I moved my mom here and overall I'm satisfied - I'd give it 4/5. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, the building is clean, the grounds and dining room are lovely, meals are generally good, and there are plenty of activities and helpful resident ambassadors. Rooms feel like converted hotel/motel units - bright but small with limited in-room amenities. Major caveats: confusing billing and paperwork delays, spotty administration, slow dining/service at times, and accessibility/maintenance issues (elevators down for months, narrow doors). My biggest concern is safety for advanced dementia - staffing is inconsistent, call-button response can be slow, and a Wander Guard failure/understaffing raised real wandering and emergency risks. Good value for the price if you don't need high-level dementia care; verify staffing, safety systems, and billing before committing.
Central location near hospital and medical facilities
Large hotel-style suites and rooms
Private bathrooms in many units
Outside views, balconies, and sunny bright apartments
Lovely dining area and restaurant-style dining
Kind, compassionate and patient staff
Numerous on-site activities and classes (bingo, trivia, puzzles)
Group outings and transportation to appointments
Beautiful grounds, courtyard, rose garden and gazebo
Fitness/Balance classes and exercise room with machines
Salon/nail polish and beauty services on-site
Library, rec room and large activity spaces for parties
Resident ambassador program to help transitions
Medication management and incontinence care available
Assistance with dressing, bathing and daily needs
Secure courtyard and gated outdoor space
Family-friendly atmosphere and couples can stay together
Clean, well-organized facility reported by many reviewers
Helpful marketing and move-in support staff
Pet-friendly (allows dogs)
Value/budget-friendly options noted by several families
Respite trial available and short-term stays possible
Long-tenured staff and continuity of caregivers
Varied social programming (ice cream socials, birthday gatherings)
Ground-floor units and elevator access to upper floors
Cons
Aged building converted from a hotel/motel feel
Ongoing renovations and management transitions causing disruptions
Elevator outages and prolonged elevator breakdowns
Hot water outages and past utility problems
Narrow doors and poor wheelchair accessibility
Bathrooms too small for walkers or transfers in some units
Inconsistent or insufficient monitoring for higher-acuity residents
Wander risks and failed Wander Guard alarm reported
Limited or inconsistent 24/7 nursing availability
Shower/assist services sometimes not performed or inconsistent
Hallway odors, cleanliness issues, and dated bathrooms in places
Dining food quality inconsistent and sometimes poor
Slow dining service and restricted seating policies
Hidden/unclear billing, added charges, and confusing invoices
Extra fees and ala carte charges reported
Limited in-room amenities (small fridge, no kitchenette/freezer)
Small studio rooms and some cramped layouts
Long, narrow, or uninviting hallways
Staffing shortages and occasional slow response to call buttons
Activity staffing inconsistent—some residents bored or disengaged
Mixed population (dementia and independent) without clear segregation
Not suitable for advanced Alzheimer's or high-behavior dementia care
Safety concerns due to no gurney access to upper floors in emergencies
Maintenance and safety incidents (gas leaks reported by some)
Perception that some care claims may have been overstated during tours
Summary review
Overall sentiment: Reviews of Santa Maria Terrace (SMT) skew positive around the human side of care and the community atmosphere, while repeatedly flagging infrastructure, accessibility, and operational consistency as areas of concern. Across dozens of reviews a clear pattern emerges: residents and family members consistently praise the staff’s warmth, compassion, and helpfulness; the social life and programming; the attractive grounds and dining environment; and the convenience of the central location. At the same time many reviewers raise red flags about the building’s age, service reliability (elevators, hot water, monitoring), and suitability for residents with more advanced medical or dementia-related needs.
Care quality and staff: The strongest and most consistent theme is the quality of front-line staff. Multiple reviewers describe staff as kind, patient, compassionate, attentive and family-oriented. Several staff members (named in reviews) and marketing/move-in staff receive specific praise for smoothing transitions and helping with paperwork. Clinical supports such as medication management, bathing assistance, incontinence care, and escort services are available and credited in many accounts. However, reviewers also report inconsistent execution: shower service promised but not always delivered, variable escort/check frequency, slow response to call buttons at times, and limited experience handling insulin-dependent or higher-acuity medical needs. Several reviewers explicitly warn that SMT is not the best fit for advanced Alzheimer’s or residents who wander or have challenging behaviors—Wander Guard failure and insufficient segregation of dementia residents were mentioned.
