Santa Barbara’s popular ‘makeout’ spot closes temporarily and residents aren’t happy

Talk about a bad breakup. No phone call. No letter. Not even a text message. The city of Santa Barbara has lost its passion for “Makeout Point.” The area overlooking the ocean is a popular date spot, or place to take in a scenic view. You can pull your car over and enjoy a moment of romance and appreciate nature’s beauty. But the city closed the vehicle pullouts on both sides of Cliff Drive in early June, saying the closure would allow Public Works staff to evaluate safety improvements, traffic patterns and alternative configurations while balancing public access with safety concerns. The closure is temporary, but it’s unclear when it will reopen. The city’s actions have left people indignant. “I was unaware that this location was such a hot spot for accidents that public access could be denied while staff developed alternatives, said Kevin McKee, a San Roque resident. One might ask, alternatives to what? The public s ability to park there and enjoy the view?