The Summer Solstice Parade began in 1974 and has evolved to be the biggest event in Santa Barbara County, often drawing crowds of over 100,000 spectators from all over the world.    It is comprised of very creative and original floats, giant puppets, fantastic costumes and masks of more than 1,000 parade participants of all ethnic and economic backgrounds.  There is dancing, music, drumming and drama that is sure to please the spectators.    The floats are all created at the Community Arts Workshop (CAW) in the Downtown Santa Barbara building pictured here. It is quite a production and a lot of fun to attend. The crow in the metal gate sculpture is the symbol for CAW.  It is quite a production and a lot of fun to attend. Check out more about the Solstice Parade in Santa Barbara. It is a... 06/10/2022

As a real estate marketing professional it is easy to get bogged down with the day-to-day activities of“transaction engineering” and neglect the life-blood of your business: promotion and marketing.  Sometimes you need to step back from your practice to regain your “orbital marketing prospective”.  It is only when you view your practice from a broader perspective that out-of-the-box thinking is possible. Opportunities to out-think and out-market your competition abound.  This Memorial Day weekend we are going to see if any real estate firms or agents are sponsor one of the most well-attended community events of the year in our town of Santa Barbara, California.  We haven't seen any such sponsorships in past years. What a great opportunity for standing out this is!"I Madonnari, or street... 05/26/2022

We were inspired by a comment on one of our recent blog posts by fellow Active Rain member, Will Hamm, to return to our coverage of the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market. And, we are delighted to report that the market is back in full swing.Here in downtown "SB" we often have what is known as "May Gray" and "June Gloom" with overcast skies due to a low coastal cloud cover which burns off mid-day.  Although we enjoy this time of year thoroughly, there has been wonderful blue skies and warm weather each morning, all month so far. The colors were especially brilliant at the market.On this morning's trip we were blown away by the magnificent mushroom displays. So, we wanted to share them with you. Such  variety!  Quite often we get inspired by nature for color schemes for our personal and compa... 05/17/2022

 #santabarbara, #santabrbaraca, #santabarbararealestate, #santabarbarahomesforsale, #albertopachecorealtor 05/05/2022

Those real estate professionals who are truly passionate about their work have an innate  attraction power that can effortlessly generates business. The power of passion is palpable! It is a true pleasure to witness this in any thriving business. By far, the best place in Santa Barbara to get a coffee drink in the morning is the Handlebar Coffee Roaster.  The line is usually out the door and the energy is vibrant. It is owned by a husband and wife team, Olson and Anderson, who formerly were professional cyclists in Europe. Anderson won the 2009 Route de France Féminine, the women’s version of the Tour de France. They switched gears in 2011 and directed their focus to roasting some of the best coffees in the world.  The outstanding service at Handlebar Coffee Roaster is amazingly consist... 05/03/2022

03/20/2021

According to the local real estate rumor mill Amazon will be leasing the Saks Fifth Avenue Building at 1001 State Street in Santa Barbara for two million dollars a year.  Construction on tenant improvements will begin in early 2019, with tenancy happening by the end of next year according to Austin Herlihy,  executive vice president at Radius Commercial Real Estate.  State Street has struggled with retail vacancies for the past several years, but the presence of Amazon (if it is Amazon) might give the artery a much-needed adrenaline boost. NDAs have been signed so hence the rumor mill reference. 10/23/2018

Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice, which ended World War 1 hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day.The community of Santa Barbara celebrates a week of Patriotic Activities beginning on November 4, 2017 thru to November 12, 2017.  Here are a list of those activities.1. Vietnam veteran’s lunch with Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs. November 4, 2017 (11-1pm) Elks Club2. Granada Theatre Movies that Matter: November 10, 2017 (7pm) free admission to those in uniform3. Veterans Day Ceremony at Santa Barbara Cemetery  November 11, 2017 (10-11am)4. Veterans Parade: November 12, 2017 (12-1pm) State Street (from Sola Stre... 11/11/2017

Great branding enables you to adroitly communicate your extraordinary promise of value through a distilled message expressed verbally, through symbols (your graphic brand identity) and through your actions. It instantly tells your target market that you are the answer to their prayers. Consistently communicating your brand’s distinct message gives you muscle in your marketplace.That is exactly what the owner of Hope Ranch Mussels has done. Discovering an uncontested market niche at the Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market they are the only purveyors of local mussels in the market. The brand’s association with Hope Ranch was an excellent choice for the company’s name.Hope Ranch is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Santa Barbara. Although, it is a gated community the gates are open to t... 08/21/2017

Santa Barbara Real Estate Market Trends from January 2013 to March 2017 for number of sales for that month and year.  This graph was prepared by Fidelity Title Company in Santa Barbara.The graph reflects the number of sales for the month for southern Santa Barbara. (Carpinteria to Goleta).It appears we're keeping pace with last year, but not the same level of activity as 2013 and 2014. Click on image to enlarge 05/06/2017

