Merrill Gardens at Monterey sits on Iris Canyon Road, near Del Monte Center, close to shops and restaurants, tucked in by forest green trees and not far from the cool ocean air, and the first thing you'll notice is how new and clean the place feels when you drive up, from its modern stone exterior to a fresh and airy interior. The community is run by a family-owned company that focuses on connection and treating everyone with respect, whether a resident lives in one of the three separate duplex cottages, each with six units, the main building with 104 units, or the dedicated Garden House memory care area for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. In total, there are 121,168 square feet here, with the main building taking up 114,316 square feet, and there are quiet spaces like a lounge, theater, bistro, and wellness, beauty, and dining rooms where residents gather and enjoy each other's company.
People can choose independent living, assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing depending on what they need, and the staff here is known for being kind, patient, and thoughtful, always doing their best to work with families and provide the right kind of help, and from what folks say, the caregivers pay close attention and offer care that meets personal needs, especially in memory care. The dining program is well organized, with a choice of two entrees for lunch and dinner every day in a dining hall that's always tidy, and social activities matter, with things like new resident socials, hors d'oeuvres and wine, monthly birthday dinners, and daily films that help bring people together without making anyone feel pushed to join. Outdoors, the patio is large and comfortable, good for getting a little sun or fresh air, and inside or out, the place supports a balanced lifestyle with amenities that really do help people keep their routines and enjoy retirement at a pace that suits them.
The assisted living and memory care staff make sure to keep a steady line with families, share updates, and look out for the smaller details, so even folks who need a bit more help can settle in and feel at home, and if someone just wants to enjoy activities and the social side without any special assistance, there's independent living, designed to allow freedom and privacy. Merrill Gardens at Monterey stands out among newer senior living options on the Monterey Peninsula because it really tries to cover all the needs people may have as their circumstances change, all under one roof or across its grounds, quietly doing the hard work of daily care and companionship.
People often ask...
Merrill Gardens at Monterey offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $4,670 per month.
Merrill Gardens at Monterey offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and continuing care retirement community.
There are 33 photos of Merrill Gardens at Monterey on Mirador.
Yes, Merrill Gardens at Monterey allows residents to age in place and adjust their level of care as needed.
The full address for this community is 200 Iris Canyon Rd, Monterey, CA, 93940.
Yes, Merrill Gardens at Monterey 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
34
Inspections
6
Type A Citations
8
Type B Citations
5
Years of reports
21 May 2025
21 May 2025
Found no deficiencies issued and overall compliance with safety and care standards observed during the visit. Updated administrative documents were requested to be submitted by 05/25/2025.
§ 9058
14 Dec 2024
14 Dec 2024
Found that the following allegations were unsubstantiated: unqualified staff left in charge when the administrator was not present; staff did not properly assess residents; staff did not check on residents; staff did not provide adequate food service; staff did not ensure residents had activities; staff did not keep resident rooms clean; staff did not remind residents about appointments; staff did not ensure showers; staff did not care for residents' dogs; and staff did not meet residents' needs.
27 Jul 2024
27 Jul 2024
Unsubstantiated allegations related to elevator maintenance and food service accuracy were investigated, with no violations found during the visit.
§ 9058
27 Jul 2024
27 Jul 2024
Investigated the elevator maintenance allegation and the special food service accuracy allegation. Found insufficient evidence to determine whether the elevator maintenance allegation occurred or whether the special food service accuracy allegation occurred; the elevator was repaired, and the food service during the outage was described as satisfactory.
17 Jul 2024
17 Jul 2024
Identified medication error resulting in hospitalization of resident. Staff retrained and reassigned.
17 Jul 2024
17 Jul 2024
Identified a medication error in which a staff member handed a medication intended for another resident to a resident, resulting in hospitalization and the resident returning at approximately 2:00 a.m. on 07/12/2024.
§ 87465(a)
28 May 2024
28 May 2024
Identified deficiencies related to lacking annual medical assessments for residents with dementia during the inspection.
§ 87465(a)
28 May 2024
28 May 2024
Found most areas clean, safe, and well maintained, with appropriate safety features and emergency supplies in place. Identified that two residents with dementia did not have the required annual medical assessments and reappraisals.
§ 87705(c)(5)
07 Mar 2024
07 Mar 2024
Investigated a complaint about a resident trapped in an elevator during a power outage due to lack of back-up power; lacking enough evidence to confirm a violation.
07 Mar 2024
07 Mar 2024
Investigated the allegation that a resident was trapped in an elevator due to lack of back-up power. Found that on 2/4/2024 a resident could not exit for about two hours during a power outage; emergency responders opened the elevator; the elevator was serviced and maintained; no injuries occurred; and there was insufficient evidence to prove the allegation occurred or did not occur.
