Montecito Trails Foundation Annual Barbecue - 09/28/10 04:25 PM
Many people do not know that Montecito and Summerland, CA have an extensive hiking and equestrian trail system that meanders for miles through the foothills just East of Santa Barbara.  This beautiful trail system is a huge asset to this community.  Imagine getting home from a hard day at work and going for a run, walk or bike ride in a shady trail that takes you through oak forests, fruit orchards, horse ranches and multi million dollar estates.  Mountain and ocean views abound and the weather is almost always perfect. I love running on the MTF trails near my house and hiking many of the beautiful … (1 comments)

Montecito YMCA Stingray's Open the Season 2 - 0! - 09/25/10 10:23 PM
Today was the first two games of the season for the Montecito YMCA Stingray's, the 4th - 6th grade  flag football team that I am coaching, and we won them both! It was a hot day in Santa Barbara today; and a great day to play football. Our first game we were up against the Falcons who hit us with a withering running attack.  We weathered the storm and wore them down with our relentless offensive barrage.  Stingray Quarterback Witt scored with a keeper around the right end, and capped it off with a 2 point conversion pass to Miles in the right … (0 comments)

Condos in Santa Barbara- By the Beach- Bonnymede and Montecito Shores - 09/21/10 06:19 PM
Condos in Santa Barbara- By the Beach- Bonnymede and Montecito Shores
On the beach front in Montecito, just East of the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel and beautiful Butterfly Beach lies an upscale, gated condominium development called Bonnymede.  Sitting on some of California's most prime oceanfront property, this development actually consists of two condo associations, Bonnymede and Montecito Shores, that share the guard gated entry.
After entering the gates you are in the tropically inspired Bonnymede condos which consist of 113 units.  Bonnymede has several floor plans including some townhome and single level models with 1 to 3 bedrooms. The Bonnymede association also has a beachside entertainment … (0 comments)

Cold Spring Tavern on a Sunday Afternoon- Things to Do in Santa Barbara - 09/20/10 02:25 PM
Cold Spring Tavern on a Sunday Afternoon- Things to Do in Santa Barbara
Stagecoach travelers on their way to Santa Barbara as far back as 1865 looked forward to their stop at Cold Spring Tavern just outside Santa Barbara, CA.  It was a long, hot, dusty, bumpy ride from their last stop at Maddies Tavern, Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley and a difficult climb up the San Marcos Pass just above Santa Barbara in those days.  Today, Cold Spring Tavern hasn't changed much, although the transportation used getting there certainly has.  Sunday afternoons at Cold Springs brings out everyone's favorite Sunday drive vehicle, form Harley … (0 comments)

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update- August 2010 - 09/14/10 08:39 PM
Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Update- Aug 2010
In comparison to most other places in the country, Santa Barbara has a relatively stable real estate market.  The very limited growth and desirable location are part of the reason prices have been spared the extreme drops found in other parts of the country.  Nevertheless, many neighborhoods in Santa Barbara are down 30% from the peak about four years ago. 
So, you might ask, how is the real estate market in Santa Barbara, CA these days?  My answer would be, in a nutshell, the number of sales are up 20% in all areas except Montecito where they … (0 comments)

The Santa Barbara County Bowl- Things To Do in Santa Barbara - 09/14/10 06:04 PM
The Santa Barbara County Bowl- A Great Place to See a Show!

The Santa Barbara County Bowl is a wonderful place to spend an evening watching music.  The Bowl is located at the end of Milpas Street, tucked into a canyon overlooking Santa Barbara.  It was built in 1936 during the great depression and has been lifting spirits ever since.  With a capacity of 4,562, it's small enough that everyone has a good seat and large enough to generate lots of positive energy.    
Go early and hang out on the patio before the show.  They have great food including barbecue tri tip sandwiches, pizza, … (0 comments)

Let's Take a Trip to Kona- Stay in My Luxury Kona Vacation Home - 09/14/10 12:13 AM
Let's Take a Trip to Kona- Stay in My Luxury Kona Vacation Home
It's been a rough few years for most of us.  Why not take a trip to Kailua-kona on the Big Island of Hawaii and stay in my beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bath Kona vacation home?  The setting is unreal, over 1/2 acre of tropically landscaped paradise with a private solar heated pool overlooking the Kona Coast in a quiet gated neighborhood.  Just show up with your bags and swimsuit and you will be good to go.  Of course, a rental car to take you up Mt. Hualalai for a drive … (3 comments)

Hope Ranch Properties- Living in Hope Ranch - 09/12/10 05:11 PM
Hope Ranch Properties- Living in Hope Ranch
Hope Ranch is one of the most exclusive places to live in Santa Barbara.  With it's amazing natural beauty, perfect climate and abundant resources, I imagine it didn't take long for the areas first known inhabitants, a couple different tribes of Coastal Indians, to call it home.  Named after Thomas Hope who purchased the land in 1861 to raise sheep, Hope Ranch is now comprised of approximately 686 homes and estates, most on one to three acre lots. 
Homeowners enjoy a lake (Laguna Blanca), tennis courts, a polo field, 26 miles of equestrian trails and private … (0 comments)

32 Acres of Oceanfront Land in Santa Barbara- Great Investor Opportunity - 09/10/10 05:56 PM
32 Acres of Oceanfront Land in Santa Barbara- Great Investor Opportunity
This beautiful 32 acre oceanfront parcel of land in Santa Barbara is a great investor opportunity. With AG 10 acre zoning it is possible to subdivide the 600 feet of oceanfrontage into three 10 acre lots, each with 200 feet of ocean front property in Santa Barbara.  This property sits on a peaceful stretch of the California coast with no train noise, no freeway noise and a picture perfect sandy beach out front.  The asking price is $11,900,000.
Located between UCSB and prestigious Hope Ranch, on the More Mesa, this estate sized … (1 comments)

Ocean View Home for Sale in Summerland, CA with Possible Seller Financing - 09/01/10 05:33 PM
Ocean view home for sale in Summerland, CA with possible seller financing.
This stunning 4 bedroom 4.5 bath ocean view Nantucket style home in Summerland, CA is listed for $1,895,000.  This ocean view  Summerland beauty is just a few blocks to the beach and restaurants.  With  high end interior finishes including Hickory floors, PJ Milligan cabinets, 10 ft ceilings, and many French doors that open to ocean view decks, this home really shows well.  The lot is 1.5 acres and is situated so that a three way split would not impact the appeal of this home and could help pay down the mortgage in … (2 comments)

Home for Sale in Montecito with Seller Financing - 09/01/10 04:48 PM
Home for Sale in Montecito with Seller Financing
This 4 bedroom 4 bath home in Montecito, CA is offered for sale with seller financing.  Located just a short distance from Miramar Beach and currently a successful vacation rental with weekly rents averaging $2,500 to $4,000 per month.  The interior has an updated kitchen and baths with a flexible floor plan.  The back yard is a tropical paradise with a freeform swimming pool and waterfall.  Asking $1,890,000
If you are in the market to purchase a second home or investment property in Montecito, this is worth a look.  From an investment standpoint, the numbers look very interesting.  If you also … (4 comments)