Orange County Fair 2015  This year's Orange County Fair runs from July 17 to August 16.As always, there will be much to enjoy at the OC Fair including rides, fair food, and more.  We love to visit the animals which includes a petting zoo, llamas, goats, cows, rabbits, chickens, oxen and so much more.  Last year, there was even a butterfly exhibit. In addition, there are concerts and other shows.  Some of the shows are free with fair admission and some show tickets include free admission to the fair.  Fair tickets are $12 for people 13-59, seniors 60+ are $7, children 6-12 are $7, and under 6 are free. Parking is $10. For more information about the Fair and the fun to be had, please see other posts: A 5 Year Old's Pictorial Review of the Orange County FairA 4 Year Old and the Orange Coun... 07/05/2015

 Today’s Costa Mesa real estate market is an alien landscape compared with what it was ten years ago, when it seemed as if a seller could just plant a sign in the front yard and wait for competing offers to roll in. This summer’s real estate scene is equally unlike that of five years ago, when many properties could languish for long months with few showings and fewer legitimate offers.   It’s been a welcome return to a more stable, predictable Costa Mesa real estate climate. With sale prices rising at a sustainable rate and the average days on market making a return to levels approaching historical norms, Costa Mesa real estate participants—both buyers and sellers—gain confidence on what to expect on both sides of home selling transactions. Particularly for Costa Mesa homeowners who are... 06/21/2015

Orange County, CA Spring Meetup  When: Monday, May 11th, 4pmWhere: Yard House Restaurant, 1875 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa CA 92627 (In the Triangle...easy parking, yay!)What: Your local Spring meetup      Christine Donovan  and I will be hosting an ActiveRain Spring meetup on May 11th, and we'd love it if you were able to join us.  Located minutes from all the major freeways, the PCH, and literally right off the 55, the 4pm start time will help avoid most of the post-work traffic and make your Monday something to look forward to!       I've come to love our Orange County meetups, and if recent history is any indication, we'll have attendees near and far.  We have many familiar faces from ActiveRain here in Orange County, so hopefully many of them will be in attendance, and recent meetups ... 04/28/2015

East Side Costa Mesa Homes for SaleEast Side Costa Mesa is a highly sought after area of Costa Mesa. With close proximity to 17th Street and the Westcliff shopping center, it is a highly sought after area. East Side Costa Mesa features wide tree lined streets and some of the streets include Flower Street, Broadway, Santa Ana, Tustin and 17th Street to name a few.East Side Costa Mesa is a highly desirable area and close proximity to the newly revitalized 17th street with upscale shopping and dining.There are both condos and single family homes in East Side, and if you are looking for a property, please contact me.'  ?center> 04/17/2015

Easter Egg Hunts in Costa Mesa - Orange County Fairgrounds - 2015     Orange County Fairgrounds Easter Festival   On Saturday, April 4, 2015, the Orange County Fairgrounds will be having its Easter celebration.  It will take place from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.    There will be hunts for candy and prize eggs that will lead to winning large Easter baskets.   In addition to the hunts, there will be face painting and a puppet show as well as pictures with the Easter bunny.  Bring your own camera for free pictures between 10 am and 2 pm.     So, be sure to bring your kids by the Orange County Fairgrounds Easter Festival so they can enjoy the festivities.   The cost of admission is $2 for those over 12 years old, or see below for a free coupon for admission.   Free Orange County Easter Egg Hunt Ad... 03/29/2015

  When it comes to selling your Costa Mesa house, the first attributes that will bring in prospective buyers will be found in your listing description: size, location, and all the details that either match prospects’ wish lists (or don’t). Price is in there, too. Next comes curb appeal, which can turn on or turn off prospective buyers. Although it is often the second “at bat” you get when you are selling your Costa Mesa house, it’s not usually decisive. The third attribute can be just that—a bunch of factors that can hook your ultimate buyers.   Call it your home’s “emotional IQ.”  Everything else is important, but emotion plays a powerful role in selling your Costa Mesa house. That’s because home is, well, home—where people hang their hats, raise their kids, and spend their precious d... 03/09/2015

