Worth Considering
2
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Santa Maria, California
2 of 4 nursing homes in Santa Maria (50%) meet our strict criteria. The California statewide average is 29%.
2 recommended · 2 caution · 0 avoid · data
City Average
4.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
290
across 4 facilities
High Risk Facilities
0
0 Grade F
$0 in combined fines
Zero Fines
4
/4
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
0 min
RN time per resident daily
Below CMS recommendation
Why These 2?
The nursing home market in Santa Maria, California, is adequate, with 4 facilities available and 50% recommended. Families should note that the top facility, Marian Regional Medical Center D/P SNF, has earned an excellent rating of 5 stars, indicating a quality option for care.
Exceptional (Grade A, Trust Score 90+)
- 1 Marian Regional Medical Center D/P SNF (90) — Top-rated 5★ facility with an A grade and zero federal fines. Non-profit ownership ensures a strong community focus, providing compassionate care in a nurturing environment. With a Trust Score of 90/100, Marian Regional Medical Center D/P SNF demonstrates a commitment to excellence in patient care.
Strong (Grade B+, Trust Score 80-89)
- 2 Villa Maria Post Acute (83) — Villa Maria Post Acute boasts an impressive 5★ CMS rating and a solid Trust Score of 83/100. This for-profit facility, with zero fines, offers quality rehabilitation services in a welcoming environment, making it a reliable choice for those seeking post-acute care.
The other 2 Santa Maria facilities didn't qualify — 0 carry Grade D or F ratings.
Recommended
Top-rated 5★ facility with an A grade and zero federal fines. Non-profit ownership ensures a strong community focus, providing compassionate care in a nurturing environment. With a Trust Score of 90/100, Marian Regional Medical Center D/P SNF demonstrates a commitment to excellence in patient care.
Villa Maria Post Acute boasts an impressive 5★ CMS rating and a solid Trust Score of 83/100. This for-profit facility, with zero fines, offers quality rehabilitation services in a welcoming environment, making it a reliable choice for those seeking post-acute care.
Proceed with Caution
These facilities don't meet our recommendation criteria but may still be viable options.
Best Available Alternative
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Santa Maria Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 5 stars | 4.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 0 | 0.0 | — |
What Disqualified the Other 2?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Low-scoring facilities
- 2 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
- Caution group
- 2 Had good grades but fines disqualified them
Questions Santa Maria Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Santa Maria's city average is 4.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
0 of 4 Santa Maria facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Santa Maria avg is 0 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Santa Maria facilities average 0.0 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Houston has strong options, but nearby cities add even more choices
Houston at a Glance
Good News
- 12 facilities meet our strict criteria—20% of the market
- 3 exceptional A-grade facilities with 5-star CMS ratings
- 24 facilities with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 30 facilities carry Grade F—nearly half the market
- $3.2M+ in total fines across 37 facilities
- Worst facility has $448,216 in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 48.6 (dragged down by 30 F-grades)
- 82% for-profit, 13% non-profit, 5% government
- 9.4 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Santa Maria, CA are recommended?
2 of 4 nursing homes in Santa Maria (50%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Santa Maria "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Santa Maria?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.