Burning Questions

November 26, 2023

Why Are Trees Being Cut Down Above the San Ysidro Ranch?

"If you go up the San Ysidro Trail, on the west side of the creek, the entire landscape has changed dramatically. They have taken down a ton of eucalyptus trees, and added new fencing. A sign mentions trail restoration, but this seems to be a lot more than that." 4

November 6, 2023

Why Is This Lot on Milpas Street Still Vacant?

"We'd love to find out the status of the vacant lot at Milpas and De La Guerra. It was a gas station decades ago, and I thought it was being decontaminated—but the process seems stalled. It's such a key corner for the Eastside." 2

October 12, 2023

Where Else Do the Cruise Ships That Visit Here Go?

"The cruise ships that stop in Santa Barbara—what kind of routes are they on? Are there many other ports on the West Coast?" 3

June 11, 2023

What’s Happening With the Pepper Tree Inn?

"Do you know what’s going on with the eastern half of the Pepper Tree Inn on upper State Street? I see people going into the hotel driveway, while the right side looks like they maybe started a renovation, but have since stopped." —A. 1

May 24, 2023

What Is This Large Memorial in Ennisbrook?

"Every time I walk my dogs on the trail that runs through Ennisbrook, I wonder what the story is with this 15-foot-tall memorial. Do you know?" —D. 1

December 23, 2022

What’s the Large Building Under Construction Next to Highway 101?

"I've been wondering what the story is with the metal building going up next to Highway 101 at the southbound Patterson exit. Caltrans? Union Pacific?" —J. 7

December 11, 2022

Who Bought the Former St. Mary’s Seminary—and Why?

"A couple of weeks ago, the St. Mary's seminary up on Las Canoas Road was auctioned off," wrote N. "Can you find out who bought it and what his or her plans are?" 1

October 6, 2022

What Will Happen to the SBPD Building When the New Building Is Completed?

The big decision will be whether to thoroughly renovate the existing building on E. Figueroa Street or tear it down.

August 16, 2022

How Does the City Decide to Mark Bike Lanes?

"We've traveled around California a lot over the last four decades and noticed that many cities have adopted green pavement markings for bike lanes and shared lanes. But Santa Barbara hasn't followed suit. Cabrillo Boulevard, in particular, has become very dangerous for cyclists." —N.

August 2, 2022

What’s the Story With This House on W. Cota Street?

"There's a big house with a lot of parking at the corner of W. Cota Street and Bradbury Avenue. What's it used for?" —J. 4