June 11, 2026
News Roundup
Three Longtime Incumbents Have Been Ousted
Other recent news: Santa Barbara looks to tighten up its vacation-rental policy; the ongoing overtime problem at the county sheriff's office; update on the godawful development proposed behind the Mission; Carpinteria pot growers buying cheap odor-control technology; UCSB Arts & Lectures's next season; new diaper service; more on the former church turned into “contactless” hotel. 7
June 4, 2026
Paseo Nuevo 2.0 Is Taking Shape
Other recent news: Preliminary results from this week's primary election; ICE arrests continue; some Santa Barbara neighborhoods may have to pay a "wildfire suppression assessment"; Sandpiper Golf Club takes a step forward; the Getty Center to close for a year; the tree of the month. 16
May 28, 2026
The Proposed Rules to Reduce Vegetation Near Houses
Other recent news: Goleta acts on people living in vehicles; the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is working on acquiring 6,000 acres; Anthem Chapel project moves forward; Santa Rosa Island fire nearly contained; Vina Robles Amphitheater sold; new oceanfront resort in Pismo Beach. 10
May 21, 2026
May 14, 2026
Two Former Department Stores Might Get Repurposed
Other recent news: The Biltmore appears to have been pushed back again; possible names for Calle Cesar Chavez; new housing at Santa Barbara Zoo could thwart Highway 101 pedestrian bridge; Modoc Multi-Use Path opened; county moves forward with workforce housing on Carrillo Street; speed-limit reductions on Santa Claus Lane and San Antonio Creek Road; Target launched next-day delivery in Santa Barbara; Ojai tastemaker's art and antiques recommendations. 4
April 30, 2026
The State Street Plan Is Moving Forward
Other recent news: The San Ysidro Ranch finally acknowledged that it has been working on a botanical garden; another candidate for Kristen Sneddon's seat on the city council; the race for county auditor-controller; the return of by-the-wind sailors; Chabad of Santa Barbara's new 7,400-square-foot building approved; SpaceX's lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission was settled; tree of the month. 4
April 23, 2026
April 16, 2026
April 9, 2026
Santa Barbara Is Closer to Limiting Rent Increases
Other recent news: ICE arrests at county jails; Calle Cesar Chavez headed toward renaming; the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum has closed; Montecito water and sewage districts might merge; fundraising drive for Elings Park softball complex; the Pea Soup Andersen’s building conundrum. 3
March 26, 2026
Overnight RV Camping Lot Proposed at East Beach
Other recent news: Costco is looking into the possibility of a Goleta gas station; a quartet of interesting homes; inside Montecito's Pig House; could Isla Vista become a city?; self-storage with social aspect coming downtown; the tree of the month. 14
Recent Comments
I agree. What an odd choice for the cover — J
I hope that the owner of 806 divulges all of the history on that flip house to prospective buyers as required by law. — Pythia
The master bed was positioned towards the “‘motor court” to have the best possible view of our teenage boys sneaking out in a 1992 Geo… — Bruce Giffin
While the picture is just a rendering, hopefully that big beautiful box on the roof is a back up generator as I second the motion… — TJ
The Carl Maston house is amazing. Plywood is due for a comeback. — A
When will Caltrans landscape the new Montecito section of the 101 similar to what was installed in Carp? — Greg
Could you cram more ‘stuff’ on that foyer table for the cover of the new Private Homes book? — Gail