Summerland is a small town within Santa Barbara County, between Carpinteria and Montecito.  Two of our favorite local restaurants are there: The Summerland Beach Cafe (great for breakfast-best waffles) and The Nugget. The Nugget (pictured above) is a crazy, eccentric place that feels like it could be a saloon from California Gold Rush days.While enjoying lunch at the Nugget this week, we noticed these guys at the bar. One was wearing a tee shirt with a graphic for "Stinky's" House of Fish on the back. It reminded us that humor, when it is done right  (and is part of your brand personality) can really resonate with your target market because it leaves an indelible impression that is hard to forget, even after hearing the brand name just once.Then,  if you buy-in to the name you cannot he... 04/18/2022

This morning after delivering Quincy to the vet for a normal surgical procedure, we went over to Cafe Luna in Summerland to pick up a fresh baked croissant and pain au chocolat.  These lovely tower gardens  greeted us chock full of lettuces and other greens.  This produce is grown for Cafe Luna's use, and other restaurant in Santa Barbara. Montecito Urban Farms sell these tower gardens on site.  It is an ideal way to grow organic vegetables and herbs, using less water and space.  The term for it is "aeroponic".   This is ideal for the small garden, or a condo balcony. Happy Thursday with a Wordless Wednesday mind frame! Written by Ron & Alexandra Seigel-    ABOUT:  Napa Consultants, International is the leader in brand strategy for the luxury real estate industry.  They work exclusivel... 01/22/2015

Last Sunday, we stopped at The Sacred Space.  The photo above shows the side view as we rounded the corner into the store which is a garden of heavenly delights. The store's tagline is "Treasures from Heaven Available on Earth". Here is a large statuary niche announcing the place as you walk in to the driveway.  Everywhere you looks there are buddhas and other deities welcoming you to a place of serenity and enjoyment.   The entry way welcomes you with these beautifully carved elephants. Every two years the owners travel to Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, and China to bring back unusual items of pottery, fountains, furniture, and jewelry.  Everywhere you look there is something to see.  We were greeted by a lovely lady who offered us tea.  The tea was presented in a lovely tray, and... 09/03/2011

Accross the street from Just Folk, is the Pine Trader.  The Pine trader building looks it belongs in the Southwest, and it also illustrates the variety of architecture in the Santa Barbara area. The antiques here are unique as they are handpicked in Ireland and other parts of Europe. We were drawn to the blue china made in England with Chinese motifs.  They also had the yellow and blue version which is beautiful. We loved these old birdhouses big enough for a flock of tenants, and the bench to sit on while the birds sing a concert for you. Here is an exceprt from their website, "For more than 27 years, Pine Trader Antique has provided its customers with the finest Antique Irish and European Pine, and French Country Furniture found anywhere.  They also have a showroom in Santa Ynez. Hap... 08/21/2011

You have heard the expression "When Pigs Fly" which is known as an adynation, or something that describes an impossibilty, so is "when Pigs Roll".  This caught our eye and we wanted to share it with you. Happy Sunday, Ron & Alexandra Seigel - WATCH VIDEOS-  Buzz-Worthy Luxury Real Estate Websites  Personal Branding Case Studies   Company Branding Case Studies  About Language of Luxury - JOIN THE LOL COMMUNTIY -   GET FLUENT. GET AFFLUENT!   Linked In, Facebook, Active Rain Follow Us on Twitter: LuxuryMarketing 08/14/2011

Summerland, CA Hiking and Equestrian Trail Network Summerland California is a wonderful place to spend time outdoors.  Most area residents are aware of Summerland's long sandy beach and calm sheltered waters, the great restaurants, perfect weather and laid back beach town atmosphere.  What most people are unaware of is Summerland's extensive network of hiking and equestrian trails.  That's right, Summerland's trail system, which is maintained by the Montecito Trails Foundation, covers miles of some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere. Summerland's trail system is perfect for horses and hikers alike, rolling along through citrus orchards, past multi million dollar estates and ranches with spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Mountains as a backdrop, it's hard to imagine a more pe... 01/27/2011

Since we work from our home, one of our special treats is going out to lunch.  We have several favorite places, and The Nugget in Summerland is one of them.  Summerland is a small town along the coast with a wondeful main street ( LIllie Avenue) specializing in all types of antiques, folk art, etc. There is a day spa, a wonderful vet facility where our cats reluctantly visit , a post office, several restaurants, a wine tasting room from the Summerland winery.  According to the last census, there were 2000 residents of Summerland. The atmosphere is rustic and the wooden walls are decorated with vintage photos of Santa Barbara, license plates, and an assortment of antiques including moose heads, etc.  The food is great as is the service. Fish is one of their specialties.  The moment we c... 01/15/2011

