Boardwalk development in La Jolla was built in 1981 and consists of 216 units in a three story complex with underground parking.  Boardwalk offers five floor plans of one to three bedrooms with from 705 to 1,426 square feet of living space.  Boardwalk is across from La Jolla Village Square and in walking distance to conveniently located shops, restaurants, movie theaters & the campus of UCSD.  Recreational facilities include a pool, spa & tennis court.  Pets are allowed with restrictions of only 2 pets permitted and no more than 25 lbs each.   Homeowner's dues include common area maintenance along with other services. If you are interested in buying or selling a Boardwalk condo, please contact Susan at (760) 567-9100 or visit our website at www.LJ-Homes.com. 08/05/2008

Blackhorse Farms in La Jolla features 121 Tuscan villa-style townhomes in a gated community near UCSD. Built in 1989 these two to four bedroom homes have approximately 2,174 to 2,975 square feet of living space and two car garages.  As residents of Blackhorse Farms, you can walk to the Estancia Hotel & Spa and enjoy a heated salt water pool, spa, and fitness club for a nominal fee, with substantial discounts on dining, lodging, and spa treatments.  Blackhorse Farms is conveniently located near the La Jolla Playhouse, Torrey Pines Golf Course, Torrey Pines State Park for hiking, biking, and jogging, as well as the most beautiful beaches in the area.  All adding to your active lifestyle at Blackhorse Farms in La Jolla.  Leased land. Homeowner's dues cover the common area maintenance and t... 08/05/2008

Ardath La Jolla is a small enclave of townhomes built in 1977.  These contemporary style townhomes have two to four bedrooms and are approximatley 1,352 to 2,259 square feet of living space with two car garages. Ardath La Jolla is conveniently close to shops, restaurants, the small village of La Jolla Shores & La Jolla Shores Beach.  Recreational amenities include a tennis court for residents and the homeowner's dues cover the common area maintenance.  A great location for those who like convenience and location! If you are interested in buying or selling an Ardath La Jolla home, please contact Susan at (760) 567-9100 or visit our website at www.LJ-Homes.com. 08/05/2008

Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla is located at 700 Prospect Street and in the heart of the Village of La Jolla.  The Museum is open from 11 am - 5 pm Friday through Tuesday and 11 am to 7 pm on Thursdays.  It is closed on Wednesdays.  The general admission is $10, military and seniors pay $5 and 25 years old and under are free.  Located overlooking the ocean and with its distinctive architectural design, the Museum of Contemporary Art is a popular place for locals and visitors from around the world. In addition to the Museum, La Jolla has its own art association.  The La Jolla Art Association Gallery is located at 7734 Herschel Avenue, Suite G in La Jolla.  The La Jolla Art Association was formed in 1918 and was at one time, housed in the old La Jolla Library.  Every two weeks the... 08/03/2008

Interested in building your dream home in La Jolla?  Here are the current lots available as of today in La Jolla: Lookout Drive - 6,809 sq. ft. lot priced at $850,000 to $1,000,876 Draper Avenue - 7,000 sq. ft. lot priced at $1,350,000 Almeria Court - 1.62 acre lot priced at $1,350,000 Romero Drive - 12,528 sq. ft. lot priced at $1,795,000 Crespo Drive - 8,000 sq. ft. lot priced at $1,850,000 Romero Drive - 22,215 sq. ft. lot priced at $2,295,000 La Jolla Blvd - 10,430 sq. ft. lot priced at $2,900,000 Cabrillo - 7,785 sq. ft. lot priced at $2,950,000 La Jolla Scenic Dr. South - 43,560 sq. ft. lot priced at $3,250,000 Via Casa Alta - .46 of acre priced at $2,900,000 to $3,300,876 Calle del Oro - .54 acre priced at $6,500,000 Senn Way - 5.40 acres priced at $10,000,000 For more informatio... 08/03/2008

The new listings in La Jolla from August 1, 2008 through today are as follows: Villa La Jolla - Studio w/1 bath for $254,000 Boardwalk - 2 bdrms/2 baths for $425,000 Coast Regency - 2 bdrms/2 baths for $699,000 Ridgegate - 4 bdrms/4 baths for $1,275,000 Birdrock Custom Home - 4+ bdrms/3 baths for $1,499,000 If you are interested in viewing any of these listings or any listings currently for sale in La Jolla, please contact Susan at (760) 567-9100 or view our website at www.LJ-Homes.com.  Here you will find every development and neighborhood in La Jolla with information, photos, hoa dues, aerials, maps and more.     08/03/2008

