Buena Vista Care Center
160 South Patterson Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93111 · (805) 964-4871
For profit - Limited Liability company · 150 certified beds
Buena Vista Care Center has a 2-star overall rating from Medicare, out of 5. Its last standard inspection, in April 2026, found 4 citations (the California average is 15.6). It hasn't been fined in the last three years.
Medicare ratings
| Overall ratingStarts from the health inspection rating, then goes up or down a star for a 5-star or 1-star staffing or quality rating. | ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars · Below average |
| Health inspectionsFrom the two most recent standard inspections and three years of complaint inspections, compared with other homes in the same state. | ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars · Below average |
| Quality measuresFrom 15 measures of how residents do, such as falls with major injury, pressure ulcers, hospital stays and getting home after a short stay. | ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars · Above average |
| StaffingFrom payroll records of nurse hours per resident, adjusted for how much care residents need, and staff turnover. | ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars · Average |
How to read a nursing home's star ratings
Most recent health inspection
The standard health inspection on April 10, 2026 found 4 citations. What an inspection citation means
- Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.April 10, 2026 · F0658 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- 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.April 10, 2026 · F0761 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.April 10, 2026 · F0805 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.April 10, 2026 · F0812 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Complaint inspections, last three years
Inspections after complaints found 14 citations.
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.January 14, 2026 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.October 20, 2025 · F0656 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.October 3, 2025 · F0689 · Level of harm: Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety · Residents affected: Few
- Keep all essential equipment working safely.October 3, 2025 · F0908 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.August 20, 2025 · F0697 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.May 2, 2025 · F0842 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.March 20, 2025 · F0584 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.March 7, 2025 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.March 7, 2025 · F0921 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.August 8, 2024 · F0580 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.April 23, 2024 · F0550 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.April 3, 2024 · F0568 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.January 12, 2024 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.December 26, 2023 · F0584 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Fines and payment denials
No fines or payment denials in the last three years.
Nurse staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, as the home reports them to Medicare through payroll records.
| Hours per resident per day | This home | California average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing | 3.91 | 4.52 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.44 | 0.67 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 1.10 | 1.20 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aides | 2.36 | 2.65 | 2.32 |
| Total nursing staff turnover | 47.6% | 36.7% | 45.8% |
About this home
| Ownership | For profit - Limited Liability company |
| Certified beds | 150 |
| Average residents per day | 120.3 |
| Inside a hospital | No |
| Continuing care retirement community | No |
Nursing homes nearby
- Mission Park Healthcare Center Santa Barbara · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- Samarkand Skilled Nursing Facility Santa Barbara · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- The Californian Santa Barbara · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- Valle Verde Health Facility Santa Barbara · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- Casa Dorinda Santa Barbara · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
Compare every nursing home in Santa Barbara, CA · Nursing homes in California · Home health agencies in Santa Barbara, CA
Comparing nursing homes?
See whether help at home or assisted living fits better. Answer four questions and we'll suggest where to start: a medical alert, help at home, or assisted living.
Free for families. This isn't medical advice.
Care matcherStep 1 of 7
Who are you looking for help for?
Free for families. Your answers aren't saved.
Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from Buena Vista Care Center on Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.