March 3, 2026
This is the first in a series of fortnightly walks, on streets chosen more or less at random. Because when you slow down for a stroll, you see so much more compared to when you drive.
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October 30, 2019
Open houses this weekend: A circa-1900 gem on the Lower Riviera; a big new-build house above Westmont College; modernist pizzazz on Sea Ranch Drive; Montecito retreat with a cool, louche vibe; a fresh spec renovation; and many more.
Plus: A better look at the huge house under construction on Pepper Hill; schedule changes for flights to Denver; a proud contractor; when architecture makes way for trees.
From the upstairs terrace, you can see the sun rise to the left and set to the right. Below you lies all Montecito.
October 29, 2019
More food news and notes: A likely change in direction at the Four Seasons Biltmore's restaurant; Ca' Dario Pizza has closed; Lazy Acres pays $5,000 over mislabeled pizza; crème and punishment.
October 28, 2019
Plus: Something called Marcus is opening on Coast Village Road; a George Washington Smith mansion from 1923 hits the market for $27.5 million; it was Messina, not Loggins, who lived on Hidden Valley Lane; two months of night work on Highway 154.
The gargantuan new Target store in Goleta aims to have a bit of everything, so you can one-stop shop. But why all the empty shelves?
October 26, 2019
Other recent news: Montecito rate hike if it buys water from Santa Barbara; local teen runs a popular news aggregator; seagulls spoiling Channel Islands with "processed food and puked-up trash"; Latino organization La Casa de la Raza is struggling.
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I recently had a friend take residence at Serenity House- what a asset to the community- and drove the road for the first time...I was… — Christine!
Erik, did you walk by the Highlands just to make snarky comments? Comparing a condo complex to multi million dollar homes is silly. The Highlands… — eliza
It makes sense they would want to be developing that area on Calle Cesar Chavez. It is so close to the beach, and they're planning… — Tina
Gene Montesano is a very good man and restaurateur. He has longtime employees that he cares about very much—low turnover is a sign of good… — Anne
Yup. No more business from me. — Mary
I get the argument that we shouldn’t just be pushing environmental externalities far away where we can’t see them. And incurring the environmental cost of… — Andy
Parking definitely the Funk Zone’s Achilles heel… — Andy
Didn’t realize all these (overpriced and mediocre) places were owned by one guy who seems like a dweeb supreme. D’Angelos, Lucky’s, Tre Lune, Joe’s. It’s… — Andy
Welcome Gene and crew- after posting this news on our local Los Alamos page- the response was 100% positive to having a new daily option-… — Christine!
Oh, good. More Santa Barbara County residents can dine at Montesano restaurants like this new one, Lucky’s and Joe’s Cafe unaware that Gene uses his… — Jack F
Recent Comments
I recently had a friend take residence at Serenity House- what a asset to the community- and drove the road for the first time...I was… — Christine!
Erik, did you walk by the Highlands just to make snarky comments? Comparing a condo complex to multi million dollar homes is silly. The Highlands… — eliza
It makes sense they would want to be developing that area on Calle Cesar Chavez. It is so close to the beach, and they're planning… — Tina
Gene Montesano is a very good man and restaurateur. He has longtime employees that he cares about very much—low turnover is a sign of good… — Anne
Yup. No more business from me. — Mary
I get the argument that we shouldn’t just be pushing environmental externalities far away where we can’t see them. And incurring the environmental cost of… — Andy
Parking definitely the Funk Zone’s Achilles heel… — Andy
Didn’t realize all these (overpriced and mediocre) places were owned by one guy who seems like a dweeb supreme. D’Angelos, Lucky’s, Tre Lune, Joe’s. It’s… — Andy
Welcome Gene and crew- after posting this news on our local Los Alamos page- the response was 100% positive to having a new daily option-… — Christine!
Oh, good. More Santa Barbara County residents can dine at Montesano restaurants like this new one, Lucky’s and Joe’s Cafe unaware that Gene uses his… — Jack F