The Hook, September, 2007, Pleasure Point, CA
September in Santa Cruz is amazing - I can't get over it.
Last Saturday, one of my daughters joined me for a walk on East Cliff Drive. There were lots of surfers in the water. A beautiful day, even when waiting for the perfect set.
We walked from the parking lot at 41st Avenue (The Hook) down to 26th Avenue (and back). On the way to 26th Avenue, we went the beach route. Once we got to 26th Avenue, we cut though back neighborhoods. We're both interested in architecture and landscaping and it was fun looking at the different houses - some very modest and some totally remodeled.
The Pleasure Point area is unique. Originally modest, always eclectic and charming. Still many very small "beach shacks." Then there are those that have been remodeled over the years, and turned into the cutest and/or most magnificent beach houses you have ever seen.
The mouth of Soquel Creek where it meets the Pacific Ocean. Capitola Lagoon, Early Evening September, 2007. Note: The lagoon is shored up in the summer time to provide more beach for tourists. In the off-season, the creek runs naturally to the ocean.
September in Santa Cruz County is amazing. The weather is generally warm, clear, and beautiful. That was the case last week when I took an early evening walk from Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz to Capitola.
I thought this lavender colored rose was beautiful!
26 th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, September 2007
In November, it will be 10 years since I moved from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz County. Living in a beach community is wonderful beyond compare. Yesterday was Labor Day, and instead of sitting in traffic for hours trying to get to a beach, I drove a couple of miles to 26th Avenue, one of the most beautiful beaches slightly North of Pleasure Point. The waves were incredible. My grandson commented that it was like "watching a show" - surfers, boogie-boarders, skim boarders - the day was clear and bright.
I think September and October are two of the best beach months in Santa Cruz. It's hard to imagine how people live in places that are not so naturally beautiful and inspirational.
"From the mountains to the sea" is a slogan many Realtors in the area use. Where else do you get the stimulating combination of a university town (UCSC), several eclectic beach towns, each with their own unique character (Davenport to Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Seacliff, Rio Del Mar, Seascape, Manresa, LaSelva Beach, Sunset Beach, just to name a few).
I feel so lucky to live here.
Feel free to join me, if the spirit moves you!
Still sitting majestically on the Esplanade (originally Ocean Front Avenue) facing the sea, are three historical Capitola duplexes known as the "Six Sisters." These testaments to grander times were constructed around the turn of the 20th Century (circa 1900), designed by architect Edward Van Cleeck, who also designed the beachfront Capitola Hotel (long gone, a victim of fire), the bathhouse, a theater, and other miscellaneous buildings in Capitola. The Sisters were owned by Capitola developer Frederick Hihn or his heirs until 1919 when H. Allen Rispin purchased the entire development of Capitola. It is believed Rispin sold off the Six Sisters in the 1920's. The property in front of the Sisters once included railway tracks for the electric train that ran from Santa Cruz to Capitola. The Sisters face the beautiful Capitola, California beachfront. (Information courtesy of Carolyn Swift, Capitola Museum of History, 2007.)
Soquel is a cute little "district" in Santa Cruz County, bordering the sea-side village of Capitola. Capitola itself used to be part of Soquel Landing.
As a student of local history, I am forever trying to figure out how things used to look - how various buildings were layed out on streets. Soquel Elementary School (previously Soquel Grammar School) is a case in point. It evidently was first established across the street from where it is now (which is on the East side of Porter St. in Soquel). Designed by famous architect, W.H. Weeks in the Spanish Colonial Revival style (as so many other schools and libraries of the times were designed), the building is a rare reminder of the architectural thought and detail that went into buildings of the past. I often wonder why modern architects don't have similar sensibilities in terms of design.
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I love selling real estate in the greater Bay Area(s) - Monterey & San Francisco bays . . . Beach bungalows, investment & horse properties, condos/townhomes, vacation homes, get-aways, you name it!
Welcome to Santa Cruz County, where life really is a beach. If you are looking for investment property, a vacation home, or a permanent residence in paradise, you've come to the right place!
