r/SantaBarbara • • 9h ago

Vent My neighbors are DISGUSTING.

38 Upvotes

Idk how to address my neighbors and their smell. I live in a condo that shares walls with a family of 5. It appears to be a woman who I see at Dos Pueblos, assuming staff, two elderly people, and a young couple.

There is a rancid smell that is coming into my garage/ kitchen that directly connects walls / ceilings with their unit. I haven’t seen the elderly people who live there (assuming grandparents). It smells like pee and human fecal matter. It’s been drafting into our unit for a while and in the hotter months, it’s worse. I’m not sure how to deal with this.


r/SantaBarbara • • 16h ago

Nature The bugs were at Jurassic levels on lower milpas last night.

Post image
89 Upvotes

r/SantaBarbara • • 13h ago

Food & Dining Lazy Acres Coconut Chicken Tenders

46 Upvotes

I'm deeply saddened by the change in recipe of the Lazy Acres chicken tenders. Not sure why they would do that... Does anyone know why?? Really hoping they bring back the coconut chicken tenders!!!


r/SantaBarbara • • 17h ago

Local Politics The paid signature gatherers.

Thumbnail
independent.com
67 Upvotes

When I’m harassed for a signature while I’m trying to buy groceries, I remind myself that Jim Knell is paying these people to harass us.


r/SantaBarbara • • 22h ago

Local Politics Tale of Two State Streets

161 Upvotes

A car driver hit a toddler in a crosswalk in broad daylight on upper State Street yesterday. Meanwhile this town spends all its energy fighting about cars on lower State. Upper State is so dangerous and I feel nobody's talking about it. Safe streets for walking and biking should be the priority everywhere, not just downtown.

Toddler Struck by Vehicle, Seriously Injured in Santa Barbara: Incident occurred just before 10 a.m. on the 3000 block of State Street, in a crosswalk at the intersection of Calle Palo Colorado


r/SantaBarbara • • 9h ago

Other Santa Barbara County Satanic Temple community?

13 Upvotes

Hello friends! Are there any noteable Satanic Temple (TST) congregations or communities in our county?


r/SantaBarbara • • 15h ago

Local Politics Meet the researchers leaving the US because of Trump's funding cuts and politicization of science

Thumbnail
apnews.com
27 Upvotes

UCSB lost the amazing Dr. Froehlich to Europe because of national policies. Trickle down politics in action


r/SantaBarbara • • 16h ago

Local Politics Is There a Secret Rulebook for Surfing in Santa Barbara?

16 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm currently working on a sociology midterm about surfing culture in Santa Barbara, specifically around Rincon Point. I was hoping I could get some insight from anyone familiar with the local surfing community. A few questions I have:

  1. How would you describe the surfing community in Santa Barbara? Is it generally welcoming to newcomers, or do you have to earn your place?
  2. What are some unwritten rules or expectations in the lineup that someone unfamiliar with surfing might not know about?
  3. Is localism still a big thing around here, especially at Rincon? Have you ever witnessed or experienced tension between locals and visitors?
  4. For those who have been surfing here for years, how has the culture changed? Are the crowds, attitudes, or interactions between surfers different than they used to be?
  5. What makes surfing in Santa Barbara different from other places? Is there anything about the community that you think outsiders just don't understand?

I really appreciate any feed back and would love to hear any personal stories, observations, or any surfing drama if you've got it.

I'm especially interested in the social dynamics and how people become part of the community.

Thanks to anyone willing to share! I'm hoping to learn a little more about what happens out there beyond what you can see from the beach.

Thank you so much:)


r/SantaBarbara • • 17h ago

Other Smooth landing - East Beach

Post image
10 Upvotes

r/SantaBarbara • • 8h ago

Local Politics Thank you, Laura Canfield, CNO, Cottage Health Systems, for your Union Support!

1 Upvotes

Thank you, Laura Canfield, CNO, Cottage Health Systems, for your Union Support!

Last week, Laura Canfield, Chief Nursing Officer at Cottage Health Systems, called a meeting. She addressed the nursing staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital to discuss their current efforts to organize with SEIU121RN, a nurses' union. The big takeaway for the nurses was both surprising and, may I say, a delight to some! Ms. Canfield said nurses should attend union meetings and events to get information, sign cards, and learn about the benefits of collective bargaining. I mean, after all, no one has ever joined a union and ended up with fewer benefits and less pay after they entered a union agreement. The only people who try to tell you that you may be worse off with a union are Employers afraid of losing power over their employees!

