Balboa Ferry - A Day on the Bay    The Balboa Ferry iis a five minute ride from the Fun Zone to Balboa Island.  It is a throwback to the good ole days of the Southern California coastal lifestyle.  This trip is much shorter and often faster than the 5 miles to drive around. Take the ferry across the Newport Bay and enjoy the great views it offers and one of the most unique experiences available in Orange County.   Built in 1919, the Balboa Ferry has operated continuously since then and operates every day of the week. On its short trip from the peninsula to Balboa Island, the Balboa Ferry docks approximately 22,500 times each year, and travels an astounding 3,000 plus miles annually!   The Balboa Ferry has been owned and operated by the same family for all of its nearly 100 years.       ... 01/29/2015

Superbowl XLIX | Where to Watch the 49th Superbowl Superbowl Sunday is coming up on Sunday and it is the Seahawks vs the New England Patriots. Who are you going to root for? I am rooting for the Seahawks (I like Pete Carroll). Should be an exciting game. One of my most favorite things about Superbowl Sunday is the ads. I am sure we all heard about Godaddy's ad which was pulled this morning I believe, thank goodness, as it upset many. Today Budweiser released their Superbowl 49 ad, which is awesome, and they definitely hit the mark!! Here are a few restaurants locally in Newport Beach that you may want to watch the Superbowl at: Rudy's in Newport Beach  - one of my all time favorite sports bars. There are flat screens everywhere, and you won't miss a play.  Sharkeez in Newport Beach - Sh... 01/28/2015

Are you considering purchasing a Newport Beach home? Then you should hire an independent inspector and get your own home inspection. If you aren't sure who to hire, then ask your Realtor for a list of recommended home inspectors! As part of the purchase process, it is your right as a buyer to perform your own due diligence, meaning you find out everything there is to know about the house. It is imperative to read the disclosures the seller provides to you, review the preliminary title report and natural hazard disclosure and city report if there is one required in your area. And get a home inspection. A good home inspector will identify issues within the property. They address plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and all the systems of the house. There isn't a home inspection I have been to wher... 01/27/2015

  This is a reblog to a press release released on PR.com on Tuesday. Through a multi-pronged social media marketing campaign combined with the on-going trend of lower prevailing mortgage interest rates, BanCorp Properties sees an excellent opportunity to capitalize on these favorable conditions in an effort to not only grab market share but also increase brand awareness in this strategic city. BanCorp REG in a internet marketing campaign which began in the third quarter of 2014 across the entire South Orange County market is going to intensify its marketing efforts in the Newport Beach real estate market. Newport Beach is considered a high-end luxury home market, and with the lower interest rates in provides an opportune environment for people to purchase a property here because they a... 01/27/2015

Balboa Peninsula Point in Newport Beach | Balboa Peninsula Point Homes for Sale Market update for December, 2014  Balboa Peninsula Point  is located in a very desirable and sought after location in Newport Beach. Balboa. Balboa Peninsula Point is located on the Peninsula and emcompasses the homes from A Street to the end of the Balboa Peninsula. Balboa Peninsula Point is a very charming area and very desirable. One of my favorite streets is Ocean. There are beach front homes, bay front homes and there are homes located in the interior. The streets on Balboa Peninsula Point include Belvue Lane, Channel Road, F Street, G Street, Granada Ave, H Street, I Street, J Street, K Street, L Street, M Street, Miramar, N Street, Ocean Blvd., Ocean Front, Plaza del Norte, Plaza del Sur, Serano Avenu... 01/26/2015

Sunset Ridge Park is a fairly new park which had their grand opening on December, 6, 2014. Sunset Ridge Park is located on the north west corner of Superior and West Coast Highway. The park itself consists of 13.67 acres. Some of the amenities include the following at Sunset Ridge Park in Newport Beach: PONY League Baseball Field 2 soccer Fields A picnic Area Restrooms located on the west side An overlook area and a shade structure Walkways through out the park Children's Play Area These photos were taken from the Newport Crest condos in Newport Beach - the sun was going down and it was good opportunity to view the park with the incredible ocean and Catalina Island view in the distance. You can see the sun setting over Catalina Island. Come on out and enjoy this fabulous park located in... 01/25/2015

The ActiveRain OC Meet Up in Newport Beach What a great time!!! Karen Fiddler, Broker/Realtor and I hosted this fantastic event at the Yard House in Fashion Island in Newport Beach. I have attended other ActiveRain meet ups and this was my first time to co-host with Karen. Karen and I work at the same brokerage, and we actually met two years ago at an ActiveRain Meet up at another Yard House at the Irvine Spectrum. We had a fantastic turn out, a fabulous presentation, new members and visitors from a far . . . you really can't do any better than that in my opinion. I was so happy that so many decided to come out and meet each other, and it really goes to show that ActiveRain is truly a unique community where we pay it forward and create friendships and relationships! Thank you Karen for ... 01/24/2015

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