Summerland, CA- Living in Summerland, CA Summerland, CA is a small beach town just East of Santa Barbara. The town started back in the late 1800's as a spiritual retreat and has maintained what some would consider an eclectic charm to this day.  Many of the homes in Summerland are built upon the hillside overlooking the ocean and Santa Cruz Island 26 miles offshore.  The beach in Summerland is very popular with walkers, dog owners and their dogs who get to run all over the place, horses during the specific times they are allowed and swimmers because the water is usually very calm.  It's hard to imagine that Summerland's beach was full of oil platforms and drilling piers in the early 20th century but it was (see picture of Summerland Beach circa 1900).  Summerlands business district runs... 10/10/2010

Many people do not know that Montecito and Summerland, CA have an extensive hiking and equestrian trail system that meanders for miles through the foothills just East of Santa Barbara.  This beautiful trail system is a huge asset to this community.  Imagine getting home from a hard day at work and going for a run, walk or bike ride in a shady trail that takes you through oak forests, fruit orchards, horse ranches and multi million dollar estates.  Mountain and ocean views abound and the weather is almost always perfect. I love running on the MTF trails near my house and hiking many of the beautiful trails in the Montecito foothills.  The Montecito Trails Fountation maintains this trail system.  Every year the Montecito Trails Foundation holds an annual barbecue fundraiser.  Saturday Sep... 09/28/2010

Summerland Real Estate Summerland is a small beach town on the coast just south of Santa Barbara.  The beach at Summerland is a nice place to take a walk with your dog or just hang out.  The water is almost always calm because, like Santa Barbara it is a Southern facing coastline and the Channel Islands off the coast block most of the ocean swells.  Lillie Avenue has a handful of restaurants, antique shops and other business.  The real estate market in Summerland is active and diverse with homes starting as low as the $400's for a condo in town to as much as 5 million dollars for one of the high end estates.  If you are looking for a laid back beach town close to great restaurants and entertainment, Summerland may be for you.  If I can be of assistance in your search for real estate in ... 03/08/2010

Summerland Real Estate- Summerland Market Report Jan 2010 Summerland California is an easy going beach town just South of Santa Barbara on the Pacific Coast.  Many people have passed through Summerlandon the 101 freeway which hugs the coast along this scenic stretch.  The main street in Summerland is Lillie Ave.  and has a handful of restaurants, antique shops and a wine tasting bar.  If you are visiting Summerland around breakfast, stop in the popular Summerland Beach Cafe. A good place for lunch or coffee with outside seating is Cafe Luna.  The best Summerland dinner spot is The Nuggett which also has a bar. Try a bowl of their chili.  If you want a quick burger, across the street is Tinkers which is well known to make a great burger.  Many homes in Summerland are built on the hillsid... 02/05/2010

For the first 6 months of 2009, there were 3 closed sales of single family homes and condos in Summerland CA.  Currently as of June 30th, 2009, there is 1 property in Summerland that is pending sale (under contract). The lowest sale... Read Full Story For information on Real Estate here in Summerland, Santa Barbara, Montecito and/or our surrounding areas, as well as any other aspects of life in our area, please don’t hesitate to contact Kevin Schmidtchen at Sotheby’s Int’l Realty. Thank you for reading.  I hope you find Santa Barbara Real Estate Voice informative.  Please feel free to contact me or comment below with any thoughts.  Subscribe to Receive Personal Listings of Santa Barbara Real Estate Search The Santa Barbara Area MLS 06/30/2009

Platinum Home Staging, Inc. Platinum Home Staging, Inc. brought this Summerland, CA home to life. With 3 Bedrooms, 3 Full Baths and views from Ventura to the Santa Barbara Pier.With years of experience, extensive portfolio and proven results in today's market, why would you consider going any where else?Call us today for your FREEHome Staging Bid(805) 553-9952 Details Asking Price: 805-553-9952 Contact Info Platinum Home Staging, Inc Dir 805-553-9952Email | Website 03/07/2009

Have you ever walked into a home and had something hit you as just off, not right or just didn't fit in with the rest of the home?  All of us have, and this home was no exception. I was called in on a Home Staging in Santa Barbara, CA which had been almost totally renovated.  New floors, new skim coat and paint, new recessed lighting - then I saw "it".  "It" was brass, and crystal,  dull and dusty.  "It" was already the replacement of what was previously there because the family had run out of money to finish the home before it went on the market.  I even offered to REPLACE "It" out of my own money.  "It" just wasn't working with the rest of the house...  But "It" was a non-negotiable item, it had to stay...    So I EMBRACED  "It", and I must say it was one the more difficult Home Stagi... 03/05/2009

I have summarized below an easy to look at brief outline of the overall MLS statistics for the Summerland CA area through the first 6 months of 2008.  The total number of single family homes sold in Summerland was 5.  The number of current pending sales for single family homes is 4.  The number of current active listings for single family homes is 21. The total number of condos / townhomes sold in Summerland was 1.  The number of current pending sales for condos / townhomes  is 0.  The number of current active listings for condos / townhomes is 2.   The total number of PUD's sold in Summerland was 1.  The number of current pending sales for PUD's is 0.  The number of current active listings for PUD's is 0. The lowest sale in Summerland was a two-story condo for $895,000 on Shelby Street... 07/06/2008