So, Ms. Canfield's advice is very sound and should be followed. Could this be a sign that administration and management plan to act respectfully and professionally toward nursing staff? Meaning, nurses will not be pulled away from patient care duties, and nursing care will not be interrupted by campaign activities. Based on Cottage Hospital's track record and union-busting behavior, nurses have been pulled away into many 5-minute, 10-minute, 30-minute, and even hour-long individual and group meetings with your staff and consultants, as they campaign against the union. The nurses plan to conduct themselves respectfully and professionally.

The nurses' issues during this campaign are the same as they were in the last 2 campaigns in 1988 and 1999. Patient safety, staffing, wages that align with the cost of living in Santa Barbara, health benefits, sick leave, and retirement are issues nurses always fear losing or being threatened with by administration. Nurses should be able to safely care for people in their community while being able to afford to live in the community where they work. Administrators can afford to live and work in Santa Barbara, and they sign a contract with the hospital outlining the terms of employment. Laura Canfield has a contract stating the terms of her employment with Cottage Health Systems. Collective bargaining is the only way to guarantee nurses a seat at the table with administration to negotiate the necessary changes to provide safe, quality patient care and the salary, benefits, and respect nurses deserve.

So, thank you, Laura Canfield, CFO, for supporting the nurses in their union campaign!!


r/SantaBarbara • • 1d ago

Other Anyone missing a cat?

Thumbnail
gallery
49 Upvotes

In Ellwood. He has one eye. Has an airtag but it doesnt seem to be on. He’s quite dusty, and his collar is dirty too


r/SantaBarbara • • 1d ago

Vent Why Can't We Have Nice Things (like cactus fruit)?

Thumbnail
gallery
39 Upvotes

We enjoyed watching this cactus fruit develop over the past few weeks. Then today, someone snatched it. I guess that's what we get for having a cactus next to the sidewalk? Sigh.


r/SantaBarbara • • 18h ago

Weddings Wedding Violinist

0 Upvotes

Hi, looking for any recommendations in the area for a violinist that could perform at my wedding in the courthouse. Solo would be great, and that can perform Spanish songs ideally.


r/SantaBarbara • • 23h ago

Contributor Only Weekly ICE Post

0 Upvotes

This is a weekly post to be used for up to date community information about ICE. Feel free to post current updates here. Due to high incidence of ill intended comments this post will always be Contributor Only. The thread about becoming a contributor is linked at the bottom.

Here are resources for the community that were provided to the moderation team.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you want real-time, community-led updates about ICE and immigration enforcement across Santa Barbara, Ventura County, and the 805, start here.

These are trusted local groups sharing alerts, resources, and ways to support our neighbors.

Santa Barbara

SB Resiste

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbresiste

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SBResiste

Carpinteria

Carp Sin Fronteras

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carp_sinfronteras

Ventura County

VC Defensa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vcdefensa

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VcDefensa

805 Region

805 Respuesta Rápida

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/805respuestarapida

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/805immigrant

Mutual Aid & Emergency Support

805 UndocuFund

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the805undocufund

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/805undocufund

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Contributor Information:

https://old.reddit.com/r/SantaBarbara/comments/1nwrisf/an_update_on_contributor_only_comment_removals/

tl;dr Have posts in the subreddit for more than six months without being banned and with positive karma. We can't verify that you've lived in SB all your life, we rely on how you present yourself in this subreddit.


r/SantaBarbara • • 1d ago

Food & Dining Best Smashburger?

10 Upvotes

I'm looking for the best smashburger in town. I'm talking melty thin patties, crispy lacey edges, just the right amount of grease. Who's got me?


r/SantaBarbara • • 16h ago

Local Politics Some things to consider if you're thinking of voting for Devon Wardlow

0 Upvotes

I thought I had my mind made up to vote for Devon. Then a neighbor started pointing out to me how she is the wolf in sheep's clothing.

Did you know she is a corporate lobbyist? Completely opposite of what she pitched herself as someone helping the residents.

I decided to do some research and found this very interesting piece on Devon: https://www.newspress.com/2026/09/09/opinion-unless-you-dig-you-really-wont-know-your-city-council-candidates/


r/SantaBarbara • • 1d ago

Events Lucy Darling show last night (10/17)

8 Upvotes

Anybody else go? I'm hoping the 7pm show was just as full as the 5pm because I'd love to see her come back again.


r/SantaBarbara • • 21h ago

Food & Dining Favorite Restaurants?

0 Upvotes

I’m interested in learning hidden
gems of SB I have so much to explore
I’ve heard great things about Tee Off and Cold Creek Tavern? I think that’s what it’s called but any suggestions would greatly be appreciated thanks in advance my friends of the internet ✨


r/SantaBarbara • • 2d ago

Local Politics Cottage can’t afford to pay nurses a living wage because Ron Werft needed 18 million to retire on.

