On the Beach Between the Miramar and the Biltmore

This week's noteworthy new listings also include high design with a price to match in the Hedgerow; Lower Riviera ranch given a contemporary gloss; unremarkable house on a Mesa bluff; and a charming Upper East bungalow.

The Faces of Santa Barbara

If you look closely, there are faces all around town—although they tend to have expressions that range from blank to despairing.... 1

Santa Barbara County Has Been Averaging Nearly 300 New Covid-19 Cases Per Day

Other recent news: The Central Coast's only ice rink is struggling; the history of the fountain at Sycamore Canyon Road and Stanwood Drive; mini monolith at the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge; in praise of Santa Barbara's trees.

More Info on the Bell’s Spinoff in Los Olivos

More food news: Noemi has permanently closed; new gelato shop on State Street says it'll debut soon; weekly burrito at La Paloma to benefit Acme Hospitality staffers; sandwich shop joins Third Window pop-up lineup; Fatty Vegan opening date.

Newsletter: January 3

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.

Santa Barbara’s Insane Real Estate Year Ends With Yet Another Bang

Noteworthy sales from the past seven days include a $13.25-million flip, Padaro Lane beachfront for eight figures, a lot where the Mt. Calvary Monastery once stood, and a midcentury cottage in Mission Canyon.

780 Acres of New Cannabis Cultivation Proposed for Santa Ynez Valley

Plus: Art photographs of Lotusland; help Santa Barbara Channelkeeper keep our watershed clean; a visit to Empire Cleaning Supply; the answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?"

How Is Siteline Working for You?

A look back at the year's most popular posts—somehow, the royal arrival only came in third—and a reminder that feedback is genuinely welcome. 1

Chick-fil-A Has Temporarily Closed

More food news: Chocolats du CaliBressan closed its Santa Barbara shop; Persona Pizzeria has reopened; a Dunkin outpost closed; the city is trying to force liquor-store owners to stop patrons from being a nuisance. 4

Newly Rebuilt and Aiming for the Stars

Notable new listings also include a renovated ranch house in Montecito, a cutie in Bungalow Haven area, and a Spanish Colonial up near E. Mountain Drive.