Nearly New Home in Eastside Costa Mesa: 2305 Orange Avenue OverviewMapsPhotosDescriptionMarket Stats $900,000 Single Family Home Main Features 3 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms1 Partial BathroomInterior: 1,644 sqftLot: 3,986 sqft Location 2305 Orange AvenueCosta Mesa, CA 92627USA Michael Salas Keller Williams | Newport Estates(949) 370.7792msalas@kw.comhttp://www.NewportBeachWaterfrontHomes.com         Listed by: Keller Williams Realty Our recent listings Nearly New Home in Eastside Costa Mesa: 2305 Orange AvenueNearly New Home in Eastside Costa Mesa4 Bedroom in Compobello with Panoramic Views22 Pelican Crest, Newport Coast CA Luxury Home with Panoramic Ocean Views Subscribe to our listing feed Nearby properties for sale 02/17/2015

      This is a reblog to a press release released on Wednesday to PR.Com  BanCorp Properties is refocusing its attention on the Costa Mesa real estate market as is looks to heighten brand awareness and increase market share in a very competitive market. The company plans on re-launching its buyer’s rebate. BanCorp said on Wednesday that it planned on stepping up marketing efforts in the Costa Mesa real estate market. The company has always been known as one that was willing to take calculated risks when it came to rattling existing older-school marketing templates anticipates moving away from print media and allocating resources toward internet and social media advertising to assist it gaining additional market share in the Costa Mesa housing market. The company believes that there is... 02/11/2015

The Orange County Fair     Each year, the fair comes to Orange County for a month from July to August.  The fair has been in Orange County for 125 years.  It has been in Costa Mesa since 1949, 4 years before the City of Costa Mesa was even incorporated.   Annual attendance at the fair has been over a million for the past several years.   In May of 2009 and for some time after, there was discussion of selling the Orange County Fairgrounds.  At this time, it appears that there are no plans to sell the Fairgrounds.   The Orange County Fair offers so many fun things to see and do, that my family and I typically go several times during the month.  In addition to the typical fair food, there are rides, a petting zoo, elephants to ride, woodworking showing amazing works of art, pie eating cont... 01/30/2015

Battle of Costa Mesa Civil War Reenactment Fairview Park   For the past several years each April or May, the American Civil War Society (ACWS) has performed the Battle of Costa Mesa at Fairview Park.  Approximately 150 Civil War buffs gather together each year to reenact a Civil War battle.     My children enjoying coming to the park each year to see the battle and watch and listen to the canons booming and the horses passing by. One year, they even had Abraham Lincoln stop to recite the Gettysburg Address. Part of the fun of seeing the Battle of Costa Mesa is walking through both Confederate and Unions' soldiers camps in Civilian Town. There is also Sutlers' Row where you can purchase items reminiscent of the Civil War time period.   This is a great time to teach children about the Civ... 01/28/2015

Costa Mesa Real Estate News - Mesa Verde Costa Mesa Homes Report 12-14   The Mesa Verde neighborhood of Costa Mesa was largely built around the Mesa Verde Country Club, a private club and golf course. A public course,  Costa Mesa Country Club, is also located within Mesa Verde's boundaries.       Most Mesa Verde Costa Mesa homes were built in the 1960's and 1970's, and several of the homes were actually built right along the golf course, making for very popular homes. Mesa Verde is bordered by Fairview Regional Park and the Costa Mesa Golf Course on the south, Harbor Boulevard on the east, the Santa Ana River to the west, and the 405 (San Diego Freeway) on the north.   The Estancia Adobe, built in the late 1800's is also located within Mesa Verde in Estancia Park, and provides insight i... 01/26/2015

Orange County's Favorite Swap Meet The Orange County Marketplace which is held every Saturday and Sunday (with the exception of Easter and during the OC Fair). It is a unique swapmeet and a great place to go to pick up unique items. From clothing, furnishing, plants, sunglasses, it is one stop shopping. There are also pet supplies. Enjoy food and drinks and walk around and do some shopping! Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers, lemonades, pretzels and many more items to select from. Located at:  The OC Fair and Events Center 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626 It is located in the parking lot area of the fairgrounds, and there are often other events going on in the OC Fair and Events Center. I have been there when there have been dog shows, and many other types of exhibits! There are approximately... 01/15/2015

Costa Mesa Christmas Tree and Disposal 2015     The holidays were fun.  You have eaten your share of goodies and drunk your share of eggnog.  The presents have been unwrapped, and the decorations are put away until its time for dreams of sugar plums to once again dance in your heads.   And, now you're wondering what to do with your once wonderfully beautiful Christmas tree.  Do you need to chop it up and put it in your trash can?  Do you need to take it to the dump?   You're in luck. Costa Mesa has a simple program for Christmas tree disposal and recycling.   The Costa Mesa Sanitary District will pick up Christmas trees from December 29, 2014 through January 16, 2015.  The trees will be collected on regular trash days from curbside.  If a tree is over six feet, it must be cut in half to... 01/08/2015

