You may be having a bit of an identity crisis. You want to be kinda neutral but it's your opinions and snark that many enjoy. Your personal favorites are often 5 star as opposed to my 3 star hotels and restaurants but that's okay because that's who YOU are. It will be a hard column to sell with your personality being a prime calling card (think Herb Caen or Michael Musto etc.). I would like to see you go further and inject yourself into more posts, not hold back to be PC or whatever. Now you say you won't be mentioning the high flyers that buy real estate here because of personal fallout or moral quibbles. But you know you want to know, so why wouldn't others? Lastly, you cannot be all things to all people. Be yourself and let the site be just as much about you as the posts YOU curate. My 5 cents, and yes, I enjoy the site! Happy New Year.
Agreed. If you haven't yet done it, the Lighting Field is well worth it
Thank you for your candid review of City. For several years I had contemplated applying for tickets as a treat for my husband, but kept putting it off because something about it started to not sit right with me. A discomfort with the monumental level of ego involved in creating this intrusion on the natural environment. Still I felt sort of guilty for putting it off but your review has cemented that we will be just fine skipping
It.
Well maybe you want to expand and have a few contributors (hint, hint!) so it's not all on you?
Happy new year Torkells as in doorbells - and keep up the GREAT work! Always excited to find SITELINE in my inbox!
Leslie
As a Brit who loves Santa Barbara and visits twice a year, your site is invaluable. Not only does it keep me up to date with what is going on, it also helps me imagine I am back there whilst sitting under a cold, grey English sky. Please don’t stop.
Erik,
As a recent full-time resident of Santa Barbara, Sitelines has been a valuable resource for honest reviews with a good dose of humor. I know it is tremendous work, but where would one turn for honest good-humored reporting?! As someone who is falling in love with this magical city called Santa Barbara, I look forward to the continued success of Sitelines.
Sincerely,
an avid Sitelines reader
My husband and I absolutely love your site!
I never understood people crying about Erik’s take
On things - if you don’t like it, don’t read it or comment what you think.
Or simply request your money back…. Oh wait… it’s free…
Let’s go Sable!
Somebody will always be offended - especially in Santa Barbara. Please don’t stop your somewhat brash but unequivocally honest opinions the majority of us enjoy so much (unless we’ve just woken up on the wrong side of the bed!).
Thank you Erik for the wonderful gift of SiteLine. As part-timers, we rely on it (along with other sources) to keep abreast of SB life. Here’s to a great 2026 for you and for all SB folks.
Everyone I know in SB gets their news from you. Never change.
And if you didn’t give your POV about the houses you visit, I wouldn’t even read the article and those houses wouldn’t get the coverage that could actually sell a house. People will see the negative that you point out when they go regardless, I’d prefer the coverage over nothing.
Nobody does clever candor with a spritz of fun like you do. Your wry take on all things buildable, sellable and edible (to name a few) reminds not to take ourselves too seriously in our little bubble between the mountains and the sea. Thank you for the news in our inbox that informs and amuses.
I’m afraid to sell my house for fear you will mock it. I’m going to moulder away in it like Miss Havisham for decades for fear of your scathing but apt assessment. Maybe your side hustle should be decorative counseling for hapless homeowners.
Erik- I can’t think of another content or site etc that I check into everyday! Every. Day. So thank you for the work you do and the reflections on how to keep the creativity up.
Erik, thanks for sharing this perspective with us, your dedicated readers. You do what you do so well, without fear or favor, as they say. As long as you keep writing, I’ll keep reading, and visiting, shopping, eating, discovering and enjoying the best that Santa Barbara and the Central Coast has to offer. Thank you for what you’re contributing to the community.
Hey - there is room for everyone here, even finger pointers like you Zaren- cheers to a healthy 2026!
Your sense of humor, attitude and well snark I guess keeps me coming back.
No room for right wing homophobes on this lovely site. Back to Bakersfield you go Christine
YOU LOVE ME DOUGIE! YOU REALLY LOVE ME!
My advice on Sable is great advice- DO IT!
Keep up the fantastic work, dear Erik! You do such a service for the community and I am so grateful for my regular dose of Siteline. As I mentioned to you, Siteline made me feel more at home and more connected to the community when I first moved here. Thank you for doing the hard work and delivering the goods!
We absolutely love Siteline, thank you! An idea for keeping it fresh in reaction to you saying you love the community connection Siteline creates, what about more showcasing more local happenings / events? sort of like Time Out does for bigger cities. So many creative people doing cool things but there’s not a good place to know what’s on. Indy events cal is flooded with a lot of reoccurring events from big organizations, I’d love to see the lesser known stuff like Galavant concerts showcased!
what sets Siteline apart is that it's personal and professional. one voice, one perspective on a myriad of topics. way better than canned journalism on behalf of a board's perspective. thank you! T
Erik - I find your candidness interesting and refreshing. Yes opinions we all have them but yours are thoughtful and intelligent- please don’t stop sharing them. Your Siteline is the best resource we have for our tiny town to keep us current and relevant. Many of us in the community rely on it for valuable information and your tasteful feedback. Personally the comment section I read for pure entertainment, people take themselves so seriously. The day Siteline isn’t available is a super sad day. Thank you for your behemoth lifting at my great pleasure. I think your Aces.
LOVE Siteline! Thank you for your well-placed efforts and refreshing POV. We always look forward to the next read.
