Blog

A Welcome Jolt of Pizzazz in Summerland

Found by Maja has blown into Summerland like a rich, fabulous aunt: Maja Lithander Smith, who has a shop in San Francisco, mixes colors and patterns and textures to exciting effect.

Contemporary Swagger in Noleta

Noteworthy new listings also include a big 1940 house on the Riviera; Montecito winsomeness; midcentury bones in Hope Ranch; Biltmore-inspired cottage; West Mesa fixer; and more.

Discover a New Side of Ojai on the Ojai Studio Artists Tour

A highlight of the Southern California arts calendar, the Ojai Studio Artists tour is back October 12-14 with a three-day “choose-your-own adventure” extravaganza sure to delight collectors, decorators, and the merely curious.

Debate Rages Over the 250-Room Garden Street Hotel

Other recent news: Debunked rumor that the Bidens bought in the Santa Ynez Valley; District 1 candidate forum recap; Funk Zone art gallery closed; city councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez’s poor attendance; criticism for cannabis stink abatement plan; Goleta library to close for up to two years; Mission Creek restoration; Cottage Health to create employee housing; what’s next for Andersen’s Pea Soup in Buellton.

A Relatively Modest Montecito Enclave

With a proximity to several elementary schools that makes it appealing for parents of young children, Montecito Oaks has long felt like an entry-level neighborhood for Montecito. That’s surely changing as the barrier to entry gets higher.

An Update on the Trees of Milpas Street

Plus: Hotel deal for locals and the people visiting them; Santa Barbara is considering banning “open house” signs; the Avett Brothers in concert; free screening of “Return of the Jedi”; Lotusland is looking to add a new visitors’ restroom; the NatureTrack Film Festival; Channel Islands photography book.

Midcentury-Style Riviera House Sells for $4.6 Million

Last week’s sales also include a Padaro Lane beachfront compound; Coast Village Road penthouse for $7 million; contemporary Don Nulty on Mission Ridge; Riviera house with Franceschi Park easement; Summerland modern for $4.05 million; Upper East cutie; one for baseball fans; and more.

The Mesa Is Getting an Indian Restaurant

More food news: Happy Cat Eats opens this week; another new vendor is coming to the Santa Barbara Public Market; expanded food service at Aperitivo; what’s next for the Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s Grill; Bell’s chef to cook a lunch at Tyler x Lieu Dit; Petrini’s Italian Restaurant profile; the location of Pinyon’s Ventura outpost; the menu at La Cantina, now open in Noleta; any thoughts on the new Saturday farmers’ market?