Casa del Herrero
Nope, but thanks for guessing! And sorry for the confusion about the two images—one in the email newsletter, one here. Let's save the newsletter one (which I've removed) for next week.
The weathervane might be on the top of the old Cravioto Brothers Ironworks shop at the corner of Ortega and Anacapa.
Not sure about the decorative iron work with the repurposed horse shoes…
Same place? It would make sense.
A fantastic report on your travels! Really enjoyed it...
now I know how Cotswolds is spelled.
Only aware of it from Harry's Farm on youtube.
terrific series of images as always.
Okay, as the reader who originated the "floops" moniker I have to admit I am very flattered that you have adopted it. It's as if I got an A+ for real estate euphemisms. Erik, I so enjoy your website and your perceptive and snarky voice- thank you!
Remember when the SBNP used to have sections- and continuing stories that ran 2-3 days? In depth reporting on subjects.....
What I love about this town are the friendly, welcoming people.
Not to be flippant, but couldn't that be said of most media (and most of everything in life)? Seven minutes gives you all you need ... after that, it's all filler.
I had the salmon at El Encanto back in April and it was all of your adjectives back then. Such a disappointment.
Yes (and others I'm sure).
Noozhawk is made up of SBNP people, yes?
Regarding local news coverage: I’m not sure we need another source. The local sources need a significant improvement in their quality and depth. Local television media being monopolized through channel 3, 11 and 12 is an example. There is absolutely no depth of coverage and the staff is not even mediocre.
A significant improvement would be, for example, instead of news coverage repeating the exact same thing every 30 minutes, take more time to review the in-depth issues and newsmakers. Noozhawk seems to have improved overtime and is a good example of local potential (I have no association with that publication).
In short, local news, sources, particularly in the television media, need to make significant improvements. You can watch the local TV news for about seven minutes and have everything you need to know. Beyond that, it is a waste of time.
Am I confused, or wasn’t there recent news that downtown parking was moving away from kiosks to the pay-on-foot machines like what’s currently at the waterfront? But now the waterfront is doing the opposite?
Yes, here it is:
https://keyt.com/news/money-and-business/2025/09/09/new-parking-systems-potentially-coming-to-santa-barbara/
Um, we had mango sorbet at The Lark last night and it was from Rori's-- coconut milk base with ginger the server told us. Spectacular! Rori's is my favorite!
wow!! do I remember those fabulous feasts...
Dan - Yes, exactly. This developer - and apparently the one leading the La Cumbre mall redevelopment - might get a huge break on property taxes. They are providing much needed housing, which brings people (e.g. families with kids) into the local school districts. These districts are struggling to figure out how to accommodate a likely increase in demand for their services. Without ongoing contributions in the form of property taxes, that revenue stream that schools rely on will not be there.
Local Kate McMahon’s timeless and distinct women’s wear is what clothing should be: quality + style at a fair price. Her beautiful sweaters are as stylish today as they were 20 years ago. I have 3 of them, wear them often. They are among my most comfortable favorites and most often complimented. Her store has an appropriate name: ‘COVET’.
Tondi is our favorite stop for visitors and for wondering around State street. My wife and I are lactose intolerant and with eight non-dairy flavors, Tondi is the only real solutions. We need someone to take up the mantle of non-dairy ice-cream flavors. McConnell's sometimes has one or two, but often they don't, and they are not as good as Tondi.
Have eaten lunch and dinner at El Encanto in the last two weeks. Both very disappointing. Many of the most popular lunch items including the lobster salad are gone. But dinner was the worst. Only five entrees. Two of us had the salmon, which didn't taste fresh, was overcooked and flavorless. The other guest had the chicken which was boring, bland and even the presentation was off. Sure hoping the chef improves or they get a new chef!
Tondi is well regarded and still criminally underrated. The almond granita is 🤌
I hope El Encanto brings back a true Sunday brunch!
That's the same question I have. Why give away upwards of $39 million in property tax? This is a crazy bad use of Paseo Nuevo.
Are you agreeing with me? I see the distance between the moving cars/trucks and outdoor seating at The Lark, Lucky Penny, Validation Ale, Fig Mtn. Brewery, Rincon Brewery, Tamar/Dart Coffee, & Mony's (Mony's also has a Parklett), is about the same as State street establishments. Except State has no trucks or cars, just racing motor-cycles. And I did give you a few reasons. But here's a bigger one. Since Covid started in 2020 the city has spent $250k on planters and overhead lights. A $800,000 study to chart a future of the street, and formed the State Street Advisory Committee. An additional $250k for more improvements, $50k for painting "bike" lanes, and recently $680k for the Pedletts in one block of State street. The big benefit that I see is this, the city should stop spending money on this street and open it to trucks (heart emoji). . . . and cars.
Dan:
So still not one benefit to opening State St. to cars other than you can't cruise up and down the street in your truck. The Solstice parade works just fine on Santa Barbara St, as could the Christmas parade. The Fiesta horse parade actually works better on Cabrillo.
As to the funk zone, it's a lively evening and weekend venue because it has lots of outdoor space within the blocks that is separated from the traffic by sidewalks and sometimes tree lawns, and parked cars. Examples: the Lark and neighboring places, the Nook etc., Figuera Mountain Brewpub. None with outdoor space next to traffic.
There are some similar places along State [Habit, La Arcada, Paseo Nuevo] with such outdoor space, but not the empty stores lining the Sate St sidewalks.
Donald
