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

If you are interested in information about La Quinta or desert area real estate we would like to invite you to view our comprehensive website at www.LQ-Homes.com.  Here you will find every development, pictures, aerials, hoa information, maps and prices for La Quinta properties.  You can also visit us at www.Resort-Home.com for more information about the Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage and surrounding area communities. View all desert area listings in the MLS by clicking the link below: Interested in any San Diego County listings for sale?  Click the link below: If you would like more information contact us at (760) 567-9100.   07/08/2008

98 SOLD PROPERTIES IN LA JOLLA MONTH         NUMBER OF HOMES SOLD January 2008              14 detached homes February 2008             12 detached homes March 2008                 17 detached homes April 2008                   20 detached homes May 2008                   21 detached homes June 2008                   14 detached homes Least expensive home sold:  $695,000 on Desert View Drive Most expensive home sold:  $16,500,000 on Dunemere Drive   07/05/2008

My family and I share many happy memories of Fourth of July celebrations at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.  Here is more information about this historical jewel by the sea... THE LA JOLLA BEACH AND TENNIS CLUB was originally opened in 1927 as the La Jolla Beach & Yacht Club.  An enterprising couple, Frederick William Kellogg and Florence Scripps Kellogg purchased the property in 1935 in order to create an oceanfront resort that would attract out-of-town visitors, as well as local La Jolla residents.The Kelloggs broadened the Club's appeal by creating an exclusive oceanfront tennis resort with four new tennis courts, a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool, and renaming the resort the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. To attract out-of-town guests, they built the "Beach Club Apartments" at... 07/04/2008

Wishing you and your families a wonderful Fourth of July!  Whether in La Jolla or in another part of our incredible country, may we all remember the sacrifices made to allow us to live free.  Our prayers are with the armed forces and with the future of our great nation. God Bless America! For a list of the fireworks displays and patriotic activities tonight, please visit www.signonsandiego.com. 07/04/2008

Summer is here and La Jolla is the perfect place to be!  Residents are looking forward to the annual Fourth of July fireworks displays that can be seen in every direction from atop Mount Soledad. The beach is crowded with locals and those San Diegans that venture over from inland San Diego County when their temperatures top 100 degrees and our cool coastal breezes are around 80 degrees. Today it would seem appropriate to introduce you to the neighborhood known as "La Jolla Shores".  This is where my family and I have spent many Fourth of Julys enjoying the beach, boogey boarding, barbecuing with friends and family and watching the fireworks display at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. LA JOLLA SHORES is north of the Village of La Jolla and east and west of La Jolla Shores Drive.  If you... 07/01/2008

Today I would like to introduce you to two more La Jolla neighborhoods, La Jolla Heights and La Jolla Mesa. LA JOLLA HEIGHTS is located on the northeast side of La Jolla.  This location is popular for several reasons, the close proximity to UCSD, easy freeway access, and the close knit community which surrounds the La Jolla YMCA.  There are affordable condominiums such as La Jolla Shores Heights which overlook vistas to the east and detached homes; some tracts and others custom.  The older homes within the tracts have been remodeled over the years and are prized for their large lots.  There are lovely custom homes built on the hillsides which offer westerly views to the ocean and others with easterly views of University City and the mountains.   LA JOLLA MESA is a neighborhood in La Jol... 06/26/2008

I’ve never really given much thought to San Diego County’s two nude beaches: Black’s Beach in La Jolla and San Onofre State Beach at the northern tip of San Diego County. Both are pretty remote-- and it appears the nudists are a pretty peaceable lot. At least until this morning. It was reported in this morning’s San Diego Union Tribune that San Onofre park rangers will start enforcing a ban on nudity September, 1, 2008. It seems there have been public complaints, and some park employees objected to working in a place where not everyone is clothed–which specifically targets the Trail 6 beach area at San Onofre. And like other beach workers who object to picking up cigarette butts, used baby diapers and assosrted foul debris, maintenance workers at San Onofre State Beach object to occasio... 06/06/2008

Mt. Soledad in La Jolla is a fascinating place to visit for a visual perspective on the San Diego area. With views extending 30 miles or more in all directions, one really gains a better idea of the diversity of the San Diego landscape, as well as a bird’s eye view of La Jolla itself…considered “the Jewel” of Southern California.  Mt. Soledad is a great place to visit on a clear (or relatively clear) day, and residents who live in the area often bring their out of town guests for a tour. Sunsets are spectacular, unless you have a marine layer rolling in. The Mt. Soledad Cross and War Memorial at the summit have provided lots of controversy over the years, which continues today. Read: Controversial Landmark in La Jolla Mt. Soledad is the location of many of La Jolla’s most expensive home... 06/03/2008

LA JOLLA ALTA NEIGHBORHOOD La Jolla Alta is a La Jolla neighborhood of spacious homes on large lots.  Situated atop Mount Soledad, these single and two story homes have views of Mission Bay, the city of San Diego, and the mountains beyond.  In addition to homes, there are condominiums & townhomes in gated communities, such as Ventana, Crystal Bay and Eldorado.      LA JOLLA FARMS NEIGHBORHOOD La Jolla Farms is located on the northern edge of La Jolla.  Bordered by the rugged cliffs of Black's Beach and near the world-famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, La Jolla Farms is an exclusive area.  Multi-million dollar estates, most with large lots, line the winding roads.  Built on the bluffs, many have incredible ocean views from the Mexican borders to Oceanside and beyond.  "The Farms", as resid... 05/07/2008

I had the pleasure on Saturday April 26th of visiting a newer art gallery in La Jolla. It was Peter Lik's Fine Art Photography Gallery, one of number around the country. I have never seen anything like this gallery before and the work that was on display. I was very impressed with this man's passion for photography of nature and the way he captures his images. I understand that his camera is a single lens camera built back in the 40's. With the use of his genius as a photographer, special film and printing processes, he creates a magic that is in my opinion unparalleled in the art world. I hope you will spend a few minutes on his site and enjoy a least a glimpse of what I saw at his gallery. Using the single dimension of the internet does not even begin to do justice to his work that is... 04/28/2008

Experimenting with my new Flip videocam yesterday, I was in La Jolla at the coastline in downtown La Jolla and shot this short video and uploaded it on YouTube. It is a scan of the beach at the Children's Pool and adjacent bird sanctuary that has had so much controversy of late. Humans and Seals both want to occupy the same beach. The story is a fascinating one and is a real human and wild animal interest story that dates back to 1887 when it is believed that the area under the seawall that was built in the late 1920's by the late Ellen Browning Scripps had been a seal rookery for the eons prior. Before the building of the seawall, the area was as Seal Rock. In 1930 the State of California deeded the beach and the adjacent waters to the city with the proviso that it be maintained as a C... 04/27/2008