Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon and evening in Newport Beach, CA. The Meet-up that Sharon Paxson and Karen Fiddler, Broker/Realtor co-hosted was the draw that got me up early and out my San Francisco door at 5:30 AM. We avoided all commute traffic in both SF and Los Angeles, and arrived in Newport Beach at 12:30, in time for a walk on the beach before our Meet Up. While I'm hoping others write more about the Active Rain Meet-up in Newport Beach I thought I'd share the one decent picture I have from the Meet Up. Karen Fiddler, Broker/Realtor  asked Jack Clausen, the "Mold PI", to talk briefly with us about the importance of home inspections, and indoor environmental issues - he has great information to share, check out his blog and say 'hi' to him. Our group of ab... 01/23/2015

The Orange County ActiveRain MeetUp is today!!! The ActiveRain Meetup will be on January 22, 2015 at 4 pm. Karen Fiddler, Broker/Realtor and I are hosting this meet up and and we would enjoy having fellow ActiveRainers attend and we can network and share ideas. Have you ever been to an ActiveRain meet up? If not, then today is the day!  So far we are going to have a great turn out. And one is even coming quite a distance to attend, and cannot wait. So, if you want to come on out to meet with you, please stop by: TODAY AT 4 PM The Yard House at Fashion Island in Newport Beach 849 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660 The Yard House has a great selection of food and drinks. There are fantastic appetizers, and beverages too! And this is a great opportunity to meet other Rainers, ma... 01/22/2015

 231 Canal Street in Newport Beach This fantastic Canal front home located in Newport Shores in Newport Beach is in escrow.  This home has four bedrooms (one of the bedrooms has been converted to a closet) , and 2 and 1/2 bathrooms. Beautiful hardwood floors create a warm and welcome feeling in the downstairs. There is a beautiful double door entry into this home which is located on the Canal in Newport Beach. Offered for consideration at $1,695,000 and is currently in escrow. There is a main floor bedroom which is being utilized as an office and there is a half bathroom. The other three bedrooms are located upstairs. Another benefit to this home is that it has a second living area/game room/media room located upstairs. This room could be utilized as a pool table or game room, or a medi... 01/21/2015

Newport Shores is a beach community located at the west end of Newport Beach. It is a unique community of approximately 440 homes. Newport Shores is across the street from Coast Highway and Orange Street in Newport Beach. There are single family homes , and multi family homes including duplexes.Some of these Newport Shores homes are located right on the Canal which provides a water front view. The Canal front homes are located on Canal street, Canal Circle and 62nd Street. Search the MLS for Newport Shores homes in Newport Beach. 01/20/2015

Open House in Newport Beach | 323 Walnut Street, Newport Beach There will be an open house on Sunday, January 18, 2015 from 1 pm to 4 pm. This home is located in the highly sought after beach community of Newport Shores in Newport Beach. This remodeled home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. This home is located in Newport Shores in Newport Beach and affords a beach lifestyle. Take a run, walk on the beach, take your dog for a walk on the beach (before 9 am and after 5 pm). The community of Newport Shores has an association and there is a clubhouse, sand volley ball court, tennis court, and basketball court. There is a group who plays sand volley ball every Saturday morning.  One of my favorite things about Newport Shores are the sunsets, and this time of year, they are especial... 01/16/2015

Newport Terrace Condos for Sale Newport Terrace is a lovely Newport Beach community. It is located off 19th Street. You travel west at 19th Street goes, and then it descends into this Newport Beach condo complex. It is located next to the Talbert Preserve. Also, it is great proximity to the Santa Ana River Trail so if you enjoy cycling, it is a great trail to ride, and about 10 minutes from the beach. Newport Terrace has approximately 281 condos located in this complex. There are three different floor plans. There is a one level with 2 bedrooms, and two 2 level with 3 bedrooms floorplans. Each of the units features a one car garage, and there is also a one car carport. There is also a lovely patio to enjoy the Newport Beach climate. There is also a community pool for the use of the resi... 01/14/2015

