Buying a House in La Jolla

Some homes on Mt. Soledad in La Jolla enjoy this north shore view.

Let me guess: When you planned your San Diego vacation, your list of things to do said “San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, snorkel at La Jolla Cove, hit the beach, and hike in Torrey Pines State park.”

However, our mild Southern California climate and beautiful scenery has gotten the best of you, and now you want to look at real estate.

Take heart – you aren't the first and you aren’t alone. Michelle Silverman of Prudential California Realty specializes in introducing visitors to the La Jolla lifestyle and showing them potential dream homes.

In fact, her website “Views of La Jolla” focuses as much on visitor information as it does on real estate. When we met, I was surprised to meet a Realtor who didn’t want to talk about the last big sale – but really wanted to tell me about the clients from out-of-town who are now enjoying the local lifestyle.

Michelle has been helping people find their place in La Jolla and other areas of San Diego for over two decades and consistently ranks in the top 1-2% of Prudential sales professionals nationwide. She uses Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, phone, and email to stay on top of the ever-changing San Diego market.

On “Views of La Jolla,” you can browse the MLS listings and take a virtual tour of coastal homes for sale, but Michelle – a San Diego native – also has “Community Links” to dozens of helpful sites and a blog that combines real estate news with local visitor attractions and activities.

Most people buy souvenirs when they visit – beachy tee shirts, a watercolor painting of The Cove, a San Diego Zoo mug – but a lucky few acquire a second home, a place to retire, or an investment property.

And if Michelle Silverman is their agent, they also acquire a new friend.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS

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Click here to find a place to stay in La Jolla while you're shopping for a house. 

New La Jolla App From the Blue Book

The La Jolla Blue Book, published
 since 1937, has just produced a new app.

The new “Find It La Jolla” iPhone and iPad App from the publishers of the La Jolla Blue Book makes it easy for visitors to navigate around this part of San Diego.

The free app provides instant access to information about beaches, local attractions, places to eat, art galleries, boutiques, hotels, and more.

Users will find the address, directions, phone number, and website of any business listed in the print version of the Blue Book, a directory just for our part of San Diego. The application also offers the options of sorting by distance or by relevance, enabling users to find, for example, the closest restaurant or all restaurants in La Jolla. Additionally, a simple touch to the listed phone number, address, or website will connect you with the business instantly.

The application is available at the iTunes App Store. Search either “La Jolla” or enter “Find It La Jolla.” Unlike the San Diego Essential App I wrote about earlier, “Find It La Jolla” is solely focused on our beautiful coastal corner of the city.

Even though I’ve lived in La Jolla for most of my life, I refer to the print version of the La Jolla Blue Book at least once a day. While this essential guide includes residential and business contact info, it’s the maps I find most helpful.

Visitors planning a trip to San Diego can use the online version of the Blue Book. Published annually since 1937, the directory includes white pages, yellow pages, great detailed maps, a comprehensive street listing, and blue pages with information on community organizations. It even has seating charts for local theaters and sports venues.

The blog on the Blue Book website covers topics relevant to both residents and visitors. I especially like the “18 Best Bet Attractions,” which includes places to visit throughout San Diego.

The Blue Book – whether you use the app, the website, or the print version of the book – as an invaluable resource for visitors to La Jolla.

La Jolla, California - Vacation Rental at Windansea Beach

This beachy three-bedroom home is less
than five-minutes from Windansea Beach.

San Diego visitors looking for the Southern California beach lifestyle will love this cute three-bedroom home just a long block from Windansea Beach.

This spot is a legend among surfers and attracts the world’s best riders. In fact, the surf shack on the beach is a designated historical landmark.

Windansea also offers picturesque coves that are perfect for family picnics and building sandcastles, and it’s one of the best spots on the California Coast for watching the sunset over the ocean.

The house has a fenced yard in front (good for kids and pets) and the back garden comes equipped with a hot tub, barbecue, and outdoor dining table. To the side of the house are two off-street parking spaces – a rarity in this neighborhood.

