Home to just over 13,200 residents, including over 2,500 seniors aged 65 or older, Carpinteria is a small oceanside city in the extreme southeastern corner of Santa Barbara County. Its beautiful beaches along the Pacific Ocean, stunning views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and pleasant year-round climate are major draws to retirees. Active seniors may especially enjoy Carpinteria’s extensive parks system, which includes areas where they can enjoy whale watching and birding opportunities, as well as unique salt wetland with walking trails.
Assisted living is a senior care option for aging adults who require limited daily assistance and nursing care but want a less restrictive living environment with social opportunities. The average monthly cost of assisted living in Carpinteria is $5,845, which is higher than the state average and much higher than the national average.
This guide covers assisted living in Carpinteria, including a rundown of the average costs of assisted living among nearby cities and costs of other senior care options. It also provides several benefits and drawbacks of retiring in Carpinteria and some free aging-related resources.
Directory of Assisted Living Facilities in Carpinteria, CA
5464 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, CA, 93013
We have chosen Granvida Senior Living and Memory Care. We’re moving my loved one there tomorrow. It’s a very nice place with a very homey feeling. It’s brand new, so it is very nice and clean. What re
… (read more)
We have chosen Granvida Senior Living and Memory Care. We’re moving my loved one there tomorrow. It’s a very nice place with a very homey feeling. It’s brand new, so it is very nice and clean. What really impressed me was the people. They seemed to be so friendly and wanting to help make the residents feel like a family. They have rooms from studios to full one-bedrooms. As far as amenities, they have a lot of really neat stuff, like a library, a little rec room, and art room. They have a really nice outside area. I have seen activities going on.
(read less)
We have chosen Granvida Senior Living and Memory Care. We’re moving my loved one there tomorrow. It’s a very nice place with a very homey feeling. It’s brand new, so it is very nice and clean. What re
… (read more)
We have chosen Granvida Senior Living and Memory Care. We’re moving my loved one there tomorrow. It’s a very nice place with a very homey feeling. It’s brand new, so it is very nice and clean. What really impressed me was the people. They seemed to be so friendly and wanting to help make the residents feel like a family. They have rooms from studios to full one-bedrooms. As far as amenities, they have a lot of really neat stuff, like a library, a little rec room, and art room. They have a really nice outside area. I have seen activities going on.
(read less)
227 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
Villa Santa Barbara provides assisted and independent living and is nestled in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks from downtown. Visitors and loved ones appreciate the facility’s p
… (read more)
Villa Santa Barbara provides assisted and independent living and is nestled in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks from downtown. Visitors and loved ones appreciate the facility’s prime location, homey atmosphere and apartments with ocean views. Residents enjoy their studio-style apartments with balconies and enjoy live music and trips to nearby towns. High-class amenities include a movie room, library, game room, fitness room and beauty salon. Family members praise the facility dining room for its good food and friendly environment, and compliment the beautiful outdoor spaces and gardens.
(read less)
Villa Santa Barbara provides assisted and independent living and is nestled in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks from downtown. Visitors and loved ones appreciate the facility’s p
… (read more)
Villa Santa Barbara provides assisted and independent living and is nestled in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks from downtown. Visitors and loved ones appreciate the facility’s prime location, homey atmosphere and apartments with ocean views. Residents enjoy their studio-style apartments with balconies and enjoy live music and trips to nearby towns. High-class amenities include a movie room, library, game room, fitness room and beauty salon. Family members praise the facility dining room for its good food and friendly environment, and compliment the beautiful outdoor spaces and gardens.
(read less)
3010 Foothill Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
Wood Glen Hall is situated in the East San Roque neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. Visitors and residents agree that Wood Glen Hall exudes a bright and cheerful ambiance. Residents love the d
… (read more)
Wood Glen Hall is situated in the East San Roque neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. Visitors and residents agree that Wood Glen Hall exudes a bright and cheerful ambiance. Residents love the delicious dishes and deserts served in the community dining hall. They also compliment this facility for having a gorgeous courtyard, which boasts tall trees, a gazebo and an array of colorful flowers. However, Wood Glen Hall receives the most praise for offering plenty of entertaining activities, including card games, craft-making projects, movie nights, tea parties and yoga classes.
