Natalie Portman Sells 10-Acre Montecito Property for Healthy Profit

The local real estate market is even hotter than it was six months ago: everything is selling, often going into escrow before officially being listed and selling above ask with a quick close. So if you think you might want to sell—and you have somewhere else to live—now is the time.

Santa Barbara County Rarely Punishes Covid-19 Scofflaws

Other recent news: Carp hotel moves forward; partisan conflict in the county redistricting commission; the history of the Granada Theatre building and the plan for a backlot plaza; protesters try to stop development near the San Marcos Foothills Preserve; Highway 1 repair timeline; artist Jane Gottlieb's passionate embrace of color. 1

Gelson’s Is Being Bought by a Japanese Conglomerate

More food news: Pizzeria Mozza and Restaurant at Meadowood pop-ups at the Ojai Valley Inn; an effort to farm purple sea urchins; big new parklet at Mony's; opening date for Sear Steakhouse in Solvang; the Tavern at Zaca Creek brought on a new chef.

State Street Promenade Extended for Another Year

Other recent news: Santa Barbara city and county elementary schools to reopen; proposed charter school denied; Funk Zone rooftop bar moves forward.

Is This the Most Impeccable House in Montecito?

Other notable new listings include a 1919 villa on Mission Canyon Road, an idiosyncratic contemporary the architect built for himself, a Lower Riviera charmer, and a 9.5-acre equestrian compound outside Carpinteria.

Newsletter: February 24

The Siteline newsletter is the best way to follow the website. To subscribe, click the link at the bottom of this post. And you can unsubscribe at any time.

A Makeover for Eastside Neighborhood Park

Other recent news: There's a giant red platform stiletto in a field near the 101; remembering when a Japanese submarine fired on Goleta; former mayor Hal Conklin won't rule out running again; new downtown satellites of UCSB and Westmont College.

Montecito Family Seeks Same for School-Eligible Rental

Plus: Eye of the Day sale starts next week; the former Big Yellow House is no longer yellow; Lotusland is reopening; rental listing touts helistop; Santa Barbara Public Library launches online confabs. 1

El Encanto’s Restaurant Has a New Chef

More food news: Hibachi Steak House & Sushi Bar is likely closing soon; Revolver's impressive muffuletta; closing date for one of the Starbucks outposts on State Street; profile of Dean coffee shop by the airport; Sun & Swell Foods's pandemic pivot; another great dive-bar diorama. 1

New Housing Community Proposed Next to the Polo Fields

The Santa Barbara Polo Villas would comprise 25 single-family dwellings and 15 condominiums on an 11.48-acre lot. 6