Open House Sunday May 7, 2017     from 1 to 4 pm             Rain or ShineClassic Santa Barbara Upper East Beauty. Two bedroom two bath home on one level with a guest suite that offers 1 bedroom and 1 bath. Close to downtown and the historic Santa Barbara Mission. Light filled rooms, coffered ceilings, large traditional dining room, remodeled kitchen, and outdoor patio. Roosevelt school district.Offered for: $1,898,000 05/06/2017

Classic Car in Santa Barbara  We were on a week long trip up the coast from Carlsbad to wine country north of San Francisco 4 years ago. On Day 1 we stopped to spend a few hours exploring Santa Barbara - a few hours, of course, is not nearly enough to enjoy this beautiful city - and I spied this classic beauty at Stearns Wharf. I couldn't resist taking a photo and fortunately was able to do so while we were stopped in traffic before it disappeared!  02/23/2017

  This is a Sauvignon Blanc grape.  It grows fast and is ideal for covering an arbor or a wall in this instance.Happy Wednesday! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 05/18/2016

1214 High Ridge Lane in Santa Barbara is listed with Sotheby's International Realty.  3,700 square feet. Mediterranean Style. 3 car garage. Gated entry.  4 bedrooms with master,  one guest and office on main floor. 3.5 bathrooms. Two bedrooms downstairs with workout area, wine closet, and more. Remodeled in 1999/2000.                  $3,398,000 05/01/2016

  1807 Cliff Drive is an opportunity to invest in a very desirable and vibrant location.  It is surrounded by a major Santa Barbara healthy grocery store, numerous restaurants, drug store, professional services and neigborhood businesses.  The traffic count on Cliff Drive is excellent. Currently in use as the only Mesa veterinary, it makes an excellent investment to hold as well as a potential development site. Current zoning is C-P/R-2/E-3/S-D-3 The property is subject to a below market, net lease rate that expires June of 2019.  The listing price reflects a discount for the lower rents. Tenant pays maintenance, property taxes, and insurance. ​The building size is 3,440 square feet according to permits in the City of Santa Barbara street file, and the lot size is 18,295, or .42 acres.... 05/01/2016

Homes For Sale Santa Barbara California Robert SwetzRobert Swetz lived in Santa Barbara California back in the 1980's and also worked and stayed in Carpinteria for a short time.The Santa Barbara area and communities are full of history, sunshine, great beaches and beautiful homes. Robert has been traveling and spending time over the years in the Santa Barbara area since the late 1970's as a teenager. Robert has several associates that are licensed to sell homes and or help find that perfect home for a permanent residence, vacation home and or retirement home.  For anyone interested in selling there home in the Santa Barbara communities or purchasing a home please feel free to contact Robert at:  702 443 7156  and he will direct you to one of his associates for free with no pressure. Or ... 04/06/2016

If you like beans, the organic version of these is really tastier than the other beans.Wild arugula's leaves are diffierent and the taste is spicier than the regular arugula. We love the wild variety also.Conehead Cabbage is unlike most cabbage varieties.  It is mild tasting with a hint of sweetness, and it makes a wonderful coleslaw.  Happy Saturday!  Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 03/12/2016

Off of Highway 154 which leads to the wine country from Santa Barbara, we took a left onto old Stagecoach Road.  As you drive, you get a feel of the road traversed by stagecoach in the 1800's.Further down the road, the scenery changes.We were headed to Cold Springs Tavern, which was a stagecoach stop.  It was a comfortable place to change horses, rest, and eat a hot meal. Here is one of the buildings built in 1851 which is till in use.  They have brought in electricity and modernized it just enough, so that the original character is still intact.Note the original fireplace has been replaced by a modern wood stove.  The walls are filled with sepia and black and white photos detailing the history of this area.Here are the cold springs in all their glory.  The rain was a welcome addition t... 03/06/2016

We are happy to report that it started raining this morning as we headed out the Santa Barbara Farmers Market.The Healing Grounds had plenty of organic tomato varietals ready for planting in your vegetable garden.  "The Healing Grounds is part of the Transitions Mental Health Program.  Its purpose is to provide work training and income for adults with mental illness in partnership with the Santa Barbara Mental Health Services." This is a quote from their site.This interesting looking fruit is a Cherimoya. It is very sweet and tastes like a blend of tropical fruits, including apple,and pear.  Mark Twain refered to it as "the must delicious fruit known to man!"  Wishing you an abundance of Saturday Smiles!   Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-  ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is th... 03/05/2016

We woke up to a beautiful sunny day.  The Santa Barbara Farmers market was full of vibrant colors.  This mound of carrots greeted us as we walked in.Here is what "beet red" looks like!And the first Sunflowers of the season are showing up! Wishing you an abundance of Saturday Smiles, Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel- ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusively with professionals who are passionate about gaining or sustaining market leadership. With an expertise in personal branding, company branding, luxury real estate website design and social media marketing they help their clients become the breakaway brand in their marketplace. 02/27/2016