Moving here for grad school and wow the flight in was incredible. What an insane view (I can even see Stearns Wharf!)

How is there not a direct bus line from downtown to the airport? I live on the mesa, and my best option is 2 transfers and a 35 minute walk? Seriously? Or, someone please enlighten me…

The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department has begun a multi-week project at Franceschi Park to improve existing trails and walking paths and provide access to more areas of the 17-acre open space park.

Crews will construct more than 1,500 linear feet of new trails to connect the parking lot, the Franceschi Bust, the upper meadow, and the existing trail system. The connections will make it easier for visitors to explore some of the park’s lesser-known features, including a large sandstone bust honoring renowned horticulturist Dr. Francesco Franceschi, who established a nursery and botanic garden on the property in the early 1900s.  

The project will also improve access to the park’s upper meadow, passing through eucalyptus, towering cacti, and oak trees, with sweeping views of Santa Barbara, Goleta, and the ocean. Trails will feature compacted trail tread and drainage features designed to prevent erosion and water accumulation, helping create a sustainable trail system for the long term.

Crews will conduct maintenance on all existing trails and pathways throughout Franceschi Park to improve the safety and usability of the park’s entire trail system. Sections of pathways and stairways with cracked or crumbling concrete will be repaired while maintaining the park’s unique character. Work on existing trails will include clearing overgrown vegetation, addressing erosion and slope instability, and leveling and repairing uneven trail surfaces. Unsafe or redundant trails will be decommissioned, and natural materials will be placed to allow the surrounding landscape to gradually reclaim the former trail.

Three new benches made from repurposed wood will be installed throughout the park, providing visitors with additional places to rest and take in the views and surrounding landscape. 

Trail work is expected to continue into October, with native habitat restoration efforts expected to begin in winter.

See behind the scenes of the project here.

At first I thought it was a Hummingbird moth. Nope. Of all the species of butterflies in North America, this is the largest: The Western Giant Swallowtail (Papilio rumiko) aka "Orange Dog" butterfly. So named because one of its preferred host plants happens to be the orange tree. In this video, the butterfly is feeding on the nectar of our Plumbago hedge. Only a day or so prior to spotting this beautiful and super speedy butterfly, I had said to my housemate: "Whatever you do, don't trim the Plumbago. Leave the flowers for the tiny little blue butterflies." The Marine blues (Lepotes marina) are here now, too. In big numbers. I'm surprised they didn't chase off this monster-sized Swallowtail.

Post what you actually order!

Brewhouse burger fries and a pint for $19

Finney's menu in general

Anyone got any other orders they think constitute a pretty decent deal?

I’m taking my teen son to Santa Barbara this weekend. I had planned to charter a boat to Channel Islands but I’m hearing from our captain the weather might not be great for going into the caves like we wanted to.

We really only have Sunday to plan something fun. It’s pretty last minute now for a holiday weekend! Give me some ideas.

Hi I am looking for recommendations for a boxing class or instructor specifically aimed at teaching teens. My friend has a daughter and wants her to get into boxing. Thanks in advance.

I live in an apartment in the Santa Barbara area and I’ve been dealing with an ongoing issue with the tenant below me and the people who regularly come over to his unit.
I understand that tenants are allowed to have guests, and I’m not trying to complain about someone having friends over. The problem is that there are constantly people hanging around outside the unit, especially late at night. This has been happening almost every day. There are also frequently random belongings and other items left scattered around the outside of the unit and surrounding areas.
Most of the people hanging around appear to be homeless or under the influence of drugs, and there is a lot of loitering around the property. It has gotten to the point where I don’t feel comfortable with the situation and I’m tired of having random people hanging around right outside where I live.
I’ve already contacted property management about it. They told me they would speak with the tenant, but the problem has continued.
I’m wondering what my options are at this point. Has anyone in Santa Barbara dealt with something similar? Is there anything I can reasonably ask management to do, or are there specific city resources or non emergency services I should be contacting?
I have tried to contact the non emergency police line but they were dismissive. I’m debating on making a police report but I feel like this is just a waste of my time.

Hi there, we are planning a Christmas/new year vacation at Santa Barbara. We have 2 young kids 8 and 11y. What can we do during Christmas new year at Santa Barbara? Thanks.