Dine Newport Beach | Seize the Dish Newport Beach Restaurant week is actually going to be held for two full weeks beginning on January 19, 2015 to February 1, 2015. Whatever you are craving there will be options for you. If you are looking for delicious seafood, steaks, there will be menus for you to try. There are both lunch and dinner menus. Lunch menus will offer selections at $10, $15, $20 or $25 per meal. Dinner menus will be offered for $20, $30, $40 and $50. There are many restaurants participating in this delectable event including restaurants such as Oceanfront 21, 3 Thirty 3, A Restaurant, Avila's el Ranchito, and Blue Water Grill. Here is an example of Oceanfront 21 menu for restaurant week. It includes a 3 course menu including starter, entre and a dessert.  Bluewater Grill ... 01/11/2015

Roger's Gardens in Newport Beach Roger's Gardens is one of my favorite places to visit through out the year. Roger's Gardens is a beautiful home and garden center. This fabulous place is located at: 2301 San Joaquin Hills RoadCorona Dell Mar, CA 92625(949) 640-5800 There are stunning indoor and outdoor plants, water features, unqiue flower baskets for your garden or patio. Additionally, Roger's Gardens offers landscaping services as well. There are many unique plants. There are also events throughout the year along with the holidays. Halloween is special at Roger's Gardens with their own unique holiday decorations. Christmas is also beautiful at Roger's as they create their own decorations for the holidays. There are also incredible holiday wreaths. I always enjoy visiting Roger's Garde... 01/10/2015

Newport Shores Home Open in Newport Beach | 323 Walnut Street Please join me at my open house tomorrow at 323 Walnut Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663. This fabulous home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Located in the highly sought after area of Newport Shores, walk to the beach and enjoy the Newport Shores lifestyle. Newport Shores also has a communtiy clubhouse, tennis court, basketball court and sand volley ball court. The community clubhouse is on the canal and see the Newport Shores amenities below. Newport Shores in Newport Shores is surrounded by the Canal which ebbs and flows with the tide. Enjoy stand up paddle boarding and kayaking in this highly desirable community. Newport Shores is located across the street from the beach, walk to the beach and enjoy the lifestyle.... 01/09/2015

Newport Shores Homes for Sale in Newport Beach | Market Update Newport Shores is located in the west side of Newport Beach literally across the street from the beach. There are approximately 440 homes (most single family) however there are duplexes as well. There is a community association and a community clubhouse, tennis court, pool, sand volley ball court and a basketball court. There are also parks for the little ones!! This Newport Beach community offers lifestyle. You can walk to the beach, surf, swim,  go jogging on the beach and it is an easy bike ride to Huntington or Newport Beach pier. Also, there is a dog area at the river jetty where many take their dogs to run off leash. As long as they don't go on city property, I have never seen anyone cited there. But the city of Newpor... 01/08/2015

Balboa Island Market Update and Homes for Sale Balboa Island in Newport Beach is a highly desirable area of Newport Beach. It is actually made up of 3 islands - the main island, the little island and Collins Island. Collins Island is gated, and there are 8 homes located on it. Balboa Island has it's own unique charm. Driving down Marine Avenue and there are many stores and places to dine. Also, Balboa Island is a great walk in the morning (or evening or anytime). Grab a Starbucks and it is about a 3 mile walk if you walk the entire island and the little island. The walk is serene and the scenery is incredible. There are many moored yachts and boats, and there are homes that do have boat slips. Also, some bay front areas do have a sandy area where kids can play. Also, the way to arrive o... 01/06/2015

A Day in the Back Bay     The Back Bay is a wonderful place to visit if you're looking to get out and enjoy the outdoors in Newport Beach.  With Santa Ana Heights and Dover Shores and Eastbluff on the other, many homes are fortunate enought to overlook this nature preserve which has long been a favorite of bird watchers.   For our family, it is a place to hike and kayak while enjoying the beauty which is so close to home.  Many enjoy horseback riding through the trails as well.   If you enjoy the thought of kayaking but don't have one of your own, you can rent one at Southwind Kayaks or at the Newport Aquatic Center.  I prefer Southwind if I want to kayak in to the bay itself and Newport Aquatic if I'm planning to stay in the Back Bay.  This is just based on the location of each.    Upp... 01/04/2015

