“World's Most Complete Neighborpedia”
Explore:   What's happening in your neck of the woods?

Vicki Pedersen - Riverside and Corona CA Realtor

Riverside CA - The Orchard - Wonderful Neighborhood

Riverside CA 92503 - THE ORCHARD

The Orchard is a wonderful and very unique neighborhood in the southwestern part of Riverside with approximately 250 homes. If you haven't been there before and don't know where it is, that's not surprising. It is the hidden jewel of Riverside. And you will have a hard time finding another similar neighborhood.

The Orchard is located on La Sierra Ave - on a hillside south of Victoria Ave. It is above the smog that we sometimes experience in Riverside. It is easy to miss if you don't know where to find it. You enter the neighborhood from La Sierra by turning left on Orchard View Lane. It is just south of the KB Homes - Bridgeport and Stone Harbor development. You can also enter from McAllister Parkway.

The Orchard is unique because of its location on a hillside and the lots are staggered at different elevations on the hillsides. Lots are a minimum of 1/2 acre and most are quite secluded - some are very secluded. Spectacular views and privacy are common in this development where the homes were built from 18 to 25 years ago. The tax rate is very low here and the HOA fee is only $31 per month. There is also an unofficial section of The Orchard where the homes are newer, built about 6 to 8 years ago. There are 97 homes in this newer development in The Orchard and the builder for these homes was Beazer Homes. These homes also have a i= of 1/2 acre lots and many have great views too.

Real Estate in The Orchard

Only one home has sold in the last three months, a 2143 sq ft pool home on Praed St sold in June 2008 for $480,000. There is one home that is currently in escrow, a foreclosure on Citrus Wood that has been vacant for a very long time. It was listed at an unheard of low price of $319,200 and went into escrow within a couple of days. Currently, there are several homes for sale including foreclosures, short sales, and regular sales.

Schools, Dining and More

The Orchard is a wonderful place to live. Some of the nicest people we have ever met live here. It is very secluded and yet convenient. It is two miles from the 91 freeway and a Metrolink station. Shopping and schools are nearby. It is located within the Riverside Unified School District. The public schools for The Orchard are:

  • Lake Mathews Elementary
  • Chemawa Middle School
  • Arlington High School

There are a number of wonderful private schools located within an easy driving distance.

Currently the freeway entrance/exit at La Sierra is under construction making the area around the 91 freeway a little difficult to navigate. But when this project is done and with the widening of La Sierra a couple of years ago, traffic will be a breeze. The 91/La Sierra exchange is scheduled to be complete in July of 2009. (Can't wait until then!)

Several great entertainment/shopping/dining areas are located within 15 minutes drive of The Orchard.

If you have any questions about The Orchard or anywhere in Riverside, please feel free to contact us at (951) 840-5212 or you can go to our website Pedersen Team. We personally love the Orchard and find great satisfaction in helping families purchase a home or sell a home in The Orchard. It is a WONDERFUL neighborhood and we highly recommend it.

This photo that we took in The Orchard one evening of a stormy sunset. (We don't see storms very often in Southern California - so I just had to take a photo.)

The Orchard - Riverside CA

Riverside CA, Real Estate for Victoria Grove - 92503

Victoria  Grove entranceVictoria Grove


Victoria Grove is a wonderful neighborhood in the southwestern part of Riverside. It is located south on La Sierra Avenue just below Lake Matthews. My husband and I have many friends who live here. We have sold a lot of homes here have also helped some wonderful people purchase homes in Victoria Grove. It has many wonderful ammenities for the residents (which I describe lbriefly ater) and even better are the amazing people who live in this neighborhood. It is a great place for families, but it is not just for families. We know singles and couples also live in and really enjoy Victoria Grove.

Current Real Estate Activity

Let's get to the meat of this blog. As of today, August 19, 2008, there are 28 houses for sale - listed on the local multiple listing service. What is really amazing is that 14 of these are listed for under $400,000. As of today, there are 10 homes currently in escrow. There are some great homes currently for sale in Victoria Grove. The homes that are in the best condition and are priced to sell go very quickly, usually with multiple offers in on the house. Be sure you are working with a realtor to help you in you are looking at purchasing a Victoria Grove - house on Half Moon Courthouse in Victoria Grove. You will need a professional's advice and help to get your offer accepted.

Here is a photo of a beautiful home that we recently sold in Victoria Grove. We're so glad that a wonderful couple bought the home. They will love Victoria Grove.

Sold between 7/1/08 and 8/21/08
List Price Sold Price
Low $309,900 $325,000
High $488,000 $490,000
Average $366,967 $372,227
Victoria Grove community pool Community Ammenities

One of the best parts of Victoria Grove is the community pool. There are several parks and playground areas dotted throughout Victoria Grove. The community is gated and there is 24-hour security always driving around the neighborhood. There is also a soft ball field, sports court, picnic area and more.

Victoria Grove playground Victoria Grove ball field



Victoria Grove also has a wonderful elementary School, Lake Mathews. This school is one of the best elementary schools in Riverside. Victoria Grove is located in the Riverside Unified School District.

There is still one builder who is selling brand new homes, Van Daele. Van Daele has some beautiful homes for sale.

If you are interested in learning more about Victoria Grove or are interesting in buying or selling a home in Victoria Grove, please contact us, the Pedersen Team. You can reach us by phone at 951-840-5212 or 951-906-2852. Or visit our website. We have lots of helpful information for buyers and sellers there and you can search for homes for sale in Riverside and all throughout the Inland Empire. Thanks for reading our blog.

A Really GREAT Place to Visit in So. California - You've Wanted to Go - Now Just Go!!

view of Avalon and the bay
Catalina Island

I just got back from a terrific, but short, two-day trip to Avalon on Catalina Island. This trip was to take our oldest son on his first ocean dive (scuba). We had a wonderful time.

Avalon on Catalina Island is a wonderful place for all of us in California to have some fun, kayak, snorkel and scuba dive, golf, horseback ride, shop, relax and much more. It is a great place to visit for a single day or for several days. My husband and sons love Divers getting ready to dive - Avalonto scuba dive in the Avalon dive park. I'm not a "fish" like the rest of my family so I stay up top-side and enjoy the weather and the scenery (where I can breathe on my own without the aide of all that scuba equipment) and wait for them to complete their dives. Two Harbors - about 18 miles north on the island is much smaller and has a campground close to the water.

Catalina Island is located just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, but it feels like it's a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. The air is smog-free, the bay has the clearest water of any harbor in the country, and there's not one traffic light on the whole island! From the "city" of Avalon (population 3,500) to the country village of Two Harbors (population 150), Catalina Island resembles the California of 50 years ago - undeveloped and unspoiled! Catalina Island really is another world! I highly suggest that you discover this paradise for yourself. Here is a great photo of Avalon.

I have a lot of wonderful memories of great times on Catalina. One of my favorites was taking a group of teenage girls from church over for a few days of snorkeling kayaking, camping, sailing and just having a blast with these girls. This activity was done at Two Harbors.

Here are a couple of terrific websites that are all inclusive of information that you may need to start planning your trip to Catalina - Catalina Island travel and Catalina Chamber of Commerce Both list things to do, transportation, dining, accommodations, planning weddings/meetings and more. And there are many other websites with information to help you plan a trip to Catalina Island.

If you just want to check out how to get to Catalina Island, you can go to Catalina Express or Catalina Flyer. There are quick (and large) boats that go back and forth between the mainland and Catalina several times a day.

As I mentioned before, Catalina is a wonderful place to visit. I highly recommend all you Southern Californians start planning your next trip to Catalina. You won't be disappointed.