Hillside House is licensed by the state of California as an intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled. The original Hillside House was founded in 1939 as a cerebral palsy care center in Ojai. In the 1940s the center was moved to Santa Barbara. It is located on Veronica Springs Road. Younger residents attend local public schools or transition programs.
Adults attend a variety of day activities, including work.
There is year-round swimming in the indoor hydrotherapy pool, cooking, art classes and gardening. Each spring, the center participates in the Special Olympics and the Victory Dance that follows. A variety of transportation options are available to all residents, who are able to take advantage of the many cultural, educational and recreational offerings in the community. The Assistance League of Santa Barbara, which has been affiliated with Hillside House for more than 50 years, operates a thrift store adjacent to the center. Funds from the thrift shop support the center.