(read less)
Wood Glen Hall is situated in the East San Roque neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. Visitors and residents agree that Wood Glen Hall exudes a bright and cheerful ambiance. Residents love the d
… (read more)
Wood Glen Hall is situated in the East San Roque neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. Visitors and residents agree that Wood Glen Hall exudes a bright and cheerful ambiance. Residents love the delicious dishes and deserts served in the community dining hall. They also compliment this facility for having a gorgeous courtyard, which boasts tall trees, a gazebo and an array of colorful flowers. However, Wood Glen Hall receives the most praise for offering plenty of entertaining activities, including card games, craft-making projects, movie nights, tea parties and yoga classes.
(read less)
3775 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
Vista del Monte is located in Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks south of Route 101 and only a mile north of the shore. Residents and their loved ones praise Vista del Monte for having a ple
… (read more)
Vista del Monte is located in Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks south of Route 101 and only a mile north of the shore. Residents and their loved ones praise Vista del Monte for having a pleasant and friendly ambiance. They also compliment the knowledgeable and accommodating staff at this facility. Residents love relaxing in the cozy library, exercising at the state-of-the-art fitness center and taking a dip in the community swimming pool. Vista del Monte also receives top marks for its gorgeous grounds, which are teeming with pine trees and other lush greenery.
(read less)
Vista del Monte is located in Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks south of Route 101 and only a mile north of the shore. Residents and their loved ones praise Vista del Monte for having a ple
… (read more)
Vista del Monte is located in Santa Barbara, California, just a few blocks south of Route 101 and only a mile north of the shore. Residents and their loved ones praise Vista del Monte for having a pleasant and friendly ambiance. They also compliment the knowledgeable and accommodating staff at this facility. Residents love relaxing in the cozy library, exercising at the state-of-the-art fitness center and taking a dip in the community swimming pool. Vista del Monte also receives top marks for its gorgeous grounds, which are teeming with pine trees and other lush greenery.
(read less)
2120 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
Alexander Gardens Assisted Living is nestled in the heart of the Upper East in Santa Barbara, California. Residents and their loved ones agree that Alexander Gardens is delightfully cozy. They love th
… (read more)
Alexander Gardens Assisted Living is nestled in the heart of the Upper East in Santa Barbara, California. Residents and their loved ones agree that Alexander Gardens is delightfully cozy. They love the lush gardens and small terraces that dot the exterior of this facility. Residents enjoy the delicious food, which is prepared by a chef and served in an elegant community dining room. They also enjoy being able to update their look at the on-site beauty parlor. However, Alexander Gardens receives the most compliments for scheduling plenty of entertaining activities, such as musical programs and art classes.
(read less)
Alexander Gardens Assisted Living is nestled in the heart of the Upper East in Santa Barbara, California. Residents and their loved ones agree that Alexander Gardens is delightfully cozy. They love th
… (read more)
Alexander Gardens Assisted Living is nestled in the heart of the Upper East in Santa Barbara, California. Residents and their loved ones agree that Alexander Gardens is delightfully cozy. They love the lush gardens and small terraces that dot the exterior of this facility. Residents enjoy the delicious food, which is prepared by a chef and served in an elegant community dining room. They also enjoy being able to update their look at the on-site beauty parlor. However, Alexander Gardens receives the most compliments for scheduling plenty of entertaining activities, such as musical programs and art classes.
(read less)
900 Calle De Los Amigos, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
With Coastal Oaks mountains and hills in view, Valle Verde is a luxurious and rejuvenating assisted living and nursing home accommodation. Considered the “unsung heroes,“ the nurses provide around
… (read more)
With Coastal Oaks mountains and hills in view, Valle Verde is a luxurious and rejuvenating assisted living and nursing home accommodation. Considered the “unsung heroes,“ the nurses provide around-the-clock attentive care to all residents of the one-story cottages. The entire team receives continual praise for congeniality and politeness. Dining in the Santa Barbara community is an enjoyable experience, as residents can choose from either à la carte, cafeteria-style or grilled meals. Valle Verde inhabitants always have projects to engage in — whether venturing to the opera or swimming in the in-house pool.
