The 10 Best Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Cruz County, CA for 2025
Our comprehensive listings and authentic reviews in Santa Cruz County, CA below include 196 Assisted Living facilities...
To support you in your search, our Family Advisors are standing by to provide you with a free, no-obligation care and budget consultation.
We’ve spent hundreds of hours compiling helpful information below these listings, ranging from assisted living costs statistics of in Santa Cruz County, to local laws & regulations in the area, to nearby services and programs that can help older adults in the community thrive, and more.
Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Cruz County, CA

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Gateway Center of Monterey
850 CONGRESS AVENUE, Pacific Grove, CA 93950
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
READ MOREHoly Spirit Residential Care
262 Lakemuir Dr, Sunnyvale, CA 94089
"We are committed to providing residents with the finest in daily living and personal care to enjoy the highest quality of life in a home-lik..."
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Capitol Care Home
849 S. Capitol Avenue, San Jose, CA 95127
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
READ MOREAgape of Carmel Residential Care Home
25527 Flanders Dr, Carmel By The Sea, CA 93923
"Welcome to Agape of Carmel Residential Care Home! Agape of Carmel is a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE), and we have been of..."
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Ambrosia Home
4094 W Rincon Ave, Campbell, CA 95008
"Ambrosia Home is located in the city of Campbell, California. Like many cities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Campbell offers a range of loc..."
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Santo Nino Residential Care Home #2
91 Clayton Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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Park Avenue Adult Residential Facilities
1998 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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Stella Mar Care Home
3291 Sylvan Drive, San Jose, CA 95148
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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Mary's House
318 Churchill Place, Gilroy, CA 95020
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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Helping Hands Residential Care Home 3
3318 Dias Drive, San Jose, CA 95148
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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Pacific Rest Residential Care Facility
1100 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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Ebadat Residential Care Home #4
243 Martinvale Ln., San Jose, CA 95119
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
READ MOREBonHomie II
6418 Camden Avenue, San Jose, CA 95120
"At BonHomie, our rent is typically lower than large assisted living facilities for the same amount of service without sacrificing the level ..."
READ MOREBonHomie III
2795 Lena Drive, San Jose, CA 95124
"At BonHomie, our rent is typically lower than large assisted living facilities for the same amount of service without sacrificing the level ..."
READ MOREBonHomie IV
1583 Willowmont Avenue, San Jose, CA 95118
"At BonHomie, our rent is typically lower than large assisted living facilities for the same amount of service without sacrificing the level ..."
READ MOREGolden Shore Care Home
3800 Rhoda Drive, San Jose, CA 95117
"Golden Shore Care Home is a fresh alternative to a skilled nursing facility that provides specialized residential care to frail and elderly ..."
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Marilag's Care Home
2293 Lanai Ave, San Jose, CA 95122
"Marilag's Care Home is nestled in a quiet, safe neighborhood located in San Jose, Ca. We pride ourselves on treating our senior residents wi..."
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Kristine Manor Ii, Llc
1320 Ridgewood Drive, San Jose, CA 95118
"To learn more about this provider’s license and review other available state reports, please visit: California Department of Social Services..."
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On this page:
- Assisted Living Facilities in Santa Cruz County, CA
- Paying for Assisted Living in Santa Cruz County
- Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Santa Cruz County
- Free Assisted Living Resources in Santa Cruz County
- Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Santa Cruz County
- Reviews of Communities Nearby
- Helpful Articles
Paying for Assisted Living in Santa Cruz County
Seniors in Santa Cruz can expect to pay approximately $6,800 per month for assisted living, according to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2020. Costs in the area are about 58% higher than the United States as a whole, or $2,500 more. Santa Cruz residents also pay significantly more in comparison to the California average of $5,000, which represents a difference of 36% or $1,800 per month.
