State Street Trading Post Opens With 30 Vendors
The Santa Barbara shop at 1105 State Street houses 30 small businesses under one roof after a weekend grand opening.
Live Poll
Would you shop at a multi-vendor small business market downtown?
Santa Barbara Lifestyle News
This page covers cultural trends, family habits, housing choices, local hobbies and daily living patterns in Santa Barbara. Reporting examines how residents balance their personal lives with the shifts occurring in the city.
Pets
Live Poll
Do you think bear sightings near homes are increasing in your area?
Black Bear Nudges Window at Santa Barbara Home
A video shows a black bear bumping its nose against a closed window of a house off State Route 154 near Santa Barbara.
Education
Live Poll
Do you think the cost of living is getting worse in your area?
Santa Barbara City College Enrollment Hits Seven-Year Low
International student numbers fell to their lowest level in seven years as classes began in late August.
Culture
Live Poll
Should local businesses in your community prioritize hiring practices focused on inclusivity for people with disabilities?
Santa Barbara Mayor Honors Local Inclusion Leaders
The 21st Annual Mayor's Awards celebrated community entities and leaders for their commitment to accessibility.
Real Estate
Live Poll
Would you support a vacancy tax on empty second homes in your community?
Santa Barbara Weighs Vacancy Tax on Empty Homes
Voters will decide on a residential and commercial vacancy tax in November 2028, as officials seek to ease a local housing shortage.
Hobbies
Live Poll
Do you support using municipal funds to restore native habitats and expand trail systems in your area?
Santa Barbara Opens New Trails at Franceschi Park
The city recently finished a project to expand trails and restore native habitats across the 17-acre park.
More in Lifestyle
This section follows cultural shifts, family time studies, housing and renovation patterns, and changes in the way people spend their leisure hours. Coverage extends across the city and the communities around it, reaching everywhere from established districts to new residential developments. In this region, the climate and coastal geography dictate the way residents utilize their home and outdoor spaces throughout the year. The rising cost of housing continues to reshape how households define their living arrangements and daily routines.