For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
4.1 from 64 reviews
5 stars
33
4 stars
17
3 stars
6
2 stars
4
1 stars
4
Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens Costs & Pricing
Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens presents a premium living experience with monthly costs that are notably higher than both Los Angeles County and the broader state of California. For instance, the price for a studio apartment at this facility stands at $6,505, which significantly surpasses the county average of $4,172 and the state average of $4,145. The trend continues for larger accommodations as well; a one-bedroom unit is priced at $12,500, while the typical costs in Los Angeles County and California are much lower at $4,603 and $4,340 respectively. For those seeking more spacious options, two-bedroom apartments at Brookdale come in at $14,580 - a striking contrast to the county's average of $6,164 and the state's average of $5,270. These figures reflect not just the costs but also suggest a commitment to quality services and amenities that may justify their elevated pricing for prospective residents.
Floor plans
Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens
Los Angeles County
California
Studio
$6,505
$4,172
$4,145
1 Bedroom
$12,500
$4,603
$4,340
2 Bedrooms
$14,580
$6,164
$5,270
Overall Review of Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens
common26 reviews mention this
Staff support feels personal
Residents and families consistently describe staff as friendly, caring, and responsive.
Many reviewers say staff members remember residents, take time to help, and keep families informed. Several people specifically mention nurses and assistants being kind during recovery or difficult health periods. A few reviews raise concerns about staffing levels or day-to-day organization, but the majority still frame staff as the main strength.
common15 reviews mention this
Food quality comes up often
Dining is frequently praised, though a smaller number of reviews find it disappointing.
Across reviews, many people call the food good, tasty, or fantastic, and several mention specific dining experiences like fresh salad bar meals. Others describe food as adequate, terrible, or not meeting expectationsâsometimes alongside comments about overall value. Meal preparation and service are part of the care setup, and residents discuss both the positives and the misses.
common18 reviews mention this
Plenty of activities and social time
Reviews commonly mention social activities, outings, and group programming.
A recurring theme is that residents stay busy with scheduled day-to-day activities and a mix of classes, religious services, and entertainment. Multiple reviews highlight activities like chair yoga, book discussions, and live performances, along with resident engagement and friendships. Some reviewers wish there were more options for certain needs, and a few mention that activity variety didnât stand out during a tour.
differentiator12 reviews mention this
Beach-close location and walkability
The walkable Santa Monica location is a standout in reviews.
Several reviewers describe the convenience of being near the beach and downtown, including the ability to walk out regularly. Others mention the surrounding neighborhood feel, quiet streets, and enjoying outdoor space like gardens and courtyards. A few tours focus on the ocean view and proximity as a key selling point, even when they also discuss other tradeoffs.
caveat4 reviews mention this
Elevators and maintenance are concerns
Elevator breakdowns and deferred maintenance are a recurring complaint.
Some reviews call out elevators that are frequently out of service for extended periods, including one where residents canât use stairs safely. Related comments point to deferred maintenance and overall upkeep falling short. Even among otherwise positive reviews, a few mention ongoing elevator problems as the main reason they didnât give the top rating.
caveat8 reviews mention this
Pricing feels high for some
Multiple reviews describe the community as very expensive.
Several families and reviewers say itâs costly, and at least a few connect the price to expectations about services and staffing. One review mentions rent increases alongside complaints that care needs werenât met as expected. The pricing is also positioned above county and state benchmarks across unit types, which aligns with why value comes up in the negative reviews.
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
128 resident community capacity
Studio apartments
Types of Care
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Pets
Cats allowed
Dogs allowed
Amenities
Activities off-site
Activities on-site
Air-conditioning
Bath tubs
Beautician on-site
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Cafe
Computer center
Devotional services off-site
Devotional services on-site
Dining room
Financing advice
Fitness room
Full kitchen
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Guasts at mealtime
Guest parking
Hiking trails
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Kitchenette
Laundry
Move-in coordination
Outdoor common areas
Outdoor space
Pet friendly
Private bathrooms
Private cleaning services
Resident parking
Respite or short term stays offered
Restaurant-style dining
Security gate
Small library
TV room
Telephone
VA Benefits Consultation
Wellness center
Wheelchair accessible showers
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Transportation
Los Angeles International (8 miles away)
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena (15 miles away)
Long Beach (Daugherty) (25 miles away)
Community operated transportation
Transportation & parking
Transportation arrangement
Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
Care Services
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Coordination with health care providers
Diabetes diet
Hospice care
Incontinence care
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Physical therapy
Special dietary restrictions
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments
Dining
Anytime dining
Diabetes diet
Gluten-free
Guest meals
Low / no sodium
Low fat
Meals provided
No Sugar
Professional chef
Renal
Restaurant style dining
Room service
Special dietary restrictions
Vegan
Vegetarian
Activities
Activities off-site
Art classes
Arts and crafts
Book club
Catholic services
Community-sponsored activities
Concierge services
Cooking classes
Cooking club
Day trips and outings
Devotional activities offsite
Devotional activities on-site
Educational speakers / life long learning
Fitness programs
Games
Happy hour
Jewish services
Karaoke
Live musical performances
Live well programs
Planned day trips
Protestant services
Religious services
Resident-run activities
Scheduled daily activities
Stories
Tai Chi
Wine tasting
Yoga / chair yoga
Languages Spoken
English
Nearby Places of Interest
Located in the beautiful city of Santa Monica, this particular neighborhood offers a variety of amenities that cater to a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for seniors. With multiple pharmacies nearby, accessing essential medications and healthcare services is easily accessible. Additionally, there are several top-rated restaurants within walking distance, providing diverse dining options for residents. The proximity to parks such as Palisades Park and Santa Monica State Beach allows for leisurely strolls and enjoying the outdoors. For medical needs, Santa Monica - UCLA Medical Center & Orthopaedic Hospital is conveniently located nearby. Overall, this neighborhood provides a vibrant and active atmosphere with opportunities for relaxation, socializing, and staying healthy.