Inside, you’ll find three smallish bedrooms that sleep up to eight people and two bathrooms. The attractive kitchen has wood counters, a gas stove, and a quarry tile floor. A granite bar in the shape of a surf board separates the kitchen from the living room. While the whole house is very beachy and appealing, my favorite things are the stained glass window and big fireplace in the living room.

The house is available from SeaBreeze Vacation Rentals. Inquire about property #363 and use promo code SB2565 for a 10% discount.

SeaBreeze supplies high chairs, pack n' plays, beach chairs, bikes, bike helmets, coolers, surf boards, wetsuits, and boogie boards for a small fee – so you’ll fit right in with the locals who wander down to Windansea on a daily basis.

Hey – one more thing…while you’re in San Diego, follow the locals’ lead and practice safe sun.

Photo credit ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

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Summer Fun in San Diego, California

Le Chef Urs Baumann will teach you how to
prepare light and healthy summer foods on July 21.

San Diego is a great place to be in the summer. The weather is great for snorkeling at The Cove, kayaking at La Jolla Shores, surfing at the Shores, Windansea or Bird Rock, and just hanging out at the beach. There's also lots of fun stuff to do at night.

Take a squizz at the list below and see if you don't agree.

Now through Sept 5 - The Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla’s summer exhibit is “High Fidelity: Selections from the 1960s and 1970s” plus “Emperor’s River: Philipp Scholz Rittermann.” The MCA is located in the village at 700 Prospect Street. Tel. 858- 454-3541.

July 21 & July 27 - Farrell Family Jazz at the Athenaeum Summer Concert Series Performers: Gilbert Castellanos Quartet with special guest James Zollar. 1008 Wall St. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

July 14 and 15, Aug. 12 and 13. Full-Moon Walk on Scripps Pier with Birch Aquarium naturalists. Ages 9+. Call 858-534-7336 for info on cost and to RSVP.

Now through July 24 – Peer Gynt, by Henrik Ibsen, adapted and directed by David Schweizer, running in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse. For tickets, call the Playhouse box office 858-550-1010 or book online.

Now through September 4 – La Jolla Concerts By the Sea in Scripps Parks near The Cove. Free of charge and families welcome. BYO chair or blanket and enjoy the music and the great ocean view. Every Sunday at 2pm. Check website or call 858-454-1600 for schedule of performances.

July 17, 24, 31 - Athenaeum Summer Festival 2011 with pianist Gustavo Romero. Concerts take place at The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Dr., La Jolla. Call 858- 454-5872 to reserve.

July 19 - August 21 – La Jolla Playhouse presents the new musical: Sleeping Beauty Wakes (book by Rachel Sheinkin, music by Brendan Milburn, lyrics by Valerie Vigoda, directed by Rebecca Taichman) in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Tickets online or call 858-550-1010.

July 20 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Wednesdays: July 20, Aug. 17, and Sept. 21, 6-9 p.m., Ages 21+ RSVP and ticket prices: Tel. 858-534-4109. The concert series combines live music with panoramic ocean views on the aquarium¹s stunning outdoor tide-pool plaza. Savory happy-hour appetizers, craft beers and wines are available for purchase. Keep an eye out for a real "green flash," a rare optical phenomenon caused by refraction of light as the sun sets on the horizon. July 20 Performer: FITZ & THE TANTRUMS.

July 21 - Farrell Family Jazz at the Athenaeum Summer Concert Series. Performers: Kendra Shank Quartet. 1008 Wall St. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

July 21 – Cooking class with Chef Urs Baumann at the Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 6pm. Call for cost and reservations. Tel. 858-459-0831. Learn great and easy summer salads with fresh herbs, chicken, shrimp. 

July 24 - Athenaeum Summer Festival 2011 with pianist Gustavo Romero. Concerts take place at The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Dr., La Jolla. Call 858- 454-5872 to reserve.

July 27 - Farrell Family Jazz at the Athenaeum Summer Concert Series. Performers: Edmar Castaneda Trio. 1008 Wall St. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

July 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25 - Film & Wine Summer Series: Flicks on the Bricks. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Dr. No. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

July 31 - Athenaeum Summer Festival 2011 with pianist Gustavo Romero. Concerts take place at The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Dr., La Jolla. Call 858- 454-5872 to reserve.

