November 30th, 2015 at 10:00 am
The weather outside is probably not … you know what … so the holiday season in Southern California can be downright delightful. Without the snow and chill, visitors might think our region is short on holiday traditions.
But they should think again. Want chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Find them in the many neighborhoods where homeowners outdo each other by adorning their houses with spectacular light displays. With no slush to drive through and comfortable nighttime temperatures, families can marvel at the illuminated residences every evening now through New Year’s Day, and sometimes beyond. Many residents offer hot chocolate, cider, coffee, cookies, and other homemade treats at nominal prices in their driveways. Check hyperlocal online sites for lists of the best streets to cruise, including maps and directions.
As for regional traditions, we’ve rounded up some of the most enduring and unusual in each county, from south to north. Get out there and have a jolly old time!
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November 16th, 2015 at 10:00 am
What’s the one thing Southern Californians love more than sunshine? Wine, of course! Although many of the properties listed below are located in Santa Barbara, vineyards abound throughout many parts of Southern California. We hope you enjoy our roundup of vineyard properties, and please note, this blog post is best read with a glass of chardonnay.
Listed by:Claire Hanssen
Shoestring Winery is located in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley on 60 beautiful acres. This vineyard currently has 12 acres planted with 28 additional flat acres available to plant.
October 28th, 2015 at 10:00 am
In the charming city of Santa Barbara, you will find stunning coastal views, majestic mountain scenery, and beautiful homes that will instantly grab your attention.
We’ve rounded up a few exceptional properties that are on the market now for about $1,300,000. When you’re done checking them out, we’re sure you’ll want to move into at least one of them right away!
Every day is a day in paradise if you’re spending it in this luxurious beach-side condo. No expense was spared in the latest high-end remodel, however we’re not sure that anything can top the miles and miles of ocean just yards from your front door. Garrett McCaw is the listing agent who holds the key to this one-bedroom, two-bathroom dream home.
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October 19th, 2015 at 10:00 am
It’s the time of year when the air is thick with wicked words, scary sentences, grisly grammar, and painful puns.
So, what’s not to like? We decided to stir the pot and come up with a pot-puree of randomly related real estate horror stories and terminology. Our intent is not to shock you, but to unmask some potentially perilous pitfalls when it comes to the home buying and selling process. For good measure, we’ve thrown in info on a few Southern California homes that are monstrous in size or acreage, haunted, or a combination thereof.
Of course, working with an experienced real estate agent is the best way to avoid a frightful undertaking. OK, let’s go see if there are any skeletons to avoid in the closets out there.
October 5th, 2015 at 10:00 am
There are few things better than fresh fruit from your own garden. You can bake the fruit into a pie, toss it in a salad, or just snack on it.
In Southern California, there’s a wide variety of fruit trees that flourish and produce sweet, delicious fruit. Fruit trees, however, can be a bit tricky. You need to have the right soil, the right amount of sunlight, the right chill exposures, and much more. But once you’ve figured out how to care for your precious fruit trees, the reward will be worth the effort.
First, determine if there is enough space for your trees. Fruit trees need to be roughly three to six feet away from buildings and sidewalks. You won’t want your roots running into cement or the base of your house, and you won’t want to risk the tree damaging your home when it grows taller and wider. You will also want to make sure your trees have about ten or more feet of space between each before you plant.
Then, assess the land in your yard. What spots in your yard get at least six hours of sun a day during growing season? Make sure buildings or other trees don’t block direct sunlight.
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