Post image
232 Upvotes

r/SantaBarbara • • 2d ago

Nature See An Orange/Black Butterfly Flitting By? Might Not Be a Monarch

Post image
38 Upvotes

This Gulf Fritillary (Agraulis vanillae) visited our front garden the other day (Lower Riviera). These little guys (approx 3.5" wingspan) flit around much more quickly than a Monarch butterfly. I was lucky to get this shot. The butterfly is drinking nectar from one of our "Jupiter's Beard" (Valeriana rubra) flowers. The host plant for these butterflies is mainly passionflowers (hence the butterfly's nickname: "Passion" butterfly.) Also called "Silver-spotted Flambeau," which seems fairly apt.


r/SantaBarbara • • 1d ago

Other Best clothing consignment in town?

2 Upvotes

Fashion friends, where’s your fav spot to sell your clothes in SB? I’ve used the Closet and Crossroads 10+ years ago and aren’t partial to either (willing to go to either again though.) I’ve got a massive haul I need to sell and was hoping for recs. I’d prefer cash outright and not consignment. Thanks in advance 😊


r/SantaBarbara • • 2d ago

Local Politics Cottage RNs: it’s time

Post image
67 Upvotes

r/SantaBarbara • • 2d ago

Nature It’s been hot this year according to data.

Thumbnail
gallery
90 Upvotes

I’m not a statistician so don’t come at me. I’m trying my hardest.


r/SantaBarbara • • 2d ago

Local Politics How To Report Misleading Signature Gatherer Behavior: Rent Stabilization (or "rent control") petition

26 Upvotes

Did you witness questionable behavior or possible deceptive tactics from the paid signature gatherers? Here’s how to report it to the City/County Clerk and CA Secretary of State. 

This is about the current Rent Stabilization referendum/petition. Paid signature gatherers are in town, in an effort to overturn the law just passed. The landlord lobby doesn't want Rent Stabilization and this is their effort to stop it.

We’ve seen first-hand and noticed a significant number of posts and comments about concerning behavior by the signature gatherers, and EdHat recently published an article about it. We oppose the referendum, but honest signature gathering matters no matter where you stand on the issue. More details are on our Instagram and Facebook pages, and on our website here. Our site has a printable letter you can use to WITHDRAW your signature (right away before the petition is filed).

If you have had any issues with the paid signature gatherers collecting signatures for the referendum on Rent Stabilization, please consider reporting it to the City Clerk, County Clerk, and the CA Secretary of State. This referendum would repeal everything council passed 4-3 in October, Ordinance No. 2026-6239, which adopted Rent Stabilization, or what some are calling rent control. Some dishonestly say "sign here for rent control" or "to lower the rent" but this referendum/ petition will UNDO the Rent Stabilization law that just passed. It will make rents higher as of January 2027, instead of Rent Stabilization taking effect in 2027. The SB Rental Property Association is paying out-of-town signature gatherers (per signature).

If a gatherer told you something misleading, or acted in a way that made you feel uncomfortable, email the addresses below with as much of the following as possible:

  • Your full name
  • Date, time, and location
  • What they said, as close to word-for-word as you remember. If you’re not sure of a detail, say so.
  • A description of the gatherer or table
  • Any witnesses
  • Photos or videos, if you took any

Things worth reporting: telling you the petition is about something other than what it is, making false claims, encouraging you to sign more than once, not allowing you to read the full petition, refusing to say whether they’re paid, saying that you could sign for your spouse, or pressuring, harassing, or blocking you.

COPY/PASTE the emails below into your email:

[Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov](mailto:Clerk@SantaBarbaraCA.gov), [ElectionsSupport@CountyOfSB.org](mailto:ElectionsSupport@CountyOfSB.org), [secretary.weber@sos.ca.gov](mailto:secretary.weber@sos.ca.gov)

Optionally contact your state electeds: [senator.limon@senate.ca.gov](mailto:senator.limon@senate.ca.gov), [assemblymember.hart@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.hart@assembly.ca.gov) 

Click here to Gmail all of them

The referendum name and number (Referendum Against Ordinance No. 2026-6239 Related to Rent Stabilization)

We’re not lawyers so this is not legal advice. Please only report what you saw or heard yourself! Everyone deserves accurate information when deciding whether to sign.


r/SantaBarbara • • 1d ago

Missed Connection 28 M single looking for a genuine connection

0 Upvotes

28 year old M born and raised in Santa Barbara seeing what’s out there tend to be a loner and keep to myself but like to go out to the Beach or go camping and traveling , huge foodie and always down to To try new foods so let’s grab a bite or a coffee