Happy weekend, Santa Barbara! In today’s happening-today edition: Healthy café expansion, beach access under review, and Santa Barbara plant fest + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
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01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Healthy café expansion: Silvergreens Café opened at 1001 State Street in the Amazon building, serving fresh salads, wraps, soups, sandwiches, and breakfast, with partners Renaud’s Patisserie and Handlebar Coffee Roasters -- see the café details.
Beach access under review: Santa Barbara closed the Cliff Drive overlook parking above Hendry's Beach for 30 days as part of a safety and operations evaluation. Barricades line both sides near Hope Ranch -- check the beach closure.
New county health changes: Santa Barbara County Health will shift services July 1, moving blood draws to contracted labs, consolidating pharmacies, discontinuing specialties, and expanding scheduling with earlier and later hours at nearby locations -- get the full details.
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Seafood with a view: When you need a no-fuss spot to decompress after the 101, Brophy Bros. Santa Barbara delivers fresh local seafood, a lively clam bar, and a signature Bloody Mary that hits the reset button. Grab a bar seat, watch the boats, and let the harbor people-watching do its thing.
Easy outdoor reset: When cabin fever hits, Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is your easy local way to unplug by the water. Bring your people, wander oak-studded paths, watch the light change over the lake, then head home feeling like you took a mini-vacation on a Tuesday.
Year-round fairway fix: When the marine layer crashes your round, SwingPath GOLF CLUB saves the day with comfy indoor simulators that make practice actually fun. Grab a buddy, queue up your playlist, and work on wedges or blast driver without losing balls, sunscreen, or patience.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎨 Painting @ Rancho San Marcos Golf Course | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign to swap spreadsheets for sunsets, here it is: a no-experience-needed, step-by-step painting class at Rancho San Marcos, scenery included. $89 covers supplies, a non-alcoholic drink, and apps, and if your better half prefers, the course is open.
🌿 Santa Barbara Plant Fest @ Fox Wine Co. | Saturday (6/20) at 12:00 PM – Whether you’re a serial succulent adopter or plant-curious, Santa Barbara’s Plant Fest gathers the green-thumbed for swaps, raffles, and local vendors with food, beer, wine. Trade cuttings, meet the plant people, and admit your pots outnumber your shelves. Free, friendly, and gloriously leafy.
🎶 After 52nd Annual Summer Solstice Parade @ Alameda Park NNC | Saturday (6/20) at 2:25 PM – Solstice Parade’s over, but Alameda Park is staying lively as THE NEW VIBE drops a funky, brass-laced groove. Get your post-float dance on, then wander to Fox Wines in the Funk Zone later for a smoother nightcap, local pours, and happier knees.
🍷 Cml at Santa Barbara Car Winery Art Show @ Carr Winery | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – Carr Winery’s art show is getting a buttery upgrade, with Cousins Maine Lobster popping up for a one-time fling at 414 N Salsipuedes. Think proper lobster rolls, tacos, and tots, then wander the art like you came for culture, not just the butter.
🧹 Beach Cleanup @ East Beach near Skater's Point and Palm Park | Sunday (6/21) at 10:00 AM – Trade your scroll for beach karma at a cleanup on East Beach, behind Skater's Point by Palm Park. Anyone can join, teens nab service hours, under 18 need waivers, and under 14 a parent, and Sea Center has gloves and bags, though BYO is better.
🦁 Father's Day at the Zoo @ Santa Barbara Zoo | Sunday (6/21) at 10:00 AM – Take Dad to the zoo and let the animal kingdom handle the role modeling. Zookeeper talks on devoted dads, education booths, and kid-friendly craft stations keep everyone entertained, and it is all free with admission or membership. Low effort, high quality time.
💃 Line Dancing @ Captain Fatty's Brewery (Goleta) | Sunday (6/21) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats line dancing at Captain Fatty's, where instructors wrangle beginners and ringers into one happy shuffle. Learn the basics to current hits, sip local craft brews between songs, bring the kids, and do it all for ten bucks, every Sunday. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The Santa Barbara report Weather forecastToday — High: 70°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0% Cloudy, with a high near 70. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Cloudy, with a low around 59. West southwest wind 0 to 15 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 71°F — Low: 58°F — Precip: 0% Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. This house is wildSet in the coveted Tree Farm community, this light-filled home pairs timeless style with easygoing comfort. Wide-plank wood floors and a quartz-topped chef’s kitchen bring polish, while the California room with a built-in fireplace extends the living space outdoors. A main-level guest suite, dedicated office, spa-like primary retreat, and resort-style community amenities complete the picture.
Take a peek inside → | | |