In the Heart of the Golden Quadrangle

The streets northwest of Montecito's Upper Village are home to impressive estates, storybook cottages, a Richard Neutra house, and an indignant French bulldog.

Updates on Two Other Big Funk Zone Projects

Plus: Lotusland reopens to the public soon; food drive today will exchange toilet paper for non-perishable food; Mate Gallery photography is on sale; marketing real estate during a pandemic.

Newsletter: May 9

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Nordstrom Will Close Its Santa Barbara Store

Given the state of retail even before the Covid-19 nightmare, this can hardly come as a shock—except perhaps to Paseo Nuevo, which assured everyone just last week that "Nordstrom isn't going anywhere."

Montecito Compound With a Dreamy Garden

The week's other top price reductions: Half of a historic 1930s building downtown that got split into condos; 10,000-square-foot property now $2 million less; sweet house with freeway issues; what $2.5 million buys in central Montecito; one of the cooler houses in Hope Ranch.

New Hotel Coming to Lower State Street

Other local news: Hollister Ranch fire has burned 200 acres; how the I Madonnari festival will work this year; UCSB pushes all summer classes online; Goleta now requires face masks in any essential business; Randall Road Debris Basin update.

Field + Fort and the Pickle Room Are Reopening

More food news: Acme Hospitality's depressing survey about the possible future of dining out; the emerging network of groups helping to feed the vulnerable; early hours at Dune Coffee Roasters; new pizza at Bettina.

Riviera Midcentury With Quirky Interiors

Other noteworthy new listings: A mix of contemporary and exotic way up the mountain; Vegas-style neoclassical with 35-car motor court; privacy near San Ysidro Ranch; cute downtown cottage with even cuter artist studio.

The County Seeks Volunteers for Covid-19 Response Team

Plus: "For lease" sign at Treat skincare in Arlington Plaza; cleaner trailheads thanks to Montecito Trails Foundation and MarBorg; changes proposed to the city's Historic Resources Ordinance; grants to arts non-profits; SBIFF interview with the writer-director of "The Half of It."

Newsletter: May 6

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.