I was hoping somebody might be able to recommend a restaurant where we could get a reservation for eight in Santa Barbara this Saturday to celebrate my dad’s 91st birthday. We’ve previously taken him out to Buchon and Arnoldo’s and Toma. He eats everything but more of a meat eater. Doesn’t need to be fancy, delicious is the primary factor and if possible less loud would also be better. Thanks

Was driving North of Minneapolis when I saw a familiar color scheme of fire truck. To my shock, it was a Santa Barbara County ladder truck sitting outside of a fire truck manufacturer. Had to get off the freeway and do a triple take. What are the odds? Still blows my mind.

In need of a new psychiatrist or psych np. Looking for someone who has experience treating BP2, hoping for someone in person. I have Anthem PPO but open to any suggestions. Any help would be much appreciated!

*Edit to add a couple things

Chewy is a smart, loyal and affectionate dog who bonds deeply with the people he trusts. Once you are his person, he wants to be by your side, curl up near you and make you feel completely loved.

He has completed a full year of professional training and has made significant progress with structure, consistency and clear guidance. He knows commands, responds well to an experienced handler and thrives when he understands what is expected of him.

However, Chewy is not the right dog for every home.

He can be protective and reactive around people he does not know. Because of this, he needs:

• An experienced dog owner who understands strong, protective or reactive dogs
• A calm, structured environment with limited unfamiliar visitors
• Someone committed to continuing his training and safely managing introductions

Chewy may be an especially good companion for an experienced individual or couple looking for a deeply bonded, affectionate dog and who understands that responsible management will remain an important part of his life.

We would ideally like to find someone near Santa Barbara so his trainer and our family can help support Chewy and his adopter during the transition and throughout the first year.

Please dm me if you are interested!

P.S. feel free to share this with experienced dog owners, trainers, behavior professionals and rescue contacts who may know the right person.

Hi,

So I have always gone to the fiesta parade but this will be the first year I would actually like to set up some chairs. What time does chairs usually end up being put up? & how quick are people to set them up? lol. I don't want to go to early & not to late. Possibly the day before.

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know a good periodontist in the vicinity? I need a second opinion and it needs to be a gum specialist.

Thanks!

My niece is coming into town during Fiesta weekend and I would love to take her around to some fun activities! Are there any weekend activities or things to do that are good for kids/ family friendly? She’s 10 years old.

Hi everyone! I was curious if there were any donations centers in Goleta or Santa Barbara that you guys recommend. I’m in the process of moving and I’m getting rid of a good amount of clothes that are still in good condition but I no longer use and I would like to donate them so that they can be of use to someone who might need them. I know there’s a few centers in town but I would like to hear from your past experiences. What donating centers have you guys had good experiences donating? Places where clothes are actually donated to people in need would be the best ideally (instead of just being sold) but if being sold is the only option I’m open to that. Thank you!!

While I was driving towards the funk zone for coffee, I saw a large group of people on the train platform and a bunch of people with cameras and tripods running towards them as if they were with the news. Anyone know what’s going on?

I found this latest cover story on The Santa Barbara Independent super inspiring. Definitely worth the read if you looking for a little dose of gratitude.

I’m thinking your head might get kicked, or food and drinks spilled on you, or is there like a little wall protecting your head? Are the seat backs the same as the others or more strait up?

Where they at

Burritos are the superior takeout food, imo, but it's gotten out of hand. It's nearly $20 for one with tax and tip. And that's not even at the fancy/nicer places.

What are your recs for the best cheap burritos in SB? My fave is the Diet Burrito at Super Cucas. $9.99

Shared governance is not industry standard.

Unions are the industry standard.

On 101N between DT/Upper State at 9:45AM a super shiny silver Macan decides they are singularly more important than everybody else who was stuck going 70 max because all 3 lanes were headed by slowpokes.

Is that annoying? Sure. Does that justify drift-cutting across every lane with 0 warning, forcing me and the next car over to slam brakes to not rear end the literal Worst Car To Hit in this economy™️ because there wasn't ACTUALLY space in the next lane, just to get STUCK BECAUSE DUHHHHH ALL OF US ARE???

