Carlos the Bear was pacing back and forth while twiddling his claws. He was worried but thinking objectively. He had time, having been verbally told the new owners wanted to sell and that he had until March 1st to vacate the premises. Not a lot of time. His needs were few. A place to hibernate, […]

Maybe it was a touch of brioche French toast and some morning laughs on a lazy weekend, or a Saturday prime rib before the big show… or remember the time the whole family got burgers after the hike?  As surely as the unforgettable meals they serve, Lucky’s – “Montecito’s Second Living Room” – is endeared […]

San Ysidro Ranch is setting the stage for romance throughout Valentine’s season 2026, inviting couples to celebrate love amid its iconic rose gardens and lavender-lined paths. Now through the end of February, the intimate Speakeasy at Plow & Angel glows with a dramaticinstallation of 12,000 illuminated hearts, plush velvet booths, and live music, paired with […]

MOVE Santa Barbara County will bring its E-Bike Safety Presentation Series to Montecito Union School on January 30, educating students on safe riding practices, traffic laws, and shared responsibility on local roads. The presentations, part of MOVE’s education and encouragement program, will reach fourth- and sixth-grade classes throughout the day. Designed to build awareness as […]

Meth / Finney Street Beach — Monday, January 12, at 10:34 hours Subject was contacted at the above location and found to be on pre-trial release conditions with full search terms. A methamphetamine pipe was found on subject. A search of his vehicle revealed methamphetamine, fentanyl, and various narcotics-related pieces of equipment. Subject was arrested […]

At 4:25 am on December 28, 2025, our beloved Vicki peacefully took her last breath. As her family surrounded her, the bluetooth speaker beside her bed inexplicably and surreally played a piano rendition of Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” We believe, in her divine wisdom, she “chose” this song as her final […]

Explore Ecology invites everyone to submit their nominations for an Environmental Steward Award online by January 31. Categories are: Teacher Award, Grades Preschool to 6th grade Teacher Award, Grades 7th to 12th Class or Club Award, Grades Preschool to 12th Student Award, Grades Preschool to 6th Student Award, Grades 7th to 12th School Support Staff, […]

Only Jeff Wing could walk us through a crash course in evolution biology, anatomy, AND his own colonoscopy in the stand-up comedy mode, all the while lying on his side.  LOL!  The lesson: our gut health is so integral to the gut-brain axis, but pooping will always be hilarious. Sincerely, LeeAnn Morgan  A Lasting Lesson […]

As the eighth anniversary of the 1/9 Debris Flow approaches, the January storms served as a stark reminder of the power of natural weather events and the lasting impact they have had on the area. The Montecito community will gather on Friday, January 9, at 6 pm for Raising Our Light, the annual remembrance ceremony […]

The Montecito Fire Protection District is taking applications for a Fire Chief. Responsibilities and job requirements are posted on the website, see 411. 411: www.montecitofire.com/fire-chief Carp-Summerland FPD Chief Retires The Carp-Summerland Fire Protection District announced the retirement of Fire Chief Robert Kovach, who has served 15 years with them for a total of 40 years […]

POST Alarm Pulls Driver Over / 300 block San Ysidro Road — Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 09:34 hours A Montecito resident was driving by the Montecito Union School when an SUV approached from behind, activated bright white lights and requested over a loudspeaker that the subject pull over. Subject complied. A white male exited […]

On Saturday, Jan. 17, from 3-4 pm, Montecito’s storied Tecolote Bookshop, now entering its 101st year of operation, will host a book launch and reading by local author Fran Davis of her historical fiction novel Red Summer. A tale of love, betrayal, and revenge in the McCarthy era, the novel portrays a small California town […]

Obituary prepared by Roger’s wife and six children As a teenager attending Midnight Mass at Mt. Carmel Church in the 1980s, I remember singing the carol “What Child Is This?” and its haunting lyric, “the silent word is pleading.” Amid the noise of the holidays, it offered a reminder that love, grace, and power often […]

Bank Fraud Wells Fargo / 1400 block East Valley Road, Montecito — Thursday, December 11, at 12:18 hours The victim received a phone call from an unknown suspect warning of fraudulent activity with regard to her bank account. The suspect told the victim she needed to withdraw $27,000 from her account at Wells Fargo and […]

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has announced two major charitable contributions: $25,000 to the Central Coast Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots campaign and $135,000 raised through its annual Charity Golf Tournament for Angels Foster Care, CALM, and the Mental Wellness Center. This marks the tribe’s 22nd year supporting Toys for Tots, totaling […]

Jean Svoboda was born September 19, 1930 in Plevna, Montana, as the youngest child of five to William (Pat) and Gladys Kaiser. In 1949 following high school, Jean attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where she began her studies in Home Economics. She pledged Delta Gamma and that commitment formed lifelong friendships. Jean met […]

SOC (save our cattle) from horrible inhumane slaughter. Every time I drive up in the country, I enjoy seeing all the free-roaming cattle with their cute calves on the hillside. It’s nice to see happy cows while they are alive, knowing that eventually they’re going to end up on someone’s dinner table. I have an […]

San Ysidro Ranch invites guests to welcome 2026 with an evening that blends classic elegance, culinary artistry, and warm Montecito charm. The New Year’s Eve Gala begins at 5 pm with Prestige Champagne and an amuse-bouche, setting the tone for a refined four-course dinner paired with exceptional wines, including a Grand Cru red to complement […]

The Montecito community will come together on January 9, 2026, for Raising Our Light, an annual ceremony honoring the 23 community members lost in the 1/9 Debris Flow. The event begins at 6 pm outside Montecito Union School, where attendees will hear brief remarks and a solemn reading of the names of those who died. […]

