First Look

March 3, 2021

A New Place to See and Be Seen in Santa Barbara

The Palihouse Santa Barbara hotel has opened, and it looks great. The bar and an all-day courtyard café are sure to be a hit with the stylish set. 2

February 22, 2021

New Housing Community Proposed Next to the Polo Fields

The Santa Barbara Polo Villas would comprise 25 single-family dwellings and 15 condominiums on an 11.48-acre lot. 8

February 15, 2021

Sophisticated Makeover Proposed for Downtown Plaza

The plan for De La Guerra Plaza has much to like—the removal of car traffic and parking, the airiness, the dining area—but there are also some reasons for concern. 6

February 11, 2021

The Revised Design for the New Police Headquarters

Architect Cearnal Collective's second try is more Spanish Colonial than the initial foray, which was a bit severe. Check out the renderings....

September 15, 2020

New Harborside Restaurant Salty at the Beach Opens This Week

Check out the interior and the menu for Salty at the Beach, which is serving lunch, dinner, and drinks. Its sister establishment, a burger joint called Chomp on the Rocks, will follow soon.

September 2, 2020

Inside Santa Barbara’s New Sprouts Supermarket

It feels like a cross between Trader Joe's and Lazy Acres, with the folksiness of the former and the healthfulness of the latter. 1

August 22, 2020

How Bike-Sharing Will Impact Santa Barbara’s Streetscape

The first phase of bike sharing in Santa Barbara calls for 500 docks to be installed along the downtown State Street corridor and on the waterfront. Here's what they'll look like and where they'll likely be.

August 20, 2020

Inside the Impressive New Bristol Farms Supermarket

The Bristol Farms store at La Cumbre is a winner—bigger and less cramped than Whole Foods and Lazy Acres, and way nicer than Gelson's. Would that it could take the place of the Vons in Montecito.... 1

June 22, 2020

Poking Around the Newly Renovated Cabrillo Pavilion

The fencing has been removed from around East Beach's Cabrillo Pavilion: not only does that allow for a closer look at the building, you can also peek inside some of the windows.