Quick answers
- Where is Watsonville Post Acute Center?
- 525 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, in Santa Cruz County, California.
- What is the phone number of Watsonville Post Acute Center?
- (831) 724-7505, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Watsonville Post Acute Center?
- Medicare overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Watsonville Post Acute Center been fined?
- Medicare lists 1 fine totaling $8,018.
- What did inspectors find at Watsonville Post Acute Center?
- In its last three inspection cycles (December 13, 2021 to August 29, 2025), Medicare lists 35 health citations; the most serious was level G. 1 was level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). See the list below (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
Medicare ratings, explained
Star ratings are one piece of information. Visit, ask questions and talk with your doctor about what matters for your care.
Inspections, fines and staffing
In its last three inspection cycles (December 13, 2021 to August 29, 2025), Watsonville Post Acute Center had 35 health citations; the most serious was level G (actual harm to residents). 1 of them was level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). It was fined $8,018 in total (1 fine, the latest on March 8, 2024). Nurse staffing is 4.02 hours per resident per day; the California average is 4.54 and the national average is 3.90.
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, data updated October 1, 2026, retrieved November 13, 2026.
Inspection history: last three cycles
State inspectors visit about once a year and also investigate complaints. Each citation (deficiency) has a tag number and a letter, A to L. The letter shows how serious the problem was and how many residents it affected.
What the letters A to L mean
| Seriousness | Isolated (a few residents) | Pattern (some) | Widespread (many) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A | B | C |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | D | E | F |
| Actual harm to residents | G | H | I |
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J | K | L |
Source: the scope and severity grid Medicare (CMS) uses for nursing home citations.
Most recent cycle: August 29, 2025 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: August 29, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 6 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0880 Level F
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0658 Level E
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0759 Level E
“Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.”
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0698 Level D
“Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.”
F0761 Level D
“Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.”
Previous cycle: March 8, 2024 — 8 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: March 8, 2024 (standard health inspection).
F0689 Level G
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Show 7 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0656 Level E
“Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.”
F0684 Level E
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0761 Level E
“Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.”
F0677 Level D
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
F0757 Level D
“Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.”
F0812 Level D
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Earlier cycle: December 13, 2021 — 21 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: December 13, 2021 (standard health inspection).
Show 21 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0801 Level F
“Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.”
F0804 Level F
“Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.”
F0812 Level F
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0908 Level F
“Keep all essential equipment working safely.”
F0925 Level F
“Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.”
F0578 Level E
“Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.”
F0623 Level E
“Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.”
F0684 Level E
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0689 Level E
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0755 Level E
“Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.”
F0805 Level E
“Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.”
F0880 Level E
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0640 Level D
“Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.”
F0641 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
F0645 Level D
“PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities”
F0732 Level D
“Post nurse staffing information every day.”
F0758 Level D
“Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.”
F0760 Level D
“Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.”
F0761 Level D
“Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.”
F0802 Level D
“Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.”
F0883 Level D
“Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.”
Citation descriptions are Medicare’s official wording. “From a complaint” means the citation came from a complaint investigation instead of the regular yearly inspection.
Full inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare →
Fire safety citations (12)
K0923 Level E
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
K0324 Level D
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0711 Level D
“Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.”
K0918 Level D
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0325 Level E
“Have properly installed hallway dispensers for alcohol-based hand rub.”
K0161 Level D
“Use approved construction type or materials.”
K0353 Level D
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0741 Level D
“Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.”
K0346 Level C
“Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.”
K0354 Level C
“Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $8,018 (1 fine). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| March 8, 2024 | Fine | $8,018 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Penalties file, data updated October 1, 2026.
Staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from the payroll records nursing homes send to Medicare, next to the state and national averages.
| Measure | This home | California | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.70 | 0.68 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.77 | 1.20 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.55 | 2.66 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.02 | 4.54 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.69 | 4.10 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.62 | 0.52 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 39.2% | 36.6% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 40.0% | 37.8% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Part of a group of 32 nursing homes: Cambridge Healthcare Services.
