Santa Barbara CA

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) unanimously approved in a February 19 meeting a cooperative funding agreement to expand intercity passenger rail service between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The initiative is a significant step toward delivering the “lane and train” promise made to...

While ski resorts in Northern California are reporting five feet of snow from the weekend’s stormy weather, Santa Barbara County felt more than four inches of rainfall by a chilly Thursday morning. In terms of drought, all that snow adds to the positive water picture of county reservoirs at or more than 100 percent...

Raise a Glass to Sparkling Wine Made the Champagne Way on California’s Central Coast. If Champagne, France is the gold standard for sparkling wine, then California’s Central Coast is quietly — and deliciously — becoming its most exciting rival. Tucked into the fog-kissed valleys of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara...

A private coastal luxury home in one of Santa Barbara’s most coveted neighborhoods officially sold on February 17, 2026, according to a listing on Redfin. Located at 737 Sea Ranch Drive and nestled in the Campanil Hills area, the single-story luxury home spans 3,300 sq. ft. and sold for $5.25 million, according to...

Two Santa Barbara catering companies have merged to form a new enterprise called Solera & Co. Pure Joy Catering and Catering Connection have combined their teams under a single brand. The merger places both companies under the Schaffer Hospitality family. Formation of Solera & Co. Solera & Co will operate...

On Tuesday, February 10, the Ventura City Council adopted an emergency ordinance prohibiting the removal and trimming of trees within identified protected wildlife habitats. This ordinance only applies to trees within the protected areas. The ordinance takes effect immediately and will remain in place while the City...

In January, a new sculpture was installed in the Karoo South African Gardens at Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG). The site was made possible in part by a generous donation from a VBG supporter, who envisioned a work of art inspired by the surrounding landscape and spectacular coastal views. After a careful search, VBG...

Mission Pilates, a long-standing fitness studio in Santa Barbara County, has been listed for sale, placing both of its locations on the market, according to BizBuySell. Operating since 2019, the studio’s two locations in Solvang and Orcutt are listed for sale on the platform. The listing shows an asking...

( This story has been updated to correct the age of U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal. ) Vincent Trevino Jimenez was one of 12 students who shared stories of their financial struggles to U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal at Ventura College on Feb. 19. Trevino Jimenez, 25, said he was a non-traditional student who is studying sociology...

A chaotic scene unfolded Friday morning in downtown Santa Barbara as two federal agents violently arrested 27-year-old resident Jack Randmaa and knocked down and pepper sprayed 80-year-old attorney Doug Hayes. According to Randmaa’s father, Matt, Jack is a volunteer ICE observer and had been alerted to agents’...