Santa Maria, California
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Assisted Living · Memory Care · Independent Living
1220 Suey Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria offers independent living, assisted living, and memory care at one location in Santa Maria, California.
- Licensed capacity
- 330 residents
Maximum licensed size, not current occupancy.
- Licensed since
- September 2021
License history may include previous operators.
State inspections
Review licensing, findings, and available inspection reports. A record is one part of understanding a community.
State record available
Complaint investigations · 3 years before our last check
- Type A citations
- 0
- Complaints with substantiated allegations
- 1
AI summary
Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria carries one Type A citation (the state's most severe class, tied to resident safety or care) across 5 years of licensed operation, with no Type A or Type B findings in the past three years.
Read Full SummaryRead less
- Track record — Over 5 years of operation the community has accumulated a single Type A citation and no Type B (administrative) citations, which is a light footprint for a 330-bed community of this size.
- Recent 3 years — The two most recent inspections and three complaint investigations produced no Type A or Type B citations, showing the record has been clean on the inspection side across the recent period.
- Complaints — Of 8 allegations investigated over the licensed period, 3 were substantiated and 5 were unsubstantiated, including 1 substantiated allegation within the past three years; the substantiation rate runs close to 38% of investigated allegations.
- Operating tenure — With 5 years of licensed history and 4 inspections on record, there is a reasonable but not extensive base of inspection cycles to judge consistency, and the trend so far is favorable.
Source: California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
View inspection historyHide inspection history
- License number
- License #425850140
- License status
- Licensed
Full history on file
These totals cover the available license history, including older findings. Citation totals include inspections, complaint visits, and other visits.
- Inspection visits
- 4
- Complaint investigation visits
- 0
- Type A citations · most severe class
- 1
- Type B citations · administrative
- 0
- Substantiated allegations
- 0
Available reports · 13
Facility evaluation
Sep 17, 2025
Complaint investigation
Sep 10, 2025
Complaint investigation
May 7, 2025
Facility evaluation
Sep 5, 2024
Facility evaluation
Aug 27, 2024
1–5 of 13 reports
Monthly pricing
Total monthly costs depend on room type, select services, and the level of care needed.
Assisted LivingStarting at$4,500 / mo
- Studios
- $4,500 / mo
- 1-Bedroom
- $5,200 / mo
Care & support
Daily Care Services
3 services
- Incontinence care
- Non-ambulatory care
- Medication management
Specialized Care
1 service
- Dementia care
Daily life & programs
Spaces & services
Amenities
22 features
- Private bathroom
- Wi-Fi / Internet
- Kitchenette
- Cable TV
- Air conditioning
- Furnished units
- Spa services
- Beauty salon / Barber
- Swimming pool / Hot tub
- Emergency call system
- Game room / Billiards
- Fireplace / Common fireplace
- Movie theater / Media room
- Piano / Music room
- Activity room
- Art studio / Craft room
- Library / Reading room
- Fitness center / Gym
- Pet Friendly
- Housekeeping Included
- Laundry service / Dry cleaning
- Café / Bistro
Outdoor Spaces
6 features
- Walking paths
- Garden / Courtyard
- Patio seating areas
- Outdoor common space
- BBQ / Grill area
- Raised garden beds
Dining Options
7 features
- All-day / Flexible meal times
- Restaurant-style dining
- Accommodates special diets
- Professional chef
- Room service
- Vegetarian/Vegan Options
- Private Dining Room
Transportation
2 features- Scheduled transportation
- Personal Vehicle Parking
Family & Visitors
2 features- Family support services
- Guest meals available
Community Services
4 features
- Move-in coordination
- Concierge services
- Grocery shopping & errands
- Maintenance services
Reviews
Online reputation
4.1Average RatingAveraged from 90 reviews published on other websites
AI review summary
Families consistently praise the friendly staff, clean grounds, and strong activities at Merrill Gardens, but should carefully review how care-level fees and rent increases are determined as needs change.
Read Full SummaryRead less
- Staff & care — Reviewers repeatedly describe staff as friendly, attentive, and genuinely caring, often learning residents by name and going out of their way to help.
- Atmosphere & grounds — The community is frequently called clean, beautifully landscaped, and welcoming, with amenities like a pool, libraries, and cozy common areas.
- Activities — Many families note a robust activities calendar, including crafts, cocktail hours, exercise groups, and holiday celebrations that keep residents engaged.
- Daily life & dignity — Multiple reviewers describe smoother transitions and improved mood and safety for their loved ones after moving in, including tiered care options as needs change.
- Dining — Many reviews highlight good food with variety and choice, though a handful describe it as bland or declining at times.
- Financial transparency — Several reviewers report steep, unexpected increases in rent and care-level fees, including one case where care costs rose over $1,000 a month without clear assessment or consent.
- Communication — A few families mention paperwork and administrative processes being slow or confusing, requiring persistent follow-up to get things finalized.
- Dining — Some reviewers note food quality and variety have fluctuated over time, particularly after ownership or management changes, so ask about current standards.
- Cleanliness & maintenance — A couple of reviews mention inconsistent housekeeping, such as dirty mop water between apartments or unclean hallways, worth confirming on a tour.
The rating above is averaged from reviews published on other websites. Reviews below are written by families on Senior Places.
Be the first to share your experience and help other families.
Languages spoken
Languages spoken
Around the neighborhood
See what's nearby Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria, including hospitals, pharmacies, and groceries.
Senior Places is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria. This profile was compiled from publicly available sources and has not been verified or approved by the community. Pricing, availability, and services may have changed.
Are you the owner or operator of Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria?
Claim this profile to update your pricing, photos, and details. Complete profiles match more accurately — our Smart Match technology scores every community against what each family actually needs.