Merrill Gardens At Monterey is a residential care home for the elderly (RCFE) in Monterey, Monterey County, California — state license #275202591, licensed for 150 residents, listed as licensed in the CDSS record we retrieved August 2, 2026. It does not appear on the DHCS Assisted Living Waiver participant list checked August 9, 2026 — that list covers the state waiver only, not a home's own payment arrangements. California has 18 dated inspection and complaint documents on file for this home going back to 2022, the most recent dated July 6, 2026 — published below in full, verbatim and unscored.
No photo of this home is on file — we show real, attributed images only, never a stock photo of someone else’s building.
Since 2022, the state has visited this home 17 times and filed 18 documents. The most recent is a facility evaluation report, dated July 6, 2026.
The state's published file for this home includes 9 documents with transcribed findings, dated March 30, 2022 to December 14, 2024. 9 of the 9 carry the state's recorded outcome word: “Substantiated” (1), “Unsubstantiated” (8). 9 include the transcribed allegation the state investigated, word for word.
Summary composed by computer from the 9 documents below — every count derives from them, and the documents themselves are the state's records, verbatim. We never grade, score, or color a record.
What the state’s words mean
Jul 6, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
May 18, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Feb 11, 2026Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
May 21, 2025Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Dec 14, 2024Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Unqualified staff left in charge of residents Staff did not properly assess resident Staff are not checking on resident Staff are not providing adequate food service to residents Staff are not ensuring residents have activities Staff are not ensuring resident's room is kept clean Staff are not reminding resident about appointments Staff are not ensuring resident was given a shower Staff are not ensuring resident's dog was taken care of Staff are not meeting residents needs
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sarah Hurt conducted an unannounced facility visit to deliver findings on the allegations listed above . LPA met with facility Senior Executive chef Jaime Rios, and explained the purpose of today's visit. Regarding the allegation Unqualified staff left in charge of residents. Staff 1 is quailfied to be in charge when Administrator is not present at the facility. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. Unsubstantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Dec 14, 2024 · control 24-AS-20240531111520
Jul 27, 2024Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Staff does not ensure elevator is in good repair Staff does not ensure special food service is served with accuracy for residents in care
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Sarah Hurt arrived at the facility unannounced on July 27,2024 at 1:00 p.m. to investigate the above allegation. LPA met with Executive Chef Jaime Rios ,and explained the purpose for today’s visit. Regarding the allegation Staff does not ensure elevator is in good repair. Facility Administrator stated there was an issue where one of the facility elevators was not working for a period of time, but there is always another elevator available for residents. During the time when the elevator was not working facility staff offered free food delivery to residents rooms, and assistance with getting to the second elevator for any residents that need assistance. Facility Administrator stated the elevator is currently repaired and working. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. Unsubstantiatedthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jul 27, 2024 · control 24-AS-20240429082716
Jul 17, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
May 28, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Mar 7, 2024Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Resident was trapped in the elevator due to facility not obtaining back-up power.
On 3/7/2024, Licensing Program Analyst(LPA) D. Ayers arrived at the facility unannounced to conduct an initial 10-day complaint inspection. LPA met with Senior Business Office Director Amor Sorius and announced the purpose of the inspection. During the visit, LPA conducted interviews, obtained records, and conducted a tour of the facility. Allegation - Resident was trapped in the elevator due to facility not obtaining back-up power. Based on records review, observations, and interviews, facility staff have prepared a comprehensive emergency disaster plan. On 2/4/2024, a resident could not exit the elevator for approximately two hours due to a power outage. The elevator was opened by emergency responders. Facility elevator has been properly serviced and maintained. No resident was injured during the power outage. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation isthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Mar 7, 2024 · control 24-AS-20240228154207
Jan 4, 2024Substantiated
Allegation investigated: Facility staff are not assisting residents with activities of daily living Facility staff are not meeting the needs of residents in care
On 1/4/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) D. Ayers conducted an unannounced complaint inspection. LPA met with Executive Director Tiffaney Santoro announced the purpose of the inspection. The purpose of this visit is to deliver the finding of the investigation completed by the Department. During the course of the investigation, the department inspected the facility, conducted interviews, and reviewed records. The following allegations have been determined to be Substantiated. 1. Facility staff are not assisting residents with activities of daily living: Based off of interviews, facility staff have stated that they were advised by facility administration that they are not required to assist residents with eating. Responsible parties for residents in care and other witnesses have been told by facility staff that the facility does not assist residents with feeding, and that California Code of Regulations Title 22 does not require or allow Residential Care Facilties for the Elderly(RCFEthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Jan 4, 2024 · control 24-AS-20231115122107
Jan 4, 2024Report on file
Report on file with the state — no findings text was published for this visit. The complete document is on the state’s site.