Our final week of the MJ’s Holiday Gift Guide is here! As we close in on (the big day and heartfelt devotional of your choice), it’s important to recall that All This Feeling fuels the eternal cosmic gyre; not to go all sentimental on you. As we hang stockings with care and otherwise happily surrender […]

If you’ve been following The Society Edit and Local News Bytes, you’ve been anticipating the opening of New York-based lifestyle brand Veronica Beard at 1269 Coast Village Road. It’s likely on your way to Lucky’s you’ve stopped by this iconic brand’s newest brick and mortar store, which opened a few weeks ago.  We reached out to […]

Bar Lou, the French-Mediterranean restaurant on Coast Village Road, is set to close. Opened by restaurateur Warner Ebbink and Chef Brandon Boudet, the restaurant replaced Oliver’s and featured a redesigned dining room and a menu built around shareable dishes and local ingredients. Popular items included the Steak au Poivre, Halibut Almondine, and Sea Urchin Spaghetti. […]

Domestic Violence / 1400 block Jameson Lane — Sunday, November 30, at 18:52 hours Deputies responded to a subject having punched and kicked their father in violation of 242 PC, and shattering a sliding glass door in violation of 594(b)(2)(A) PC. The victim signed a citizen’s arrest form and subject was arrested and booked into […]

Montecito will soon see significantly faster law-enforcement response times as the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office prepares to open a new substation at Caruso’s Rosewood Miramar Beach – a milestone that cleared its final Planning & Development hurdle on December 9, when building plans were officially approved. With permits ready for issuance pending signatures and […]

Llewellyn “Llew” Goodfield Jr., devoted husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, community leader, and proud descendant of Santa Barbara’s historic Rogers family, passed away peacefully on November 29th, surrounded by family. Born in 1938 to Llewellyn Goodfield (1902–1989) and Catherine Mabel Rogers Goodfield (1912–2006), Llew was the first of two sons, spending his early years in […]

Trespassing / Eucalyptus Lane / Humphrey Road, Montecito — Monday, November 24, at 14:04 hours Deputies contacted subject for trespassing on railroad property. Subject had been previously contacted on railroad property 11/22/25 by Sgt. Sandu and Senior Deputy Brady, who at that time gave him a warning. Subject’s blatant disregard for the law – about whose […]

ShelterBox USA presented its 2025 Community Impact Award to Kim Cantin during an emotional benefit at the Montecito Club, recognizing her resilience and advocacy following the 2018 Montecito mudslide that claimed 23 lives, including those of her husband and son. Cantin, author of Where Yellow Flowers Bloom, accepted the honor with gratitude for ShelterBox’s global […]

Week Three of our four-part Gift Guide is here! The weather outside is frightful, if you find sunshine undelightful. “Is that a real word?” Uh, no. But let it go, let it go, let it go. Friends, we are well into December, the year’s capstone month during which we celebrate Peace with a sort of […]

Enjoy this photo collage from Rosewood’s tree lighting celebration! A very merry Miramar time!

Week Two of our four-part Gift Guide is here! Have a look inside to find new times from your local vendors. There is never a bad time to live in an enchanted village, but a certain seasonal swoon amplifies the hometown magic like a loving slap. December arrives with all its largesse. The weather turns […]

Trespassing x FLOCK ID / 900 block Hot Springs Road Sunday, November 16, at 15:28 hours Deputies were contacted by the homeowners of the 900 block of Hot Springs Rd reporting an unidentified pair were seen trespassing, prowling, and casing the residence. The suspects fled in a vehicle prior to law enforcement arrival. A check […]

Light up the holiday spirit this Dec. 4 from 4-6 pm with the community and Coast Village businesses. The tree is already in place in front of Richie’s Barber Shop, and the lighting will be accompanied by Rosewood Miramar hot chocolate, Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Quartet, letter box for Santa letters, and more. Montecito County […]

Vandalism / 800 block Buena Vista Drive — Sunday, November 09, at 15:34 hours Deputies were contacted after a homeowner returned home following a less than 24 hour absence to find items around her home misplaced, protein shakes missing from her fridge, and closets rummaged through. The Reporting Party discovered an open bathroom window which was […]

Autumnal Gifting Enlightenment This Holiday Season Another year gone by! And here comes that truly peaceful December closure – a month-long fare thee well to 2025 as we gather, reminisce, and mark the nourishing passage of time. Expect a light snowfall, Victorian carolers on every street corner in their cozy scarves and mufflers and top […]

As a survivor of the mudslides, I want to thank all of the various forms of government (State, Federal, County, City) who handled the recent storm.  Sincerely, Paul Orfalea Way It Was Reflections Of all the pieces in the Montecito Journal, Hattie Beresford’s The Way It Was local history series is my favorite. This week’s […]

Can you believe it’s already that time of year again? The hustle and bustle of the holidays are upon us, and the gift lists are already growing. So if you’re scratching your head over what to get your family and friends, then you’ve come to the right place. You think we’d just leave you hanging? […]

Can you believe it’s already that time of year again? The hustle and bustle of the holidays are upon us, and truth be told, it’s making us quite hungry. If you can already hear your stomach growling for some delicious holiday grub that you can indulge in with your family and friends, then you’ve come […]

Dr. Yoel I. Haller – Devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and beloved physician –passed away peacefully, surrounded with love, at the age of 95. Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in just three years, Yoel continued at Penn to complete medical school. He built a distinguished and deeply meaningful career as an obstetrician-gynecologist in San […]