Facilities and accessibility: SMT is repeatedly described as a converted hotel (former Holiday Inn/Hotel-style), which brings both strengths and weaknesses. Positives include spacious, hotel-like suites, private bathrooms in many units (some two-bathroom one-bed conversions), sunny apartments, balconies, and a bright restaurant-style dining room with white tablecloths. The grounds — including courtyard gardens, roses, gazebo, and walking areas — are commonly praised. On the negative side, the building’s age and hotel layout cause access and safety problems for some: narrow doors and small bathrooms that don’t fit walkers, long narrow hallways, discolored outdated bathrooms, limited in-room amenities (small fridge, no kitchenette), and recurring maintenance failures. Elevator breakdowns (some reportedly lasting months), lack of gurney access to upper floors, past hot-water outages, gas-leak reports, and ongoing renovations have major implications for safety and comfort and are recurring reviewer concerns.
Dining and activities: Dining gets mixed but generally positive marks. Many reviewers like the restaurant-style dining room, varied menus, and certain meals; others report inconsistent or poor food quality, small portions, slow service, or issues with beverage/ice cream fulfillment. Dining hours are broad (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) and card-bound menus are used. Programming is a strength — bingo, card games, trivia, ice cream socials, worship services, movies, poker, balance classes, and frequent outings are frequently listed. The resident ambassador program and social culture help new residents adjust. Yet some reviewers find programming inconsistent or insufficient for engagement and would like a more reliable activities staff and newer transportation resources for outings.
Management, operations, and value: Several reviewers appreciate proactive managers who listen and assist with move-ins, while others describe management transitions and renovations as sources of disruption. Billing and charge transparency is an often-mentioned operational weak spot — families reported confusing invoices, added ala carte charges, and unclear billing practices. Cost opinions vary: some call SMT budget-friendly and a good value for the space and services, while others think it is overpriced given the dated infrastructure and service inconsistencies. Renovation work and newer management have reportedly created short-term challenges, and several reviewers felt certain claims made during tours overstated the facility’s capabilities (especially around care for dementia and medical complexity).
Safety and suitability: Safety observations are mixed and depend on resident needs. The secure courtyard and monitoring checks are positives, but inconsistent monitoring, failed Wander Guard, and elevator/gurney access concerns make SMT a questionable choice for residents at high fall or medical risk, or those with advanced dementia who may wander or need frequent clinical oversight. Several reviewers explicitly recommend SMT more for independent seniors or those needing light assisted living services rather than for people with advanced cognitive or mobility impairments.
Patterns and recommendations: In synthesis, Santa Maria Terrace offers a warm, social community centered on compassionate staff, pleasant grounds, hotel-style suites, and an active activities calendar. However, families should investigate operational and infrastructure issues before committing. Important checks for prospective residents: current elevator reliability and emergency gurney access, status of recent renovations, details about dementia-care protocols and alarm systems (Wander Guard), staffing ratios and 24/7 nurse availability, shower and escort service consistency, billing detail and any ala carte fees, and accessibility of specific units (door widths and bathroom sizes for walkers/wheelchairs). Overall, reviewers repeatedly say SMT can be an excellent fit for many seniors — especially those who are independent or need light assistance and value an active social life — but it may be less appropriate for residents with advanced medical needs or significant mobility/dementia care requirements due to the facility’s physical limitations and operational inconsistencies.
