The Frog Wall Has Been Freshened Up

Plus: The New Year's Day Polar Dip is back on this year; downtown salon said to be closing; Booker T. Jones in concert; invasive spider discovered here; Oskar Fischinger art exhibit. 9

Newsletter: December 24

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.

Industrial-Style Home by Barton Myers Sells Off-Market for $7.9 Million

Last week's sales also include a suburban-style Spanish in Arcady Estates; 1928 Upper East by architect A.B. Harmer; Cathedral Oaks five-bedroom; fixers in West Mesa and More Mesa; and more. 6

What’s Next for the Bar Lou Space

Less than a week after Bar Lou announced its closing, word of the next tenant has come out—a new restaurant from a company that takes farm-to-table seriously. 13

Alma Fonda Fina to Become More Casual

More food news: Skyfield will no longer include a restaurant; new sparkling wine bar downtown; New Year's Eve peek at The Grand on State; the inaugural Coffee Culture Fest is this spring; checking out Room Service Coffee and Buena Bodega in Ventura. 10

Newsletter: December 21

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.

Where in Santa Barbara…?

Know where this was shot? Prove it in the comments. (Update: We have a winner!) 4

Nineties Mediterranean in Park Highlands

Noteworthy new listings also include a spec reno above Foothill Road; East Mesa floops; neighboring properties with a gate between them; San Roque cutie with impressive yards; and a 1900 ranch house in Solvang. 5

Santa Barbara County Is Facing Big Budget Shortfalls

Other recent news: Santa Barbara starts on the path to rent stabilization; reforming the way that the harbor's boat slips are sold; the Hilton's 73-room expansion gets the go-ahead; indoor volleyball facility in the works; Diablo Canyon nuclear plant can operate through 2030; no more identifying buyers of local real estate. 13

That’s Life in Death Valley

Death Valley has an obvious branding problem: it’s more interesting, more varied, more alive—in a geologic sense—than you might imagine. And the refurbishment of the National Park lodge means staying there is no longer an endurance test.