(read less)
With Coastal Oaks mountains and hills in view, Valle Verde is a luxurious and rejuvenating assisted living and nursing home accommodation. Considered the “unsung heroes,“ the nurses provide around
… (read more)
With Coastal Oaks mountains and hills in view, Valle Verde is a luxurious and rejuvenating assisted living and nursing home accommodation. Considered the “unsung heroes,“ the nurses provide around-the-clock attentive care to all residents of the one-story cottages. The entire team receives continual praise for congeniality and politeness. Dining in the Santa Barbara community is an enjoyable experience, as residents can choose from either à la carte, cafeteria-style or grilled meals. Valle Verde inhabitants always have projects to engage in — whether venturing to the opera or swimming in the in-house pool.
(read less)
2550 Treasure Drive, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
We went to Samarkand. The staff, the food, and the care for the residents were good. The rooms were real nice. They had all kinds of activities. They had swimming, golf, and tennis, and they take peop
… (read more)
We went to Samarkand. The staff, the food, and the care for the residents were good. The rooms were real nice. They had all kinds of activities. They had swimming, golf, and tennis, and they take people to concerts. They’ve got a pretty good program, but it’s in a hard to get to type of location. The roads were kind of narrow, so it’s a little dangerous getting in and out of that place.
(read less)
We went to Samarkand. The staff, the food, and the care for the residents were good. The rooms were real nice. They had all kinds of activities. They had swimming, golf, and tennis, and they take peop
… (read more)
We went to Samarkand. The staff, the food, and the care for the residents were good. The rooms were real nice. They had all kinds of activities. They had swimming, golf, and tennis, and they take people to concerts. They’ve got a pretty good program, but it’s in a hard to get to type of location. The roads were kind of narrow, so it’s a little dangerous getting in and out of that place.
(read less)
1621 Grand Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103
With a knowledgeable staff and affordable care, Villa Riviera offers excellent care for its seniors, ranging from basic assistance to dementia care. The facility has nicely maintained rooms with excel
… (read more)
With a knowledgeable staff and affordable care, Villa Riviera offers excellent care for its seniors, ranging from basic assistance to dementia care. The facility has nicely maintained rooms with excellent ocean views, common areas for gathering and plenty of activities, such as games, gardening, art classes, trips and music. The friendly staff is ready to help whenever needed and encourages residents to visit with their families. When conducting tours, the staff provides excellent information about the facility without trying to sway visitors into a decision.
(read less)
With a knowledgeable staff and affordable care, Villa Riviera offers excellent care for its seniors, ranging from basic assistance to dementia care. The facility has nicely maintained rooms with excel
… (read more)
With a knowledgeable staff and affordable care, Villa Riviera offers excellent care for its seniors, ranging from basic assistance to dementia care. The facility has nicely maintained rooms with excellent ocean views, common areas for gathering and plenty of activities, such as games, gardening, art classes, trips and music. The friendly staff is ready to help whenever needed and encourages residents to visit with their families. When conducting tours, the staff provides excellent information about the facility without trying to sway visitors into a decision.
(read less)
2045 Elise Way, Santa Barbara, CA, 93109
I was impressed with the staff. Highly recommend. ❤️
I was impressed with the staff. Highly recommend. ❤️
203 E El Roblar Dr, Ojai, CA, 93023
I toured The Artesian of Ojai. It’s a brand-new facility. It’s spanking new, very nicely put together. They are cooking right in the 16-room place; the cooking is done right there in a central area, t
… (read more)
I toured The Artesian of Ojai. It’s a brand-new facility. It’s spanking new, very nicely put together. They are cooking right in the 16-room place; the cooking is done right there in a central area, to where the guests can even watch them cooking. They have swimming amenities. It seems like a great place, and just opening up. They have living residents in one of the buildings already and trying to fill the second one. I talked with the resident nurse too. They do offer meals, I was there when they were cooking, and it smelled delicious. It looked good.
(read less)
I toured The Artesian of Ojai. It’s a brand-new facility. It’s spanking new, very nicely put together. They are cooking right in the 16-room place; the cooking is done right there in a central area, t
… (read more)
I toured The Artesian of Ojai. It’s a brand-new facility. It’s spanking new, very nicely put together. They are cooking right in the 16-room place; the cooking is done right there in a central area, to where the guests can even watch them cooking. They have swimming amenities. It seems like a great place, and just opening up. They have living residents in one of the buildings already and trying to fill the second one. I talked with the resident nurse too. They do offer meals, I was there when they were cooking, and it smelled delicious. It looked good.
