What’s the History of This Tower on Ortega Ridge?

"I was on a trail run with some friends behind Summerland. We were on Hunt Drive and when you look across where the Ortega Reservoir is, there's a house up on the hill that seems very old. From a distance, it looks like it may have a clock tower. Would you have any information about this building? Maybe it was a school or a commercial building back in the day?" —B. 2

Aperitivo Is Opening a Second, Larger Restaurant

More food news: Linden Hall is not happening; Augie's 2.0 will have lower prices; Pico is on the market; quest for king cakes; take-and-bake chicken pot pies from Bossie's Kitchen; Coral Casino's liquor license; the Ethnic Breads wholesale bakery in Goleta is opening a storefront. 16

Newsletter: February 11

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Where in Santa Barbara…?

Know where this was shot? Prove it in the comments. (Update: We have a winner!) 1

A Sweet Little House in the Hedgerow

Noteworthy new listings also include long, lean style in Riven Rock; Mesa project with big views; a good deal on Alameda Padre Serra; proof that your money goes much farther in Goleta; an 80-acre campground; and more.

Bringing Traditional Style and Color Back Into a Montecito Home

Marc Normand Gelinas believes in tailoring each project to mirror the personality and individual style of the client, resulting in well-designed, comfortable, and functional spaces. For this home, he says, "we drew inspiration from the outdoors, including the blues of the ocean and sky."

Sequence of Storms Leads to Bluff Erosion

Other recent news: Incumbents rake in far more campaign donations than challengers; the longtime head of the Santa Barbara Zoo is retiring; DJ Javier's Year of the Dragon mural; mining magnate bought on Padaro Lane. 4

Best BBQ Has Opened on State Street

More food news: Taza Mediterranean Street Kitchen has closed; The Good Plow's last day is Sunday; the Brunch Monkey pop-up at Handlebar is off; chef Budi Kazali to open a Solvang restaurant; profiles of Dang Burger, Little Dom's Seafood, and Santa Barbara Fish Market; the Southern Exposure Garagiste Wine Festival is coming up; changes at Choi's Oriental Market. 6

Newsletter: February 7

The Siteline newsletter is the best way to follow the website. To subscribe, click the link at the bottom of this post. And you can unsubscribe at any time.

The Rise of Residential Resorts

More and more discerning and affluent individuals are reshaping the luxury home market and turning their residences into all-purpose havens that transcend even the most exclusive resorts.