Costa Mesa Snoopy House 2014     Costa Mesa's iconic Snoopy House will be at Costa Mesa City Hall from December 13- 23, 2014. Snoopy House first began 48 years ago in Eastside Costa Mesa at the Jordan house. But, when they were no longer able to host Snoopy, City Hall offered to do so.   Each year approximately 80,000 visitors come to see Snoopy an his friends enjoy cider and hot chocolate, ride miniature trains and visit with Santa.   Snoopy House will be open every night from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm. There will also be free pictures with Santa. So be sure to stop by Costa Mesa Snoopy House and enjoy the event that so many of us have grown up enjoying and now share with our children.     Originally posted at: Costa Mesa Snoopy House 12/13/2014

My dog Duffy is an irish setter and his AKC registered name is Conamara All or Nothing. Duffy was shown today at Malibu Kennel Club at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, CA.  He won, and got Winner's Dog, and was entered in the end of the show to go against Champions  for Best of Breed. He did not win Breed, but I was excited that he won Winner's Dog as this means he got another point towards his championship! His litter mate Teagan won best of breed and that is pretty exciting. It was fun to have the litter mates together in the same ring. Teagan is working on her Grand Championship. My dog Duffy really enjoys the shows, the whole process from getting ready - meaning getting bathed, groomed, and brushed out, and the tail is wagging the whole time. The brushing out and drying ... 12/08/2014

Homes for Sale in Eastside Costa Mesa, CA | Costa Mesa Real Estate Eastside Costa Mesa is a highly desirable area in Orange County. It is bordered by Newport Beach.  Eastside Costa Mesa is bordered by Newport Boulevard, 15th Street, Mesa Drive and  Irvine Boulevard on the east. There are condos, single family homes and multi unit properties in the Eastside Costa Mesa area. Below is a photo of a Victorian style home in Eastside Costa Mesa. The architecture is varied, but you find wide, tree lined streets in East Side. Search the MLS for East Side Costa Mesa homes for sale.   11/26/2014

Things to Do in Costa Mesa - Veterans' Day 2014       On Veterans' Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014, there will be a celebration at the Orange County Fairgrounds between 10am and 3pm.  The event is free as is parking.   Events will include live music and other entertainment. There will be a resource fair for veterans and events for children. 11/10/2014

G & D Auto Collision I received a referral from my insurance agent last year when we need an auto body repair shop. I met with Angela Danciu who owns the G & D Auto Collision Repair shop with her husband. Angela is amazing! She went above and beyond in all aspects. Angela dealt with the insurance company completely. She is extremely knowledgeable of the process, and I knew I was in good hands. The car was expertly repaired and you could not tell there was any work done at all, and all the while the most pleasant kind person. Angela is my go to person when I have any questions at all about cars or maintenance, I have used her since a few more times!! G & D Auto Collision is located at: 2085 Placentia Costa Mesa, CA  92627 Contact Angela at 949.642.6954     10/30/2014

  Your Costa Mesa home listing is, hands-down, the most likely place prospective buyers will get their first glimpse of the home you are selling. Most serious prospects will go online as an early step in the process of winnowing candidate properties by area, asking price, number of bedrooms, etc.—so the photos in your home listing will be your offering’s face to the world. You probably already know that—and that not all pictures are created equal. What’s important to realize is that some home listing photos actually scare away buyers! Whether you are preparing for a professional photographer’s shooting day or just helping your Realtor® choose the shots that will be included in your area home listing, here are some red flag/don’t go there/bad idea/just-say-no off-kilter ideas for real e... 10/16/2014

Ice Cream Open House Costa Mesa - 10-12-14   On Sunday, October 12, 2014, DonovanBlatt Realty is having another of their Ice Cream Truck Open Houses at 209 Rose Lane in Costa Mesa.             Come by and take a look at this 4 bedroom, single story Eastside Costa Mesa home.  It has a lovely front yard and a backyard that is great for enjoying Southern California weather.     Plan to come by between 1 pm  and 3 pm to tour this home and get your free ice cream.     For more information, please contact Christine Donovan at 714-319-9751.       Originally posted at: Ice Cream Truck Open House Eastside Costa Mesa 10/11/2014