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Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz, CA

Dominican Oaks is an assisted living community in Santa Cruz, CA.

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Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz, CA

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  • Interior

    A waiter serving drinks to customers at a bright and sunny restaurant.
  • Outdoors

    An elderly couple enjoying coffee together on a scenic patio.
  • Decor

    A cozy living room with comfortable seating and a television.
  • Building

    A modern residential building with balconies nestled among lush greenery.
  • Architecture

    A modern building with a prominent entrance, captured during the evening.
  • Bedroom

    A woman sits on a bed in a brightly lit bedroom reading a book.
  • Trees

    A couple enjoying a conversation on a balcony with wine and nature in the background.
  • Windows

    An artist working on a painting in a cozy studio filled with art supplies, books, and plants by the window.
  • Dining

    A woman enjoying a cup of coffee at a restaurant.
  • Landscaping

    Entrance sign for Dominican Oaks surrounded by flowers and landscaping.
  • Outdoor

    Two elderly individuals enjoying a game of table tennis outdoors.
  • Patio

    A couple enjoys a relaxing conversation over coffee on a sunny patio.
  • Exterior

    An exterior view of a hotel or resort building in the evening with illuminated lights.
  • Pathway

    A modern building with balconies nestled in a lush, green outdoor setting.

3400 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95065

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.8 from 49 reviews
5 stars
40
4 stars
8
3 stars
1
2 stars
0
1 stars
0

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2017Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2018Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2019Top 5% Senior Living Community in 2020

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Dominican Oaks Costs & Pricing

Dominican Oaks offers competitive pricing for its accommodations, particularly when compared to both Santa Cruz County and the broader California market. For a one-bedroom unit, residents can expect to pay $3,600 per month, significantly lower than the county average of $4,414 and the state average of $4,340. Similarly, the two-bedroom option at Dominican Oaks is priced at $4,050, again presenting a more affordable alternative compared to Santa Cruz County's $4,214 and California's higher average of $5,270. This positioning not only makes Dominican Oaks an attractive choice for prospective residents seeking quality living arrangements but also reflects a commitment to providing value in an increasingly competitive housing landscape.

Floor plansDominican OaksSanta Cruz CountyCalifornia
1 Bedroom$3,600$4,414$4,340
2 Bedrooms$4,050$4,214$5,270

Overall Review of Dominican Oaks

common 21 reviews mention this

Staff friendliness stands out

Residents and families consistently describe a friendly, helpful staff and smooth day-to-day support.

Multiple reviewers say the staff are personable, warm, and approachable—from being attended during a tour to ongoing help for residents. Families also describe feeling comfortable about safety and health, and credit communication and follow-through as needs change. Beyond care, residents and guests mention staff support around daily life, including dining help and practical assistance.

common 15 reviews mention this

Food quality is a frequent plus

Food quality and variety come up repeatedly in resident and family feedback.

A large share of reviewers say the meals are high quality, with menus offering multiple options and cuisines like Mexican and Japanese mentioned by one family. Several people describe dining as restaurant-like, including daily meals and choices, and mention good meals over time. Some reviewers also note it can vary in personal preference, but overall dining is still a common highlight.

  • A waiter serving drinks to customers at a bright and sunny restaurant.
  • A woman enjoying a cup of coffee at a restaurant.
  • A group of seniors enjoying a meal and socializing in a bright, sunlit restaurant interior.
caveat 7 reviews mention this

Pricing feels high for many

Many reviewers say the overall cost is very high.

Cost is the clearest negative theme, with reviewers describing monthly rates as far above what they consider reasonable. Some reviewers give ballpark figures and mention a one-time payment, while others simply say it is not cheap or too expensive to afford. Even amid praise, several people call the community pricey and note affordability as a barrier.

common 10 reviews mention this

Activities and outings keep life busy

Reviews frequently mention programs, events, and outings that fill the calendar.

Many reviewers describe a steady range of activities, including resident-run events and scheduled programs. Families mention lectures, movies, trips, and music, and one person highlights how the community is not isolated. A visitor also points out their relative may not have participated much, but that they still saw ongoing activities.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes are displayed.

