Encinitas will be hosting its 13th Annual Oktoberfest and Street Fair this September 23, 2007. It is generally a sold-out event that allows everyone to be a fun-loving German (or fun-loving Californian) for just one day.And why, you ask, would someone want to do that?It's the lively German music, the fabulous German food (brats and kraut and potatoes and other hearty delectables from the kitchens and chefs at Carlsbad's Tip Top Meats), and the opportunity to browse the outdoor street fair and booths selling everything from handcrafted jewelry, doggie sunglasses, wardrobe accessories, nutritional supplements and home decor items. It is also an opportunity to enjoy a lovely autumn day in balmy Encinitas. The even will be held on Mountain View at the corner of El Camino Real--and is a grea... 08/29/2007

A new boutique hotel/fractional ownership resort is brewing in Leucadia, at the corner of La Costa Avenue and the Coastal Highway.   The Surfer's Point Resort at the north end of Leucadia (on the Carlsbad border) has been in the works for about 8 years and the dream is nearing the final stages - ground breaking should begin in late September. Certainly such an undertaking is not without controversy, given the location. But the 2-story resort will not impede any views, and the owners have gone through, I think, as many as 17 different governmental organizations plus the town and have satisfied ALL the requests.     So while some Leucadia folks may not be happy about the changes, it seems that the owners and designers are being very sensitive to preserving the feeling of the community to... 08/21/2007

Find a Realtor in Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, Carmel Valley: Buy or Sell a Home or Real Estate in Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, Solana Beach Del Mar with Dusty Brazil Century 21 United Brokers  Looking to buy or sell a home in North County San Diego? Need a Realtor? If you need assistance with the purchase or sale of a home in Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar or anywhere in North County, contact me now. If you are not familiar with North County San Diego, or even if you are, check out my websites for cool local real estate sites I have and or get a CMA of the value of your home. If you are looking to buy a home for sale in the local vicinity, I wold love to help you in your house hunting. Please feel free to search for homes for sale on my sit... 08/20/2007

The following is a summary of market conditions from the MLS for Encinitas for the month of July. Please note that information from private sales and new construction developments not in the MLS is not included here.Homes for sale - 221 detached, 68 attached (down 1% from June)59 detached and 17 attached homes came on the market in July (6 of these homes or 8% went into escrow in the month they came on the market)205 detached and 91 attached homes have sold in the last 6 monthsAbsorption (inventory) is 6.5 months for detached (a small increase from June) and 4.5 months for attached homes (a decrease)Average marketing time was 71 days for attached and 59 days for detachedMedian sales price for detached - $865,000, a 2% increase over JuneMedian sales price for attached - $460,000, down 5%... 08/17/2007

Southern California's coastal Encinitas has homes, condos and building lots to suit the needs of the fussiest home shopper. Located in San Diego's prime North County, Encinitas offers everything from oceanfront homes and condos--to equestrian estates--to newer homes around Encinitas Ranch Golf Course. Much has been written about Encinitas, its real estate and its lifestyle, but sometimes dry lists are needed. There are numerous Encinitas subdivisions and neighborhoods that are recognized by both locals and real estate professionals, and some of these communities have clearly defined borders, such as Cambria, Knightsbridge, and Wildflower Estates. Other Encinitas commuunities are more generally known by the their locale or geographic features such as the Beach Area, Leucadia, Moonlight B... 08/12/2007

Buyers interested in Encinitas real estate (link is to a community profile on the town) with a desire to own waterfront have some options - fairly expensive ones. California waterfront real estate is known for being some of the most expensive in the country (although I dare say Florida has some very pricey homes on the water, at least the areas I have visited) and Encinitas waterfront homes are no exception. While not as costly (on average) as Solana Beach, Del Mar, and La Jolla's ocean-front homes, these properties in Encinitas can command a pretty hefty price to match the spectacular views. There are a limited number of waterfront homes, and often they are not very large. The street to buy on, if waterfront real estate is your desire, is Neptune, which runs along the bluff from Grand... 08/08/2007

Buyers looking at high-end Encinitas homes in the Leucadia community have several options, if new construction is tops on the list.Located just a short distance off the 5 freeway (where you can leave the freeway and be home in 5-10 minutes), within walking distance of South Carlsbad State Beach, is an exclusive enclave of custom homes on a cul-de-sac, with the opportunity to customize one of the 3 remaining homes. Costa Laguna Estates is a rare find near the ocean in North County San Diego, especially at this price for new construction.Leucadia offers a unique lifestyle in an eclectic seaside community where surfing is historic and contemporary; where funky beach life melds with more upscale, but subdued, living and entertaining; where bungalows and beach cottages merge with 21st centur... 08/06/2007