Restaurants
The Penthouse (0.3 miles)
The Bungalow (0.4 miles)
1212 Santa Monica (0.4 miles)
Elephante (0.6 miles)
Water Grill (0.7 miles)
Santa Monica Whaler (0.8 miles)
Meat On Ocean (0.8 miles)
Pharmacies
CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
Rite Aid (1 miles)
Walgreens (1.4 miles)
Walgreens (1.5 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
Parks
Palisades Park (0.6 miles)
DOG PPL - Dog Park, Bar, Cafe & Lounge (0.7 miles)
Santa Monica State Beach (0.9 miles)
Ocean View Park (2 miles)
South Beach Park (2.2 miles)
Will Rogers State Historic Park (2.3 miles)
Penmar Recreation Center (3 miles)
Hospitals
Santa Monica - UCLA Medical Center & Orthopaedic Hospital (1.1 miles)
Cafes
The Rose Cafe & Market (2.4 miles)
Starbucks (2.5 miles)
Gjusta (2.6 miles)
Starbucks (2.9 miles)
Great White (3 miles)
Intelligentsia Coffee (3.1 miles)
Chocolate Bash (4.5 miles)
Physicians
UCLA Stein Eye Institute Westwood (4.5 miles)
Kaiser Permanente Culver Marina Medical Offices (5 miles)
Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens presents a premium living experience with monthly costs that are notably higher than both Los Angeles County and the broader state of California. For instance, the price for a studio apartment at this facility stands at $6,505, which significantly surpasses the county average of $4,172 and the state average of $4,145. The trend continues for larger accommodations as well; a one-bedroom unit is priced at $12,500, while the typical costs in Los Angeles County and California are much lower at $4,603 and $4,340 respectively. For those seeking more spacious options, two-bedroom apartments at Brookdale come in at $14,580 - a striking contrast to the county's average of $6,164 and the state's average of $5,270. These figures reflect not just the costs but also suggest a commitment to quality services and amenities that may justify their elevated pricing for prospective residents.
Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens on seniors.fyi includes 24 photos including images showing interior, decor, exercise equipment, salon, bedroom, dining, living room, artwork, and more.
Nearby Communities
Meridian at Bella Mar
Santa Monica, CA
3.4 from 17 reviews
$3,500 to $5,950 / month
Caring staff with ocean-view setting and engaging memory-care activities.
Bentley Suites by Serenity Health Care
Santa Monica, CA
4.2 from 5 reviews
Specializes in Memory Care with 24/7 supervision and dedicated memory programming.
Bentley Suites by Serenity Care Health
Santa Monica, CA
4.1 from 14 reviews
$3,400 to $4,500 / month
Caring staff who treat residents with dignity; convenient Santa Monica location; good value for services.
Fireside Convalescent Hospital
Santa Monica, CA
4 from 97 reviews
Comprehensive care with 24/7 support and extensive amenities.
Beautiful Montana Gardens Retirement Hotel
Santa Monica, CA
4.1 from 14 reviews
$2,000 to $2,500 / month
Vibrant, social community with 24/7 night staff and engaging activities.
Wilshire House
Santa Monica, CA
4.4 from 5 reviews
Excellent access to nearby amenities (cafes, parks, pharmacies, physicians, restaurants, and hospitals).
Meridian At Ocean Villa
Santa Monica, CA
3 from 8 reviews
$3,500 to $8,800 / month
Comprehensive care (memory care, 24/7 supervision) with restaurant-style dining and on-site amenities.
Welbrook Santa Monica
Santa Monica, CA
4.1 from 35 reviews
$8,100 / month
Engaging daily activities and attentive staff foster a home-like, connected environment.
Brookdale Ocean House
Santa Monica, CA
4.4 from 87 reviews
$7,540 to $10,020 / month
Stunning ocean views with friendly staff and engaging dining/activities.
Medicare does not cover assisted living costs, as it focuses on acute medical needs and short-term care, with exceptions for certain medically necessary services like physical therapy. Individuals must explore other options such as Medicaid, veterans' benefits, or long-term care insurance to manage these expenses effectively.
Choosing between assisted living and nursing homes involves evaluating emotional and financial factors, with assisted living offering independence and support for daily activities at a lower cost, while nursing homes provide intensive medical care for individuals with significant health needs. The decision is influenced by personal preferences, health status, cognitive function, and varying Medicaid coverage across states.
Assisted living in 2025 offers a crucial balance of independence and support for seniors, with costs varying from $2,500 to over $7,000 per month based on factors such as location and care level. Understanding pricing complexities, including regional differences and potential hidden fees, is essential for families to plan financially while ensuring quality care for their loved ones.
Get PricingAsk A QuestionSchedule A TourContact Senior Advisor
By clicking submit, you agree to our Partner's Terms of Use. You
also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from our Partner. Your consent is not a condition to
using our Partner's service. Please visit our Partner's Privacy Policy for information about their privacy practices.