r/SantaBarbara

I love architectural history, and had wanted to visit Bellosguardo since moving here about two years ago... only to find that a tour was $100. I looked into becoming a docent so that I could take a tour for free... only to find that their website explicitly states that they only take volunteer applications from people that had been on tours before. (BTW, their volunteer policies are totally insane!!) So you cannot even enter an application to work for free until you have paid them at least $100!!

Tickets to their 4th of July event were $25 and advertised classical music, so my spouse and I decided that was a nice chance to get to check it out. Ummmmm......

We (both in our late 20s) were pretty much followed everywhere we went. Like, "volunteers" (though I get the sense it's more a social club for retirees) following us into the gardens past every turn we took. One pair of guests assumed I was staff (??) and were extremely rude to me after they asked me to take their photo and I said yes. We overheard one pair of people talking about how great Waymos are, because "you don't have to talk to the driver... or smell them!!"

Not to mention, for an organization ostensibly about the performing arts, at least half of the music (genuinely played very well by the really great symphony musicians!!) were just scores from Hollywood movies. It was almost comically kitschy, but no one seemed to be in on the joke.

At the event, I jokingly said to my spouse that I think the city should raise the raze the mansion and build high-density affordable housing. The more I think about it, the more that seems like a good idea to me... Bellosguardo is beautiful, sure, but a Newport knock-off where bored rich people can temporarily occupy a perennially empty home just to, quite literally, look down on everyone else seems a lot less important to me than the lives of the people and families who work to make SB their home. Hell, have the city expropriate and sell the property to some other rich assholes and use the tens (hundreds?) of millions in profit to fund public schools, marine protection, fire prevention...

Are there any upcoming opportunities for public pushback on the foundation? It's insane to me that it is classed as a "non-profit" when it does literally nothing for the public except actively excluding it.

Does anyone know where Kennedy’s Bar was located on State Street and what is there now? Thanks!

I have a date set up for Saturday night at 7:30. We’re both in our late 30s early 40s and I’m from out of town. Where is a nice spot to keep it somewhat relaxed yet fun on a Saturday night?

Long shot - Trying to find a lovely woman approx. 45-55 from Boulder, CO who flew into Santa Barbara Wednesday around 9:00 PM on UAL flight 2459 from Denver. She offered to switch aisle seats so I could be next to my 3 year old granddaughter Scarlet. She mentioned she was visiting a girl friend in Montecito where her two teenage daughters live with her ex-husband. We talked briefly and when I asked she explained a ring she was wearing. We spoke again outside but I missed exchanging info before leaving. If you know her either here in the Santa Barbara area or in Boulder, please sent this to her and DM me too. I’d really appreciate it as I’d love to get back in touch with her. Thank you very much.

Hello everyone! We're a couple from Barcelona that are spending some days in this beautiful city. We would like to be part of the 4th of July and blend with some locals here. Any recommendations on where to go, what to do?

We know about the fireworks but happy to hear any advice!

Thanks!

We have a second grader and are interested in AYSO. However, our work schedules sometimes include weekends. What's the schedule like for practices and games at this age? Does it change depending on the coach that you are assigned? What has been your experience with the coaches and volunteers? We like a slow pace in general and are not competitive. I played soccer as a child in Ventura in the late 90's/2000's. Should I expect a similar experience for my child?

Thanks in advance.

If you have information on ICE activities in Santa Barbara County, we at Santa Barbara Cop Watch want to hear from you. Email us at SolvangPoliceWatch@pm.me

Santa Barbara Cop Watch was recently formed to combat abuses by local police and LE in our communities. We are a group dedicated to freedom of speech, anti-censorship, and community mutual aid through direct action. Help us grow our new community by providing us with leads and information to expand our activities. Thank you for your assistance!

r/SantaBarbaraCopWatch

I need a reputable handyman that can fix cracks in ceiling of a mobile home and fix a loose piece in my closet.

any recommendations?

thanks.

I have an offer in the Goleta area and am looking for apartments. I've found some listings in Isla Vista, but I've been reading around and it seems like its a college neighborhood? I'm 25 and not affiliated with UCSB at all, and it's my first time living in Santa Barbara. Are there any non-students living in Isla Vista or is it recommended to not stay there?

Where are the largest homeless encampments in Santa Barbara? I want to go hand out some hotdogs and hamburgers tomorrow for the 4th of July.

I'm post grad in my early 20s, I have a good job here working in healthcare. I absolutely LOVE Santa Barbara, but realistically I'll never be able to buy a home and settle down here. I'll probably move before I have kids. Has anyone found a city they love just as much as SB?

He’s visiting and wants to go there.