The following is a summary of the housing market in Encinitasfor May and June 2007, based on data from the MLS. If you are interested in homes for sale in Encinitas, this will help you better understand the local market (courtesy of Jeff Dowler with RE/MAX Associatesin Encinitas). The community profile on Encinitas will provide you with more detailed information about all that this community has to offer.  [photo at left is of Moonlight Beach at dusk - a terrific all-around beach at the edge of downtown]  May statistics:262 homes on the market (no change from April) with 85 new in May - 35% less than the peak inventory of July 2006293 homes sold in last 6 monthsInventory is a shade under 6 months for detached homes, and 4.5 months for attached (a significant drop for attached but about ... 07/22/2007

If you are fortunate enough to visit Encinitas, California, and your time constraint limits you to only one place to visit, then the place to go is the Gardens of Sef Realization Fellowship.As you drive on Highway 101, look for a white arch crowned by gleaming golden lotus domes. The Self Realization Fellowship Gardens are located at 215 K Street.  The gardens are lovingly cared for by the Monks of Self Realization Fellowship.Stone walkways and meandering paths take you through the gardens.  The trees  gently lean over the pathways to provide shade for the visitor. Hanging amidst the branches of the trees are baskets of beautiful flowers. A wide variety of succulents and cacti are spread throughout the gardens. The ground cover in the gardens is so varied and lush it looks like carpet. ... 07/05/2007

Leucadia is a funky, eclectic beachtown in the northern part of Encinitas (while referred to as Leucadia, since it really does have a different feel about it than Encinitas, it IS part of the 92024 zip code). Leucadians are proud of this fun town with a strong surfing history and charm, and enjoy the laid-back beachy atmosphere the town projects. It is popular with vacationers as well.  The beaches, of course, are the main attraction (Grandview and Beacon's are favorites), but there are lots of shops (e.g., M'Aimer), small restaurants (my favorite is Le Papagayo), quirky hotels, surf shops, and a broad range of services. Don't expect to find glitzy boutiques and lots of designer fashions - the residents like the feel of their town - but don't be mislead...there is lots here to look at a... 07/01/2007

Life can get pretty complex, with lots of demands, time pressures, places to go, people to see, email to answer, blogs to write, and so on. Sometimes, it's the simple things in life that mean the most, especially when pressures of living seek to take control and you find you are not having fun because there is no time. So often we have read other folks talking about the pressure, the stress in this business, and not having time to do some of the things they would like.    Beach art in Leucadia was an inspiration from just such a time. A time needed to decompress, to take a break, and to simply enjoy the wonderful environment here in Southern California without an agenda, a goal or a plan. There are no pretenses, no special purpose, just time spent with someone I care a great deal about ... 06/24/2007

Encinitas (link is to virtual tour with music) has a reputation for a number of things - surfing (Swami's Beach, at the far south end of town bordering Cardiff, is probably the best known surfer's beach on the Southern California Coast - SEE PHOTO BELOW RIGHT) and growing flowers (roses, for example, and especially poinsettias). Encinitas is located about 25 miles north of San Diego along the coast with several miles of terrific beaches.       Like other coastal towns in the San Diego area, the weather is terrific, and residents and vacationers alike can enjoy the beaches and other activities year round. Moonlight Beach is perhaps the most popular all-around beach (surfing, bathing, watching, volleyball, cooking, kite flying, drum circling), at the end of Encinitas Boulevard and border... 06/21/2007

Leucadia, a community in the north end of Encinitas, is a funky, surfer, seaside town in North County San Diego with a laid-back reputation, fabulous beaches, and a diverse collection of housing (single family apartments, condos, vacation rentals, attached homes, mobile home parks).Unlike the swankier part of Encinitas to the south, Leucadia retains much of the feeling of a surfing and beach town it has had for decades, although that is gradually changing to some extent. The community has a large number of nurseries, and Encinitas as a whole has a world-wide reputation as a flower-growing capital. And that, too, is changing, as some of the nurseries have disappeared and new homes have been built.If you are looking for homes for sale in Encinitas you might want to consider Leucadia, if t... 06/21/2007

