(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

Santa Monica Convalescent Center II sits next to its sister skilled nursing facility, which serves people with Alzheimer's. Residents often transfer from one facility to the other as their needs change. The building has a concrete block exterior with a decorative, cream-colored facade. While this building is older, it's slightly more eye-catching than its counterpart. Trees and plants stretch from a small patch of ground out front. The roomy patio looks inviting with its chairs and tables, paths and greenery. The rest of the block is residential, but small shops and a variety of restaurants and markets are just around the corner on Pico Boulevard. Inside, the décor is somewhat plain. Asphalt tile floors and unadorned walls result in a stark appearance. Resident rooms are small and institutional looking, although some open onto the patio and others receive natural light from windows. Overhead lights hang above every bed, each covered with a pretty floral comforter. The simple dining room doubles as an activity space and is large enough to accommodate the entire community at once. A dietician works on a consultant basis, visiting once monthly. The long-term staff knows residents well and takes good care them. The director of nursing led our tour, warmly greeting everyone we saw by name. Sometimes, we were told, residents from both buildings engage in shared activities, including religious services and trips to the beauty shop.