August 3, 7:30 p.m. – Free open-air concert in Scripps Park near The La Jolla Cove, presented by the La Jolla Music Society. BYO chair and blanket.

August 3 - 26 – SummerFest concert series. La Jolla Music Society's SummerFest is a nationally-recognized chamber music festival featuring over 70 world-class artists and ensembles. Since its inception in 1986, SummerFest has welcomed over 650 renowned artists and ensembles, four talented artistic directors, and nearly a quarter of a million audience members at venues in San Diego and over the airwaves nationwide. See their website for details.

August 4 - Film & Wine Summer Series: Flicks on the Bricks. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Goldfinger. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

August 11 - Film & Wine Summer Series: Flicks on the Bricks. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Like Water For Chocolate. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

August 14 – La Jolla Cove Swim Club’s “Tour of Buoys” event. 5-mile and 1.5 mile swims. La Jolla Shores Beach.

August 17 – Green Flash Concert Series at Birch Aquarium. Performer: STEVE POLTZ. See July 20.

August 18 - Cooking class with Chef Urs Baumann at the Riford Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd. 6pm. Call for cost and reservations. Tel 858-459-0831. Learn to prepare an entire Asian flavor menu.

August 18 - Film & Wine Summer Series: Flicks on the Bricks. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Julie and Julia. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

August 25 - Film & Wine Summer Series: Flicks on the Bricks. The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, 1008 Wall St. Gigi. Call 858-454-5872 for ticket prices and reservations.

August 30 – September 25 La Jolla Playhouse presents the world premiere of Milk Like Sugar, a co-commission with Theater Masters, by Kirsten Greenidge, directed by Rebecca Taichman, in the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre. Tickets 858-550-1010 or online.

To see a selection of La Jolla photos, click here.

The Real World in La Jolla, California

The Real World house is in the Bird Rock area of La Jolla.

I have to confess I’m not a big fan of reality TV, but since all the buzz in our corner of San Diego is about MTV’s The Real World being filmed in Bird Rock – I chose that neighborhood for a long walk today.

Located at the south end of La Jolla, Bird Rock is divided by La Jolla Boulevard. On the east side of the thoroughfare, mid-price family homes predominate, but the ocean side has some stunning houses with fantastic coastal panoramas.

One of these stunners – at 5212 Chelsea Street – is where the cameras will capture the lives of the 20-something occupants chosen for season 26 of this popular show. While I can’t imagine having my every move broadcast - I do envy them living in this house.

In addition to having a drop-dead gorgeous view, the four-story Real World house has a pool overlooking the Pacific and a tennis court on the roof of the upper level. The 8,600 square foot home has five bedrooms and six bathrooms and is valued at about $3.4 million.

Cast sightings (four young women and three guys) have already been reported in the area. I wasn’t surprised that the first filming was at the popular Bird Rock Coffee Roasters on La Jolla Boulevard. There’s a Starbucks nearby, but BRCR is definitely THE local favorite hangout.

I’ve heard that some neighbors are concerned about the production and the “constant traffic on the streets,” but seriously, all I saw were some plumbers going back and forth from the house to their truck.

As I walked though this Lower Bird Rock neighborhood, what really grabbed my attention was the number of ocean overlooks that have been provided between houses. From Dolphin Place to Calumet Avenue to Chelsea Street, I stopped and admired the view from at least a half dozen spots.

The photo above was taken near the intersection of Sea Ridge Drive and Linda Way and shows The Real World house perched on a sandstone bluff above the ocean. Tourmaline Surfing Park is just out of view to the south.

In addition to hanging out at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters, I’m guessing the cast will also have at least one meal at Beaumont’s Eatery on La Jolla Boulevard. This casual spot serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a late-night menu and offers live music three nights a week.

They will also, no doubt, stop in at the La Jolla Open Aire Market on at least one Sunday morning and head to La Jolla Shores for some beach time, kayaking, or surfing.  They might even hit the Gliderport for hang gliding or paragliding.

Having said I’m not a fan of reality TV, I have a feeling this is one show I will be watching when it airs later this year.

Photo credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.

Click here to see more images of La Jolla.