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Assisted Living

Merrill Gardens at Monterey

Families consistently rate this highly β€” reviewers highlight outstanding food and dining quality. Schedule a visit to confirm the fit.

200 Iris Canyon Rd, Monterey, CA 93940150 bedsLicensed & Active
Google rating
4.9/5

based on 17 Google reviews

5
4
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1

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What this means for your family

Merrill Gardens at Monterey is an excellent choice for families seeking a high level of social engagement and superior dining options. The staff's compassion, particularly in the memory care unit, provides significant peace of mind for those managing difficult transitions.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

17 reviews on Google
β€œFamilies considering Merrill Gardens at Monterey can expect a highly positive environment characterized by exceptional dining and a caring, professional staff. Reviewers frequently highlight the facility's ability to help new residents transition smoothly and find a renewed sense of purpose through well-organized activities.”

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food10.0Staff10.0Clean10.0Activities9.0MedsN/AMemory10.0Comms9.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Outstanding food and dining quality
  • Caring and attentive staff
  • Engaging and well-organized activities
  • Clean and well-maintained facility
  • Compassionate leadership and administration

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'17(1)'19(1)'22(1)'24(3)'26(2)

Distribution Β· 19 analyzed

5
18
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

How They Respond to Reviews

88%response rate
Good

The owner provides personalized responses that frequently reference specific details from the reviews, such as mentioning family members or specific staff members. While some responses use templates for star-only ratings, the replies to text-based reviews show genuine engagement with the content.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1It is wonderful to see how much the leadership team engages with the community through their responses; how would you describe the communication style between the administration and the families here?
  • 2The dining experience seems to be a real highlight for residents here; could you tell us more about how the menus are planned and how much variety there is each day?
  • 3We are looking for a place with a vibrant social life; what kind of organized activities or outings do you have planned for the upcoming month?
  • 4The facility looks incredibly well-maintained; what is your routine for ensuring the common areas and resident rooms stay clean and comfortable?
  • 5Since we want to ensure a safe environment, how does the staff handle medical emergencies or sudden changes in a resident's health during the night?
  • 6With 150 residents living here, how do you ensure that the staff is able to provide that attentive, personalized care that people often mention when visiting?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

β€œShe has not been so happy in years! She is so busy with activities and has made great friends! Merrill Gardens has brought a new lease on life for her.”

Resident's family Β· 2025β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œThe people are very helpful, patient and kind. They also do a good job on the food, better than the typical hospital.πŸ€­β€

Memory care family member Β· 2025β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

β€œFrom Maureen who showed us around and is so caring and compassionate, to Lucy and Kathy at the Front Desk always greeting us with a smile, to the amazing Chef and staff that prepare food and serve it with a smile.”

New resident's family Β· 2024β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…
Source: 17 Google reviews

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: CA Community Care Licensing Division

17total
3 Type Aβ€” immediate health risk
6 Type Bβ€” non-compliance
Clean recordβ€” no deficiencies found
May 18, 2026Inspection
Clean

FACILITY EVALUATION REPORT

Feb 11, 2026Other
Clean

The facility underwent an unannounced Case Management visit. The Licensing Program Analyst toured the facility and observed residents in care. No deficiencies were cited during this visit.

May 21, 2025Inspection
Clean

The facility underwent a Required Annual Inspection on 05/21/2025. The inspection covered general areas, including resident rooms, dining areas, and kitchen facilities. No deficiencies were issued during this inspection, and the report notes that the facility was found to be in good order.

Dec 14, 2024Complaint
Clean

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Jul 27, 2024Complaint
Clean

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Jul 17, 2024Other
Clean

The inspection identified multiple deficiencies, including a critical medication error that hospitalized a resident, which poses an immediate health risk. Additionally, the facility was cited for not having a comprehensive plan for incidental medical/dental care and for deficiencies related to assisting residents with self-administered medications.

May 28, 2024Inspection
Clean

The facility underwent a Required Annual Inspection on 05/28/2024. The general facility areas, safety equipment, and kitchen were observed to be clean and compliant. However, deficiencies were noted regarding the required annual medical assessment and reappraisal for residents diagnosed with dementia.

Mar 7, 2024Complaint
Clean

This report details an investigation into a complaint regarding a resident being trapped in an elevator due to a power outage. The allegation was reviewed based on records, observations, and interviews. Ultimately, the allegation was deemed unsubstantiated due to insufficient evidence to prove the violation occurred.

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Merrill Gardens at Monterey; Merrill Gardens LLC

Administrator

TIFFANEY SANTORO

Source: State licensing data

Contact

Get in Touch

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References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources β€” Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

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