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Nursing homes in Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz, CA has 3 Medicare-certified nursing homes. None has a 5-star overall rating, and 1 has been fined in the last three years.

Medicare data updated October 2026. Sorted by Medicare's overall rating.

Nursing homeOverall ratingHealth inspectionsStaffingQuality measuresBedsFines
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz675 24th Avenue · For profit - Limited Liability company 3 out of 5 stars 2 out of 5 stars 4 out of 5 stars 5 out of 5 stars92None
Redwood Grove Post Acute2990 Soquel Avenue · For profit - Limited Liability company 2 out of 5 stars 2 out of 5 stars 4 out of 5 stars 4 out of 5 stars144None
Santa Cruz Post Acute1115 Capitola Road · For profit - Limited Liability company 2 out of 5 stars 1 out of 5 stars 3 out of 5 stars 5 out of 5 stars1493 ($161,912)

How to read the ratings. Medicare's overall rating starts from the health inspection rating, which compares each home with others in California, then moves up or down a star for very high or very low staffing and quality measure ratings. Ratings are one source among several: Medicare suggests visiting too. How to read a nursing home's star ratings

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Recent inspection problems in Santa Cruz

Citations from each home's latest standard inspection and from complaint inspections in the last three years, newest first. What an inspection citation means

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.July 23, 2026 · Redwood Grove Post Acute · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.July 15, 2026 · Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
  • Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.July 15, 2026 · Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz · F0677 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.July 9, 2026 · Redwood Grove Post Acute · F0689 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
  • Notify the appropriate authorities when residents with MD or ID services has a significant change in condition.June 8, 2026 · Redwood Grove Post Acute · F0646 · 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.June 8, 2026 · Redwood Grove Post Acute · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
  • Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.June 5, 2026 · Redwood Grove Post Acute · F0550 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.May 11, 2026 · Santa Cruz Post Acute · F0684 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
  • Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.March 11, 2026 · Santa Cruz Post Acute · F0806 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
  • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.February 26, 2026 · Santa Cruz Post Acute · F0658 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few

Questions about nursing homes in Santa Cruz

Which nursing home in Santa Cruz has the highest Medicare rating?

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz has the highest overall rating in Santa Cruz: 3 stars out of 5.

How many nursing homes in Santa Cruz have been fined?

1 of the 3 have been fined in the last three years, $161,912 in all. The most was $161,912, at Santa Cruz Post Acute.

Does Medicare flag any nursing homes in Santa Cruz?

No. None of the 3 is a Special Focus Facility or carries Medicare's abuse icon.

Which nursing home in Santa Cruz is the largest?

Santa Cruz Post Acute, with 149 certified beds.

Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.