First Look

December 18, 2022

What to Expect on the Bellosguardo Tour

The mysterious estate on the bluff above East Beach is finally, slowly, opening to visitors for 90-minute tours. 57

July 17, 2022

A Stylish New Taproom in the Funk Zone

Validation Ale founders Brian and Briana Deignan have used their backgrounds in tech to create a better experience—from the menu, to ordering, to the bathrooms. "Whether you're a beer nerd like me or you've only had Coors your whole life, you're welcome either way," says Brian. "We want this to be about community." 1

May 22, 2022

The 250-Room Funk Zone Hotel Is Taking Shape

Designed by Cearnal Collective, the property will have 120 standard rooms and 130 extended-stay ones. Take a look at the floor plan and renderings. 17

April 1, 2022

99-Room Farm Resort Proposed for the Carpinteria Bluffs

The plan for the 27.53-acre site calls for "roughly 7 acres of organic farm; a hotel with a 59-room lodge, 34 bungalows and six cabins; 16 residential units located in a single building; open space and trails; and a restaurant, event space and farmstand." 6

November 14, 2021

Something Completely Different for the Funk Zone

"I wanted a creative and colab space where you can also hang out and grab a drink," says STUDIO founder Jeremy Wilson. "It's a bar, production space, and soundroom. It will offer experiments in liquid, light, and sound."

October 8, 2021

Another Huge Development Is Proposed for the Funk Zone

The plans have dropped for a big, interesting project in the Funk Zone: it contains a hotel (possibly two), several restaurants, a coffee shop, a tasting room, a corner market, an art gallery, and more. Plus: a popular brewery could be one of the tenants. 9

May 5, 2021

Back-to-Back Roundabouts Proposed for Highway 101’s Cabrillo Interchange

The preliminary design for the stretch of Highway 101 between Olive Mill and Salinas Street replaces the left exit at Cabrillo with a right one, and it adds a new roundabout—which could end up making three in a row along Cabrillo Boulevard. 2

Preliminary Designs for the Montecito Section of Highway 101

The Montecito Association got a sneak peek of the next segment of the 101 widening, which includes the Olive Mill and San Ysidro interchanges. See what you think.... 4

April 11, 2021

A 14-Room Hotel Is in the Works at Paseo Nuevo

According to the plans submitted to the Historic Landmarks Commission, the property will have a basement lounge, a ground-floor restaurant and bar, and a roof deck atop the new third floor. 1

March 15, 2021

Exciting Changes Proposed for a Santa Barbara Landmark

A big chunk of the Andalucia Building on State Street is getting turned into a food-and-beverage complex of some kind. 4