FIRST, WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA? Just heard another retailer who tried to get an extension of her commercial  lease in Carmel-by-the-Sea, but the landlord was only willing to give a month-to-month lease.  Photo: Please click on photo to visit my Carmel Real Estate website. There are several reasons why landlords don't want to give longer leases right now, even to those who have been excellent tenants: 1. A lot of shorter leases were signed during the downturn of the market just to get spaces filled. Naturally, the leases were very advantageous to the tenant.  2. Quite a few buildings changed ownership recently with a high price tag. These new owners are looking for tenants with deeper pockets. 3. Several buildings will be going through major reno... 02/11/2014

 Carmel-by-the-Sea is fast becoming known for its fashion boutiques. A recent newcomer on Lincoln Street close to the Cypress Inn is Jolie with its distinctive mostly European and US made women's clothing. Co-owners Fatima Assar (pictured below) and Diana Read have been friends and business partners over many years, and recently decided to pursue their dream of opening this chic boutique for the discerning visitors and residents who shop in fashionable Carmel-by-the-Sea.Fatima has worked in the fashion industry in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles and attends industry events such as Fashion Week to purchase inventory for the boutique. "Next, I want to attend shows in Paris and Berlin, cities known to be trend setters in the fashion industry."Designers favored by Jolie include Beat... 02/10/2014

The Carmel Art Festival here in Carmel-by-the-Sea is held every year outdoors at Devendorf Park. The City also closes down adjacent Mission Street between Ocean Avenue and 6th for the event. Banners are displayed up and down Ocean Avenue for a couple of weeks before the event, touting the Carmel Art Festival. All of this, of course, is City property and it charges vendors for this privilege. BY THE HOUR. Our event starts on Thursday, May 15, 2014 when the tent is put up on Mission Street and the information tent and Sculptures arrive for display at Devendorf Park. It is effectively done by Sunday, May 18, 2014. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea also charges for: 1. Putting up "no parking" signage before and during the event.  2. Live music held by the event. (Yes, they charge by the hour fo... 02/05/2014

This morning starting at 9AM, the winning artists from yesterday's judging of the 120 paintings, will be out painting in the 2-hour QUICK DRAW here in Carmel-by-the-Sea. During this short time which includes "travel time", they will need to bring back ONE newly painted painting and submit it for judging in this fun Sunday event. THAT MEANS THE 15 ARTISTS ARE MOST LIKELY PAINTING RIGHT HERE IN TOWN OR DOWN AT CARMEL BEACH. Visitors, especially, like to watch the canvases come to life in this short time. And it's awesome! These artists are so talented. Just look at what they painted on Thursday and Friday and entered into the main event yesterday. See www.carmelartfestival.org/SilentAuction2013.html That web page also shows all 120 paintings and the winners who are participating this morn... 05/19/2013

Whether you are here in Carmel-by-the-Sea or not, you can view and bid on this year's 120 plein air paintings submitted for competition, all painted around the Monterey Peninsula these last couple of days by 60 juried artists of the 20th Annual Carmel Art Festival. Yes, we have ABSENTEE BIDDING www.carmelartfestival.org/SilentAuction2013.html for those who are not lucky enough to be here in person in Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Paintings will be up on the website by 12NOON.) The artists brought in the paintings to us last night, and today they can be viewed all day; and you can make your silent auction bid on your favorite(s). The auction closes at 6 PM tonight, Saturday, May 18, 2013. SCHEDULE OF EVENTS TODAY ON MISSION STREET: Judging will be done between 8AM and 10AM for awards including 1st... 05/18/2013

60 plein air artists will be submitting two paintings each into the Carmel Art Festival between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM Friday, May 17. Judging will be Saturday morning and winners in various categories will be announced by 10:00AM Saturday, May 18, 2013. And, yes, they are still WET. Many an elbow or purse has brushed against a painting accidentally before it was safely hung on the artist's space on Mission Street here in Carmel-by-the-Sea. I am actually surprised that we don't have more problems. Luckily, the paintings dry pretty fast since they are hung outside in the open air for 24 hours before they are handled by their new owners. Also, the festival organizers have made an agreement with Al Asuncion and Natalie Sweet who have a mailing establishment in the "Court of the Fountains" in ... 05/16/2013

