Identified that a resident on hospice was bathed by hospice staff with no bath logs for non-hospice days, and that the care plan allowed bathing 1 to 2 times weekly; census data showed 108 residents total, including 38 in assisted living, as of 08/20/2019.
    • § 87411(a)
    04 May 2021
    Found inadequate staffing at the facility, causing delays in resident assistance and confirmed that hospice care was responsible for resident bathing, not regular staff.
    • § 87468.1
    28 Feb 2020
    Confirmed that residents were not invited to a private facility event and the rooftop deck did not have fire clearance for resident use.
    • §
    17 Dec 2019
    Confirmed that staff failed to administer prescribed medications to a resident for 60 days, including 20 days after the resident's admission to the assisted living area, leading to a finding that the complaint was valid.
    • § 1569.655(a)
    12 Nov 2019
    Determined allegations related to a fall incident and failure to maintain accurate medication records during inspection.
    • § 87208

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