December 10, 2025
Tag: Land Trust for Santa Barbara County
First Look at the Music Academy of the West’s Downtown Venue
Plus: The Funk Zone lost two dozen free parking spaces; Iris Galerie has opened; new tenant for the cute space on De La Guerra Plaza; permanent conservation of 587 acres in the Los Alamos Valley; Preservation Hall Jazz Band in concert; Anacapa Architecture's handsome office on State Street. 1
October 7, 2025
Ten Percent of More Mesa Has Been Preserved from Development
Plus: Women's apparel brand Covet has opened in Victoria Court; public meetings about the Paseo Nuevo redevelopment; The Knit Shop moved a few doors away; vintage collective on State Street making progress; presentation about house history research; the annual Ojai Studio Artists Tour is this weekend; family classes in the works at The Painted Cabernet; phone-repair shop DropSmashFix has left town. 1
May 22, 2025
February 9, 2025
More of Carpinteria’s Bluffs Are Getting Preserved
Plus: The county's push for more decomposed granite sidewalks in Montecito; the Biltmore resort has plans for three swim rafts, not two; parking availability at Santa Barbara Airport is now online; new shop on State Street; proposed "health retreat" on Paradise Road; signs of life at the Andalucia Building at State and Gutierrez. 6
November 27, 2023
October 25, 2023
The State Street Advisory Committee Met Again
Other recent news: Blissful Boutiques makers' market lost its lease at Paseo Nuevo; the city council approved new regulations for restaurant parklets; the Land Trust bought 48 acres on the Gaviota Coast; California Highway Patrol decided to stay and renovate its Calle Real office; progress for improvements at the Goleta Butterfly Grove; looking back at when a rich homeowner let hobos live on her property. 3
March 10, 2023
$500,000 Donation Made Toward Expanding the Arroyo Hondo Preserve
Other recent news: The Miramar resort parking lot could be developed for employee housing; the city of Santa Barbara wants more involvement in the proposed La Cumbre apartment complex; swim platform in the works off Montecito; 2023 Fiesta theme and parade route; the return of the Starr King Rummage Sale. 6
February 17, 2023
An Effort to Preserve 48 More Acres of the Gaviota Coast
Other recent news: HBO will adapt "Empty Mansions" into a series; a step forward for the De La Guerra Plaza revamp; Santa Barbara County might partner with San Luis Obispo county on a desalination plant; Montecito fire chief announces retirement; final oil piers removed from Haskell's Beach; the Garden Street Dog. 2
Burning Questions
- How Long Will This Big Pipe Be at East Beach?
- Is Cabrillo Boulevard Going to Be Widened Under Highway 101?
- Was There a Fisherman Inn in Downtown Santa Barbara?
- What Are Those Old Buildings at the Corner of Castillo and Montecito Streets?
- When Will the Coast Village Road Medians Be Completed?
- What’s This Scaffold Structure on Las Positas Road?
- Why Does Street Striping Take So Long to Happen?
Recent Comments
Something I did not mention in the post is that the design is net-zero and LEED Gold. — Erik Torkells
I don't know where these architects come up with such atrocious designs. A barn greenhouse, in the era of climate change? Totally out of scale… — Erik
I love it! The building reminds me of The Shed in Healdsburg that unfortunately closed after the wildfires about 8 years ago. They had a… — Dave
I think the design needs to be rethought. It really doesn't fit in with what is on CVR. You have Jeff Shelton's whimsical architecture, Montecito… — Carrie
"Attractive new mixed use building" ? Ack. Usually your taste is spot on. This building is a cheap looking sloppy piece of Yuck. An insult… — JRMarks
While I'm glad this corner is finally getting its due and I like the design in theory, it will stick out like a sore thumb… — Jilt
Agreed Andy. It's a treasure of liquid assets! I'm not feeling this style of architecture for Coast Village Road. A glass tower? Who will plow… — eliza
I will miss the Bottle Shop, but I’m not sure I will miss their pricing. What I will deeply, deeply miss though is the sense… — Andy
Elizabeth's still mad at losing her life's savings to the Beanie Baby bubble back in 1999. Cant really blame her. Who would have thought a… — Sam Tababa
Im fine with it as with Douglas family preserve, Alice Keck Park Park and other generous donations in exchange for recognition. — Don