Brookdale Santa Monica Gardens

The Gardens of Santa Monica, a concrete U-shaped building, sits on a quiet residential street just a block away from the beach. Apartment buildings occupy the surrounding land where there were once single-family homes. The entrance looms behind a wrought-iron gate and beyond the stately fountain surrounded by tile seating. Large palm trees, flowering ferns and other lush plants lead to the front door. The garden encompasses space for barbecues. The landscaping is so well maintained that one might mistake the building for an expensive resort. In the back of the building, a patio contains umbrella-topped tables and chairs.