March 19, 2026
News Roundup
March 12, 2026
First Look at the Development Proposed for the Carpinteria Bluffs
Other recent news: No deadline extensions for cannabis odor scrubbers; what's next for the armory building on Canon Perdido Street; Santa Barbara might raise the property transfer tax; just one monarch butterfly spotted at Ellwood Mesa; short-term vacation rental ordinance moves forward; federal government continues to push for Sable Offshore; One805Live! performers announced. 13
February 26, 2026
The Threat of New Offshore Drilling
Other recent news: Unedited video of last week's ICE altercation; more on Santa Barbara Airport's flooding problems; insinuations about a former Montecito resident who knew Jeffrey Epstein; portion of Maria Ygnacio Bike Path closed for repairs; the tree of the month. 1
February 19, 2026
ICE Agents Caught Lying to Oxnard Police
Other recent news: 72-room hotel approved in Carpinteria; Open Air Bicycles update; half of Carpinteria cannabis farms miss the scrubber deadline; the widening of Mission Creek; Cottage Health's partnership with a local high school; downtown building nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. 4
February 12, 2026
Santa Barbara Bans Single-Use Plastic Foodware at Restaurants
Other recent news: The accidental deaths of a noteworthy couple; Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum will close; residents to vote on making a Paseo Nuevo deal more palatable to the developer; action on overtime abuse at the county sheriff's office; the Frog Wall's owner on the recent changes there; Carpinteria is shutting down an elementary school; public input on Gaviota state parks. 3
February 5, 2026
The Draft Plan for State Street Is Complicated
Other recent news: Could Anacapa and Chapala be made two-way?; county sales tax increase tabled; a step forward for Sandpiper Golf Club; Rincon Designs will return to Carpinteria; Naples compound approved; Austrian soccer team to train here; 6,500-acre ranch between Ventura and Ojai preserved from development; the tree of the month. 18
January 28, 2026
ICE Agents Pepper-Spray Citizens in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria
Other recent news: Rivian to open a dealership near the airport; California sues over oil pipeline jurisdiction; East Beach has reopened; Carpinteria looks to tighten e-bike regulations; Arroyo Quemado Trail closed for storm repairs; update on cannabis shops in Los Alamos and Noleta; La Conchita remains under year-round evacuation warning. 7
January 22, 2026
Downtown Film Center on Track to Open in Two Weeks
Other recent news: Final approval for five-story apartment building on W. De La Guerra; Santa Barbara County executive officer to retire; more on the overtime shenanigans at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office; step forward for the Goleta Valley Library; new theater company in town; Goleta to host a World Cup contender. 4
January 15, 2026
Santa Barbara Passed a Temporary Rent Freeze
Other recent news: A local man's tale of being deported by ICE; 72-hour "festival ban" for Deltopia weekend; Santa Barbara Airport's efforts to cope with flooding; another attempt to allow drilling on public land; Santa Barbara Dojo opened in Goleta; the Montecito Inn is redecorating again; changes to commuter train service; Highway 1 fully reopen in Big Sur; tours of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing; a fascinating ad. 7
January 8, 2026
Who’s Running for Mayor of Santa Barbara
Other recent news: Super-heavy rocket launches in consideration at Vandenberg; the craziest real estate video ever; emergency rent freeze in the works; Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi bought an estate in Montecito; more flights from Santa Barbara Airport to four cities; new-ish architectural guidebook; no construction yet at the Goleta Valley Library. 17
Burning Questions
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
- Why Does Street Striping Take So Long to Happen?
Recent Comments
Agreed, this building does not cohesively fit on the street. It may be bold and striking, but also completely out of place for Coast Village… — Marc
I like the addition. I believe when it's built, he should invite The Bottle Shop to open a space below. That would be the only… — Taylor Hunt
Agree 100%. Attractive in itself but not plonked down on CVR. Does not fit in at all with the local-and-cozy-but-sophisticated look of the other retail… — Dana
Where's the "it's not in Montecito" comments? For looks really good in these photos! — Don
Loving this for Montecito! Net Zero and LEED Gold (plus-plus) aside, the design is striking, well-thought-out, and a nice departure from the same-same outdated architecture… — Vince
I've provided input to the CV Road for nearly 50 years working with developers as a Designer/Broker. We do have an assortment of styles and… — Maryanne Brillhart
I am appalled to see this abomination land in our sweet little Spanish style town. Can anyone point me in the direction on how to… — Barrie Glabman
Personally I wish he would have used that money to pay the 425 workers he stiffed. I don't think he deserves to have his name… — Tracy M
Agreed - I miss the margaritas and the great chips and salsa at cava! — chelsea
Love the look. As Erik pointed out, there is a range of design along CVR so this won't "stick out" but rather add another interesting… — Curtis