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November 16, 2025

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Newsletter: November 16

November 16, 2025|by Erik Torkells

BURNING QUESTIONS
“There are some historic buildings adjacent to the liquor store at Castillo Street and Montecito Street. The one on Castillo is an enormous mansion painted a dull mustard color. If my attempt at research is in any way accurate, it was moved to that location to avoid demolition. There it stands, seemingly vacant. Maybe you can get the lowdown.” The answer.

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JUST LISTED
Noteworthy new listings: A heck of a swimming pool on Ortega Ridge; Toro Canyon compound once home to Jane Russell; appealing single-level sprawl near Romero Canyon; East Mesa with a suite over the garage; 1904 cottage downtown; and the 59-house development in Los Alamos.

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NEWS ROUNDUP
••• The Trump administration plans to reopen the Santa Barbara County coast to drilling.
••• The contentious proposal to redevelop Paseo Nuevo.
••• 18-story Builder’s Remedy project submitted to Carpinteria.
••• Objections to the design of Sears lot at La Cumbre Plaza.
••• Gold’s Gym locations bought by Eos Fitness.
••• The renovation of Dwight Murphy Field (above).
→ Read the post.

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WHERE IN SANTA BARBARA…?
Know where this was shot? Prove it in the comments.

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Just Listed

  • Megaterranean on 10 Acres in Carpinteria’s Rancho Monte Alegre
  • A Stunner on a Montecito Cul-de-Sac
  • Jeff Shelton’s Pistachio House in Downtown Santa Barbara
  • Chic New Construction Off Picacho Lane
  • Contemporary Drop-Down in Toro Canyon

Recent Comments

They can't even get the metro link linked! — Christine!A

Exactly this. I haven't heard any realistic alternatives yet. — BrR

The land is privately owned and zoned for development. What operates on it today exists at the discretion of the owners, and that can change… — BrR

Those tract homes are tacky and not good enough for precious Carpinteria. Carp deserves much better than those eye sores. — KK

It’s not vacant parcel: it’s a beautiful co-op organic farm, Farm Cart Organics, that feeds our community, and a farm school, Carpinteria Children’s Farm, and… — Sarah

Respectfully, there was never a version of development on this site that Carpinteria was going to welcome with open arms. That's the problem. Even if… — EM

My comment on your post here last June: https://www.sitelinesb.com/nearly-200-housing-units-proposed-for-the-carpinteria-bluffs/ “the developer is saying it’ll use the density bonus to accommodate the housing instead—and retain the… — SkyG

I’d definitely prefer a hotel with restaurant, farm, grounds, etc. than Orange County tract homes. — BW

For anyone curious, the "farm resort" initially proposed—and intensely resisted by Carpinteria residents—is described in this post: https://www.sitelinesb.com/99-room-farm-resort-proposed-for-the-carpinteria-bluffs/ — Erik Torkells

The state is going to force housing on communities that don't plan for it. Carpinteria can either shape what gets built here or wait for… — BrR

Restaurant News

  • A New Restaurant Space in Carpinteria
  • Rincon Brewery’s Funk Zone Outpost Is Closing
  • Yetz’s Bagels Opens in Goleta Tomorrow
  • Carpinteria’s Food Liaison Is Closing Its Cafe
  • Bluewater Grill Is Said to Be Closing Next Month

Popular Posts

  • ICE Agents Caught Lying to Oxnard Police 8k views

  • A New Restaurant Space in Carpinteria 7.7k views

  • Rincon Brewery’s Funk Zone Outpost Is Closing 6.8k views

  • Carpinteria’s Food Liaison Is Closing Its Cafe 6.8k views

  • La Ligne Is Opening at the Montecito Country Mart 6.4k views

  • Yetz’s Bagels Opens in Goleta Tomorrow 6.1k views

  • Jeff Shelton’s Pistachio House in Downtown Santa Barbara 5.6k views

Walk With Me

  • The Manifold Splendors of Mid-State
  • The Westmontish Region of Montecito
  • The Arty Heart of Downtown Santa Barbara
  • A Five-Block Adventure in Downtown Ventura
  • East Meets West on Mountain Drive
  • On Summerland’s Western Fringe
  • Higher Education on the Mesa

Burning Questions

  • How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
  • Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
  • Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
  • What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
  • When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
  • What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
  • Why Does Street Striping Take So Long to Happen?

Get Out of Town

  • The City That Never Spits
  • The Original Sim City
  • That’s Life in Death Valley
  • An Old West Town in Wine Country
  • The Glorious Isolation of Santa Barbara Island
  • Hiking From Hotel to Hotel in the Dolomites
  • A Ramble Through the English Countryside
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