Not a Great Photo of Steamer Lane, October 12, 2007 - 4th Day of Coldwater Classic - My Camera Battery Died. Those two "dots" in the water are surfers waiting for the waves that eventually came when my battery was COMPELTELY dead.I made the ten or fifteen minute trip across town specifically to take pictures of the Coldwater Classic. I found a parking space right away, jumped out of the car, made my way to the cliff. Point and click and then point and click again, and NOTHING. No juice. The first picture was supposed to be a test. I had just charged my batteries two days ago. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.So click here to see what the Cold Water Classic is really about. The day was not a total loss. I made up for the fiasco by having the best burger you can get at Jack's!!... 10/12/2007

 Upper Yacht Harbor, Santa Cruz Just Before Dusk, October 2007 (c)Another walk with my friend on a warm October early evening . . . we started at the Upper Yacht Harbor off of 7th Avenue in Santa Cruz. We quickly climbed into another world - the natural habitat known as Arana Gulch in the city of Santa Cruz. It is amazing that on the ocean side you have the busy Yacht Harbor, and behind it lies the natural Earth . . . no development allowed.Arana Gulch at DuskA totally amazing tree in Arana Gulch 10/10/2007

 Amazing Tree in Schwann Lake Park  There are so many hidden gems in Santa Cruz County, from interesting architectural surprises around every turn to beautiful parks and amazing gardens. The other day, a friend showed me a place I had never seen before: Schwann Lake (or Lagoon) Park - a part of Schwann Lagoon County Park. It was dusk, the weather was perfect, and the sights were amazing. The area has a magical quality to it, which I personally equate to nature just doin' it's thing, without too much interference from humans (some would debate me on this point, as there are definite human influences about, such as patches of ivy which can choke out indigenous plants). As a child, I got the same feeling while walking through weed-high acres on my way home from a friend's house. Just the f... 10/08/2007

The Hook, September, 2007, Pleasure Point, CA September in Santa Cruz is amazing - I can't get over it.Last Saturday, one of my daughters joined me for a walk on East Cliff Drive. There were lots of surfers in the water. A beautiful day, even when waiting for the perfect set. We walked from the parking lot at 41st Avenue (The Hook) down to 26th Avenue (and back). On the way to 26th Avenue, we went the beach route. Once we got to 26th Avenue, we cut though back neighborhoods. We're both interested in architecture and landscaping and it was fun looking at the different houses - some very modest and some totally remodeled.The Pleasure Point area is unique. Originally modest, always eclectic and charming. Still many very small "beach shacks." Then there are those that have been remodeled ov... 09/17/2007

Patti Lyles reporting on Santa Cruz Real Estate The following chart shows median and average price trends plus plus unit sales for single-family homes in just the city of Santa Cruz. The chart uses a 12-month moving average to eliminate any seasonal variation. The next chart is the same as above but uses a 3-month moving average. This smoothes out month-to-month variations yet shows seasonal variations.This chart shows the current inventory of homes for sale compared to the number that have sold.The following three charts show the same information for Santa Cruz condominiums.For detailed information on Santa Cruz real estate, give me a call or send me an e-mail. If you prefer, you can comtact me and I will send you city by city reports For Sale: $559,000 Click Here For More Info     09/12/2007

This blog was inspired by Janet Guilbault who asked me to check out some condos on 22nd Ave. At the time, I thought to myself, "22nd Ave. is not on my radar," but I didn't think much more about it until I went to look at the condos. Right away, I realized there was no 22nd Ave. I have no idea what happened to it. There is 21st Ave., Coastland, and then Corcoran lagoon and 23rd Ave. No 22nd Ave. I knew there were other streets "missing" in Santa Cruz, so I decided to chronicle them. This is what I found: There are streets and avenues in Santa Cruz. It all begins with 1st, 2nd & 3rd Streets, which are pretty much parallel to the Main Beach in Santa Cruz (where the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is). Third St. curves around with the San Lorenzo River which empties into the ocean at, of all pla... 09/11/2007

  26 th Ave., Santa Cruz, CA, September 2007In November, it will be 10 years since I moved from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz County. Living in a beach community is wonderful beyond compare. Yesterday was Labor Day, and instead of sitting in traffic for hours trying to get to a beach, I drove a couple of miles to 26th Avenue, one of the most beautiful beaches slightly North of Pleasure Point. The waves were incredible. My grandson commented that it was like "watching a show" - surfers, boogie-boarders, skim boarders - the day was clear and bright.I think September and October are two of the best beach months in Santa Cruz. It's hard to imagine how people live in places that are not so naturally beautiful and inspirational."From the mountains to the sea" is a slogan many Realtors in the a... 09/05/2007

Outside Magazine latest issue names Santa Cruz one of the nation's best cities.Santa Cruz Home owners once again have proof they live in one of the best towns in America. The upcoming issue of Outside magazine names Santa Cruz in its annual list of the most desirable places to live. The editors at Outside Magazine said they chose Santa Cruz for its mix of laid-back and cosmopolitan atmospheres. The story describes it as, "old-time hippie culture, complete with dread locked street urchins and lots of wheatgrass, blending with the Volvos and BMWs of the high-tech crowd". John Bradley, a senior editor for Outside Magazine, said the magazine was looking for "smallish" towns that could blend outdoor treasures with an active nightlife. "It's that juxtaposition in lifestyle of sports and cultu... 08/18/2007

About an hour and a half south of San Francisco lies a place with the soul of an old hippie, wrapped in a natural beauty that is nothing short of breathtaking. There are many beach towns up and down the California coast. But most who know would agree, there is only one Santa Cruz.You can't just get to Santa Cruz by a plain old exit off the freeway. No, you must arrive by driving straight up and over the Santa Cruz Mountains.  On most summer days, the temperature will drop by 20 degrees or more as you drive through the shady narrow road, lined with majestic, ancient redwood trees reaching hundreds of feet high. Patches of fog create a natural air conditioning, and when the car windows are open, it smells like a freshly cut Christmas tree.The overriding question of everyone in the car is ... 07/03/2007

 Knowing market statistics can help you make informed decisions, because the factors of supply and demand control prices. Now you have access to this information anytime.Just look under my "Links" under my photo on the right and click on "Santa Cruz CA Real Estate Statistics." You will be able to view current market statistics for the Santa Cruz area.  There are charts and explanations to assist you in understanding what they mean and the impact on the local market.Residential Market Statistical Graphs and Explanations:                                                           Number of Listings The Number of Listings show is the supply, or how many properties are for sale. Is the inventory of listings increasing or decreasing, and is it seasonal? Median Price The Median Price shows the... 06/13/2007