(read less)
158 ROCKAWAY, Oak View, CA, 93022
My father has only been up in Autumn Years for a few days, but it seems to be working out really well. There are activities going on and so far, so good. It is not the most luxurious looking place and
… (read more)
My father has only been up in Autumn Years for a few days, but it seems to be working out really well. There are activities going on and so far, so good. It is not the most luxurious looking place and it’s kind of dated. But they have 49 residents there, and they all seem to be contented and happy. They have an activity director. They keep them busy. My father has other people to interact and he can carry on conversation with. It seems to be a best fit. The administrator is wonderful. She calls me every day to let me know how my father is doing. She allows me to call there and keeps me updated. I am pretty happy with it. She seems to be on top of everything and I really like her a lot. They really do a good job.
(read less)
My father has only been up in Autumn Years for a few days, but it seems to be working out really well. There are activities going on and so far, so good. It is not the most luxurious looking place and
… (read more)
My father has only been up in Autumn Years for a few days, but it seems to be working out really well. There are activities going on and so far, so good. It is not the most luxurious looking place and it’s kind of dated. But they have 49 residents there, and they all seem to be contented and happy. They have an activity director. They keep them busy. My father has other people to interact and he can carry on conversation with. It seems to be a best fit. The administrator is wonderful. She calls me every day to let me know how my father is doing. She allows me to call there and keeps me updated. I am pretty happy with it. She seems to be on top of everything and I really like her a lot. They really do a good job.
(read less)
1020 CLIFF DRIVE, Santa Barbara, CA, 93109
My mother spent almost a year here before she passed. The staff was great and very nice. The only thing that bothered me was
after her passing are family did not get any kind of condolence from them.
… (read more)
My mother spent almost a year here before she passed. The staff was great and very nice. The only thing that bothered me was
after her passing are family did not get any kind of condolence from them. A simple card would have been a nice. I received condolences from the hospice care facility she was in for only 2 days. I guess its just a business to the owners.
(read less)
My mother spent almost a year here before she passed. The staff was great and very nice. The only thing that bothered me was
after her passing are family did not get any kind of condolence from them.
… (read more)
My mother spent almost a year here before she passed. The staff was great and very nice. The only thing that bothered me was
after her passing are family did not get any kind of condolence from them. A simple card would have been a nice. I received condolences from the hospice care facility she was in for only 2 days. I guess its just a business to the owners.
(read less)
2042 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
225 N. LOMITA AVENUE, Ojai, CA, 93023
300 Hot Springs Rd, Montecito, CA, 93108
67 E Barnett St, Ventura, CA, 93001
45 EAST ALAMAR, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
3620 La Entrada, Santa Barbara, CA, 93105
18 West Micheltorena Street Suite C, Santa Barbara, CA, 93101
What to Consider About Assisted Living in Carpinteria
The Senior Care Licensing Program monitors and licenses assisted living facilities in Carpinteria and throughout California. It has field staff in 13 regional offices around the state who perform regulatory inspections. The Santa Barbara Adult and Senior Care Unit within the Woodland Hills North Adult and Senior Care Regional Office covers all of Santa Barbara County, including Carpinteria.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Assisted Living in Carpinteria
- California exempts Social Security income from state income taxes, which benefits seniors in Carpinteria. However, most other retirement benefits are taxed and income taxes are hefty for seniors with higher incomes. For seniors with lower or mid-range incomes, income tax rates are much lower.
- California’s average combined sales tax rate is 8.82%, but sales taxes in Santa Barbara County is 7.75% thanks to a county tax rate of 1.75% combined with the state rate of 6%. The county boasts a lower sales tax rate than 68.5% of other cities and counties in California. Two common expenses for seniors, groceries and prescription drugs, are completely exempt from sales taxes.
- Although Carpinteria doesn’t have a local hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital is just 12 miles down the road. This regionally ranked facility is highly rated when it comes to caring for ailments often afflicting seniors, including heart failure, heart attacks, hip fractures, kidney failure, strokes and pneumonia. It also rated high in performing colon cancer surgery, lung cancer surgery, back surgery and knee replacement.
- Seniors may feel safer living in Carpinteria because the city has lower crime rates compared to the national and state averages. Rates range from one to 100 with one representing the lowest crime rate. Carpinteria was rated an 11.1 on the scale for violent crime and 27.2 for property crime. Comparatively, the national average is 22.7 and 35.4, respectively, while the state rates are 25.2 and 37.1.
