FIRST LOOK
The plans have dropped for a big, interesting project in the Funk Zone: it contains a hotel (possibly two), several restaurants, a coffee shop, a tasting room, a corner market, an art gallery, and more. Plus: a popular brewery could be one of the tenants. Take a look at the renderings, floor plans, and more.
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FOOD STUFF
••• Little Alex’s is closing next month (and an established chef is rumored to be taking the space).
••• Updates on a slew of new restaurants, including Reunion Kitchen + Drink at Cabrillo Pavilion, Low Pigeon’s second outpost, Old Town Coffee’s foray into downtown, and the Peasants Feast spinoff in Solvang.
••• Mony’s has a new food truck.
••• Has anyone tried Costa at the Mar Monte Hotel?
→ Read the post.
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JUST LISTED
Noteworthy new listings: private beach access for $100 million; the lovable and the livable in Hope Ranch; a Coyote Road contemporary; a pair of 1970s houses with potential on Eucalyptus Hill; a $2.25 million house walkable to Montecito Union School; and more.
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NEWS ROUNDUP
••• Indoor mask mandate extended to November 5.
••• A second Santa Barbara cannabis shop is being sold to a national company.
••• Winners and losers of a mayoral debate.
••• Homeowner manages to stall the Randall Road Debris Basin.
••• Two Bennett’s wallabies arrive at the zoo for its forthcoming Australian Walkabout exhibit.
••• Santa Barbara to join regional fire communications facility.
→ Read the post.
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ODDS & ENDS
••• The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County bought a $12.7 million building.
••• Spooky coloring-book event at the Museum of Contemporary Art.
••• Reopening dates approach for a few Highway 101 on- and off-ramps.
••• An interior designer’s “Montecito stash” has opened.
••• A section of Loma Alta Drive will be closed for many months.
••• The Museum of Natural History shares what’s in its drawers (above).
••• Paseo Nuevo Cinemas reopens today.
→ Read the post.
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WHERE IN SANTA BARBARA…?
Congratulations to Toby Trauntvein for correctly identifying where this was shot. We’ll play again Saturday morning.
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Recent Comments
Erik- if one of the SOUTH AMERICAN GANG MEMBERS is arrested, the first call is to ICE- as they have the data base of criminal… — Christine!
Erik for the win! Thank you!!!! — Dave
Thanks, Erik! 🫶🏼 — Pat
you are clearly the one that is misinformed. Tell me where they refrigerate their meat to meet code? Tell me where their hot water stations… — jimbo
Stica’s lasagna looks delicious! Always helpful to know about high quality To-Go catering options. Time, energy and cost of shopping, cooking, and managing dinners are… — Nina M.
Based on your repeated comments here, it seems you are confused on the subject matter- perhaps figure out what the subject at hand is....Permitted food… — christine!
Did the Saladino house sell furnished? I presume many of the pieces in the house are original to the property - or are these old… — Paul
City staff has said otherwise if you've ever attended any meetings on the subject. Grand Jury agreed https://www.independent.com/2025/07/01/santa-barbara-grand-jury-calls-for-stronger-enforcement-of-street-vendors/ Members of the jury visited food trucks… — Jefferson A.
👏👏👏👏 — NJH
The street kitchen on Upper State is delicious — the line to get food says it all. Also pretty sure they have a permit. — Ederson