Although the Carmel Art Festival is touted as a "plein air" event where 120 paintings are being crafted by 60 artists over a 2-day period, there is another exciting feature to this FREE OPEN AIR event in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea this weekend. Sculpture-in-the-Park in Devendorf Park. Seven galleries in Carmel-by-the-Sea will be EXHIBITING SCULPTURE IN DEVENDORF PARK. These are being placed there this morning as an added art feature so that the public can stroll or sit in the park while listening to LIVE MUSIC. See "Schedule of Events" for band names and times by clicking here www.carmelartfestival.org/eventschedule2013.html There will also be LIVE SCULPTING DEMONTRATIONS by BENNETT SCULPTURE CARMEL. The galleries that are participating are: (I'll be adding photos later in the day when ... 05/16/2013

Tonight the 60 plein air artists arrive who have been juried into the 20th Annual Carmel Art Festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea for the May 16-20, 2013 event. They will be checking in at the Carmel Art Association on Dolores between 5th & 6th, where they will get their blank canvasses officially stamped. Yes, they start out with blank canvasses and spread all over Monterey County for the next two days to paint the scenery. They will then each submit two of these new paintings into the competition to be judged on Saturday morning, May 18. THEY WILL PAINT AT LEAST TWO PAINTINGS DURING THE TWO DAYS. We have a map where you will most likely find them painting. Click here for MAP." And you would think that this is a lot to do for these talented artists. However, most of them paint at least one or... 05/15/2013

It's been unseasonably warm here in California for the last few days. Unlike the interior of Monterey County, ocean communities like Carmel-by-the-Sea have been getting a slight ocean breeze in the afternoon that makes the temperature JUST RIGHT. Then, at the end of the day, the breeze has stopped, and that makes it JUST RIGHT to head for Carmel Beach where everyone gathers to watch the sunset. The sun seems to go down pretty quickly at this time of year, so residents and visitors get ready for the daily show by bringing beach chairs to get a front row seat. And if you are a dog owner, that is the time to go to the beach with your pooch, because they can run free here and let off some steam, just like DASH, the Bernaise dog whom I had the pleasure of meeting last night. A very friendly ... 05/01/2013

Marie's Garden Restaurant, just newly opened in the Golden Bough Courtyard off Ocean Avenue (between Monte Verde & Lincoln--across the street from the Pine Inn, and behind the Cottage of Sweets), is a wonderful new place to sit outside and enjoy lunch on a sunny day like today. Below is the menu. Now, with this temporary menu, you would think that the FISH TACO that I had is like fast food, but far from it. Check out the (sun-dappled) photo that I took of my meal. My lunch including a wonderful homemade iced tea, including healthy tip, came to $20.00. And that's not bad for Carmel-by-the-Sea! They tell me that they will also do TAKEOUT and DELIVER. Marie's Garden Cafe is the kind of place you can get a quick lunch or to take your pooch and sit and just enjoy. Yes, because it's outside ... 04/25/2013

There is something very romantic about walking down Ocean Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea at night, especially if there is a full moon like tonight. Tiny lights draped around trees down the center of the avenue illuminates the street rather than normal street lights. As I wrote in my previous post, I am here to prepare for the Carmel Art Festival which is happening May 16 to 19, 2013 and a lot of advance work has to be done. It's fun because I get to visit with all my art gallery friends who will be arranging painting exhibitions and receptions to coincide with our event. Art collectors come from all over the country come to Carmel-by-the-Sea to view and purchase the paintings that the 60 juried artists produce over a two-day period just prior to the event. The plein air paintings, which wi... 04/24/2013

IRONING OUT SOME WRINKLES FOR THE CARMEL ART FESTIVAL ON MAY 16 - 19, 2013. As a Board Member, I get involved in some of the "wrinkles" that come up every year, both before, during and after the Carmel Art Festival. We have been organizing this renowned Plein Air event for 20 years, you would think that it would be smooth sailing by now.  However, now that there is a new Mayor in town (no the last one wasn't Clint Eastwood, he has not been Mayor in Carmel-by-the-Sea since 1986-88 - check out the interesting story as to WHY he was mayor here http://www.clinteastwood.net/mayor/). But I digress. The new mayor is Jason Burnett and he's a great guy, goodlooking too! The signs of the times have it that now everything is done strictly by the book (or by-laws, ordinances, or whatever). Not that... 04/24/2013