Legal business name: CF Watsonville West LLC.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (12)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crescent Facilities Operations LLC | Direct owner | 100% | January 20, 2026 |
| Bering Properties LLC | Indirect owner | — | February 1, 2007 |
| Crescent Facilities Operations LLC | Indirect owner | — | December 19, 2006 |
| Jenmax Enterprises LLC | Indirect owner | — | February 1, 2007 |
| JK-CSH JV LLC | Indirect owner | — | November 1, 2006 |
| Manhattan Five Partners LLC | Indirect owner | — | November 1, 2006 |
| Win Win Enterprises, LLC | Indirect owner | — | February 1, 2007 |
| BH Alliance | Indirect owner | NOT APPLICABLE | November 1, 2006 |
| The Jacob Wintner Trust | Indirect owner | NOT APPLICABLE | November 1, 2006 |
| The Wintner Living Trust Dated 7/08/1992 | Indirect owner | NOT APPLICABLE | February 1, 2007 |
| Wintner, Jacob | Indirect owner | NOT APPLICABLE | February 1, 2007 |
| Cambridge Healthcare Services LLC | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | April 1, 2014 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Ownership file, data updated October 1, 2026. Only owners with an ownership interest and management companies are shown.
Compare with other nursing homes
Key facts
| Type | Nursing home |
|---|---|
| Certified beds | 95 |
| Average residents per day | 87.7 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | For profit – limited liability company |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | Cambridge Healthcare Services |
| Legal business name | CF Watsonville West LLC |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1968-08-09 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 525 Auto Center Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076 |
| County | Santa Cruz County |
| State | California |
| Phone | (831) 724‑7505 |
| CMS Certification Number | 055959 |
| Name in Medicare records | WATSONVILLE POST ACUTE CENTER |
| Corrections | Report an error or suggest an update → |
What to ask when you call or visit
A general checklist for any nursing home, not advice about this one. Medicare also publishes guides on medicare.gov.
- Is the home certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid, and does it have a bed for the care you need (short-term rehab or long-term care)?
- Can you see the latest state inspection report? Ask how any problems found were fixed.
- How many nurses and aides work on each shift, at night and on weekends? Is there a registered nurse on site at all times?
- Which doctors see residents, and how often? What happens in a medical emergency, and which hospital is used?
- What therapy (physical, occupational, speech) is offered, and how many days a week?
- Are residents clean, dressed and taking part in activities? Do staff speak to them kindly and answer call lights quickly?
- What do the daily rate and extra services cost, and what do Medicare, Medicaid or your insurance pay? Ask for it in writing.
- Is there a resident council and a family council? How are complaints handled? Ask for the long-term care ombudsman’s contact.
- Are meals appetizing, and can the home meet special diets, language needs and religious or cultural preferences?
- Visit more than once, including at a mealtime or in the evening, without an appointment.
Other nursing homes nearby
By straight-line distance (not driving distance).
- Watsonville Nursing Center0.0 mi · Watsonville, CA · 4 of 5 stars
- Manresa Healthcare Center0.6 mi · Watsonville, CA · 4 of 5 stars
- Pacific Coast Manor11 mi · Capitola, CA · 5 of 5 stars
- Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz12 mi · Santa Cruz, CA · 3 of 5 stars
- Redwood Grove Post Acute12 mi · Santa Cruz, CA · 2 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Watsonville Community Hospital1.5 mi · Watsonville, CA · Acute Care Hospital
- Dominican Hospital13 mi · Santa Cruz, CA · Acute Care Hospital
- Natividad Medical Center17 mi · Salinas, CA · Acute Care Hospital
Sources
- Provider Information — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Medicare Care Compare — official Medicare profile of this provider
- Health Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Fire Safety Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Penalties — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Ownership — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- State US Averages — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Survey Summary — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Citation Code Look-up — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Inspection Dates — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13