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Casa Dorinda

300 Hot Springs Rd.

Santa Barbara, CA 93108

360 beds • Est. 1993 (32 years)


FYI Safety Score

8.7 Good

2 serious state citations and 1 verified complaint since 2021 across 12 inspections. The citations arose from a September 2022 case management visit in which a staff member was subject to a state exclusion order and terminated, and 10 additional staff were found to lack required fingerprint clearances at the time. A complaint tied to that same visit was substantiated, with no separate civil penalty issued since the matter had already been cited during the case management visit. Other complaints were investigated and found unsubstantiated, including allegations of inappropriate staff communication, inadequate laundry and incontinence care, medication errors, and a fall resulting in head trauma requiring stitches; investigators found no supporting evidence in each case. A February 2025 case management visit following a resident death found no evidence that neglect or lack of supervision contributed to the death. Annual inspections in 2023, 2024, and 2025 documented the facility in good repair with no citations issued.


Why we like it

Casa Dorinda is a 360-bed nonprofit continuing care retirement community in the Montecito area of Santa Barbara, widely regarded as one of California's most prestigious retirement communities. Set in one of the state's most beautiful and exclusive neighborhoods, it offers a full continuum of care on a sprawling campus.

  • LifeCare contract locks your monthly fee

    If care needs escalate to assisted living, memory care, or skilled nursing, monthly fees do not increase — a Type A CCRC contract structure that sets costs for life (aside from annual adjustments).

  • Five-year CARF accreditation

    Holds a five-year term of accreditation from CARF International, an independent nonprofit accreditor. Longer accreditation terms require a higher compliance threshold than standard annual reviews.

  • Nonprofit, no-compensation board

    Operated by the Montecito Retirement Association, a 501(c)3. Board members serve voluntarily with no compensation and are elected from the Santa Barbara/Montecito business community.

  • FYI Safety Score 9.4

    Among the highest scores in the FYI database — reflects a strong inspection and complaint record across CCLD's visible data window.

  • Entry fee model — ask for the current figures

    Type A CCRCs require a substantial entrance fee in addition to monthly fees. The site links a 2024 financial statement but does not publish fee ranges — ask for the full fee schedule before touring.

  • Several services are explicitly excluded from fees

    Private nurses, non-Medicare providers, medications (except under Medicare Part A), dentistry, audiology, optometry, and holistic care are not covered by the monthly fee.

  • 360 beds — confirm fit for smaller-community preferences

    At 360 beds, Casa Dorinda is a large campus-style community. Families whose loved one does better in a smaller, less institutional setting should factor this in.


Pricing not yet available


Where you'll live

300 Hot Springs Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108

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Frequently asked questions

How safe is Casa Dorinda?
Casa Dorinda has a FYI Safety Score of 8.7 out of 10, based on California state inspection records. 2 state citations and 1 verified complaints have been documented since 2021 across 12 inspections.
Does Casa Dorinda offer memory care?
Casa Dorinda does not currently list Memory Care. Care types available include: Assisted Living.
Does Casa Dorinda accept Medi-Cal?
Casa Dorinda is not currently listed as a participant in the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program for Medi-Cal.
When was Casa Dorinda last inspected?
The most recent state inspection visit to Casa Dorinda was on 2025-10-08. The facility has received 12 total inspection visits on record.
How many violations does Casa Dorinda have?
Casa Dorinda has 2 state citations and 1 verified complaints since 2021 across 12 inspections. Our FYI Safety Score for this facility is 8.7 out of 10, which accounts for the severity and recency of these findings.
How long has Casa Dorinda been in operation?
Casa Dorinda has been licensed for 32 years in Santa Barbara, California, with a licensed capacity of 360 beds.

Facility Details

Facility Type
Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)
License Number
421700160
Size
360 beds (Large Community (50+ beds))
Licensed Since
October 31, 1993 (32 years)
Licensee
Montecito Retirement Association
Administrator
Brian Mccague
Phone
(805) 969-8011
Address
300 Hot Springs Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93108

License data from the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. View full state record


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