Rising Seas Will Mean Bad News for Santa Barbara

Other local news: State laws could allow for taller buildings; how storms might impact neighborhoods below the Cave Fire burn area; two movie theaters get loop technology for the hearing-impaired; shooting ban extended in Los Padres National Forest; the tree of the month.

Another Historic Montecito Estate Is Headed to Auction

Designed by noted architect Lutah Maria Riggs in the early 1930s, the 2.1-acre property has a Hollywood glamour—and a peachy exterior—reminiscent of the Hotel Bel-Air and Beverly Hills Hotel. It was most recently listed for $12.5 million.

Montecito Retail: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

A new boutique is about to open, but two Upper Village stores are closing. Plus: Midcentury house in the Hedgerow sold; Toro Creek Bridge is open to two-way traffic.

The Lineup for the First-Ever Santa Barbara Culinary Experience

The three-day festival in March benefits the Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, with many events inspired by Child. There's even a free map of her favorite local haunts.

Lighthouse Coffee’s New Downtown Café Is Opening Soon

More food news: Pearl Social got heat for its patio; portion of Bettina pizza proceeds to be donated toward Australian wildlife; Ojai Valley Inn pizza party; Habit Burger's local outposts excluded from the brand's recent sale; culinary bright spots in Solvang.

Newsletter: January 13

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Six More Months of Construction at Paseo Nuevo

Other recent news: The Independent's website will go behind a paywall; the News-Press really, truly hopes to do better; Southern California Gas wants to install new utility poles in Montecito; remember when Das Williams took $60,000 from cannabis growers?

Why Paso Robles Made a Big Must-Visit List for 2020

Other news from the beyond the Santa Barbara bubble: United is adding three new destinations from Santa Maria airport; Alaska started flying from San Luis Obispo to San Diego; Paso is rethinking its tattoo-parlor ban; Magic Mountain's new rollercoaster is the first of its kind.

Boat-Inspired Beach House Drops by a Quarter Million

The week's other top price reductions: Hope Ranch house with ocean and mountain views; midcentury Montecito property tucked way down a private lane; Torito Road adobe chops price yet again; a tribathlete's dream in the Riviera.

Checking in on the Big New Underground House

Plus: Local museums participating in free-admission day; Kesha to play the Santa Barbara Bowl in May; volunteer to work at a polling place for the presidential primary; options for those who have resolved to learn something new.