On Oct. 22, the Department of Justice (DOJ) sent Santa Barbara County a list of 180 residents—names of “likely aliens” illegally registered to vote, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District Bilal A. Essayli alleged. “Within 48 hours, we ask that you commit to working with DOJ and DHS [Department of Homeland Security] to […]
San Luis Obispo County
Posted inFood & Drink
Grover Beach Sourdough reopens with a new café attached to its bakery
Sitting at a table by the window inside Grover Beach Sourdough, Jacob and Brooke Town can still see the site of their former restaurant across the street. In an unexpected, bittersweet turn of events, the owners had to close The Spoon Trade one year ago and pivot. A developer bought the building that housed The […]
Posted inFood & Drink
A popular social media account reviews Central Coast bites and sips
Nearly 15,000 people on Instagram follow one of the most popular food reviewers on the Central Coast. He’s often seen in a bright orange hat and a crisp white T-shirt with the acronym “lotsj” identifying his brand. He’s Jeff San Juan, the content creator behind Life of the San Juans on social media. What had […]
Posted inEats
Big Mamas bakes cinnamon rolls, cupcakes, and cheesecakes to perfection in Guadalupe and beyond
Playing in the kitchen always kept young Alicia Rubio happy. An only child for 15 years, some of her early memories are of bonding with her grandmother while baking. “I don’t know Spanish, but my grandma’s more of a Spanish speaker, so we had to figure out a way to understand each other more. Baking […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Visit Grover Beach’s only tasting room as the owners take to the skies for a new chapter
Millions of orange and black butterflies have taken flight from the designated grove of eucalyptus trees off Highway 1 in Pismo Beach. A hair south of the sanctuary, one Shell Beach couple realized it was time for a new adventure of their own. Partners Julie Garcia and Ercilia Martins bought Grover Beach’s Monarch Grove Winery […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A local performer hits the road for a Central Coast tour
Hear original pieces and old Broadway tunes from singer Gale McNeeley on his four-stop tour in August called My Life in Song. He’ll be joined by pianist Paul Marszalkowski, a musical director at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre. McNeeley will sing original songs and renditions of musical selections from his time on Broadway. He toured with […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Pismo Beach’s newest sandwich shop is for the locals
When Geneva Franciskovich finally struck a deal to purchase an old boba spot on Pomeroy Avenue, she thought, “Holy shit. This is crazy.” That night she was out to dinner with her family, reveling in the feat. She’d just pushed six years’ worth of savings into buying space on one of the most competitive streets […]
Posted inNews
California gives $5 million to CenCal for behavioral wellness services
With funding from California’s recently adopted budget, health care providers in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties will see increased training to better support mental health patients. Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Department Director Toni Navarro told the Sun the $5 million given to CenCal Health will strengthen services in non-specialty care areas. Her […]
Posted inFood & Drink
Tribe Coffeehouse in Arroyo Grande serves seasonal lattes, floral drinks, and a creative coffee menu
Espresso, strawberry rose, coconut, mint and guava with steamed milk, topped with strawberry dust—sounds like a potion brewing in a witch’s kitchen. But in reality, it’s a cup of coffee in Arroyo Grande. At Tribe Coffeehouse, magic is on the menu. Here, espresso mingles with rose petals and lavender. Matcha arrives infused with seasonal fruits […]
Posted inFood & Drink
West Coast schools shined at Allan Hancock College’s annual wine festival
Frank Perez’s favorite memory from his first year studying winemaking was when he and his classmates bottled their 2025 vintage. The April day was a master class. It illustrated how big of a team it takes to make a bottle of wine. “It started the day before. We were sterilizing or filtering a lot of […]
Posted inFood & Drink
The duo on a mission to make the best bubbly on the Central Coast
Legend has it that when Elizabeth Stilson first interviewed with her now-business partner, she said, “If I never have to make another red wine again, I’ll be happy.” As soon as the statement came out of the winemaker’s mouth, PasoSecco founder Chris Kern knew she was the perfect candidate for his sparkling brand. “That sold […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
A Central Coast artist paints today’s landscapes for tomorrow’s remembrance
When Katy Smith tells people she’s going painting in Orcutt, she gets puzzled looks in return. “They’re like, ‘Where do you paint in Orcutt?’ As if there’s not something here to paint,” Smith said. “There are so many beautiful places in Orcutt to paint, and you just have to stop long enough and take it […]
