The Biltmore Has Finally Set a Reopening Date

••• “When the cruise ships returned [after a pandemic break] in 2022, there was a record number of 30 calls, a fact that did not go unnoticed by cruise ship critics, who begged the city to put a limit on the number of annual visits. In response, the city created a Cruise Ship Workgroup to regulate the cruise ships without losing more than $400,000 per year in direct revenue. On February 15, the city Harbor Commission approved dozens of recommendations, including one which would limit the number of calls to no more than 20 each year.” That’s great. I still don’t understand, however, why the city doesn’t charge triple—or even more—per passenger than it does now. The cruise lines need us more than we need them. —Independent

••• The Biltmore “is planning to partially reopen on May 31. In what he called a soft opening, Mark Lloyd, a private land-use agent for The Biltmore, said the resort’s main buildings will be open and operational as well as 55 guest rooms. […] The resort’s main buildings—A and B, which house the resort’s main lobby, retail space, a restaurant, a bar, a banquet hall and a newly added theater—are all expected to be operational for phase one.” Moreover, “The resort is working on plans to add two swimming pools to the property.” —Noozhawk

••• “Refugio State Beach on the Gaviota Coast has lost several of its iconic date palms after winter storm beach erosion. One or two palms fell down last week, and two more fell down on Wednesday.” —Noozhawk

••• The history of those palms (and Refugio State Beach in general). —Goleta History

••• Someone told Restaurant Guy that he intends to open a beer spa—where you soak in beer—called Hop in the Spa somewhere in the area.

••• “Sable Offshore Corp. Takes Over Exxon’s Santa Barbara Oil Assets, Sets Sights on Restarting Operations.” —Noozhawk

••• “The City of Goleta wants to take $8.4 million of Measure A transportation funds originally intended for a pedestrian, vehicle and bicycle bridge over Highway 101, and instead spend it on roundabouts and other circulation projects in Old Town Goleta.” —Noozhawk

••• “The Alcazar Theatre has undertaken a massive revival in preparation for its 100th anniversary—in June 2028—which includes incremental construction plans to renew the building and create a state-of-the-art venue for Carpinteria.” —Coastal View News

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