Skilled NursingCMS verified

Watsonville Nursing Center

535 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076 · Santa Cruz County

3.0CMS overall rating(831) 724-7505 Visit website ↗

Good

Haven Scout Score

Our composite of CMS ratings, staffing, and safety. This community rates good.

Photos via facility website.

Availability outlookModerate availability

Typically 84% full — openings are usually available.

Source: federal census data (average daily residents vs. certified beds, CMS Care Compare). Confirm current openings with an advisor — availability changes weekly.

Our evaluation

An honest, data-grounded look at this community — every claim is drawn from public inspection data.

A solid, federally rated skilled nursing option in Watsonville

Watsonville Nursing Center is a for-profit skilled nursing facility in Watsonville, CA, with 87 certified beds and an average of about 73 residents per day. It operates as part of the Cambridge Healthcare Services network.

Medicare rates it 3 out of 5 stars overall — right around the national average. Component ratings: 3/5 on health inspections, 4/5 on staffing, 4/5 on quality measures.

Staff provide about 4.05 total nurse hours per resident each day (0.47 of them from registered nurses), above the national benchmark of roughly 3.9 hours. Annual nursing-staff turnover is about 26.8%, better than the ~52% national average — a sign of staffing stability. On the safety record, CMS notes 10 health deficiencies at its most recent standard survey, and 1 federal fine totaling $44,488 in the recent record.

Strengths

✓Above-average nurse staffing (4.05 hrs/resident/day)
✓Low staff turnover (continuity of care)
✓Full sprinkler system
✓Active resident & family council

Things to ask about

•$44,488 in federal fines

Best for: Families weighing a dependable, mid-rated skilled nursing option in Watsonville, especially when location or Medicaid acceptance matters.

At a glance

Certified beds: 87
Avg. residents/day: 73
Ownership: For profit - Limited Liability company
Part of a chain: Cambridge Healthcare Services
Continuing care: No
CMS provider #: 055240

Federal quality ratings

From the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), on a 1–5 star scale.

Overall rating

Health inspections

Staffing

Quality measures

Pricing & cost

We publish transparent estimates and verify exact pricing on request. No surprises.

Level of care	Monthly cost	Source
Skilled Nursing	$11,030–$16,580/mo (median $13,340)	Local market estimate

2024–2026 published survey medians, state median adjusted to local Santa Cruz prices (BEA regional price parities). Request a quote for exact pricing. Range spans semi-private to private rooms. How we estimate costs

Request exact pricing for Watsonville Nursing Center →

Staffing & care

More nursing time per resident — and lower turnover — generally means more attentive care.

Total nurse hrs / resident / day: 4.05; National avg ≈ 3.9
RN hrs / resident / day: 0.47; National avg ≈ 0.75
Nursing staff turnover: 26.8%; National avg ≈ 52%

Safety & inspection record

Federal inspectors survey nursing homes roughly once a year. Here's the latest on file.

Health deficiencies (last survey): 10
Federal fines: 1 ($44,488)
Total penalties: 1
Last standard survey: 2026-01-09
Sprinkler system: Yes
Resident & family council: Resident

What inspectors found

The most recent findings from federal health inspections (42 citations on record — showing the latest 8). Every nursing home is inspected roughly once a year; most receive some citations.

2026-01-09Severity E — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

2026-01-09Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

2026-01-09Severity E — potential for harmNutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

2026-01-09Severity E — potential for harmInfection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

2026-01-09Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities

2026-01-09Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

2026-01-09Severity D — potential for harmResident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

2026-01-09Severity D — potential for harmQuality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

Severity uses the CMS scope/severity scale: D–F = potential for harm, G–I = actual harm, J–L = immediate jeopardy. Source: CMS Care Compare health citations; data as of the latest federal release. Discuss any finding directly with the community on a tour.

Penalty history

Federal fines and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials on record.

Date	Type	Amount
2023-08-22	Fine	$44,488

Services & amenities

✓ Full automatic sprinkler system
✓ Medicare & Medicaid certified
✓ 24-hour licensed nursing
✓ On-site rehabilitation therapy
✓ Rehabilitation services
✓ Wellness programs
✓ Studio apartments
✓ 24-hour staff

Location

535 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, CA

Reviews & reputation

We aggregate ratings across Google, Yelp, and verified families — and link back to every source so you can read more.

Google

2.9

15 reviews →

Verified family reviews

No verified family reviews yet for Watsonville Nursing Center.

Have a loved one here, or recently toured? Help other families by sharing your experience — we verify every review before it's published.

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Common questions about Watsonville Nursing Center

How much does Watsonville Nursing Center cost?

Watsonville Nursing Center does not publish exact rates. Comparable skilled nursing in the Watsonville, CA area typically runs $11,030–$16,580 per month (median $13,340, based on published survey medians adjusted for local prices). A Haven advisor can confirm current pricing for free.

What is Watsonville Nursing Center's Medicare rating?

Medicare (CMS) rates Watsonville Nursing Center 3 out of 5 stars overall, including 3/5 for health inspections, 4/5 for staffing, 4/5 for quality measures. The national average is about 3 stars.

How is the staffing at Watsonville Nursing Center?

Staff provide about 4.05 total nurse hours per resident per day (national benchmark ≈ 3.9), and annual nursing-staff turnover is about 26.8% (national average ≈ 52%). These figures are reported to the federal government and updated regularly.

What did inspectors find at Watsonville Nursing Center?

Watsonville Nursing Center has 42 health citations on its recent federal inspection record (last standard survey: 2026-01-09). The full citation-by-citation detail, with severity levels, is published on this page.

Does Watsonville Nursing Center have availability?

Typically 84% full — openings are usually available. Availability changes weekly — a Haven advisor can confirm current openings at no cost.

What types of care does Watsonville Nursing Center offer?

Watsonville Nursing Center in Watsonville, CA offers skilled nursing and is licensed for 87 beds.

The best time to decide is before a crisis decides for you

Most families start this search after a fall, a hospital stay, or a caregiver reaching a breaking point — and end up choosing from whatever has a bed open that week. Families who plan even a few weeks ahead get to choose on quality, fit, and price instead of availability alone.

Move-ins take time: assessments, paperwork, and preparation typically run 2–6 weeks in Santa Cruz.
The best communities fill first: top-rated communities often run a waitlist — touring early holds your place in line.
Touring costs nothing and commits you to nothing — but it turns a future emergency into a calm, informed choice.

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Your next steps — this week

1
Confirm the fit
Check the inspection record and staffing data on this page against your loved one's needs.
2
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Request current rates for Watsonville Nursing Center — takes one minute, answered same day.
3
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4
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