Location
About Santa Maria Terrace
Santa Maria Terrace offers apartments for seniors who want independent living, assisted living, dementia care, or short-term respite stays, and people can pick a studio or a one-bedroom, with options for furnished units, emergency call systems, and easy controls for heating and cooling, so folks can stay comfortable and safe at all times, plus they allow small pets like little dogs, and they have a dog park where people can walk and visit. The staff are there day and night and help with daily tasks such as bathing, getting dressed, walking, and making sure people get their medicine on time, while nurses visit part-time and there's a network of healthcare providers who can come in if extra medical help is needed, which is important for people needing special care, like diabetic care or memory care for dementia or Alzheimer's, where Santa Maria Terrace uses safe, enclosed areas and added security to prevent confusion or wandering, and does regular health and wellness checks. Meals come from a chef and are served fresh in a communal dining room, though if someone wants to eat in their apartment or invite a guest, that's fine, and flexible dining hours are offered, as is room service, with professional wait staff helping out so people don't have to worry about anything. Housekeeping, laundry, linens, and private cleaning are all part of the package and people can also get help with mail or have cable TV and Wi-Fi in their rooms or in the lounges, so staying in touch or enjoying TV is easy, while the maintenance staff make sure everything keeps running smoothly. The front doors are controlled for safety, and there's parking for residents and guests, and transportation can be set up to shopping, medical appointments, or for any errands, which takes some of the worry out of getting around. Recreational programs change each week and include computer classes, art, crafts, board games, music, seasonal parties, outings managed by an activities staff, and there are rooms set aside for games, computers, reading in the library, or religious services-including Catholic mass and spiritual gatherings-plus there's an enclosed garden and outside paths for relaxing walks. Each care plan is tailored for the person, aiming to support as much independence as possible while giving a safe, homelike place to live, whether someone stays long-term or for a respite visit. Santa Maria Terrace doesn't take Medicaid but accepts private pay, long-term insurance, checks, and Medicare, and the whole campus is kept secure with emergency response systems, regular checks, and building security so families can know their loved ones are being cared for and respected. People can go online to see floor plans or look at the gallery to get a feel for the place, and the community always encourages people to visit so they can see the atmosphere and see if it's a good fit, with staff happy to answer questions and help make a choice.
Pinnacle Senior Living operates 52 communities across Arizona, California, Nevada, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, providing independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. The organization focuses on person-centered care and creating secure, homelike environments designed to reduce agitation in memory care residents.
People often ask...
Santa Maria Terrace offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $6,933 per month.
Santa Maria Terrace offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and board and care.
There are 30 photos of Santa Maria Terrace on Mirador.
Yes, Santa Maria Terrace allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.
The full address for this community is 1405 E Main St, Santa Maria, CA, 93454.
Yes, Santa Maria Terrace offers respite care.
Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.
State of California Inspection Reports
62
Inspections
15
Type A Citations
17
Type B Citations
5
Years of reports
05 Aug 2025
05 Aug 2025
Found that a PRN tramadol was given in the morning rather than at bedtime as ordered, meaning it was administered outside the prescribed time frame.
§ 87465
§ 9058
08 Apr 2025
08 Apr 2025
Determined safety features functioning, the environment clean and accessible, with working smoke and CO detectors, tested fire alarms, clear pathways, and secure storage for medications. Found staff and resident records up to date, medications in original containers, meals and disaster drills in place, and residents including hospice and dementia care needs supported, with a fenced backyard.
§ 9058
25 Mar 2025
25 Mar 2025
Found no clear evidence that staff violated residents' personal rights. Residents with dementia were redirected and only allowed to leave with staff supervision.
03 Oct 2024
03 Oct 2024
Found current infection control plan, adequate PPE stock, and staff trained in infection control, with meals and medications delivered to rooms for quarantined residents. Observed tidy, well-lit living areas with safe bathrooms, secured cleaning supplies, clear walkways, up-to-date fire safety and disaster preparedness, and proper medication handling; census noted 46 non-ambulatory, 1 bedridden, and 3 hospice residents, with 49 staff and 1 administrator.
01 Oct 2024
01 Oct 2024
Investigated allegations that staff did not provide pain management to a resident and that staff failed to reposition residents and inadequately assisted during meals. Found that the evidence supported these claims.
§ 87468.2
10 Jun 2024
10 Jun 2024
Found insufficient evidence to prove the allegation that staff did not dispense resident’s medication according to doctor’s orders. Found insufficient evidence to prove the allegation that staff did not ensure resident received contracted amenities, specifically TV service.
10 Jun 2024
10 Jun 2024
Found insufficient evidence that staff failed to provide proper notification of rate increases. Found insufficient evidence that staff failed to communicate with the authorized representative.
