Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz is a senior care community located in Santa Cruz, CA. It provides nursing home care and senior living for older adults in the Santa Cruz area. To learn more or schedule a tour, call (831) 475-6323.

Operated by Mariner Health Care, which runs 16 communities in our directory.

With 92 beds, Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz is one of the larger communities in the area, senior care communities in Santa Cruz average about 57 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 92% of its licensed beds, which is high; communities this full often maintain a waiting list, so it is worth calling well before you need a place.

Medicare rates this community 4 out of 5 stars overall, a score based on health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Communities in Santa Cruz average about 3.0 stars. Its most recent standard health inspection was in December 2025 and recorded 7 deficiencies.

Residents receive about 4.0 hours of nursing care per day on average, including 0.7 hours from a registered nurse. Nursing staff turnover over the past year was about 46%.

The community is located in Santa Cruz County, CA.

Medicare five-star ratings

• Overall ★★★★★ 4/5
• Health inspections ★★★★★ 3/5
• Staffing ★★★★★ 4/5
• Quality measures ★★★★★ 5/5

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Care Compare. Ratings apply to Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes and are updated by CMS monthly.

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz offers nursing home care and senior living.

Facility details

• Organization type for-profit corporation
• Beds / units 92
• Occupancy 92%
• Nursing hours per resident/day 4.0
• Annual staff turnover 46%
• Last health inspection December 2025