August 18, 2025
Tag: Riviera Theatre
The Biltmore’s Reopening Has Been Pushed Back Again
Plus: Dylan Star will morph into an online-only business; Leone Salon has moved to the Funk Zone; Coast Village parklet for lease; "In the Mood for Love" on the big screen; more programming at the Music Academy of the West; checking out the model homes at the Santa Barbara Polo Residences. 10
July 29, 2025
Another Departure on Coast Village Road
Plus: The rumored tenant of a prime space on Los Patos Way; the Montecito Club would like to demolish at least part of the 1918 house next door; outdoor furniture for the Central Library plaza; Ghirardelli is proposing giant sundae mosaics visible on State Street; the Ritz-Carlton Bacara ended (and restarted) its spa deal for locals; return of the Cat Video Fest. 11
December 7, 2024
A Slew of Speed-Limit Reductions Around the County
Plus: The Santa Barbara Museum of Art's gift shop is getting downsized and moved; Fern + Flair boutique has opened on upper De La Vina; two more Santa Barbara Bowl shows announced; new look for the 39-unit mixed-use development proposed for De La Vina and Mission; Lighthouse Skate Shop and Vuori are now in their new locations; moviegoing etiquette. 6
October 28, 2024
24 Hour Fitness Will Close Next Year
Plus: Snazzy new architecture proposed off upper State Street; World Market has put its space on the market; revised design for the five-story building in the works on W. De La Guerra; Ojai's Hotel El Roblar will have a freestanding spa; convenience store rebranding; a chat with Josh Brolin; paintings by Roland Petersen in Solvang. 10
August 26, 2024
The Bottle Shop Property Did Indeed Change Hands
Plus: Inside the new Emily Joubert shop in the Montecito Country Mart; first look at a 33-unit complex on lower Chapala Street; work to start soon on upper San Ysidro Trail; Merchant Ivory documentary; W. Mountain Drive has reopened; the Jewish Federation‘s renovation is complete; answer to last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" 2
May 15, 2024
The Four Potential Designs for Franceschi Park
Plus: After 40 years, Wendy Foster is leaving downtown Santa Barbara; the Biltmore resort pushed its opening way back; proposed changes to a trio of Summerland buildings; a bunch of upcoming performances, including Ali Wong and Toad the Wet Sprocket; Goleta's Clay Studio has changed its name; the lineup for the French Wave Film Festival. 24
March 11, 2024
May 4, 2023
MichaelKate Interiors Is Closing in a Few Months
Plus: Cowboy Junkies to play the Lobero Theatre; I Madonnari street painting festival is on for Memorial Day Weekend; French Wave Film Festival lineup; rail bike tours out of Santa Paula; anyone know what the Montecito Club plans to do with all those palm trees? 1
July 10, 2022
Is a Hip Little Hotel in Montecito’s Future?
Plus: An East Beach motel changed hands; petition to save 63 trees along Modoc Road; bronze statue honoring divers to be installed at the harbor; "Official Competition" extended at the Riviera; a chance to see MOXI without kids; last week's "Where in Santa Barbara...?" answer. 13
September 22, 2021
Recent Comments
The woman is...... interesting. Could have been worse. Imagine a man with a..... "projection" to hang a towel on....... — Judy's Older Brother
Thank goodness its not here, Ricks taking the hideous architecture on tour, it should fit in nicely in TO, they'll just have to paint it… — Alan
I’ve long thought the golf course is ripe for redevelopment. Though I do agree with the slippery slope concerns. That said, I am shocked to… — BW
Thanks for digging in. Seems the issues are all water related. I’m wondering if a preferred design context given the obvious constraints would be composting… — Daniel Meisel
True. But remote, if you want to be in a more urban part of SF. Remind me to tell you about the Kabuki in Japantown,… — Thomas Reynolds
I see you've been slumming it in our old town. The Huntington must have created more rooms; previously it was mostly suites, having formerly been… — Thomas Reynolds
The Presidio hotels in the Presidio are hands down my favs Erik! Big rooms (former army barracks), quiet - fantastic art installations in the hiking… — Leslie Westbrook
Who designed the rediculous improved street/parking configuration on Santa claus lane...there isn't enough room in the north bound lane to drive a car through...parked cars… — BeckyGallup
Their needs to be a better answer then just closing the rest stop. I do the drive almost daily and the amount of people I… — Derek
If you're asking about the Huntington Hotel, the Big Four is indeed the only restaurant and it looked the same to me (but has probably… — Erik Torkells