Today was spent cruising around the Village of La Jolla with friends from Chicago.  I spent part of my pre-teen and teen years in a small village in Chicago, called Riverside.  Our claim to fame was that we were next to the world famous Brookfield Zoo.  My friends and I attended Riverside-Brookfield High School listening to the animal sounds which eminated from the zoo, spent our short summers at the Riverside Swim Club and our long winters ice skating on the Des Plaines River (see picture on right).  My adult life has been spent in San Diego and Chicago winters are a distant memory and something I embellish on to impress my children.  You know the story... "I used to walk 3 miles in the sleet and snow with a wind chill factor of minus 10 degrees to get to school every day".  I am not s... 08/01/2008

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Grande Colonial La Jolla was built in 1913 on popular Prospect Street in the heart of the village of La Jolla.  The Grande Colonial is La Jolla's oldest original hotel and is on the registry of Historic Hotels of America.  The original white and wood framed hotel was first named "The Colonial Apartments and Hotel" and soon became a popular spot for out of town visitors, celebrities and locals.  In 1926, the nearby La Jolla Drug Store was purchased by the owner of the Colonial and moved inside the Colonial, who then added an ice cream parlor on the sidewalk that served up vanillla malts, chocolate sodas and banana splits.  It is said that the drugstore became a prime location for locals to gather, talk and watch the people walk by. The pharmacist, emplo... 07/31/2008

"The Village of La Jolla"... what a delightful pleasure it is to leisurely stroll the streets (Girard, Prospect, Coast & Pearl) of the Village and enjoy the European traditions of sidewalk cafes, shopping in sophisticated boutiques, enjoying world class cuisine in the many restaurants, and visiting the Children's Pool to watch the baby seals. The center or focal point of the "jewel", known as the Village of La Jolla, features older cottages, many remodeled, and charming and sophisticated condominiums with ocean views. Most homes in the Village are on small lots, but very charming, and any oceanfront homes near or in the Village are highly sought after. There are several condominium projects throughout the village of La Jolla and many with spectacular ocean and coastal views, including t... 07/26/2008

SHORT SALES are in every community, including the jewel of Southern California... La Jolla.  A "short sale" can happen when a property has little or no equity, that is, the seller owes at closing time more than the property is worth. In these situations, lenders are sometimes willing to accept less than the full amount due, commonly referred to a "short pay" or "short sale." If you are in the market for a good deal, you might want to look at these listings, while they are still available. La Jolla Racquet Club - 2 bdrms/2 baths, 1,240 sq. ft. Original List Price:       $387,900 Current List Price:        $319,900 Current Mortgage:       $361,200 with Washington Mutual 6/2007 Southpointe - 3 bdrms/2 ½ baths, 1,500 sq. ft. Original List Price:       $525,000 Current List Price:        $52... 07/24/2008

SOLEDAD SOUTH neighborhood in La Jolla, as its name implies, is on the southeast side of Mount Soledad.  This hilly La Jolla neighborhood offers affordable La Jolla living with older La Jolla homes built in the 1960s or later.  In addition to well-maintained neighborhood homes, there are master-planned and gated communities including Windemere, Ridgegate and Mount La Jolla.  Windemere features homes and townhomes in a gated enclave centered around the tennis club, pools & park-like setting.  Ridgegate, is a newer community, featuring two story, multi-level homes throughout its hilly terrain. Ridgegate is a guard gated community with pool, spa and basketball court. Mount La Jolla is an older community with a park-like setting and with more recreational facilities than most other communit... 07/21/2008

MUIRLANDS WEST  in La Jolla, also known as West Muirlands, is nestled between the La Jolla Country Club and and its more stately neighborhood, the Muirlands. Muirlands West is a lovely area of La Jolla and features traditional homes, with many older homes now being upgraded and remodeled.  Muirlands West offers a peaceful setting of mature landscaping, winding streets, and balmy, ocean breezes.  Close to the Village, shops, and schools, Muirlands West remains an affordable alternative to the coastline estate properties. To view any of the Muirlands West homes for sale or for more information about Muirlands West, contact Susan at (760) 567-9100 or visit our website at www.LJ-Homes.com. 07/19/2008

MUIRLANDS in La Jolla is located on the western slopes of Mount Soledad and south of the La Jolla Country Club.  Muirlands history goes as far back as the 1920's and is considered one of the first La Jolla neighborhoods to be developed along "Old Muirlands Drive".  This historic road is where you can still see the original street gutters built by ocean pebble rock.  It is reported that the original lots, now worth millions, were sold for $1,500 each in the 1930's!  Muirlands features older estate homes and more modern homes built throughout this exclusive and coveted neighborhood.  These lovely properties are situated on large lots and shaded by ancient, stately trees.  Many of these fine homes have spectacular ocean views to the west.  As the streets meander through the Muirlands neigh... 07/19/2008