04 Jan 2024
04 Jan 2024
Confirmed deficiencies in resident appraisal process and notification of fee increases were identified during the inspection.
04 Jan 2024
04 Jan 2024
Confirmed allegations of staff not assisting residents with activities of daily living and not meeting residents' needs, as substantiated by interviews, records, and observations.
04 Jan 2024
04 Jan 2024
Identified that staff did not assist residents with eating as directed by administration, and that residents' dining needs were not consistently met.
§ 87464(f)(4)
04 Jan 2024
04 Jan 2024
Found that a reappraisal was performed on 11/19/2023 after a resident's condition change but did not include the resident's responsible party. Found that after a rate increase tied to a change in level of care, written notice of the fee increase was not provided to the resident's representative within two business days.
§ 87463(c)
§ 1569.657
29 Aug 2023
29 Aug 2023
Investigated two allegations: staff shared a resident's personal information with another resident; and staff did not prevent a resident from intimidating others. Found not enough evidence to prove either violation occurred.
29 Aug 2023
29 Aug 2023
Found allegations of staff sharing resident information and resident intimidation unsubstantiated.
§ 87464(f)(4)
28 Aug 2023
28 Aug 2023
Determined the allegation that a resident with an indwelling catheter could not be accepted back after SNF discharge did not meet the preponderance of evidence.
28 Aug 2023
28 Aug 2023
Investigated a complaint regarding a resident not being accepted back due to having a catheter; determined the allegation lacked sufficient evidence and was unsubstantiated.
§ 87705(c)(5)
03 May 2023
03 May 2023
Found no deficiencies; observed clean, well-lit spaces with clear exits, recently serviced fire safety equipment, a sprinkler system, and ongoing drills with local fire authorities. Noted adequate food and first aid supplies, meds properly stored in memory care areas, and up-to-date administrator certification; requested LIC 500, LIC 308, and LIC 9020a by 5/10/2023.
03 May 2023
03 May 2023
No deficiencies were cited during the inspection and all areas of the facility were found to be in compliance with regulations.
Found the hydration allegation not supported by interviews, with residents and staff saying fluids were adequate. Found medication administration errors documented for two residents in April and May 2020, and no evidence of falsifying MARs or label instructions; no deficiencies were identified.
09 May 2022
09 May 2022
Investigated and found that a resident did not receive PM medication on 4/22/22. Identified deficiencies based on observation, interviews, and records review.
§ 87465
09 May 2022
09 May 2022
Reviewed inadequate medication administration on a specific date.
30 Mar 2022
30 Mar 2022
Found that a power outage lasting about 1.5 to 3 hours occurred, during which glow sticks, flashlights, flood lights were provided and residents were checked frequently. Determined that the allegation that emergency back up power did not operate during the outage could not be proven.
30 Mar 2022
30 Mar 2022
Confirmed allegations of staff mistreatment, improper garbage container covers, and insect issues were unsubstantiated.
30 Mar 2022
30 Mar 2022
Found that the allegation that staff did not treat residents with dignity could not be proven. Found that garbage containers have tight-fitting covers and pest-control records show ongoing treatment for insects, with not enough evidence to prove or disprove the dignity and insect-related allegations.
30 Mar 2022
30 Mar 2022
Investigated a complaint about the lack of emergency backup power during a power outage; confirmed measures like glow sticks and flashlights were utilized, but no conclusive evidence found regarding the failure of backup power operation.
§ 87465
24 May 2021
24 May 2021
Confirmed no issues found during an unannounced Infection Control visit. All protocols and procedures were in compliance with regulations.
24 May 2021
24 May 2021
Found infection-control measures in place, including a designated entry for symptom screening, handwashing signs and hygiene supplies in restrooms, PPE available with staff wearing masks, a locked medication room, and secured cleaning supplies; policies on screening, isolation, disinfecting, staffing, training, supplies, PPE usage, and social distancing were reviewed.
16 Dec 2020
16 Dec 2020
Identified recommendations to strengthen infection prevention and control, including posting donning and doffing signage outside and inside isolation rooms, ensuring hand hygiene after leaving isolation, maintaining a covered trash can inside isolation rooms for contaminated PPE disposal, and changing masks after leaving isolation; provided CDC signage and PPE resources.
16 Dec 2020
16 Dec 2020
Identified recommendations for improving infection prevention and control measures in the facility.
29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020
Investigated complaints regarding the cleanliness of windows and carpets, quality of food, and emergency evacuation drills. Determined that complaints about window and carpet maintenance and food quality were unsubstantiated, and the claim about evacuation drills was unfounded.
29 Jan 2020
29 Jan 2020
Investigated allegations of neglect in cleanliness and improper medication administration determined to lack evidence or be false, with residents appearing well-groomed and staff adequately trained.
