Author: Erik Torkells

March 4, 2020

Midcentury Modern Conundrum Remains Unsolved

Highlights of this weekend's open-house lineup: Cute 1930s Spanish Colonial just off State Street; surreal decorative remnants on the Mesa; 1910 Lower Riviera house in need of updating; sprawler on three acres on Hidden Valley Lane.

Historic Montecito Mansion Is Renting Rooms by the Night

Plus: Two George Washington Smith houses are available for rent; the Riviera Theatre is screening Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" to honor Kirk Douglas; expanded hours at the Cuyama Buckhorn motel and restaurant; superb private art collection on view in L.A.

March 3, 2020

California Realtors Association Tries to Sway Local Assembly Race

Other recent news: Elings Park is bringing in sheep for landscaping maintenance; successful pilot program to reduce homelessness downtown; one of the state labs for coronavirus testing is in Ventura County; city attorney attempts to thwart vacation-rental lawsuits; visitors to Cottage Health hospitals must now have their photo taken.

La Cocina Has Closed

It was Steve Hermann's third stab at the space—which has the prettiest courtyard in town—after Somerset and The Smithy.

March 2, 2020

A Place in the Country Fit for Peter Pan

This 10-acre ranch northeast of Santa Barbara has a barn for ATVs, go-karts, and dirt bikes; open fields for skeet shooting; and a "magical" orchard.

Sides Hardware & Shoes in Los Olivos Has Closed

More food news: The new restaurant in the former Little Door space appears off; Bell's celebrates its second anniversary with a big BBQ party (and denies a rumor about a Los Olivos restaurant); cannabis supper club; ranch dressing.

Newsletter: March 2

The twice-weekly Siteline newsletter is the best way to follow the website. To subscribe, click the link at the bottom of this post. And you can unsubscribe at any time.

February 29, 2020

The Apple Store Is Now Collecting Visitors’ Images

Plus: New Lotusland exhibit about founder Ganna Walska; oceanfront property sells for well under the initial ask; Amazon's State Street building is on the market for $38 million; you know you're in California when....

February 28, 2020

Universities Expanding Into Downtown Santa Barbara

Other local news: Santa Barbara Airport noise complaints are up; notable shipwrecks around the Channel Islands; a maddening Montecito intersection; Carp residents file class-action lawsuit against cannabis farms; Republican Assembly candidate Charles Cole.

“Country Mediterranean” Estate Slashes $1 Million Off Price

The week's top price reductions also include: Newly staged Neoclassical in the Hedgerow (↓$255K), clean 70s interiors on the Riviera (↓$200K), an ambitious spec renovation on Picacho Lane (↓$1.3M), and a pink palace atop Hidden Valley Lane (↓$955K).