Home - Hillside House Santa Barbara

Celebrating 80 Years of Fostering Abilities and Creating Community.

2025 Shining Lights on Abilities!

Each year, the grounds of Hillside transform into a magical winter wonderland. Voted as the top stop on the Santa Barbara Trolley of Lights Tour, you don’t want to miss this spectacular display of holiday lights, props, and even a sleigh for photo-ops!

From December 1st through 31st our lights shine not only on the property, but on the residents who call Hillside home. While you’re here, take a peek at the slideshow playing, which features some of the talented, hilarious, and full-of-life residents and their many accomplishments and abilities.

Thank you to this year's sponsors!

FOSTERING ABILILITIES
CREATING COMMUNITY

A residential home for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

People with disabilities and their families count on Hillside to provide quality care, independence and integration within our community. Hillside strives to advance the potential of each resident by fostering abilities and creating community.

The individuals who call Hillside their home need a caring community to survive. Hillside provides them what they need to follow their passions and discover their abilities.

For our 59 residents, Hillside is home.

“People who have intellectual and developmental disabilities are able to touch hearts and to call others to unity through their simplicity and vulnerability.”

Jean Vanier

“Hillside is a critically important part of a healthy community because we do need to care for those who are least able to care for themselves.”
— Norris Goss, Vice-Chair, Hillside Board of Directors

Learn more about our services.

Hillside offers many activities on our property and in the community. We provide 24-hour nursing care and a range of therapeutic programs in a caring environment.

City of Santa Barbara TRAP Program

Hillside is pleased to have the opportunity to offer our residents access to the TRAP program thanks to funding we received from the City of Santa Barbara Community Arts Grant. The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP) is a drumming program designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be able to make music. Not only is this a fun and engaging activity for them, it also uses multi-sensory stimulation which is critical to their development. We are so thankful to the City of Santa Barbara for making this possible!

Hillside Looks to the Future…

There are nationwide efforts to remove barriers to community living for people of all ages with disabilities, and Hillside is part of this movement. The Hillside Community Project will transform our model of care by creating a new mixed- abilities neighborhood on our property – the first of its kind in the Santa Barbara area.

“To provide a home that supports the residents’ efforts to maximize their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities, so that they can attain their highest level of independence in an environment where people are treated with dignity and respect.”

Stay informed

Register for our email list to find out about upcoming events, resident stories, newsletters, and more. Hillside is a happening place, so be a part of the fun!

HILLSIDE TRIBUTE GIFTS

Hillside is grateful for these gifts made
in honor,
in celebration,
in appreciation and
in memory of
a family member, friend or loved one.

We appreciate your generosity to Hillside.
If you would like to make a tribute gift, please click on the Donate button below.

Thank you for your support. It means everything.

In honor of
Kenneth Bilow
by Robert & Caroline Timlin

In honor of
Jim & Marcia Wolfe
by Carol Stewart

In memory of
Christine Carr
by Mary Siegel

In honor of
Lynne Cameron
by Faye Eggerding

In memory of
Frank & Ruth Spevak
by Georgiana Kasper

In memory of
Moselle Brand
by James Koscielniak

In honor of
Norris Goss
by Barbara Hauter

In memory of
Stan Rassler
by Michael & Ruth Rassler

In memory of
Ruth Spevak
by Robert Ross

In honor of
Mark Tryon
by Sue Butler

In honor of
Mark Tryon
by Eleezah Safarians

In honor of
J.P. Wilcox
by Don & Alita Rhodes

In memory of
Christine Carr
by Mary Siegel

In honor of
M. Brand
by John & Mary Sramek

In honor of
Larry Billow
by Caroline Timlin

In memory of
Mark Crosby - Tyler Family Trust
by Arthur & Glorya Tyler

In memory of
Gary and Jean Porter
by John & Sally Glancey

In honor of
J.P. Wilcox
by Leslie Wells

In memory of
Sally Simms
by Lynn Anderson

In honor of
Morgan Newfield
by Marilyn Morgan

In memory of
Mary MacPherson
by Linda Bradley

In memory of
Patricia Noble Dickson
by Bruce & Judi Conroy

On behalf of
Katie Troesch
by Bunny Markowitz

On behalf of
Katie Troesch
by Duree Dunn

In memory of
Pat Dickson
by William & Joan Wren