Social Distancing Comes to Santa Barbara

The Riviera Theatre is limiting audience size; the public library is canceling events; Slightly Stoopid is coming to the Santa Barbara Bowl; MarBorg will soon rent hand-sanitizer stations; Cottage Hospital has COVID-19 test kits; toilet-paper hoarding continues; a free house.

California Is Discouraging Gatherings of 250 or More People

Other local news: UC Santa Barbara has moved to online classes through April at least; Santa Barbara City College has switched some classes to online; second COVID-19 case in Ventura County; Earth Day event postponed; SLO farmer's market canceled; gang members convicted of post–debris flow crimes, including a Montecito home invasion; bad behavior on the rise in area schools.

What Are Those Poles in the Ocean Near the Ritz-Carlton Bacara?

"During lunch at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, I spotted these four columns just offshore. I only recently moved here, and maybe this is obvious to people who've lived here longer, but what are they?" —A. 2

Newsletter: March 12

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Cielito Spec Renovation Mostly Done Right

Highlights of this weekend's open-house lineup: French-inspired architecture in Montecito's Golden Quadrangle; widescreen mountain views off San Antonio Creek Road; and two old gems that are a hoot to explore.

Five Percent Increase in Santa Barbara County’s Homeless Population

Plus: Two high-end rentals, one with a helistop and an Airstream trailer; the county keeps sending out Spanish-language alerts; new book on everyday homesteading from Heritage Goods & Supply; three recent sales of note.

Santa Barbara Is Asking Cruise Lines to Stay Away

Other recent news: Laura Capps conceded to Das Williams; fire near Highway 154; new video-streaming service at Goleta Valley Library.

Oceanfront in Hope Ranch With a Private Path to the Beach

The property at 4305 Marina Drive has been priced as high as $35 million and sold for as low as $17 million. Now it's back on the market for $27.5 million.

A Pair of Japanese Pop-Ups

Yakitori from the Coterie Club and ramen at the Santa Barbara Wine Collective. More food news: Specials at various restaurants will honor Julia and Paul Child; Egg McMuffin invented in Santa Barbara; Choppa Rolling Ice Cream closed; M. Special taproom forecast; Scarlett Begonia's move around the corner; bar opening on Figueroa.

Newsletter: March 9

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.