Casa Dorinda

A LifeCare Retirement Community in Montecito, CA

What began as a grand estate in 1918, lives on today as one of California's premier LifeCare Retirement Communities. Nestled between oak groves and the Pacific Ocean, our elegant grounds are perched in the heart of Montecito; offering more than a exclusive zip code, it is a beautiful place to call home.

05/29/2026

Casa Dorinda was honored to welcome newly appointed Montecito Fire Chief Brian Fallon, along with Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown and Lompoc Police Chief Kevin Martin, in conjunction with One805.

May is recognized nationally as Mental Health Awareness Month, an observance established in 1949 to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote mental wellness. These local leaders and first responders, along with many other community organizations, play an important role in supporting the Santa Barbara community and encouraging conversations around mental health and well-being.

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05/23/2026

Casa Dorinda was honored to host a special musical performance directed by Dr. Daniel Gee featuring the Westmont Chamber Singers .

A longstanding performing presence in the Santa Barbara community, the ensemble delighted residents with an inspiring program of Latin American repertoire.

The Chamber Singers, together with the Westmont College Choir, are currently embarking on a 10-day concert tour of Brazil, with performances scheduled in several historic venues. This special performance at Casa Dorinda offered an opportunity to preview the repertoire ahead of their international tour.

The evening concluded with a festive reception, where residents enjoyed the opportunity to meet and mingle with the talented performers.

05/15/2026

The Casa Dorinda Visual Arts Committee Exhibit featured the work of Margaret Youngblood Allen in an exhibition entitled “A Place Before Us,” highlighted by a reception and display of her original artwork.

Margaret Youngblood Allen is a passionate plein air artist whose work in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil reflects her deep appreciation for the natural beauty of Santa Barbara County and the rich tradition of plein air painting.

She studied at the Kansas City Art Institute, earning a BFA in Graphic Design, and went on to enjoy a distinguished career as a creative director. Her work helped shape the visual identity of three Olympic Games, the U.S. Olympic Team, FedEx, BP, Warner Bros., Gap, Banana Republic, Charles Schwab, and the American Red Cross, among others. Margaret also served on the national board of the American Institute for Graphic Arts and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Her design work is included in the permanent collection of the Library of Congress.

The evening concluded with a warm and lively gathering among residents, who enjoyed the opportunity to meet the artist and discuss her inspiring work.

05/08/2026

Casa Dorinda’s Life Enrichment Department recently hosted an open house, inviting residents and team members to explore its inspiring creative spaces, including hands-on studios, workshops, and demonstrations showcasing the many tools, techniques, and opportunities available.

The painting studio featured a workshop on alcohol inks, a vibrant medium known for its rich colors and striking effects. Residents enjoyed experimenting with the unique qualities of alcohol ink on a variety of surfaces. In the crafts and jewelry studio, there is an impressive collection of beads, gems, and stones used to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

The ceramics studio has a gas kiln as well as a state-of-the-art electric Skutt kiln, capable of firing pieces as large as a 23-inch-tall pot or a 21-inch platter, along with many other advanced features. Residents also explored the textiles studio, equipped with Singer sewing machines and a wide assortment of fabrics and supplies for mending garments or creating new designs. In addition, Casa Dorinda offers a fully equipped workshop complete with power tools, saws, and materials for woodworking and other projects.

Casa Dorinda residents are delighted to have access to such a wide variety of enriching creative opportunities through the Life Enrichment program.

05/01/2026

Casa Dorinda held its 6th Annual Sequoia Tree Celebration on April 7th, honoring the strength and growth of our Sequoia Society planned giving program. Guests raised a glass to the coastal redwood Sequoia tree planted in 2021—a living symbol of the lasting legacies our members represent. Today, our Sequoia Society has grown to more than 150 members. We recognized our generous members and dedicated volunteer leaders during this special occasion, featuring a champagne toast and reception.

04/24/2026

Casa Dorinda was proud to celebrate the graduation of nine CNA candidates at the end of March. Each student successfully completed 60 hours of online instruction along with 100 hours of hands-on clinical training.

The CNA training program is a collaborative effort between LA Skills Academy and Casa Dorinda. Suhey A. Cortes, LVN, served as both the presenter of the graduates and the clinical instructor for the program, guiding students throughout their training journey.

All graduates will be welcome as new members of the Casa Dorinda health services team. Congratulations to each of them on this wonderful achievement!

04/17/2026

Casa Dorinda held a ceremony to celebrate the milestones, contributions and achievements of our team members.

Casa recognized and honored their years of dedication and experience. There were several team members who were celebrating 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service.

The awards ceremony was followed by a delicious nacho buffet for all to enjoy.

If you are interested in learning more about joining our Casa Dorinda team, please check our careers page: https://www.casadorinda.org/careers

04/10/2026

Casa Dorinda recently hosted an exceptional winemaker dinner showcasing the exquisite wines of Talley Vineyards. We were honored to welcome owner and vintner Brian Talley, joined by his daughter, Elizabeth, for this special evening. As a family-owned Central Coast winery, Talley Vineyards is celebrated for its estate-grown wines, which capture the distinctive character of the vineyards they farm.

Our culinary team thoughtfully crafted a multi-course menu perfectly paired with a selection of Talley Vineyards’ acclaimed wines, creating a harmonious experience from start to finish.

Residents were treated to an unforgettable feast featuring Jamón Ibérico, compressed watermelon, St. Angel triple cream, and pan de cristal with mission figs. The menu continued with Hokkaido scallop crudo, local spot prawn, Spanish octopus, clams, mussels, and seared duck breast, culminating in a decadent finale of chocolate mousse and orange curd with chocolate cookie crumbles in a walnut-crusted chocolate bowl.

It was truly a memorable evening, bringing together exceptional wine, inspired cuisine, and wonderful company.

04/03/2026

This past weekend, Casa Dorinda hosted a joyful Spring Celebration for our incredible team members and their families. The day was filled with festive activities — including an Easter egg hunt featuring 24 golden eggs, a mini petting zoo with an alpaca, whimsical face painting, exciting prizes, and a delightful visit from the Easter Bunny!

It was a wonderful day that was enjoyed by all.

03/27/2026

The Casa Dorinda Visual Arts Committee recently presented a special exhibition honoring the work of resident Martha Tolles’ late brother, Bruce Gregory. The event included a reception showcasing a collection of his original artwork.

Gregory studied at the Art Students League of New York under the noted American painter Arnold Blanch. A versatile artist, he worked in both traditional and modernist styles, creating landscapes, still lifes, and abstract compositions. Gregory was known for his bold use of color and distinctive, hard-edged shadows. Among his most notable achievements are two murals he painted in 1952 with Fernand Léger for the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

The evening concluded with a warm and lively gathering, where residents enjoyed engaging in conversation and reflecting on Gregory’s remarkable artistic legacy.

Address

300 Hot Springs Road
Montecito, CA
93108

Telephone

(805) 969-8011

Website

http://www.casadorinda.org/

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