10 Jun 2024
10 Jun 2024
Investigated two allegations: insufficient evidence to confirm that staff failed to provide proper notification of rate increases or that facility staff did not communicate with an authorized representative.
15 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024
Identified comprehensive infection control, safety, and disaster-preparedness measures in place, with secured medications, functioning alarms, and staff training. Found residents were supported with hospice and home health services, up-to-date records, and current licensing and liability coverage, all within a clean and well-maintained setting.
15 Apr 2024
15 Apr 2024
Confirmed all necessary safety and sanitation measures were in place at the facility during the inspection.
02 Feb 2024
02 Feb 2024
Investigated a medication error where two different medications were prepared at the same time and the wrong one was given to a resident, risking respiratory depression; a deficiency was cited and a civil penalty for a repeat violation was assessed.
02 Feb 2024
02 Feb 2024
Investigated allegation that a staff member called a resident with dementia "pathetic" for needing help back to their room; the claim was deemed unsubstantiated.
02 Feb 2024
02 Feb 2024
Found that a resident did not receive needed showers and was charged for showers not provided; this allegation substantiated. Found that cable service issues were unsubstantiated.
§ 87507(c)
§ 87464(f)(4)
02 Feb 2024
02 Feb 2024
Identified a medication mismanagement incident where a resident received a higher dose of Warfarin than ordered because staff did not read the label, prompting physician notification and increased monitoring. Found staffing shortages leaving about 90–100 residents with insufficient coverage, resulting in care gaps (housekeeping, grooming, showers) and dining area cleanliness concerns, with a civil penalty assessed.
§ 87465(a)(4)
§ 87411(a)
§ 87464(f)(4)
02 Feb 2024
02 Feb 2024
Identified deficiencies in medication administration resulted in a civil penalty being assessed.
07 Sept 2023
07 Sept 2023
Found no health or safety hazards and noted compliance with regulations; kitchen, common areas, and restrooms were clean and adequately stocked, with PPE available and infection-control procedures in place. Found that the last disaster drill occurred on 8/31/2023.
07 Sept 2023
07 Sept 2023
Inspection identified compliance with health and safety regulations in various areas of the facility, including kitchen, common areas, restrooms, and infection control protocols.
06 Sept 2023
06 Sept 2023
Found two staff members were not associated with the site, likely due to an accidental disassociation. Reviewed five resident files and five staff files (all complete), checked medications in a locked cart, interviewed two staff, and noted deficiencies cited; the annual review could not be completed and will resume on another date.
§ 87355(e)(4)
06 Sept 2023
06 Sept 2023
Reviewed resident and staff records, conducted medication review, and identified deficiencies during the visit.
§ 87465(a)(4)
15 Jun 2023
15 Jun 2023
Found that the responsible party did not receive complete records to authorize representation, with requests not fulfilled as of mid-April. Found there was not enough evidence to prove a wrong medication was given, though look-alike bottles could have caused a mix-up.
15 Jun 2023
15 Jun 2023
Identified missing quantity for Vitamin C and Hydrochlorothiazide in one resident’s centrally stored medication and destruction records, and noted that another medication’s record listed only the bottle’s total amount rather than the actual dispensed quantity.
Found that a weekly dose of Alendronate was not provided as scheduled in March, with the first dose given on 3/3/23 and three more given daily, leaving that resident without the weekly dose; issued citations and conducted an exit interview with appeal rights provided.
15 Jun 2023
15 Jun 2023
Identified issues with medication records and administration, including missing quantities for certain medications and improper dosing schedules for a resident's weekly medication. Citations issued following a complaint investigation.
§ 87506(c)(1)
30 May 2023
30 May 2023
Identified duplicate tray charges and a delayed refund, indicating the refund was not issued correctly. Found that charging for incontinence care and shower assistance when not needed was not supported by the information gathered.
30 May 2023
30 May 2023
Confirmed incorrect refund issued for double tray charges, while allegation of unnecessary services charged to resident was not substantiated.
§ 87465(h)(6)
§ 87465(a)(4)
26 Apr 2023
26 Apr 2023
Found the allegation that the authorized representative was not informed of a change in living arrangement unsubstantiated.
