The side entrance to Santa Barbara runs down Highway 154 to State/Hollister where the historic Hope Ranch Inn greets all comers with a retro mid-century chain-link fence and a water-wise collection of courtyard weeds. The gaping holes in the roof are poised to welcome El Niño. The problem is that the color is drab and worn. A pioneering tagger artist could be commissioned to add visual impact with a Welcome to Noleta sign. If we can’t fix it — let’s feature it.