Newport Shores in Newport Beach | Homes for Sale in Newport Shores Newport Shores in Newport Beach is a community located on the west side of Newport Beach. There are approximately 440 homes. There are some duplexes in Newport Shores as well. Newport Shores is surrounded by a Canal, and the homes located on Canal Street, Canal Circle and 62nd Street are Canal front. The Canal rises along with the tide. It is nice to the residents utilzing it, some swim (even though the temps are cold now), many paddle board and kayak. Newport Shores has a community clubhouse, pool, tennis court, playground for the kids. Additionally, the location is literally across Coast highway from the beach. It is an easy bike ride to Huntington Beach, and to the Newport Beach pier.   Currently there is one active l... 01/03/2015

Just wanted to write a post to you all and wish you a wonderful Christmas holiday, and enjoy the holiday season. It is a time to enjoy being with friends and family. And be grateful for our many blessings.  Merry Christmas to you all, and enjoy this fabulous holiday season.   12/25/2014

Newport Beach Homes for Sale The weather is about 70 degrees and the skies are bright blue. I took my dog for walk this morning on the beach, and there were quite a few surfers out. The wind was minimal and and it was a beautiful morning to enjoy the beach. Also, the tide has been quite high, and today was no exception. For some reason, I tend to see more pelicans this time of year.  And of course surfers out enjoying this beautiful weather. The water is cold and they were wearing wetsuits.  This is part of the lifestyle of living in Newport Beach. If you are interested in purchasing a home in Newport Beach, search the MLS below.   12/22/2014

I have been sharing holiday photos from the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Tonight is the last night, and if you want to see it, I highly recommend it.  Imagine the amount of work to create the themes for each yacht! Also, investigate the settings on your camera in order to get the best photos! I am wishing you all and happy and healthy holiday season. 12/21/2014

I attended a wonderful holiday party last night and that along with other holiday festivities has gotten me a little behind with blogging. I am going to share holiday photos of the Christmas Boat parade over the next few days and hopefully will add to your Christmas spirit and celebration. It was an incredible site and the boats were absolutely stunning with decorations to the hilt. People were singing, and reaching out to each other to wish each other a happy holiday season! It is a little challenging to take photos at night, on a boat which is moving, and pictures of boats that are moving - so therefore many were not clear. I am sharing the ones which were! Hope you enjoy the next few days of pictures. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays my fellow Rainers!   12/20/2014

The Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach began last night and will run through December 21, 2014. Newport Harbor looked so festive driving by, and there is a TON of traffic. I have been in this traffic for the past two nights, and it is really stop and go. And I am thinking it is going to be worse tomorrow night because it is Friday night. There are many parties going on, and there are limo's and party buses bringing people to this event. Also, the home owners who have Newport Beach bay front homes have their homes impeccably decorated as well. On Balboa Island in Newport Beach - the homes are decorated completely and it is fun to see the reflection in the water! So, tomorrow I am going to a party at Bayshores in Newport Beach and will look forward to taking many upclose and photos an... 12/18/2014

Speechless Sunday | Balboa Peninsula Point Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach has both bay front homes and ocean front homes as well. This photo was taken from East Bay from a bay front home on preview. Bay front homes has dynamic views as it is always changing, and there is also a view at night.  It is serenity watching the boats glide by. This location is fairly close to the entrance to Newport Harbor as well. Search the MLS for Newport Beach homes for sale on Balboa Peninsula Point.     12/14/2014

All of Southern California had a fairly decent storm last night and it rained all night up until about 1 pm today, and it is supposed to rain a little more. Which is a great thing - we need the rain! This morning I heard a loud bang, and saw a bright flash as a transformer blew, Wish I could have photographed it, but I did take a picture of the smoke after . . . fortunately my electricity did not go out. Then the tide has been quite high, and they were expecting very big waves. I did not see any huge waves today, but the ocean definitely looked quite turbulent. Below is a photo of Newport Shores in Newport Beach, and the tide was very high as a result of the storm. The sky was blue and looking forward to getting more rain! Search the MLS for Newport Shores homes for sale in Newport Beach. 12/12/2014