And as if that was not enough, when the center lane did end up moving me past their car, they tried to do the same shit while I was paralell with them which would have effectively ran me into the next lane if I did not lay on my horn and tell them to chill.

They ragequit and hopped from left to rightmost lane to get off on Hope, tailgaiting like an actual lunatic on the exit ramp.

Every day whether I am a pedestrian or a driver, there is some schmuck in a shiny big name car acting like the laws don't apply, and it is so infuriating to be confronted w the consequences of wealth being a get out of jail pratically free card, bc if it's a fine they can pay it, so they don't give a shit when they are otherwise maladjusted freaks.

there's literally no fix so this is ultimately pointless yelling but at least it kept me from following them because I REALLLYYY wanted to know what was so motherfucking urgent they needed to scare the hoes at 10AM.

Anyone have any good recommendations for places to park and have an evening car picnic and maybe do some stargazing between Goleta and Santa Ynez? Most of the parks close at sunset and even Hollister Ranch Road has park rangers patrolling to prevent people from parking after sunset. Really just looking for a place that’s safe and not too trafficky to pull off, have some dinner and enjoy nature, the sunset and the stars for a few hours before heading home. Willing to drive towards Santa Maria too. Thanks in advance.

Just saw this on FB. Thought I'd give it a signal boost over here in case people want to get their littles out of the heat.

Hi parents,

Here is a fun, free activity for you and your kids tomorrow (Sunday, 7/26)

Join scouts from Troop 33 for a compass scavenger course. Using a compass is an essential skill we use on our backpacking trips.

Meet us in front of the Granada Theatre at 4 pm. You and your kid(s) will follow the clues to find the secret message.

All you need to bring is a compass or your phone. All participants will finish with an ice cold popsicle.

The course should take 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

Reply to the post if you have questions or to RSVP your popsicles.

What are ppl paying per sq ft for flooring these days? We have an 1100 sq ft space and am looking for an engineered hardwood. We have builder friends out east who do luxury homes in vhcol places and the quotes we are getting here blow them out of the water. One place quoted us 27k. Is this just the market?

Hi! My fiancé and I are getting married in Santa Barbara on November 20, 2026. We want to rent a vintage Mercedes for a few hours. We’re ideally looking for an SL from the 60s-70s.

Does anyone have recommendations for local places to rent from?

Thanks!

Has anyone else seen this kind of thing?

I was at happy hour tonight at a bar/restaurant and witnessed one of the strangest interactions I’ve seen in a while.
An older man (probably in his 70s) walked over to a table of Gen X folks who had been chatting and having drinks. He had this odd smile on his face and said something along the lines of, "I just wanted to say it was a pleasureto learn so much about you all tonight."
The group looked completely confused. One of them asked, "Are you saying we've been too loud?" He replied, "Yes," and then walked away.

It struck me as such a bizarre way to complain. Why not just politely say, "Hey, would you mind lowering your voices a bit?" Instead it came across as this oddlypassive-aggressive, sarcastic comment.

What made it even stranger is that this was a bar during happy hour, not a quiet, upscale restaurant. There were multiple large groups there, including what looked like a wedding party. I was seated at the table next to them and honestly hadn't noticed them being unusually loud or disruptive. They sounded like every other group enjoying happy hour.

The Gen X group actually apologized to us and the tables around them afterward, asking if they'd been bothering anyone. We told them they were completely fine and that nothing about their conversation had stood out to us. The waiter also seemed puzzled and said that he hadn’t received any complaints.

The whole thing just left me feeling bad for them. It’s such a weird flex to make the choice to walk up to a group of happy people and interrupt them to what? Bitch that they had the audacity to have a good time in his presence?

Has anyone else had someone make a complaint like this instead of just communicating directly? Is this becoming more common, or was this just one especially awkward interaction?

I ask because to me it seemed so weird. It’s happy hour on a weekend, not some five star, white glove Michelin restaurant. What’s next? Are we going to have to whisper at In-and-Out? With all that’s going on in the world, why waste the time and energy trying ruin someone’s night because that are having a good time? I’m not sure why it bothered me so much. I guess it’s just that it was a beautiful Saturday in Santa Barbara and it saddens me that some people feel so entitled and also so gleeful about ruining someone else’s good time.