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Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care

80 Front Street

Santa Cruz, CA 95060

132 beds • Est. 2020 (5 years)


FYI Safety Score

4.0 Poor

16 state citations (9 serious, 7 minor) and 8 verified complaints since 2021 across 41 inspections. The most serious substantiated findings involve medication administration: a 2023 complaint confirmed that a staff member delivered the wrong insulin to a diabetic resident, and investigators documented a separate incident in which a medication technician misidentified a controlled substance by the name of a different drug. In early 2021, the facility received citations tied to a COVID-19 staffing crisis in which activities staff staged a walk-out, leaving 1 caregiver to cover an entire floor; state records from that period show COVID-positive residents were not receiving showers on schedule. A 2024 investigation noted that both the Health Service Director and Resident Care Director had departed the facility, with the administrator absorbing direct responsibility for responding to family communications in their absence. The most recent inspection was completed on 3/9/2026.


Why we like it

Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care is a 132-bed senior living community in Santa Cruz. The facility offers assisted living, memory care.

The community is family-owned and operated.

  • Memory care specialty

    Dedicated memory care program for residents with Alzheimer's or dementia.

  • Active lifestyle programs

    Offers organized activities, events, and social programs to keep residents engaged.

  • Dining program

    Provides prepared meals and dining services for residents.

  • Family-owned operation

    Family-owned and operated — often means more personal, hands-on management.

  • Regulatory citation history

    Has received 9 Type A citations (serious — these indicate immediate risk to health, safety, or personal rights). Ask what corrective actions have been taken.

  • Substantiated complaints on file

    8 of 50 complaint allegations have been substantiated by state investigators. Review the facility's public inspection reports for details.


Pricing

Assisted Living

1 Bedroom$4,600/mo
Studio$5,100–$6,300/mo

Pricing is estimated, please contact the facility to confirm.

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Where you'll live

80 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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Amenities & Services

24-Hour Staff
Emergency Call System
Memory Care Program
Secured Building
Dining
Housekeeping
Activities Program
Fitness Center
Library
Garden
Pet Friendly

Frequently asked questions

How safe is Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care?
Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care has a FYI Safety Score of 4.0 out of 9.9, our proprietary score based on California state inspection records. 16 state citations and 8 verified complaints have been documented since 2021 across 41 inspections.
How much does Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care cost?
Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care starts at $4,600 per month. Contact the facility directly for current pricing, room availability, and care-level costs.
Does Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care offer memory care?
Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care does not currently list Memory Care. Care types available include: Assisted Living.
Does Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care accept Medi-Cal?
Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care is not currently listed as a participant in the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) program for Medi-Cal.
When was Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care last inspected?
The most recent state inspection visit to Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care was on 2026-03-09. The facility has received 41 total inspection visits on record.
How many violations does Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care have?
Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care has 16 state citations and 8 verified complaints since 2021 across 41 inspections. Our FYI Safety Score for this facility is 4.0 out of 9.9, which accounts for the severity and recency of these findings.
How long has Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care been in operation?
Sunshine Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care has been licensed for 5 years in Santa Cruz, California, with a licensed capacity of 132 beds.

Facility Details

Facility Type
Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE)
License Number
445202756
Size
132 beds (Large Community (50+ beds))
Licensed Since
July 30, 2020 (5 years)
Licensee
Mg Santa Cruz Subtenant Llc; Merrill Gardens Llc
Administrator
Bolin, Candace
Phone
(831) 459-8400
Address
80 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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


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$4,600/mo

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