Casa Dorinda
CCRC
300 Hot Springs Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Casa Dorinda is a full service LifeCare retirement community on California's Riviera. Situated in the exclusive town of Montecito, Casa Dorinda is one of the finest retirement resorts in the country.
With 360 beds, Casa Dorinda is one of the larger communities in the area, senior care communities in Santa Barbara average about 71 beds. Larger communities more often keep clinical staff on site around the clock and can offer a wider range of on-site therapy and activities, though some families prefer the quieter feel of a smaller setting.
Federal reporting puts occupancy at about 69% of its licensed beds. That is below the Santa Barbara average of roughly 81%.
Medicare rates this community 4 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. The individual scores differ noticeably: 1 star for staffing against 4 stars for health inspections, so it is worth reading both before deciding. Its most recent standard health inspection was in March 2026 and recorded 8 deficiencies.
Residents receive about 2.2 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.9 hours from a registered nurse. Communities in Santa Barbara average about 4.1 hours.
The community is located in Santa Barbara County, CA.
Inspection record
In its last three standard inspections and any complaint visits, federal inspectors cited 31 problems at Casa Dorinda. 1 finding involved harm to a resident. 6 came from investigating complaints by residents or families.
In the last three years Medicare fined this home once, a total of $8,278.
Findings from the most recent inspection cycle
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Caused harm to a resident, one or a few residents
Quality of Life and Care
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, a pattern
Nutrition and Dietary
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Pharmacy Service
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Nutrition and Dietary
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Nutrition and Dietary
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Administration
Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
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Could cause more than minimal harm, one or a few residents
Infection Control
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
A citation on its own does not mean poor care, and most are corrected within weeks. What matters most is how serious the findings were and whether the same problems keep coming back. When you visit, it is fair to ask the administrator what inspectors found and what has changed since.
Casa Dorinda offers assisted living, nursing home care, independent living, continuing care (CCRC), retirement living, and senior living.
Facility details
- Organization type Non profit - Corporation
- Beds / units 360
- Occupancy 69%
- Nursing hours per resident/day 2.2
- Last health inspection March 2026
Resident & family reviews
No one has shared a review of Casa Dorinda yet. If you or someone you love has lived here, what you saw could help another family make this decision with more confidence.