••• Other area hotels have joined the Rosewood Miramar Beach in signing up with ResortPass, so you can pay a day-use fee to hang out by the pool: Belmond El Encanto (from $50, above), Mar Monte Hotel (from $45), the Hotel Californian (from $40), and the Kimpton Goodland (from $10). None of the hotels are offering the passes at this time, and those rates are presumably for Monday through Thursday, and much higher Friday through Sunday. El Encanto’s deal is the winner, because you also get access to the spa (lockers, steam room, showers, relaxation lounge) and fitness center (including daily classes). And the Mar Monte has nerve touting “beach access” as an included perk.
••• From a press release from the county:
The County of Santa Barbara […] recently completed construction of site improvements and a new ranger office at Arroyo Burro Beach Park [i.e., Hendry’s Beach], 2981 Cliff Drive. Park improvements include fencing reconfiguration and installation of security cameras to enhance visibility and public safety, replacement of a 330-square-foot ranger office and maintenance building, new ADA-compliant pathways, and installation of a water-collecting cistern to reduce water usage.
The 17,000 square feet of streetscape improvements include both new and enhanced seating near the highly used dog wash and bus stop areas, and upgrades to the existing irrigation and drought tolerant landscaping at the park entrance and the almost quarter mile along Cliff Drive to reduce water usage.
••• Anacapa Architecture is “currently soliciting submissions from local artists and makers to provide art, furnishings, and fabrication for an exciting new hospitality project in downtown Santa Barbara.” That would be the Jaeger Partners conversion/expansion of 524 State Street (Cota/Haley, next to Institution Ale). “We have opportunities for exterior murals, interior murals, in room artwork and more! There are numerous opportunities to get your work represented. Please send samples of your work or a link to your portfolio to [email protected].”
••• The Blue Sands Inn on Milpas, just north of the Santa Barbara Inn, is getting an upgrade, according to an announcement made for the city’s Architectural Board of Review: “The exterior alterations include, but are not limited to: a new stair tower, window and door alterations, replacement of covered entry porch roof with new upper deck, and a new Juliet balcony. Site improvements and alterations to the existing pool area are proposed, including but not limited to a new spa, trellis, pool lift, fence and gates. Additional site improvements include a new accessible ramp, fence, gate, paving, alteration to planted area and removal of vegetation. Interior improvements include interior alterations to existing rooms, conversion of manager’s unit into new hotel room, and conversion of non-accessible room #3 into accessible room.”
••• BCycle is trying to drum up interest in monthly memberships to the Santa Barbara e-bikeshare program, launching soon: “First 50 Annual Member sign-ups get a free BCycle Electra bike helmet and the first 100 Monthly Members get a free donut from Hook & Press!” I find it hard to imagine a free doughnut motivating anyone to join, but it’s nice that they’re showcasing a local business.
••• The 16,668-square-foot estate at 771 Garden Lane, in Riven Rock, is back on the market after a $4.25 million price cut (so it’s now at $22.5 million). If you’ve never savored the listing photos, they’re worth a look. Below: the triple-wide bed.
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