Blog

Mission-Inspired Home on Mount Calvary Road

Noteworthy new listings also include big and turnkey way above E. Mountain Drive; another one in Summerland’s Montecito Ranch community; renovated French Regency in Birnam Wood; spec renos near the Upper Village, in Alta Mesa, and in Mission Canyon; Lower Riviera mystery; and more.

Music Academy of the West Has Plans for a Downtown Hub

Other recent news: Traffic collisions were up in 2024; remembering journalist Barney Brantingham; rival rodeos this summer; the Carpinteria Community Pool is headed for a big renovation; UCSB’s pokey search for a new chancellor; the tree of the month.

Korean-Inspired Food Coming to the Santa Barbara Public Market

More food news: Carpinteria’s IHOP is closing; two scrumptious new sandwiches at Tina’s Pizza; clarification on Ospi parking; weekend brunch at Validation Ale in the Funk Zone; eco-promotion at Dune Coffee Roasters; Pascucci has moved further up State Street; Drover’s Doughnuts has a new shop in Solvang and a Goleta one in the oven; Ventura’s Pinyon outpost is on the verge of opening; Vices & Spices profile; cool kids’ party with Silvers Omakase, Bibi Ji, Creaminal, and Randy’s Spammy’s.

Vanity, Thy Name Is… (Part 3)

No disrespect to SB DREMN or GR8TDAD, but the best vanity license plates are the ones that are a little surprising….

Former Clubhouse in Hope Ranch Sells for $7.8 Million

Last week’s sales also include Montecito Oaks for $1.2 million over ask; Birnam Wood turnkey; 1950 hacienda above San Roque; Hedgerow-ish project; Montecito Shores for a loss; West Beach hot potato; Mission Canyon stunner; and more.

The Biltmore’s Reopening Has Been Pushed Back

Plus: ChatGPT’s roast of Santa Barbara County; new effort to change the way Santa Barbara is run; update on the Electrify America charging station; Kaarem’s Victoria Court boutique has closed; Dawes to play the Lobero Theatre; downtown building to be clad in artificial turf; note from a descendant of the proprietor of the Weeping Willow Inn.

Where in Santa Barbara…?

Know where this was shot? Prove it in the comments. (Update: We have a winner!)

Can Anything Be Done About the Monstrosity Behind the Mission?

Other recent news: A second launch facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base; research into the noise caused by rocket launches; electric shuttle to run along lower State Street.