This Is Secret Bao’s Last Weekend at Handlebar

More food news: First impressions of the new Japanese restaurant Teru; the new Santa Barbara Restaurant Coalition is helping restaurant workers; Mexican and Guatemalan tamales from Elubia's Kitchen; Hook & Press's strawberry sufganiyots; another Bibi Ji recipe.

Southwest Airlines Is Coming to Santa Barbara Airport

Plus: Someone reportedly got a very good deal on 207 oceanfront acres; bikini company started by local college student; writing program for underserved women; Plum Goods holiday pop-up shop.

Will Someone Pull Off a $13.5 Million Flip?

Noteworthy new listings from the past seven days also include a nice spread on Riven Rock Road, a midcentury fixer in Montecito, two appealing San Roque cottages, and more.

Newsletter: December 16

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.

Covid-19 Cases Spike in Santa Barbara County

Other recent news: San Luis Obispo County allows outdoor dining with restrictions; police are investigating the death of an anti-vaccination activist; Unity Shoppe seeks fresh fruit; profile of Ojai's Porch Gallery.

Why Is There a Train Station Inside This State Street Storefront?

"In the storefront between the Christian Science Reading Room and Open Air Bicycles is a replica of a train station. Is it old or new? Why does it exist?" —C. 1

Santa Barbara’s Police Chief Is Stepping Down

Other recent news: Amazon's State Street office building sold for a hefty sum; a paean to Montecito; Indio Muerto Street was renamed; new fancified motel in Solvang; the tree of the month is the Brazilian pepper.

Mony’s Has Decided to Close for a Few Weeks

More food news: Aperitivo's new Pasta & Vino Club; the recipe for Bibi Ji's succulent chicken tikka; fresh merch at Dune Coffee Roasters; $25 entrées at Bouchon; Cajun Kitchen on De La Vina won't be reopening; Barb's Pies introduced a vegan pizza; black corn from Sweet Wheel Farm; Dima Sama's frozen dim sum dinners; popcorn perk at the Lark.

Newsletter: December 13

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.

Another $50 Million in High-End Real Estate Changed Hands

The week's noteworthy sales include a funky fixer way up the hill, a 1980s villa in Ennisbrook, a Birnam Wood château, a 5,248-square-foot house on the Riviera, and more.