I have a 62+ friend who might be looking for housing soon. Anyone have any experience with living here?

Are rent increases frequent?
Are the units in good condition?
Are there any extra fees besides rent?
Laundry facilities?

Other thoughts, positive or negative?

Can anyone recommend someone in town who does upholstery? In this instance, I’m looking for someone to reupholster a couch for a client. I have someone I’ve worked in the past with for custom cushions, but they handle designer/high-end textiles and I’m looking for someone who does not cost an arm and a leg. Much thanks :)

Outrage about the disgracefulness of putting up this surveillance is one thing, but positively reinforcing the politicians that work with the people and shut it down is very important.

VERY few cities across the nation have cancelled their flock contracts, and we need to make it clear to our local governments that we are happy about this. Politicians are humans too, they like being appreciated, and so make the politicians that aren't ignoring this issue feel appreciated.

Publicity regarding commending politicians that do this would certainly influence other counties, and let non-local communities know that their government CAN ban these things.

Title kinda speaks for itself… where is *the best* crème brûlée in town? SB and surrounding…

I have just begun trail running and have been trying to find good trails to run on in and near SB. I have been running at Elwood and San Marcos Foothills preserve. Douglas is okay but it’s small and there are a ton of dogs (to be expected).

I have been trying to find some good flattish trails to build my endurance. Due to the nature of SB a lot of trails I like are very steep or are not maintained super well.

Looking for some more recommendations. Usually like to run 2-5 miles depending on the type of trail and incline.

Thanks in advance y’all!

Edit:

Thanks for all the amazing advice. I really appreciate the directions. Making a long list now that I am excited to start checking off. Keep em comin! Hopefully, we cross paths on the trail!

Hey everyone, I got my first ever speeding ticket and got traffic school, and they gave a looong list of options to complete it. Does anyone have a recommendation on which one I should do? Online would be preferable. Thank you for responding!

Anyone have any recommendations for insulation contractor? Home is from the 50s without insulation. 805 Insulate is coming over to quote but looking for other recommendations. Thanks!

Did anyone else lose power at like 6:15am in Noleta?

Hi everybody,

I'm putting this out as I'm going to start a monthly meetup around general AI usage. I'm looking for people who span all parts of the spectrum, from the person training actual models to the person who just uses Chat GPT and wants to learn more.

Here is a little about me - I work in an AI adjacent field, I am an extremely heavy user, consumer, and builder of agentic AI tools and products. For people in the field, I would label my category as agentic engineering. I love helping people!

My core ethos about LLM based AI is that it can and should be used for GOOD. What is good? It's helping people claw back time that for some reason modern society demands we spend elsewhere just to live. It's helping people spread ideas through language and art of what could be possible. It's furthering good causes and organizations by enabling them to do more with what they have. It's creating and using digital tools to affect real world change.

Who do I want to affect? The parent who comes home every night too exhausted to interact with their kids. The potential volunteer that if they could spare a few hours a week, would be contributing to bettering their community. Hell, even the person that just wants to live a richer life - even if that richer life just means sitting on the couch to watch a few movies every month, that's who I want to inspire and help!

What would SB look like if suddenly people had more time and energy because they learned just the basics of AI usage? What could we get done locally if navigating the red tape suddenly became a cakewalk? Could we do more events? Could we get more local run business off the ground? Could we help bring back arts funding to schools?

What could we build out with an aligned group of agentic AI superusers!? Let's find out!

Every day I do wonderful things with AI that benefit myself and my family, and I want others - and the community at large - to feel the same way.

Hit me up if you're interested!

Tonight!

The KCSB-FM debut of 15:Thirty, a Santa Maria based DJ who will be gracing the airwaves of our seaside town this evening with some DnB heavy hitters.

Second hour i’ll be on the decks with a psychedelic and minimalist blend of House / Techno

Join us!

How to tune in:
• 10p - 12a [pdt]
• 91.9 fm [santa barbaral
• kcsb.org [web stream]
• 805-893-2424 [studio line]

Too much to type as to why this needs to happen. We as staff deserve to feel valued, heard and properly compensated. Please show the support to the cottage employees you know!