Pinnacles National Monument... Just Minutes from Soledad and one of the Nationns treasures.
Growing up South Monterey County we visited the Pinnacles many times on school trips and family outings. I remember as a kid how fun it was everytime we went. The most exciting part of going for me was climbing through the huge underground caves and the wild flowers growing everywhere.
Here is a little histroy (I did copy some of the following facts)
Naive Americans
Anthropologists believe Pinnacles was intermittently occupied by small groups of Native Americans. Evidence in the form of arrowheads and acorn grinding stones have been discovered within the monument.
Native Americans, called Costanoans by Spanish colonials, (derived from Spanish for "people of the coast"), inhabited western central California. Two local subgroups, the Chalone and Mutsun, visited Pinnacles. Subgroup populations ranged between 50 and 500 people. The Chalone lived west of Pinnacles in the Salinas River valley and the Mutsun lived to the north and east in the San Juan Bautista area and along the San Benito river.
Spanish Missionaries
The Spanish had a dramatic impact on the Native Americans who frequented Pinnacles. They traveled into California from Mexico and eventually established 21 religious missions between 1769 and 1823, stretching from San Diego to Sonoma.
The mission closest to Pinnacles was built in Soledad in 1791. The Chalone Indians lived in the area east of Soledad Mission -- close to what is now the western side of PinnaclesNational Monument.
Early Settlers
In 1891 Schuyler Hain, a homesteader, arrived in the Pinnacles area from Michigan. During the next twenty years he became known as the “Father of Pinnacles” leading tours up through Bear Valley and into the caves. Hain spoke to groups and wrote articles urging preservation of the area and acted as unofficial caretaker for many years. His efforts proved fruitful with the establishment of Pinnacles as a 2500 acre national monument in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt.
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Civilian Conservation Corps
In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps established a camp in what is now the Old Pinnacles trailhead area. From 1933 to 1942, during cooler winter months, the CCC accomplished many projects. The dirt road up to Bear Gulch was widened, paved and completed in 1934. The CCC improved many of the trails that had been established by the early homesteaders, including the exciting steep and narrow trail that winds through the HighPeaks. They constructed the dam that forms the Bear Gulch reservoir and improved the trail into the caves, adding concrete steps and guard rails. Beginning in 1936 the CCC boys guided visitors through the caves using lanterns.
The rolling chaparral and dramatic rock faces of Pinnacles National Monument inspire loyalty in visitors, from picnickers to rock-climbers, and from stargazers to cave explorers. Pinnacles is visually stunning, as anyone who has seen the smooth orb of the moon glide from behind the crags of the High Peaks can attest, or who has watched the flashing black and white wings of acorn woodpeckers as they tuck acorns into the thick bark of gray pines. This striking beauty is attributable, in part, to the Monument’s geologic formations, showcase chaparral habitat, finely intergraded ecosystems, and protected native plant and animal diversity. Another special Pinnacles quality is its proximity to millions of people. We invite you to come and visit this corner of the National Park Service: Pinnacles National Monument.
If your coming to Carmel, Monterey, or Monterey County take a day to see the pinnacles. I promise you will not have seen anything like it before.
Directions from South
Take Hwy 101 south through the city of Gilroy to Hwy 25 south. On Hwy 25, go through the town of Hollister and continue about 30 miles to Hwy 146. Turn right on Hwy 146, then turn left into the Pinnacles Campground to check in at Pinnacles Visitor Center. From the campground, the Bear Gulch Area is 3.5 miles further into the park along Hwy 146.
Directions from South
Take Hwy 101 North to the town of King City. Exit at 1st Street. Turn right toward King City. Continue straight until 1st St turns into Bitterwater Rd (Monterey County G13). Follow Bitterwater Rd until it intersects Hwy 25. Turn left on Hwy 25 (North) and follow for ~15 miles. Turn left onto Hwy 146 to enter the monument. Turn left into the Pinnacles Campground and check in at Pinnacles Visitor Center. The Bear Gulch Area is 3.5 miles further into the park along Hwy. 146.