The 20th Annual Carmel Art Festival Held May 16-19, 2013 in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The 20th Annual Carmel Art Festival will take place Thursday thru Sunday, May 16 -19 in beautiful downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea.  This four-day event celebrates Carmel’s rich history of being an artist community and provides a rich cultural and educational experience for the locals and visitors.   The event takes place in Devendorf Park as well as Mission Street between Ocean and 6th Street. Those who come will not only enjoy the art but a variety of live music from Friday thru Sunday.   FOR EVENT SCHEDULE, CLICK HERE.   Showcased in the festival is the Plein Air painting competition.  60 juried artists will compete painting outdoors for two days, Thursday and Friday, as they capture the images of the area’s nat... 03/14/2013

03/13/2013

Saturday, February 2, 2013 "Live your Dreams" by Robert Swetz   To "Live your Dreams" you must FOCUS on the Dreams and  put them ahead of our daily activities and people around  you   Our daily activities and  people around us can create stumbling blocks that can slow   down our dreams from coming true "FOCUS" on your Dreams ... Put your dreams in front of the other people, activities and  things around you Then you can enjoy and ...  "Live your Dreams"   Posted by "Super Star" at 5:40 AM Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to Facebook Labels: Dreaming, Dreams, Focus, Happiness, Happiness within, Love, Ocean, Pacific Coast, Robert Swetz, www.Happineswithinrobertswetz.com, www.VideosByVegasBob.com Location: Carmel, CA, USA 02/01/2013

Carmel California Real Estate Prices are currently rising.  However, the charts below show a one year period of the average sale price in Carmel California.   The highs and lows look like a roller coaster as they keep going up and down.  This can be accounted for by understanding that one month a more expensive home may sell and drive the average sale price up, while the next month, less expensive homes sell. The last chart shows the number of homes for sale in Carmel, California listed by price range, which will give you a good idea of how many homes are on the market currently at different price points.   The bottom line is, that while prices are going up, now is a good time to find your dream home in Carmel, California. A Carmel By The Sea Cottage For Sale ZILLOW REAL ESTATE LISTINGS... 10/09/2012

This past week I was in Carmel-by-the-Sea and all I heard was: everyone is waiting for the election to be over with and then (put in your favorite line here). Who was saying this? THOSE WHO WERE TRYING TO SELL SOMETHING. In my mind, that just didn't compute. That was just an excuse NOT to sell something. After all, "buyers" (translate "visitors") were still coming to Carmel. The restaurants (the GOOD ones) were filled to overflowing. In fact, the number of restaurants have INCREASED recently, the GOOD ones that is. Same in Carmel Valley where I spent the weekend. (See my last blog.) Shops, those that were marginal to begin with, have been replaced with WINE TASTING ROOMS. The GOOD restaurants and hotels? They were still there and doing quite well, thank you. SO HERE IS WHAT I LEARNED: Y... 10/02/2012

09/10/2012

Concours Week is everywhere on the Monterey Peninsula...I found a fun video with Jay Leno...a car enthusiast...               Tomorrow don't miss Concours on the Avenue Ocean Ave and side streets, Carmel By The Sea Tuesday August 14, 10:00 a.m. -  5:00 p.m. Get your spot on Ocean Avenue to see a wide variety of automobiles, cars, trucks, motocycles...and more.  There will be a display of about 175  vehicles built between 1940 and 1973 - as well as Porsches and Ferraris through 1989.   There will be awards on a stage on Ocean Avenue.  This event is FREE!  and a great opportunity to see beautiful, rare and unusual vehicles. When in Carmel, visit my listing on Lincoln - walk to town! 08/13/2012

Carmel By The Sea California is a special place. Getting to know Carmel By The Sea With it's cobble stone streets and ivy adorned cottage walls, hidden courtyards and sandy beach, Carmel By The Sea entices visitors from all over the world.  This picturesque little village was once a haven for artists and still has a rich artistic presence.   The village is only 1 square mile which makes it a very walkable town.  There are many restaurants, shops, hidden courtyards to discover and parks to relax in.  The town is very dog friendly and there are many restaurants and Inns that allow your furry friend.   GETTING TO THE BEACH In Carmel By The Sea California: To get to the gorgeous beach, follow Ocean Avenue which is "main street" all the way to the bottom.  Here you will find an amazing white... 08/03/2012