March 2, 2023
Odds & Ends
Why Were Cameras Installed at the Montecito Hot Springs?
Plus: The latest plans for the De La Guerra Plaza revamp; Little Rainbow Foot Spa closed for remodeling; a new explanation from MarBorg for its non-curbside rate hike; Union Bank is becoming U.S. Bank; East Beach water-contact closure lifted; free firewood from the State Street Axe Club; potential public use of Santa Barbara High School's track and football field. 12
February 23, 2023
A Big New Gym Is Opening Downtown
Plus: Adventure park with ziplining is coming to the Santa Ynez Valley; the Santa Barbara International Orchid Show is coming up; Father John Misty, the Head and the Heart, and Rebelution to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; an Instagram account for local history buffs; are neighbors getting annoyed by pickleball? 5
February 19, 2023
The Las Aves Developer Has Taken Over More of Los Patos Way
Plus: Housing for the homeless is said to be in the works for 1.7 acres on upper State Street; more on MarBorg's hefty rate hike for non-curbside service; Channel City Lumber is opening a Santa Barbara store; Angel boutique is moving; an update on the Best Western Pepper Tree Hotel; the Santa Barbara Antique Show is coming up; E. Mountain Drive has reopened at the Cold Spring trailhead; Trombone Shorty, Ziggy Marley, and Mavis Staples to play the Santa Barbara Bowl. 10
February 16, 2023
The Seepage Problem at the Castillo Street Underpass
Plus: Four more Santa Barbara Bowl shows; the best look yet at the wondrous Pepper Hill house; vintage and consignment store Faitell Attractions found a new home; opening forecast for The Pad climbing gym; the answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 7
February 13, 2023
Rooms & Gardens Is Moving to Montecito
Plus: MarBorg's price hike for "non-curbside" service; Goleta Beach County Park has partially reopened; Zodo's bowling alley has been rebranded; documentary about the cool house on Pepper Hill; city survey about the Single Family Design Board design review process; contemporary photos of old buildings; Highway 101 construction updates. 12
February 8, 2023
State Street’s Drift Hotel Has Opened
Plus: Van Morrison and James Taylor to play the Santa Barbara Bowl; Urgent Veterinary Care opening on De La Vina; the complicated hotel project coming to W. Montecito Street; interior designer Amber Lewis hints about a Santa Barbara shop; wildfire detection camera installed on Ortega Ridge; wonderful little building squandered. 13
February 6, 2023
January 28, 2023
Plans for a New Jeff Shelton Building Downtown
Plus: Three more Santa Barbara Bowl shows announced; fencing proposed for Plaza de Vera Cruz park; East Beach sewage contamination; Acorn and Oak fitness and wellness studio opening on Hollister Avenue; Romero Canyon bridge is damaged again; group show by a dozen local women artists. 5
January 23, 2023
Coda in Montecito’s Upper Village Has Closed
Plus: Someone is looking to open an indoor playground; a new novel called "Stick and Ball" set in the local polo scene; the Evans/Lillie Avenue reopening got pushed back a bit; a reprise of musician Omar Velasco's Come What May Fest; more photos of the fascinating Pepper Hill mound house; work by J. Bradley Greer and Lynda Weinman at Sullivan Goss. 6
January 21, 2023
A-List Boutique to Open in Montecito’s Upper Village
Plus: Kismet will open a dedicated lingerie studio; Jack Johnson to play the Lobero Theatre; the slate for the 2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival; the Montecito Tea Gardens gets another $10 million price cut; are you Santa Barbara's next poet laureate? 5
















Recent Comments
Is there info on how long the intersection will be closed to apply this decoration? — Christine!
I think the street art looks cool and it’s not like the grant money could be used for other purposes. I’m grateful for whoever organized… — Sean
one more comment,, that space always screamed beer garden to me. or Big Star Taco in Wicker Park. more open space to enjoy ocean breeze...… — Dean Carter
Good start. Nice homage to the roof and flower shop... not that either of those were architectural standouts on CVR. More seating/stucture moved to front/parking… — Dean Carter
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