Aug 29, 2023Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Facility staff sharing resident's personal information with another resident Staff do not prevent resident from intimidating other residents in care
On 8/29/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) D. Ayers conducted an unannounced complaint inspection. LPA met with Executive Director Tiffaney Santoro. The purpose of this visit is to deliver the finding of the investigation completed by the Department. LPA conducted a tour of the facility, interior and exterior to ensure there are no potential or immediate health and safety risk at the facility. 1) Facility staff sharing resident's personal information with another resident - Based on interviews, a resident has alleged that staff have shared personal information regarding their personality traits or personal relationships. There are no witnesses to corroborate this information. Staff have denied this allegation. 2) Staff do not prevent resident from intimidating other residents in care - Witnesses have denied that residents were intimidating other residents. Staff have proper protocols in place to respond to residents threatening other residents. Although these allegations may have hathe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 29, 2023 · control 24-AS-20230526151430
Aug 28, 2023Unsubstantiated
Allegation investigated: Unlawful eviction
On 8/29/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) D. Ayers conducted an unannounced complaint inspection. LPA met with Executive Director Tiffaney Santoro. The purpose of this visit is to deliver the finding of the investigation completed by the Department. During the course of the investigation, the department inspected the facility, conducted interviews, and reviewed records. On 4/25/2023 R1 was sent to the emergency room and had a catheter inserted. R1 was discharged to a skilled nursing facility(SNF) on 4/28/2023 with a catheter still in. The catheter was removed on 5/12/2023 by SNF staff and again inserted on 5/13/2023. On 5/23/2023 Merrill Gardens at Monterey staff notified the responsible party of R1 that they could not accept R1 back due to them still having an indwelling catheter inserted. As of 5/31/2023, R1 was still residing at the SNF, and still had a catheter in. Merrill Gardens at Monterey was not able to accept R1 due to requirements as stated in CCR Title 22 Division 6, Chthe state’s words, verbatim · CDSS document, Aug 28, 2023 · control 24-AS-20230525122858
Year-by-year trend
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Is Merrill Gardens At Monterey licensed?
Yes — Merrill Gardens At Monterey is a licensed residential care home for the elderly (RCFE) in Monterey (Monterey County): California license #275202591, shown as licensed in the CDSS state record checked August 2, 2026, licensed for 150 residents. State records list 18 inspection and complaint documents since 2022; the most recent, a facility evaluation report dated July 6, 2026, appears in the inspection record on this page.
Can Merrill Gardens At Monterey care for dementia, hospice, bedridden, or non-ambulatory residents?
From the CDSS license record, checked August 2, 2026.
The CDSS license record checked August 2, 2026 lists Merrill Gardens At Monterey with clearances for wheelchair / non-ambulatory, dementia / memory care, hospice care, and bedridden. Clearances describe what the license permits, not day-to-day staffing — confirm current scope and availability with the home directly on a tour.
From the California state record. Some approvals are bed- or room-specific — always confirm current scope with the facility.
What the state record says, word for word
Verbatim, from the CDSS license recordAGE RANGE 60 AND OVER. 150 AMBULATORY OF WHICH 135 MAY BE NON- AMBULATORY AND 15 BEDRIDDEN. HOSPICE WAIVER FOR 15.
How much does Merrill Gardens At Monterey cost?
California's public licensing record does not include Merrill Gardens At Monterey's monthly price, so we never show or estimate one for a specific home. As county-level context only, assisted living in Monterey County typically runs $6,000–$9,000/mo and small board-and-care homes $5,000–$8,000/mo (market research compiled June 2026 — ranges, not quotes; California's 2026 SSI/SSP board-and-care payment standard is $1,626.07/month, of which $1,444.07 is the room-and-board portion paid to the home). Ask the home for its own rate sheet and what the base rate includes — or use the cost section at the top of this page.
Does Merrill Gardens At Monterey accept Medi-Cal or the Assisted Living Waiver?
Merrill Gardens At Monterey is not in the DHCS Assisted Living Waiver participant record we checked August 9, 2026 — that list covers only the state's ALW program, not a home's own payment policies, so ask the home directly about private Medi-Cal arrangements. The waiver pays for assisted-living care services (not room and board) at participating homes; every DHCS-listed home appears on our statewide Medi-Cal page.
Assisted living on Medi-Cal in California →See the DHCS list →
115 of 150 beds occupied (77%) when the state visited on December 14, 2024. Availability changes constantly — confirm a current opening with the home.
What do state inspections show for Merrill Gardens At Monterey?
Verbatim from CDSS complaint-investigation reports — the state's own words, never summarized by us. Record checked August 2, 2026.
The CDSS state record checked August 2, 2026 lists 17 state visits and 18 dated documents since 2022 for Merrill Gardens At Monterey; 9 complaint-investigation narratives are transcribed verbatim below. The most recent, dated December 14, 2024, records an allegation the state marked “Unsubstantiated”. Open any entry to read the state's full finding, word for word.
Most licensed homes receive some findings over 36 months; what matters is what was found and whether it was corrected. Counts here are shown compared with homes of similar size, and the state's own words appear in full below.
2024
2023
2022
Transcribed from CDSS complaint-investigation reports · record checked August 2, 2026.
What the state has logged
California has logged 17 state visits for this home as of August 2, 2026. These are the home's own counts, straight from that record — shown beside the statewide median for larger communities (16+ beds), computed across all 1,244 licensed homes of that size, because larger and longer-licensed homes naturally accumulate more visits and reports. They are facts, not a grade — a citation may be minor and since corrected, and an “unsubstantiated” complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing.
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