LA JOLLA is wonderful seaside community appropriately named "The Jewel" because it truly is the "gem" of Southern California. This popular beach destination has been around since the late 1800s and boasts of an illustrious history.  The Beach Boys added to its fame with their 1963 song "Surfin' USA"... "All over La Jolla... At Waimea Bay, everybodys gone surfin', surfin' U.S.A." Pristine beaches, year-round 72 degree perfect San Diego weather, tide pools, sandy coves nestled between rocky bluffs, and panoramic views of the Pacific is just part of what makes La Jolla a very desirable place to call home. Up and down the coastline you'll come across areas of homes that represent the sixteen different neighborhoods of La Jolla. Real estate in this coastal village is represented by beach cot... 07/16/2008

Looking for a retreat with ocean views in the heart of La Jolla?  LOWER HERMOSA is an older community in La Jolla developed in the 1920s and is considered one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in La Jolla.  Lower Hermosa is located south of Windansea Beach and north of the Bird Rock area.  This coveted La Jolla neighborhood has wide streets and one of the most beautiful coastlines in San Diego County.  Featuring some of the older and more classic residences in La Jolla, this area is a highly desirable area for La Jolla home buyers.  Camino de la Costa, one of the Lower Hermosa streets, is a tourist attraction for the beautiful oceanfront estates that line its lovely path. Known for its oceanfront properties, Lower Hermosa, also has a few small condominium complexes. Interested in buyi... 07/16/2008

LA JOLLA, California has many neighborhoods, some of which I have described in previous posts.  Here is a map that shows the locations of the La Jolla neighborhoods.  If you are looking to buy or sell your La Jolla home, please contact Susan at (760) 567-9100. La Jolla Farms La Jolla Shores La Jolla Heights Hidden Valley Country Club Village Beach-Barber Lower Hermosa Bird Rock Muirlands La Jolla Mesa La Jolla Alta Soledad South Muirlands West Upper Hermosa La Jolla Village North 07/15/2008

Do you ever wonder what someone in another country pays for gasoline?  Do you ever wonder why they pay more or less than we do in La Jolla?  The other day I was at our desert home and decided to see what Costco charged for gas as opposed to a Shell station a block away. vs. To take it further, I went online to view what other countries pay for gas and here is a list below of what the average cost of gas is in other countries.  I continue to ponder why we are paying so much... there doesn't seem to be a rational reason.  If you have one, please let me know!  NATION CITY PRICE/COST USD Regular/Gallon Netherlands Amsterdam $6.48 Italy Milan $5.96 Denmark Copenhagen $5.93 Sweden Stockholm $5.80 United Kingdom London $5.79 Germany Frankfurt $5.57 France Paris $5.54 Portugal Lisbon $5.35 Hung... 07/15/2008

HARRY'S COFFEE SHOP, in the village of La Jolla, has been around since 1960 and I imagine that the décor has changed very little in the almost 50 years of serving the local La Jollans. For those of us who grew up during the corner diner days, Harry's is the place for you, and my family has enjoyed Harry's for years.  It's a sixties style diner outfitted with booth seating, vinyl cushions and a coffee bar.  There's also patio seating outside in the front for those beautiful La Jolla days. The same people have worked there for years and most of us are on a first name basis with the locals.  It is a place that you can run into, sit at the counter, and visit with people or simply read the paper.  I remember my first experience to Harry's.  I parked in the private lot in the back and walked ... 07/14/2008

It was reported recently that vacant homes may need special insurance coverage.  An empty unsold house is a problem.  When a homeowner moves out and the house remains empty, it may continue to be protected by homeowners insurance for risks such as fire, as long as the premium is paid. But after 30 days of vacancy, things like vandalism, water damage caused by broken pipes, and theft are no longer covered. Some policies cease coverage after 60 days.  Exclusions in coverage for vacant properties are not new. Insurance companies believe that damage to a home is more likely when no one is living in it and that certain things grow worse with inattention. They even reserve the right to cancel what coverage remains in force when they learn of an extended vacancy. This potential gap in coverage... 07/10/2008

Today I would like to introduce you to the area known as "La Jolla Village North".  I actually think it should be called something like "La Jolla East but West of the I-5".  This community is situated on a narrow strip of land along Interstate 5 and adjacent to the UCSD campus.  La Jolla Village North contains many condominium developments, and is in close proximity to a shopping center and movie theaters.  I purchased my very first home here in the Eastbluff complex.  I paid $62,500 for it brand new!  At my tender young age, I was somewhat of a risk taker and put the deposit which was $2,000 on my credit card and then waited to earn enough money to get the loan while the property was being built.  The risk paid off and I sold it for much more years later.  Today they are being sold for... 07/09/2008