May 2009

Beach-Barber Tract

The Beach-Barber Tract ….

…. is an area in La Jolla that is known its history and fondly named for Phillip Barber who came to San Diego with his family in the early 1900′s.

He purchased the land we now call "the Beach-Barber Tract" and subdivided smaller lots that had homes built on them by many of the most famous architects of the time.

Barber designed and built a home on the ocean. He, his wife and five children lived in the home until the mid-1940s.

That home still stands. The well known actor, Cliff Robertson, lived in the home until 2002.

 

The streets of the Beach-Barber Tract are narrow and the homes are close together. The feeling is of a true neighborhood as one wanders through the area.

The architecture is eclectic and interesting.

Sales in The Muirlands

As of May 2009 The Muirlands …

….. has had 6 closings so far in 2009. The least expensive was $1,015,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home and the most expensive so far this year was a $2,500,000 for a 4 bedroom, 3 bath home.

The Muirlands

The Muirlands area …

…. is the area where large estates are located. Many of the homes are well over 5,000 square feet and have an acre or more surrounding them.

The Muirlands is an area where many of the original La Jolla homes had ocean views but as the years transpired and the trees grew homeowners decided that being surrounded by greenery is better that viewing the ocean and other homes.

Some of the homes have automatic gates leading to them while others are easily viewed from the winding roads with no sidewalks.

You are in the country in this beautiful area of the hill that sits proudly on top of Soledad Mountain.

 

 

La Jolla Shores

La Jolla Shores ….

… has the attraction of being the first area in La Jolla when exiting the La Jolla Parkway exit or travelling west on I-52. Here is a little “village” with restaurants and a market, a couple of kayaking stores and sundry shops.

One can’t go too far west because the main street, Avenida de la Playa ends at the beach. In fact, if you are towing a kayak you can pull right onto the beach to unload.

The park, adjacent to the La Jolla Hotel, is filled with barbecues, frisbees and families having fun during the summer.

In the winter, the park is empty, but there are always people wandering on the boardwalk, walking the beach or surfing. Since our weather is so good, it becomes a year round park/beach.

The newly updated playground makes it an attraction for young and old alike. The homes in the area are big and small. Some are relatively new, built in the last 5-10 years. Others were built in the 60’s and 70’s. This is where small cottages were built for the “Angelinos” who vacationed and spent their weekends here.

It is a delightful place to live and vacation. While on the beach one can look up on the hill and see many homes perched on the hill enjoying the spectacular views of the Pacific.

This area is a mixture of condos and single family homes. 2009 has seen sales for a low as $181,500 for a 1 bedroom, 1 bath condo to $2,450,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that is walking distance to a great beach.

 

La Jolla Country Club

La Jolla Country Club ….

Perched on Soledad Mountain, overlooking the La Jolla Country Club Golf Course and out to the ocean sits a charming area of La Jolla. Unlike the Muirlands, most of the homes in this area do not have a lot of land. Many have lovely golf course and ocean views.

If one likes to “hike” hills, walking to the La Jolla Village is not a long walk when counting miles. Wandering the village and returning home is a day’s worth of a good cardio workout.

2009, so far, has been good for the Country Club area. 8 homes have sold in this small area with prices ranging from $1,250,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a view to $3,800,000 for a 5 bedroom, 4 bath home, also with a view.

Birdrock

Birdrock …

…. an area named for a rock in the ocean that attracts many sea birds, is an area with smaller homes and lots of kids.

The Birdrock Elementary School is known for its excellence. Many of the children in the area walk to school. The area is relatively flat so it is easy for the children to walk. This area and the upper Hermosa area, next to Birdrock, have an annual Halloween parade. The “village” of Birdrock has recently been regentrified.

The city built round-abouts, like those in England, to control the traffic and landscaped them. The ambience is changed. The area, once not at all attractive, is now drawing people to enjoy a Starbucks coffee while watching the people go by, or wander in and out of the interesting stores located on the street.

The area was “a mess” for a long time. It is now an attractive place to go to.

Birdrock homes are coveted. In 2009, so far, 18 homes have sold. The prices have ranged from $500,000 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo to $4,200,000 for an oceanfront 2 bedroom, 2 bath home.

Living near the ocean in La Jolla

La Jolla, what a wonderful place to call home!

What a great place and such fun! Visit Bower’s Jewelry Store where you can purchase a piece of estate jewelry or a new piece. Larry and Sheila, the owners, are knowledgeable and helpful.     Or wander through Warwicks Book Store. Nancy has any book you might want. If not, and still in print, one of the people in the store will order it. It’s a happy store with more than just books.    

Adelaids Florists will provide you with fragrances of the season. Flower arrangements and flowers by the bunch are available. Great fragrances, beautiful home accessories and, once again, friendly, helpful people to serve your with a smile.

     The Athenaeum has free concerts on Mondays. Be prepared to join a group waiting to get in. The concerts are always enjoyable and just chatting with those lining up is a treat. People here are contented and always willing to welcome the stranger enjoying their wonderful place in the sun.

 

The La Jolla Historical Society is in an historical house on Prospect St. Browsing there and asking the questions about La Jolla and its history is interesting, informative and educational. This wonderful place on the blue Pacific can’t be beat.

        Come into the La Jolla Village and pick your favorite cow, CowParade.com has a map showing where each cow is placed. Look on the "cow page" right here and see a few more of the many cows scattered around the village.    I have put a few others on another page, try looking and pick your favorite. Walk around the village and pick your favorite. The walk will, also, introduce you to the shops, restaurants and other wonderful stores in the village.

La Jolla real estate statistics update

La Jolla sales are improving.

As the sales of homes in La Jolla increase, so do the active listings. As of May, 2009 there were 285 active listings. The least expensive detached home is $650,000 and the most expensive is $33,000,000.

There are 31 "pending" sales. And from November, 2008 to May, 2009, 79 La Jolla homes have closed escrow.

The least expensive home was $535,000 and the most expensive was $11,900,000.

There is a wide discrepancy in prices. La Jolla is not just large homes overlooking the ocean. While there are many of those, there are, also, modest homes that permit young families to begin their lives in La Jolla while looking forward to "moving up" as the years go by.

Check out the numbers over the past year by clicking on the thumbnails here:

La Jolla sold homes

Under contract in La Jolla

If you have questions about La Jolla real estate please get in touch, I know La Jolla!