Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Bought Twice More in Montecito

Other recent news: Progress for 14-room hotel on State Street; the rain did little to alleviate the drought; the state attorney general classified the Bellosguardo Foundation as delinquent; mayoral candidate Deborah Schwartz vs. the local Democratic establishment; Alisal wants to annex 10 acres for glamping; the restoration of UCSB's North Campus Open Space.

It’s Only Milpas Street (But I Like It)

While Milpas is unlikely to be anyone's favorite street, it sure has a piquant sense of place—not to mention a wide variety of independent businesses, some cute houses, and a mystery at the northern end. (Update: According to comments on Instagram, I was dead wrong about it not being anyone's favorite.) 10

Newsletter: October 27

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Dreamy 1922 Riviera Villa Sells Off-Market for $7 Million

Last week's sales also included a knoll-top property near Toro Canyon; Montecito house with a glamorous semi-circular pool; Hope Ranch Tudor flip; Eucalyptus Hill house with abundant charm; Upper East grande dame that needs updating; and many more.

The New Carp Kitchen & Grocery Has Sandwiches, Salads and More

More food news: First look at the menus for Timbers Roadhouse and Whiskey Joe's, now open in outer Goleta; more on SeaLegs, taking over the old Goleta Beach restaurant space; a profile of Riviera Bar; something "like a Finney's" is coming to the former Outback Steakhouse building; El Pollo Loco is now Pueblo Pollo; Crazy Jim’s taqueria has closed; Costa is a nice place for a drink. 3

When the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern Is Now Expected to Open

Plus: The first exhibit of Huguette Clark’s artwork since 1929; the giant red stiletto's backstory; upgrades to Casa Las Palmas in Chase Palm Park; mystery activity at the corner of De La Vina and Mission; that time Jeff Shelton made a giant pencil; a peek inside the Pepper Hill mound house.

Newsletter: October 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.

Do Greek Islands Live Up to the Fantasy?

Like many Americans, when my husband and I were finally able to go abroad, we went to Greece. Athens proved more interesting than it gets credit for, and one of the island resorts was the prettiest hotel I've ever seen. But beauty isn't everything. 6

Where in Santa Barbara…?

Know where this was shot? Prove it in the comments. (Update: We have a winner!) 2

Shooting for the Moon on Ortega Ridge

Noteworthy new listings also include 1970s-meets-Mediterranean; a Hope Ranch fixer flip; turnkey San Roque for $3.2 million; a vacant lot near Padaro Beach; and more.