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?

Newsletter: January 6

The twice-weekly 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.

Montecito Water Tank to Be Converted Into a Residence

Plus: A new boutique on Coast Village Road; four recent real-estate sales of note; your cremains can rest in eternal peace at the Old Mission; and the Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced its 2020 lineup.