Features

Housing

  • 142 resident community capacity 142 resident community capacity

Types of Care

  • Assisted Living Assisted Living
  • Independent Living Independent Living

Amenities

  • Activities on-site Activities on-site
  • Air-conditioning Air-conditioning
  • Beauty salon Beauty salon
  • Cable or satellite TV Cable or satellite TV
  • Computer center Computer center
  • Devotional services off-site Devotional services off-site
  • Dining room Dining room
  • Fitness room Fitness room
  • Fully furnished Fully furnished
  • Gaming room Gaming room
  • Garden Garden
  • Housekeeping services Housekeeping services
  • Indoor common areas Indoor common areas
  • Kitchenette Kitchenette
  • Move-in coordination Move-in coordination
  • Outdoor space Outdoor space
  • Private bathrooms Private bathrooms
  • Restaurant-style dining Restaurant-style dining
  • Small library Small library
  • Telephone Telephone
  • Wellness center Wellness center
  • Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

  • Community operated transportation Community operated transportation
  • Transportation arrangement Transportation arrangement
  • Transportation arrangement (non-medical) Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
  • Transportation to doctors appointments Transportation to doctors appointments

Care Services

  • 12-16 hour nursing 12-16 hour nursing
  • 24-hour call system 24-hour call system
  • 24-hour supervision 24-hour supervision
  • Activities of daily living assistance Activities of daily living assistance
  • Ambulatory care Ambulatory care
  • Assistance with bathing Assistance with bathing
  • Assistance with dressing Assistance with dressing
  • Assistance with transfers Assistance with transfers
  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Diabetic care Diabetic care
  • Meal preparation and service Meal preparation and service
  • Medication management Medication management
  • Mental wellness program Mental wellness program
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Dining

  • Diabetes diet Diabetes diet
  • Meals provided Meals provided
  • Special dietary restrictions Special dietary restrictions

Activities

  • Activities on-site Activities on-site
  • Community-sponsored activities Community-sponsored activities
  • Concierge services Concierge services
  • Devotional activities offsite Devotional activities offsite
  • Fitness programs Fitness programs
  • Planned day trips Planned day trips
  • Resident-run activities Resident-run activities
  • Scheduled daily activities Scheduled daily activities

Nearby Places of Interest

This part of Santa Cruz, California offers a convenient and vibrant location for senior living. With several hospitals and medical centers in close proximity, residents have easy access to healthcare services. Additionally, there are numerous pharmacies nearby for medication needs. The area also boasts a variety of restaurants offering diverse cuisine options, as well as cafes for socializing and enjoying a cup of coffee. For outdoor activities, residents can explore the nearby parks and beaches, providing opportunities for leisurely walks and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded and supportive community for seniors looking to settle in Santa Cruz.

Hospitals

  • Dominican Hospital Comm Rm (0.1 miles)
  • Birthing Center: Sutter Maternity Surgery Center (0.4 miles)
  • Dominican Hospital (1.4 miles)

Physicians

  • Clement Clement J Cheng Cheng MD (0.2 miles)
  • Cypress Medical Center (0.2 miles)
  • Santa Cruz Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (0.2 miles)
  • Tuong Vu, MD (0.2 miles)
  • Marc A Seftel (0.2 miles)
  • Dermatology Surgical & Medical Group (0.2 miles)
  • Fazekas Cynthia A Rnp (0.2 miles)

Pharmacies

  • KindPeoples Collective (0.4 miles)
  • Tom's Medical Pharmacy (1 miles)
  • Granny Purps (1.1 miles)
  • Walgreens (1.3 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
  • Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
  • CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Restaurants

  • Cafe Cruz (1.1 miles)
  • Pono Hawaiian Kitchen & Tap (1.5 miles)
  • The Bagelry (1.7 miles)
  • Shadowbrook (1.9 miles)
  • Sante Adairius Rustic Ales (2 miles)
  • The Buttery (2.1 miles)
  • Crow's Nest Restaurant (2.2 miles)

Parks

  • De Laveaga Park (1.3 miles)
  • Anna Jean Cummings Park (1.5 miles)
  • Mystery Spot (2.1 miles)
  • Depot Park (3.1 miles)
  • Pogonip (3.5 miles)
  • Lighthouse Field State Beach (3.7 miles)
  • Seacliff State Beach (4.1 miles)

Cafes

  • Pretty Good Advice (1.5 miles)
  • Lulus Midtown (1.9 miles)
  • Starbucks (2 miles)
  • Verve Coffee Roasters (2.1 miles)
  • Linda's Seabreeze Cafe (2.1 miles)
  • Verve Coffee Roasters (2.2 miles)
  • Starbucks (2.3 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live at Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz, CA?
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