I work tirelessly to assist my clients in realizing their real estate dreams. You will like working with me if you value a straight-shooter, thoroughness, humor, creativity & impeccable integrity (to name a few of the more important traits I believe I bring to the table). Ready to get started?
Santa Cruz County is an amazing place to live, with something for everybody.
The Pacific Ocean in all of its wonder: Some of the best surf spots on the planet . . . beautiful beaches, boating, sailing, kayaking, lounging beachside, or:
The Redwoods: Hiking or biking, exploring backroads, surrounding towns - each with their own unique personality . . .
Santa Cruz has adventures for every taste from the famous Beach Boardwalk to fine dining, funky "dives," interesting neighborhoods, educational & cultural influences & events, cafes galore, bookstores to satisfy every curiosity & so much more!
Santa Cruz County encompasses many interesting cities, towns and districts - some of my favorites at the moment are Capitola, Soquel, Aptos, Live Oak, Branciforte (or B40), Pleasure Point, Sea Cliff and Rio Del Mar. I favor charming beachy communities and areas of historical interest or that have interesting architecture or other endearing qualities.
Some Santa Cruz Area Resources:
Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitor's Council
Santa Cruz County Government Info
All Kinds of Fun Stuff for Kids!
Nightclubs: The Catalyst, The Crow's Nest, Kuumbwa Jazz
My Other Web Sites:
Read the Musings of a Mad Woman . . .
I was thinking about the particular skill set I bring to the marketplace and abruptly ran into resistance in describing my virtues. I don't think it has much to do with modesty so I find myself curious as to what it might be.
My resume includes manual labor as a child (when I grew up it was considered character-building to work as a child - I cut "'cots" summers starting at age 11 - 12 hour days in the hot sun . . . as a teen I volunteered as a "candy-striper" in the local hospital and worked in fast-food joints) - I have done time as a hair stylist, dental assistant, then went corporate as an accountant, an editor, an analyst, a marketing rep, and an underwriter. My hobbies are of a reflective nature. I have always enjoyed writing and like to make collages, read, and partake in armchair philosophical discussions.
I have degrees in Information Systems Management and psychology. I have certifications in Reiki, Feng Shui, and dreamwork.
In reflecting on my background for a moment, I had an "aha" about my resistance in attempting to deconstruct my skill set . . . to describe what I bring to the marketplace is to describe ME - and that is so personal and has to do not only with the jobs I have held, the education I have received, and the skills I possess, but also my upbringing, and the values I ascribe to, as well as my temperament. Very personal "stuff" . . .
I also notice that, surprisingly, there is an element of modesty in describing some of my personal value and a resistance to reducing that value to a simple monetary unit for business purposes.
A former broker once advised his agents that "liking to look at houses" is not a virtue for a real estate agent to have. I disagree. That is part of what makes my job fun for me. I love variety. I love the fact that every work day is different, and I love looking at houses! I am a student of architecture and design, and along with my background in Feng Shui, getting the opportunity to see a house is completely exhilarating to me! I love seeing different layouts and materials, living conditions and living styles. Showing property is a blast to me for this reason and it is even more fun to share the experience with someone and compare notes.
Add a buyer or a seller with a goal and I am fully engaged. For the buyer, I can play detective - interview them to find out what their heart's desire is and then comb the marketplace to try to find it. For a seller, scope out their property and get the creative juices flowing regarding how they can showcase the assets of the property along with creative ways I can market it, and brainstorm ideas to situate the property in the marketplace for the best result.
If I am representing a buyer, writing the offer and presenting it are strengths I bring to the bargaining table. If representing a seller, assisting my client in analyzing the offer is another skill I possess.
Once escrow is opened, my underwriting background and natural attention to detail come into play. Documentation becomes an obsession.
In a nutshell, my strengths lie in the combination of the creative with the analytical. The client who will appreciate me will be someone who values ethics, creativity, fun, and doing things "right."
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