Santa Barbara restaurants prepare outdoor seating after days of rain

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Three days of rain dumped over a foot of water in parts of Santa Barbara County. The rain came the same week California Governor Gavin Newsom lifted December’s stay-at-home order allowing outdoor dining to resume.

Now restaurants are trying to dry themselves off to be ready for a break in the storm on Saturday.

"We're really excited, we're gonna have everything put out as soon as this rain stops."

"We've been working on our tables, trying to make them a little bit better and a little smoother and stuff over the last few weeks so we're ready to roll those back out tomorrow," said Aron Ashland, owner of The Cruisery.

Santa Barbara Public Market owner, Marge Cafarelli, said they will keep their outdoor dining inside for one more day. Then first thing Saturday they will have it out and ready.

While more wet weather is in the forecast for next week, owners said they have readied a plan--whether that's closing for the day when things get bad, or holding on tight and staying open.