The Best Independent Living Communities in Santa Barbara County, CA

"I moved to Westmont of Santa Barbara. The staff was very helpful. The food is not like home cooking. It's good. It's a very nice place. They have all kinds of things going on for the seniors. I haven't participated in any. They've got exercise rooms that I use all the time. They have nice patios and a courtyard, and it's all enclosed with the building. It's right in the center of the complex, so it's well-protected."

"We toured Vista del Monte Retirement Community. I'm impressed. The people were friendly. They were out walking and doing activities. They had multiple classes available for the residents. They had a huge center lawn area with walking paths and benches. All the units were assisted living ready so that if you went from independent to assisted, you didn't have to move. So that was very nice. They had a two-bedroom and two-bath unit. You've got a selection of paint colors, flooring, and window treatments you could choose from. The same kinds of cleaning in terms of staff, having people come in and clean every two weeks, take care of the linens, those types of things. We were walking around right at the beginning of lunchtime when we were there and people were outside eating on the big courtyard terrace, people were inside the dining room. The food that we saw looked good. They have it just down for a meal at another time so we could try the food."

"I had the chance to tour Villa Santa Barbara recently, and I left really impressed. The rooms are spotless and cozy, with a welcoming feel that makes you think of home right away. You can tell they take great care of the place. What really stood out, though, was the staff. Everyone I met was so friendly and kind, and it’s clear they genuinely care about the residents. There’s a real sense of community, and you can tell the staff goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels comfortable and cared for. The food also deserves a mention! It’s clear they've put a lot of thought into the meals, making sure they’re both tasty and meet the specific needs of the residents. It feels personalized in a way you don’t always see. Overall, Villa Santa Barbara feels like a wonderful place to live—warm, inviting, and full of great people. Definitely a place I would recommend to anyone looking for a caring, supportive environment!"

"My mom lived on her own for 7 years and then spent 2 years in the Care Facility. She was treated like a Queen! All the staff looked out for her and she was treated with care and respect. Plus the staff always alerted me and kept me in the loop at all times. "

"My mom is a resident of Friendship Manor Goleta. What we liked the best is the pricing and the friendliness of all the staff. They have a lot of entertainment activities. My mom's room is very nice. It's bright, has plenty of room, and has very easy access. They have a pool. They have a nice, strong community of people, have transportation available, and there's laundry service. The food is medium to okay, not the greatest, but it's fine."

"My cousin moved to Maravilla. What I like best is the amount of care and the modern facilities. The staff, they're all very good. I had lunch there yesterday and it was really excellent. The facility was clean. It was bright and shiny. I felt welcome. I know they do have exercise classes and television. There was a musician there yesterday when I left. The sizes of the rooms are adequate."