Why Paso Robles Made a Big Must-Visit List for 2020

Other news from the beyond the Santa Barbara bubble: United is adding three new destinations from Santa Maria airport; Alaska started flying from San Luis Obispo to San Diego; Paso is rethinking its tattoo-parlor ban; Magic Mountain's new rollercoaster is the first of its kind.

Boat-Inspired Beach House Drops by a Quarter Million

The week's other top price reductions: Hope Ranch house with ocean and mountain views; midcentury Montecito property tucked way down a private lane; Torito Road adobe chops price yet again; a tribathlete's dream in the Riviera.

Checking in on the Big New Underground House

Plus: Local museums participating in free-admission day; Kesha to play the Santa Barbara Bowl in May; volunteer to work at a polling place for the presidential primary; options for those who have resolved to learn something new.

The WASPiest Mansion in Hope Ranch

On one hand, I'm not sure they make houses like this anymore; on the other hand, is that because there has been a generational shift in taste since the house was built in 2003? 1

Newsletter: January 9

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A Park Lane Tudor to Die For

Highlights of this weekend's open-house lineup: A 1949 Montecito house with potential magic; cute redo with curb appeal in Samarkand; adorable 1912 cottage steps from East Beach; and a lot bisected by Hidden Valley Lane.

The Ashley Road Bridge Won’t Open for at Least Another Two Months

Plus: Three recent sales of note—conjoined Tudor barns, "Castle in the Sky," and a prime Riviera lot; Lupita Nyong'o added to the list of honorees at the Santa Barbara film festival; tempting New Cuyama ranchette.

Wine Cask and Intermezzo Are Under New Ownership

More food news: Due Lune and Tamira Indian restaurant have closed; fast-food giant bought Habit Burger, which started in Goleta; vegan chef in residence at the Four Seasons Biltmore all month; Blue Corn Tacos pop-ups.

Ungrateful Dog Rescued from Douglas Family Preserve Cliff

Other local news: Cool new barber shop on De La Vina; Amazon opens State Street office for 250 Alexa engineers, with plans for 150 more; is Grover Beach becoming "young and hip"?; homeless people would prefer to store their property; public workshop about northern Santa Barbara County coastal trail study.

High Above Montecito, a Water Tank Is Being Turned Into a House

Can there ever be enough cylindrical houses?