- Since Carpinteria is located on the central coast, seniors benefit from the ideal California climate. Primarily, this means no snow and mild winters and summers. Carpinteria earned a 9.7 out of 10 on the comfort index for its summer climate, which includes an average high of 73 degrees in the warmest month. It also rated an 8.2 for its winter climate with an average overnight low of 43 in January, the coldest month. It’s considered one of the more pleasant places to live in California.
Paying for Assisted Living in Carpinteria
According to Genworth’s 2020 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of assisted living in Carpinteria is $5,845. This cost is higher than the state average by $845 and higher than the national average of $4,300 by more than $1,500 per month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Nearby Cities
Carpinteria’s higher-than-average cost of assisted living doesn’t stack up well against other nearby cities. It’s higher than San Diego’s cost by nearly $1,300 per month and it costs more than both Los Angeles and Santa Maria, which mirrors the state’s average of $5,000. It’s even higher than San Luis Obispo but only by $45 per month.
The Cost of Other Types of Senior Care
Seniors wanting to compare their senior care options in Carpinteria quickly discover that adult day health care is the lowest cost option at only $1,766 but it provides the least amount of care. For those wanting care provided at home, the cost is lower than assisted living at $5,339 per month for either homemaker services or home health aides. Seniors who need extensive personal care and medical supervision may opt for nursing home care, which has the highest cost at $8,365 per month for semi-private rooms and $9,885 for private rooms.
Nursing Home Facility (semi-private room)
Nursing Home Facility (private room)
Note: Data for Carpinteria was unavailable, so data for the nearest city, Oxnard, was used instead.
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Carpinteria
California’s 1915(c) Medicaid Assisted Living Waiver covers the cost of assisted living services in RCFs for eligible seniors in the Carpinteria area.
Those who require additional assistance with the cost of room and board may apply for an optional state supplement to their Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The cost of room and board is capped by the state for residents who are Medicaid eligible.
California doesn’t allow family supplementation.
Learn more about these programs, plus who’s eligible, on our Assisted Living in California page.
More Ways to Pay for Assisted Living
While many families use their own funds or personal assets to pay for assisted living, there are plenty of additional options to cover these costs. Some additional ways to finance assisted living costs include:
- Veterans Benefits
- Life Insurance Policy
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Reverse Mortgage
For more information about different ways to finance assisted living, visit our Assisted Living in California page.
Free Assisted Living Resources in Carpinteria
Carpinteria and the surrounding area are home to numerous government agencies and non-profit organizations offering help for seniors searching for or currently residing in an assisted living community. These organizations can also provide assistance in a number of other eldercare services such as geriatric care management, elder law advice, estate planning, finding home care and health and wellness programs.
To see a list of free assisted living resources in Carpinteria, please visit our Assisted Living in California page.
The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens is the Area Agency on Aging for Carpinteria and all of Santa Barbara County. It identifies services beneficial to older adults, then coordinates with existing programs and services or explores new resources to expand these services. Supported programs include elder abuse prevention, senior employment services, transportation services and nutrition programs, among others.
Senior Connection is a specialized information and referral service for seniors. It offers assistance through a senior info line and provides senior resource directories, senior information guides and updated lists of assisted living facilities throughout Santa Barbara County. Senior Connection offers volunteer opportunities for seniors aged 60 or older interested in the general welfare of older adults.
The LAFSBC provides free legal services to seniors throughout the county to ensure they have access to the civil justice system. Seniors can receive assistance with all types of civil matters, including help with preparing legal documents, representation in court proceedings and legal information and advice.
The Santa Barbara VSO administers the Veterans' Services Program for veterans in Carpinteria and throughout the county. The program provides assistance in applying for and obtaining all available benefits available to veterans and their families, including pensions for retired veterans, medical benefits, life insurance, burial benefits and other compensations. It also provides outreach to elderly veterans, including information and referrals to relevant veterans’ services.
The CCATC offers specialized assistive technology services for seniors to help them live more independently. Funding by Ability Tools connects seniors with the devices they need through a free service that includes a Device Loan & Demonstration Center. New and used low-tech and high-tech devices may include magnifiers, switches, tablets, laptops, software, and mobility devices, among others.
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Carpinteria
Carpinteria-area assisted living communities must adhere to the comprehensive set of state laws and regulations that all assisted living communities in California are required to follow. Visit our Assisted Living in California page for more information about these laws.