Encinitas is a North San Diego County coastal town about 25 miles north of San Diego, sandwiched between Carlsbad to the north, Cardiff and then Solana Beach to the south, the ocean (west, of course), and Rancho Santa Fe to the east.   Incorporated in 1986, Encinitas has an international reputation as a flower capital (especially poinsettias), and a cruise around town will show you why this is so.   While many nurseries have disappeared, or are in the process of disappearing in order to make way for housing, you will still find a good number of them scattered about. Rightly so, Encinitas is also the home of the San Diego Botanic Garden, a feast for the eyes if you are a plant lover.   The San Diego Botanic Garden hosts lost of event throughout the year - a chocolate festival, a special... 05/23/2007

Buyers and Sellers - here is a summary of the MLS statistics for hEncinitas for March and April 2007. The inventory of Encinitas homes for sale is remaining fairly steady, increasing by about 5% from March to April. The rate of sales has increased moderately so that the absorption rate (amount of inventory) is is now less than 6 months for both detached and attached homes. The median price for attached homes has essentially remain flat since the beginning of the year, and price remain lower than they were 1 year ago, which is good news for buyers.In contrast, despite the median price for detached homes remaining less than 1 year ago, prices have been slowly trending up since the beginning of this year. While it is still early in the year, the next few months will give us a much better i... 05/13/2007

 It's not just Encinitas, but Solana Beach and other areas in California blessed with magnificent ocean bluffs. To be able to dangle one's feet over the edge of the earth with nothing but endless ocean beyond is a singular experience. But to lose one's property to crumbling ocean bluffs is not the heartstopping experience we would wish on anyone.Yet bluff collapse has been a reality for an unfortunate few during the history of North San Diego County's ocean bluff living. And it has been a painful and controversial history, especially in more recent years.In short digest format, the problem might be viewed from two perspectives:Environmentalists and the Surfrider Foundation believe that Mother Nature should have her way. After all, sand for the local beaches is provided by erosion from t... 05/04/2007

I love desserts, at least most of them. Especially chocolate. I don't have much self-discipline in that arena, and now, combined with a fondness for gardening, it will be even harder to steer away from chocolate, and other desserts.Residents of Encinitas and surrounding communities like Carlsbad and Cardiff-be-the-Sea now have a place they can indulge in their passion for gardening AND desserts. A unique combo, but it works...and very well.Sunshine Gardens, on the edge of Encinitas Ranch, is well known throughout the area for a great selection of flowers and plants, and good pricing. [by the way the photo is NOT of Sunshine Gardens but of the Flower Fields in Carlsbad - I did not have a photo of the nursery to add but thought folks would enjoy this view as well ]. If you are a passionat... 04/23/2007

Anyone who knows me well knows that I had a fondness for the beach. I'm OK not living right next to it (been there, done that) but I need to be within a relatively short distance. And of course the prices of waterfront living here in Southern California are pretty astronomical, so for now that precludes my living oceanfront...and perhaps forever!One of the great things about the Carlsbad area where I live is the close proximity to miles of beaches. And with the weather here you can pretty much enjoy the beaches all year long. Soth carlsbad state Beach is very popular and a great place for dinner on the beach to watch the sun set.  The beaches in Leucadia, just south of Carlsbad, are some of my favorites, however. Leucadia is a very cool, funky, community that is officially part of Encin... 04/19/2007

I admit it - I love avocados. I enjoyed them while living back East, with an occasional foray to a great Mexican place in Cambridge that made the best guacamole (other than mine, of course). Now that I am here in California, my passion for avocados has increased, in part because they are so plentiful and cheap. I particularly like them grilled. And, since living here in the last 2 years I have also had:Avodaco ice cream (yep, I did...it was quite good)Avocado soup (both chilled and hot)Avocado mousseAnother favorite, however (in keeping with the original purpose of this blog) is a small street in Leucadia (the quaint, funky part of Encinitas with a real surfing feel to it) called, what else, Avocado Street.Avocado Streetis only 2 blocks long, leading from the coastal highway (Route 101)... 04/19/2007

Here are the summary market data for Encinitasfrom the MLS for March 2007. [photo is the entrance to the stairs leading to Swami's Beachin south Encinitas, perhaps the most well known surfing beach in the area - see link BELOW for a review of Encinitas Ranch, a master planned community in Encinitas]A few interesting things to point out. First, the inventory, while up slightly from last month (about 2%), is still substantially lower than it was at the end of November. Second, the rate of sales has gone up a little, and there is now less than a 6-month supply of detached homes for sale in Encinitas, a drop over the last several months. Buyer activity has picked up now that spring is here, and while the average marketing time is less than last month for attached homes (about the same for d... 04/10/2007