Hair Salons Are Allowed to Reopen

Other recent news: Proposed new water rates in various local districts; new Santa Barbara school superintendent; Chumash Casino reopening soon; Trump administration approved a new oil well and pipeline in Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Wine-Tasting Rooms Temporarily Allowed to Serve Food

More food news: Twenty-Four Blackbirds is selling ice cream on weekends; the Tuesday farmers' market has moved a block north; $20 bottles of local wine at Handlebar; Savoy Café has the city's first parklet; semi-updated list of restaurants with dine-in service.

Newsletter: May 27

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.

State Street Will Be Closed to Cars All Summer

It's the best thing to happen to downtown Santa Barbara in recent memory.

Knapp’s Castle Is Coming Along Nicely

Other local news: California issues social-distancing guidance for places of worship; Goleta food-preservation firm is now valued at $1 billion; two-hour weekend parking limit at Montecito beaches and trailheads; mountain lion spotted again; drive-in theater reopened.

Social Distancing Made Easy at UCSB

With in-person classes canceled for months, the campus is a lovely place for a stroll. You can expect many "I Am Legend" moments, where you'll feel like the last person on earth. 1

A Big Win for Ellen and Portia

Plus: Have you walked down State Street now that it's closed to cars?; a stripped-down Jeff Shelton rental; a pair of Montecito notables have gone MIA; two more sales of note.

Newsletter: May 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.

Santa Barbara County Requires Face Masks at Businesses

Other local news: County creates contact-tracing crew; big donation to help undocumented workers; Montecito Planning Commission dithers over the San Ysidro Roundabout; invite an animal to your next Zoom meeting.

Ten Big Price Reductions on a Wide Range of Properties

Rare is the high-end property around here that sells for the initial ask. The question is: how far does the number have to drop before someone bites? Here are the week’s top 10 price-chops.