La Jolla Real Estate Blog

Yesterday was another beautiful day in San Diego and I decided to head over to Balboa Park to walk around to see what is new.  One of my favorite museums at Balboa Park is the San Diego Air & Space Museum and while taking a photo of the front of it, a plane, on its descent to land at Lindbergh Field, passed over head. 

I simply don't have a caption for this photo... it is one of those times that when I look at it there are too many quirky thoughts racing through my mind and it leaves me... speechless.

The post below was written by Aaron, who happens to sell real estate in Austin, Texas; however I think it can apply to "For Sale by Owners" around the country.  Read below for the reasons that most of us experienced agents think you should consider before embarking on trying to sell your home yourself...   ~ Susan

Thinking of taking out a 2nd Trust Deed on your property?  Wonder why your mortgage broker has told you that you would be paying a higher interest rate?  Here is a good explanation of the process from Brian Brady...   ~ Susan

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Grande Colonial La Jolla was built in 1913 on  Prospect Street in the heart of the village of La Jolla.  The Grande Colonial is La Jolla's oldest original hotel and is on the registry of Historic Hotels of America.  The original white and wood framed hotel was first named "The Colonial Apartments and Hotel" and soon became a popular spot for out of town visitors, celebrities and locals. 

In 1926, the nearby La Jolla Drug Store was purchased by the owner of the Colonial and moved inside the Colonial, who then added an ice cream parlor on the sidewalk that served up vanilla malts, chocolate sodas and banana splits.  It is said that the drugstore became a prime location for locals to gather, talk and watch the people walk by. The pharmacist, employed at the drugstore, was known to be well loved by the townspeople, and was also the father of Gregory Peck, the famous movie star who grew up in La Jolla and eventually moved to Hollywood.  Later on, the Colonial was a temporary home to some of Hollywood's up and coming stars that were performing at the La Jolla Playhouse, founded by Gregory Peck. Charlton Heston, Dorothy McGuire, Groucho Marx, Jane Wyatt, Eve Arden, Pat O'Brien, David Niven and many other celebrities stayed at the hotel during the 1940s and 1950s.

Today, after several owners and remodels, the Grande Colonial is one of the most elegant hotels to stay in and is centrally located just steps away from La Jolla Cove, the village of La Jolla with its eclectic and high end shops, gourmet restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and art galleries.

The Grande Colonial La Jolla, property has an outdoor heated swimming pool and a health club is nearby. The rooms are beautifully decorated with Renaissance style furniture and most feature spectacular village and ocean views.

One of my favorite restaurants in La Jolla is in the Colonial, it is called "Nine-Ten".  This delightful restaurant, is not your typical hotel restaurant, it actually has exceptional food, wonderful service. You can also enjoy your meals at the sidewalk café and relive the days of yesteryear when the locals used to sit at the sidewalk ice cream parlor in front of the Colonial and watch the passersby stroll down Prospect Street. 

The Grande Colonial Hotel... another "gem" of La Jolla!

Looking to take a hike?  There is no better place than our La Jolla Torrey Pines State Reserve!  Sitting high on a hilltop plateau overlooking Torrey Pines State Beach, the historic park has long been a favorite with hikers looking for an easy to challenging walk, depending on the trails you take, and beautiful scenery.  A day-use pass costs $10 and the park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset daily. 

The park also features a museum at the Visitor Center (lodge) with exhibits of the Reserve's natural and cultural history which is open daily at 9 a.m.  Guided nature walks are also available depending on the season.  Contact (858) 755-2063 for more information.

Two great San Diego theater events are taking place in September.  The first at the La Jolla Playhouse is "Limelight:  The Story of Charlie Chaplin" scheduled to open September 7th and run through October 17th.  This world premiere musical looks into the life of the comic genius who became a Hollywood icon.  For tickets call (858) 550-1010 

The second theater event is at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park.  "Brighton Beach Memoirs" is scheduled from September 14th through November 7th.  This is Neil Simon's classic "coming of age" about a young boy trying to figure out where he fits in the world.  For tickets call (619) 23-GLOBE.

Birch Aquarium is featuring their 2010 Fall Evening Lecture Series beginning on September 13th.  Earthquakes and Earth's magnetic field will be explored during the first of this three-part series from the researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD.

Each program runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the aquarium, 2300 Expedition Way and below is the September 13th program:

• Sept. 13: "Shake, Rattle and Roll: The Physics of Earthquakes."
  Scripps physical oceanographer Kevin Brown will describe the phenomena that we experience as earthquakes and relate what scientists understand about the physics of the events. He'll talk about techniques that he and his colleagues are using to better understand when, where and how earthquakes occur.

With the recent earth shaking in San Diego, this should be an important event to attend! 

The Birch Aquarium continues the "Green Flash" Concert Series with the September 11th show with Peter Yarrow and Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary.  This is a special concert and for tickets contact the Birch Aquarium at 858-534-4109.

The last concert will be held on September 15th and Bay area blues-man, Tommy Castro with his band will be performing.  Tommy Castro is the winner of several awards, including the B.B. King Blues Entertainer of the Year.

Both concerts are on the outdoor Tile Pool Plaza overlooking the La Jolla coast and open to ages 21+ only.  While the music is playing, all the aquarium exhibits will be open for viewing.  The proceeds will help support exhibits and educational programming at Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

Enjoy the sunset while listening to great music and watch for the "green flash"! 

This is a local news story, but one I think can happen anywhere.  Recently a home in my La Jolla neighborhood was burglarized while it was being tented for fumigation.  Of course, as homeowners, we are told to vacate the premises and find alternate housing when our property is being tented for termites.  The homeowners followed the instructions and when they returned they found their home had been ransacked.  The thieves went to so far as to not only taking the valuables, but also stealing the owner's gardening equipment. 

If you are having your home tented, be sure to get a safe deposit box or safe and put your valuables away.  In addition, notify your neighbors that you will be away while your home is tented and to call the police if they see anything suspicious.  Not even the fear of the pesticides used in fumigation are stopping burglars from going into these properties and stealing - don't be a casualty!

This Sunday's free concert at the La Jolla Cove is featuring Allegato with Allison Adams Tucker and her East/West Jazz Vocals.  Bring the family & friends, a blanket, beach chairs and enjoy the music on Sunday, August 29th from 2 pm to 4 pm.  There will be hot dogs, ice cream, popcorn and drinks for sale. 

Come join the fun as our summer season of the La Jolla Concerts by the Sea winds down to only one more concert on September 5th!