Well... it easy to explain this away on the economy... When in reality it mostly other factors..I look at the properties that I list and really look at the comps that have sold and determine what it was that sets them apart from other listing not moving. The days of listing a property and have multiple over asking offers are long gone. You have to really know what will set your listing apart from other in your area.
So of course the biggest reason PRICING... Many home are priced by based what the seller wants. Agents sometimes feel they must go with what the seller wants in order to get the listing,. This is a complete waste of the seller and agents time. I feel obligated to tell my clients the facts, regardless of the seller changing their minds and waiting to sell or going with another agent willing to over price the property.I tell my clients on my first lisitng appointment one of the following three things will happen at the end of this meeting.
1) We will list you property today
2) You will decide to go with another agent.
3 I will pass on taking the listing..
I then look at how I will market and present the property. A dirty , cluttered home will take much longer to sell. Homes that have new carpeting and paint move quicker.. Again look at your sold comps what is being done that attracts buyers in your area..Some sellers don't want to clean the dirt and grime, listing the property "AS-IS". Buyers agents many times pass these properties by not showing them to buyers as they mostly turn home buyers off. If all it takes is a little elbow grease to put your listing in the "Move " category. clean it up. Also are your MLS picture attractive? Avoid pictures of hallways and small rooms. Show one bedroom shot ( The Master), take picture of selling points. (Fireplace, big yard, open family room, island kitchen etc) . Taking your time and getting the rite shots will drastically draw more interest in your listing.Having a lisitng looking neat on print or on line isn't good enough it has to look absolutely fabulous.
No Curb Appeal
Most buyers like to drive by and look. A house that is for sale but hasn't been well kept, or is filled with weeds and unmowed grass, is often a turn off. Instead of thinking of everything wrong, try picturing the house as it could be, with a little work on your part or by hiring a clean up crew. By being willing to shell out a few bucks or working yourself, you can often get a nice home that just needs some touching up, and you just might save yourself more than a few bucks in the price of the home.
Pricing correctly and setting your property apart in a dramatic way is what it takes to get it sold. You have to know what is important to the buyers in your area and draw them in. Someone out there is looking for a property like yours..
After three months of searching and interviewing Brokerage's ....Deluca Real Estate stood out from them all.
I am very excited to start the next chapter in my career with a team guided by the many years experience of Leslie Deluca.After moving back and deciding to once again do what I love (Real Estate) I promised myself to take my time , interview lots of brokers and not settle for less. At this point in my career I need to really connect with my broker, I needed guidance, someone with drive, someone who cares about our community and someone who makes sure my clients get the service they deserve. Leslie Deluca has offered all of this with her company. Deluca Real Estate has been around a long time offering a full range of real estate services.To include property management and commercial sales.I am very excited about this move and plan on making 2012 my strongest year in sales ever!!!
Coming back to Monterey County has not only been long overdue it was necessary. Growing up here has made this my home.. Leaving in 2007 was not easy but taking the time to allow the VA to address my combat injuries for the last four years has given me my life back. I have been given a chance to come back make amends and be with my family.
The last three years I have been surrounded by wounded combat veterans, some from wars long ago and some just coming home. I have a whole new outlook on life. What it means to life with honor, to make the best of your life and love those around you... Many soldiers did not come home," I owe it to them to live my life the best I can as they do not have the option to do this"...I TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUS, and it will show in my services to you as i guide you through the real estate process.
When I started real estate in 2000.. I remember telling Cheryl Savage "This is what I was born to do"I have that same drive today and will be offering TOP NOTCH Real Estate Service....
Please do not hesitate to call me , even just to say HI..
Jason L Skerik/Realtor
Deluca Real Estate
415-532-7403
Born and Raised In South Monterey County. I am your local Realtor coming from a long generation of family owned south county business owners.As a decorated Combat Veteran I pride myself with integrity
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