On Saturday and Sunday, Santa Barbara residents will be able to judge for themselves if six years of traffic detours were worth it. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, finally finished with its $7 million retrofitting and expansion, will offer tours of its updated facilities for members of the public between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The construction was originally prompted by a state law requiring hospitals to be able to withstand a 6.0 magnitude earthquake. Reservations for the tours — in Spanish and English — are necessary, and they can be arranged by calling (855) 247-9355 toll free.
