Overall impression Reviews for Redwood Terrace are overwhelmingly positive, with the dominant themes being exceptional staff, comprehensive on-site care, abundant amenities, outstanding dining, and an active social life. Many reviewers describe staff as kind, compassionate and willing to go above and beyond — from purchasing clothing for residents to coordinating movers and arranging outside services. Long-term residents and family members frequently highlight individualized attention, quick call-button responses and staff who know residents by name, creating a strong sense of community and surrogate-family support.
Care quality and clinical services Redwood Terrace receives consistently high marks for clinical care, rehabilitation and skilled nursing. Multiple reviewers praised the therapy department, calling it fantastic and crediting it with strong rehab outcomes after surgery. The campus supports all levels of care — independent living, assisted living, memory care (a new memory-care building was under construction in some reports), skilled nursing and hospice — which residents and families value for long-term stability and continuity of care. A few reviewers noted the skilled nursing areas can feel more institutional or hospital-like than the independent living cottages, but quality of care in those areas was generally described as very good.
Staff and operations Staffing is the standout strength: nursing, social workers, dining, housekeeping, maintenance and administrative teams received repeated praise. Specific staff members and roles (financial director, social worker, marketing director, and individuals such as “Kay Keith” in multiple comments) were cited as particularly helpful. Reviewers also described flexible billing arrangements (including delayed payments without late fees), a refundable waitlist fee, benevolent funds and non-profit advantages that benefit residents. That said, a recurring, though less frequent, concern involves inconsistent service and communication: reports of lost paperwork, poor callbacks, occasional understaffing, and isolated incidents of unprofessional behavior from an administrator. These issues appear to be sporadic rather than systemic according to the balance of reviews.
Facilities, apartments and grounds The physical campus is described as extensive, well-kept and attractive. Reviewers noted modern, spacious apartments and cottages with balconies, mountain-view windows, private patios/gardens, full kitchens and in-residence washers/dryers in many units. Grounds are frequently described as beautifully maintained with roses, citrus trees and multiple outdoor seating areas. At the same time, some reviewers described the community as spread-out and large, which can contribute to an institutional feel in parts of the campus; several comments suggested certain buildings are older and in need of renovation. Parking inside the community and the wide layout were mentioned as occasional inconveniences.
Amenities, activities and social life Redwood Terrace offers a rich and varied activities program. Frequent on-campus options include classes (tai chi, astronomy), Bingo, Friday Fun Night, music (piano player), lectures, clubs (cards, dance, bowling), a well-stocked library, computer labs, wood shop, hostess centers with coffee and pastries, and volunteer opportunities (hospitality committee, book cart). Off-campus activities and outings are plentiful — museum trips, concerts, beach picnics and restaurant outings — and residents praise the transportation service, which often includes accompaniment to medical appointments. Reviewers consistently emphasize social opportunities, new friendships and a welcoming culture for visiting family.
Dining and food services Dining is a strong positive across reviews: many residents describe the food as outstanding, restaurant-style, with generous portions, variety and healthy options. Professional dining staff and flexible meal arrangements (dining hall or room service, box lunches for outings) are frequently commended. A minority of reviewers commented on issues such as limited dining space, occasional average lunches, or meals being too salty, but the dominant sentiment is that dining is a major strength of the community.
Value, pricing and financial considerations Several reviews highlight Redwood Terrace as a good value, particularly given the non-profit model, the breadth of services, and benevolent funds. Reviewers noted reasonable a la carte pricing for services (salon, pedicure) and flexible payment options. However, multiple comments flagged high buy-in or entry fees and above-average monthly fees; the entry-fee model and possible high initial cost are clear caveats for prospective residents. Another financial note: some therapy services are offered on a cash basis because insurance no longer covers certain physical therapy, which could affect out-of-pocket costs for some residents.
Patterns of concern and isolated negatives While overwhelmingly positive, reviews do include recurring but less common concerns: occasional understaffing or inconsistent levels of service; lapses in administrative communication (lost paperwork, poor callbacks); structural issues in older parts of the campus; and a few isolated reports of unprofessional behavior or maintenance failures (e.g., broken air conditioning). A few prospective residents noted lower occupancy/activity in certain areas or that the campus lacked a lap pool. Overall these negatives appear infrequent relative to the consistent praise for staff, care and amenities.
Conclusion In sum, Redwood Terrace is perceived by most reviewers as a well-run, compassionate, full-service senior community that delivers strong clinical care, excellent dining, plentiful activities, beautiful grounds and genuine staff-resident relationships. It is especially attractive to families seeking a continuum of care in one campus and those who value active social programming and robust therapy/rehab services. Prospective residents should weigh the benefits of the non-profit model, strong staff and comprehensive services against potential drawbacks such as entry/buy-in costs, occasional communication inconsistencies, the large campus layout and some older facility areas needing updates. For many reviewers and long-term residents, the positives — especially the people, care quality and lifestyle — far outweigh the negatives, making Redwood Terrace a highly recommended option in its market.