The Cost of Assisted Living in Santa Cruz County, CA and Nearby Cities
Santa Cruz County is significantly more expensive than other cities in the state. In southern California, Los Angeles costs $1,800 less, and further north, San Luis Obispo is about $1,000 more affordable than Santa Cruz. However, costs drop even more outside of the Bay Area; seniors in Sacramento, which is the state’s capital city, pay $5,395 per month — that’s $1,405 less. Those living in San Jose, about 30 miles to the northeast of Santa Cruz, can expect to pay $5,875 a month. Costs increase slightly toward the northwest in San Francisco, where city residents pay $6,100 per month. About 35 miles to the south, Salinas has the highest costs in the state; seniors here pay $7,100 per month, which is $300 more than their counterparts in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz County
$6,800
California
$5,000
The United States
$4,300
Los Angeles
$5,000
Sacramento
$5,395
San Luis Obispo
$5,800
San Jose
$5,875
San Francisco
$6,100
Salinas
$7,100
Financial Assistance for Assisted Living in Santa Cruz County
California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, offers financial assistance to help impoverished seniors cover the cost of assisted living. Those who are eligible may be able to take part in the state’s Assisted Living Waiver Program (ALWP).
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 Santa Cruz County
Resource | Contact | Service |
---|---|---|
Senior Network Services of Santa Cruz County | (831) 462-1433 | Senior Network Services has a range of programs to improve the quality of life for older adults living in Santa Cruz County. The agency’s staff assesses the needs of seniors and refers them to the local resources they require. Social workers provide counseling to fill out applications for public benefits, and seniors receive assistance to create a care plan for their particular situation. Volunteers may also help with managing medical bills and submitting insurance claims. |
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program | (831) 429-1913 | The Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for ensuring the quality of life for older citizens living in assisted living facilities and other residential care centers throughout Santa Cruz County. The program’s representatives investigate complaints made by seniors about quality of care, personal dignity, legal concerns, abuse and the rights of residents. All services are confidential and available at no cost. |
Lift Line Transportation Service | (831) 688-9663 | This service provides free, door-to-door transportation to older adults who are unable to use standard, fixed-route buses. Seniors can request a trip to medical appointments, dining sites and adult centers within Santa Cruz County. The service works from Monday to Friday, and personal care attendants or traveling companions can ride at no cost. Certain participants may also be eligible for medical transportation to nearby areas outside of Santa Cruz. |
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program | (831) 462-1433 | The Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program provides unbiased, impartial information about Medicare and insurance problems. Volunteers offer forums and individual counseling to help older adults select a plan that suits their specific requirements. The program’s staff assesses if the senior’s health insurance company can cover the cost of long-term care, and assistance to submit claims is also available. |
Santa Cruz County Senior Centers | (831) 420-6180 | Santa Cruz County’s Parks and Recreation Department manages several senior centers throughout the area. Older adults have access to a variety of recreational activities, including yoga, tai chi, cinema and dancing; as well as the Senior Computer Center, where they can learn how to use mobile phones and PCs. Instructors teach breathing exercises and guided meditation, and there are also free classes on arts, languages, writing and fitness. |
Santa Cruz County Veterans Services Office | (831) 464-4575 | The Santa Cruz County Veterans Services helps those who served in the military to receive the benefits they have earned. Volunteers help veterans to file claims, and seniors with limited income may qualify for a monthly pension, which could contribute to the cost of care at an assisted living facility. Veterans who incurred an injury during their military service may also be eligible for disability compensation. |
Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz County-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.
Reviews of Communities Nearby
Assisted Living
Annalea
4.0
Review of Brookdale Scotts Valley
We had my father-in-law at Brookdale Scotts Valley. They're very caring. Excellent staff. It was a nice facility. They had accommodations that made the financing at least possible. They were able...
Assisted Living
Annalea
4.0
Review of Aegis of Aptos
Aegis of Aptos was beautiful and fabulous. They had excellent staff and nice rooms. It was spacious, but not in our price range. It was clean and the residents seemed very happy and well cared for....
Assisted Living
Reviewer#RD1113o
4.0
Review of Sunshine Villa
My mom is now at Sunshine Villa. We chose it for its location. It's very nice. The room seems to be a nice size. The bathroom also is a nice size. The dining room is spacious and has several...
Provider response
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