26 Apr 2023
26 Apr 2023
Determined that the allegation regarding the lack of notification about a change in living arrangements was unsubstantiated, as staff were unaware of the unauthorized move and took prompt action once informed.
24 Feb 2023
24 Feb 2023
Found no violations or citations after an unannounced visit and infection control review.
24 Feb 2023
24 Feb 2023
Inspection found no violations or citations during the tour and infection control module.
19 Jan 2023
19 Jan 2023
Found that reporting requirements for a COVID-19 outbreak and related incidents were not followed, with multiple resident and staff incident reports submitted late. A civil penalty for repeat violations was issued.
19 Jan 2023
19 Jan 2023
Found deficiencies in COVID-19 reporting and incident reporting, resulting in a civil penalty.
28 Oct 2022
28 Oct 2022
Investigated allegations that staff made medical decisions for a resident and that a financial POA was treated as medical authority for hospital transport; EMS personnel reported unclear directives and staff often assumed the POA covered medical decisions. Identified concerns about how emergency information is collected and shared with responders, including disorganized record-keeping and delays in obtaining needed documents.
28 Oct 2022
28 Oct 2022
Identified that a resident did not receive two showers per week and toileting assistance was not consistently provided, with missing shift entries and an initial lack of a shower chair. Identified issues with applying the refund policy for a move-out during the third month and with arranging transportation for medical appointments.
§ 87464(d)
§ 87464(f)(6)
28 Oct 2022
28 Oct 2022
Confirmed that the facility did not meet resident's care needs by not providing required showers, and identified deficiencies in following the admissions agreement and refund policy.
§ 87211(a)(1)
§ 87211(a)(2)
31 Aug 2022
31 Aug 2022
Identified infection-control measures in place, including entry screening, symptom checks, temperature checks, PPE use, isolation capability, and ongoing staff training. Noted two staff members on site had not been previously associated with this site.
31 Aug 2022
31 Aug 2022
Found deficiencies in infection control procedures and personnel record keeping during an annual inspection visit.
§ 87468.1(a)(16)
02 Aug 2022
02 Aug 2022
Conducted via Teams, an informal conference was held to discuss complaints and deficiencies at the site. Licensing staff explained the process and covered staffing, resident care needs, supplies, the physical environment, reporting, and COVID-19 protocols, with the administrator noting reduced on-site presence and designating the wellness director as back-up; PIN guidance was encouraged and an exit interview followed.
02 Aug 2022
02 Aug 2022
Issues discussed during the conference included staffing, meeting residents' needs, incontinence supplies, physical plant, reporting, and COVID-19 protocols.
§ 87355(e)(2)
11 Jul 2022
11 Jul 2022
Identified that the allegation that staff did not maintain residents' hygiene was supported by evidence showing showers were not provided as scheduled and a shower chair was delayed until family involvement. Found insufficient evidence to prove the allegation that staff did not provide assistance to a resident resulting in a fall.
§ 87464(d)
§ 87411(a)
11 Jul 2022
11 Jul 2022
Identified that residents’ diapering needs were not met, with multiple residents soaked in urine and feces and their clothing and sheets wet for hours. Found inadequate hygiene supplies and delays in restocking briefs, including issues affecting hospice residents.
11 Jul 2022
11 Jul 2022
Identified late reporting of incident reports beyond seven days after incidents, despite courtesy reminder emails.
§ 87211(a)(1)
11 Jul 2022
11 Jul 2022
Confirmed neglect in maintaining resident hygiene and insufficient assistance resulting in a fall.
§ 87307(a)(3)
§ 87625(b)(3)
06 Jun 2022
06 Jun 2022
Identified several concerns, including visitor COVID-19 documentation and tracking for indoors visits, with logs not showing vaccination or negative test proof. Identified additional issues with delayed staff response to resident calls, perceived staffing shortages, ongoing water leaks and building disrepair, and cleaning deficiencies in resident rooms.
§ 87303(e)
§ 87411(a)
§ 87303(e)(6)
06 Jun 2022
06 Jun 2022
Investigated the allegation that staff did not respond to residents’ call bells. Found significant delays in responses: about one-third of calls were answered within 10 minutes, many took longer, and some were never answered.
