Author: Erik Torkells

March 21, 2020

1895 Upper East Gem That Only Needs a Little Work

The week's other top price reductions: Seven-bedroom mansion on Santa Barbara Street; adorable California cottage on Eucalyptus Hill; matchy-matchy in Montecito's Hedgerow; 56 acres in Toro Canyon.

Merci Montecito’s Last Day Is Today

More food news: Blackbird and Onus Donuts have closed; Satellite delivering dinners; Hook and Press is still open; discount for using Restaurant Connection for delivery; California temporarily allows to-go-cocktails.

“Widespread Community Infection” in Santa Barbara, Says Public Health Officer

Other local news: Santa Barbara has just 907 hospital beds; Cottage Health curtailed almost all visits to the hospital; the Four Seasons Biltmore and Ojai Valley Inn have closed; Santa Barbara Airbus suspended service.

March 20, 2020

The Hiking Trail to Inspiration Point Is Closed Indefinitely

Plus: Montecito lingerie boutique for sale; Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has closed; 15-acre rose farm for rent; the Riviera Theatre is offering online rentals of a film set in Wuhan; snuggle with an owl.

Real Estate Agents Are Now Discouraged From Showing Houses

Plus: Checking in on the underground lair being built in Pepper Hill; Santa Ynez farm marketed as Covid-19 hideout; UCSB Arts & Lectures canceled its season; cops expect more domestic disturbance calls due to cabin fever; a chillier welcome on Riven Rock Road.

Handlebar’s Last Day Is Saturday

More food news: Café Ana has closed, but it's hoping to reopen next week; Santo Mezcal has closed, but Los Agaves is still doing takeout and delivery; new hours and bean discounts at Low Pigeon; a day with sea urchin diver Stephanie Mutz; petition to aid the restaurant industry.

What the Statewide Stay-at-Home Order Means for You

Other local news: Santa Barbara County bans gatherings larger than 10 people and insists anyone over 75 stay at home; there are now eight positive cases here; city playgrounds closed; Canadians bought three local newspapers; Cachuma Lake and Jalama Beach closed; Foodbank needs donations and volunteers.

March 19, 2020

Mesa Verde, The Daisy, and The Project Have All Closed

More food news: Restaurants are getting creative in order to survive; why it's important to order takeout directly through the restaurant; pickup and delivery now available from the Public Market; Whole Foods is giving seniors exclusive access to its opening hour; curbside pickup and soon delivery at C'est Cheese; a message from Bell's.

Three Positive Cases in Santa Barbara County, With 145 Tests Pending

Other local news: Rent relief for residents and businesses; five UCSB students under quarantine tested negative; cannabis industry doing well during the pandemic; limited police and bus service; Contour Airlines suspending operations at month's end.

Up, Down, and All Around Montecito’s Pepper Hill

Once the site of a Midwestern zinc magnate's winter retreat, the community on the Montecito side of Eucalyptus Hill makes for a pleasantly varied stroll, with dazzling ocean and mountain views. Plus, you can check in on the fabulous lair currently under construction there. 2