06 Jun 2022
06 Jun 2022
Confirmed inadequate staffing, unsanitary living conditions, and failure to follow COVID-19 protocols at the facility.
§ 87411(a)
23 Mar 2022
23 Mar 2022
Found infection control measures fully implemented, including entry screening, PPE use, cleaning, testing, and daily symptom checks; no deficiencies identified.
23 Mar 2022
23 Mar 2022
Confirmed all infection control protocols were implemented and followed during the visit.
10 Mar 2022
10 Mar 2022
Found no evidence supporting the allegation that refunds were handled contrary to the admissions agreement, including overcharges for bathing, medication assistance, or a month of care. Found no evidence supporting the allegation that residents’ rooms were not kept clean.
10 Mar 2022
10 Mar 2022
Investigated two allegations about access to resident records and communication with authorized representatives. Interviews and records showed no evidence to support these claims.
10 Mar 2022
10 Mar 2022
Interviews and records confirmed that staff provided residents with vaccination information, but no records were withheld from authorized representatives. Phone calls and emails from the authorized representative were not returned, but the facility claimed no requests were made.
02 Dec 2021
02 Dec 2021
Found no evidence that staff spoke inappropriately to a resident. Found no evidence that staff did not treat a resident with respect.
02 Dec 2021
02 Dec 2021
Interviews with staff and residents did not support allegations of staff speaking inappropriately or not treating a resident with respect. All interviewed staff and residents stated that they were treated well and with dignity at the facility.
16 Nov 2021
16 Nov 2021
Identified a lapse in insulin administration due to miscommunication and a missing medication log. Residents reported meals were adequate with plenty of food and no evidence of inadequate food.
16 Nov 2021
16 Nov 2021
Confirmed allegation of staff not ensuring resident received insulin, but determined allegation of staff not providing adequate food service to be unsubstantiated.
30 Sept 2021
30 Sept 2021
Investigated medication handling and resident care at the home through interviews and document review; leadership acknowledged fault in a past medication error affecting a resident, and staff and residents described regular checks and prompt responses. Reviewed showers, meals, call systems, linens, and housekeeping; most residents reported satisfaction with services and records showed consistent procedures and routine maintenance.
30 Sept 2021
30 Sept 2021
Found medication administration errors were confirmed, while allegations related to insufficient supervision, inadequate shower assistance, poor food quality or quantity, malfunctioning call pendants, lack of provided linens, inadequate housekeeping, and overcharging for services were unsubstantiated based on interviews and records.
§ 87465(c)(2)
31 Aug 2021
31 Aug 2021
Identified that PINs and emergency contact information were posted and accessible to residents, visitors, and staff; an employee was found working without CDSS clearance, resulting in an immediate citation.
31 Aug 2021
31 Aug 2021
Confirmed no deficiencies except for one staff member working without proper clearance.
§ 87465(c)(2)
13 Oct 2020
13 Oct 2020
Determined no evidence to support the following allegations: lack of supervision resulting in multiple falls; staff not responding promptly to residents' call buttons; staff not assisting with toileting in a timely manner; staff not seeking medical attention promptly; staff not keeping resident rooms clean; staff not serving good quality food; and staff speaking inappropriately to residents.
13 Oct 2020
13 Oct 2020
Interviews conducted by the Licensing Program Analyst did not find evidence to support allegations of lack of supervision resulting in resident falls, staff not responding to call buttons in a timely manner, delays in assisting residents with toileting needs, failure to seek timely medical attention, rooms not being kept clean, serving poor quality food, or staff speaking inappropriately to residents.
§ 87411(g)(1)
20 Aug 2020
20 Aug 2020
Investigated a report alleging that a resident was struck in the back of the neck with a stick by an unknown staff member, leading to an ER visit after an eye appointment.
20 Aug 2020
20 Aug 2020
Confirmed allegations of abuse involving a resident being hit in the back of the neck with conflicting statements about the cause of injury, leading to a visit to the Emergency Room for evaluation.
09 Jan 2020
09 Jan 2020
Confirmed incident of theft by staff member, terminated after admitting to taking resident's jewelry, which was recovered. Residents advised to secure valuables. Reviewed policies and training, no deficiencies issued.
