Southern California community info

Top Beaches Next to Southern California Homes

/in /by

Top Beaches Next to Southern California Homes

Prime beach season has arrived! Centrally located Southern California homes in Los Angeles and Orange County are near some of the top beaches found anywhere in the United States or the world. Orange County beaches span 42 miles of sparkling sand and pleasure-boat harbors, natural preserves and coves, tide pools and surf breaks – all teaming with an incredible marine-life ecosystem. California real estate in the LA coastal areas draws California dreamers from around the world.

Southern California homes

Southern California homes – Hermosa Beach

Beach homes capture the imagination in Southern California. The ratings of beaches are based on what types of activities a person is interested in. Is it surfing, swimming, playing in the tide pools, boating? Some want to build sand castles or squish in the tide water, others grab surf boards or body surf along the Wedge on Balboa Peninsula.  Many keep boats handy at Marina Del Rey or pickup fresh fish at the end of Newport Pier.

Beaches span an extended area from Seal Beach to San Clemente in Orange County.  In the Los Angeles area, they reach north past Malibu.  Each beach is unique.  Santa Monica Beach spans miles.  Malibu is known for excellent surfing. El Matador Beach 10 miles past Malibu and makes for an extraordinary outing.  Then there is the Leo Carrillo State Beach 28 miles north of Santa Monica.

Trendy Hermosa Beach moves with the times and Venice Beach is the place to find interesting people and activities. Manhattan Beach is home to the “Beautiful People.”  Southern California homes – from the elaborate to the historic cottage — nestle into to the wide selection.

Beaches in Orange County

Southern California homes - Laguna Beach

Southern California homes – Laguna Beach

Seal Beach is a white sand beach with the children’s play area and grassy section. Huntington Beach is an 8 mile stretch near restaurants and shops. At the end of July, the US Open Surfing championship is held in Huntington Beach. Newport Beach is home to four distinct beach areas: Newport/Balboa Beach with their long piers and entertainment, Corona del Mar Beach, Little Corona Beach, and secluded Crystal Cove State Beach. Crystal Cove State Beach lies down a trail and below the cliffs. Hermosa Beach offers swimming, Powerball, volleyball, and surfing along its 1 ½ mile Strand. Charming Newport Beach features a wonderful wide stretch of rolling sand speckled with sunbathers.

Buying and Selling Southern California Homes

For information about luxury Southern California homes for sale, call Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

Sunset Sailing Glories in Marina Del Rey Properties

/in /by

Sunset Sailing Glories in Marina Del Rey Properties

The Annual Sunset Sailing Series hosted by the California Yacht Club continues to goad sailors from around the world to take a good look at Marina Del Rey properties.  The gorgeous Southern California marina is one of the largest leisure-boat marinas in the world. Adding in the dozens of regattas and great opportunities for employment in Los Angeles and recreational activities and Marina Del Rey real estate looks like a page out of the dream book.

marina del rey properties

Marina Del Rey Properties

Not only do sailors check out personal homes and vacation homes in Marina Del Rey, but they frequent waterfront restaurants as well. Fisherman’s Village and the North Jetty are busy during this event. It is the largest sailing event held in Marina Del Rey.

Sunset Sailing Series Details

The Sunset Sailing Series began in 1964 at the California Yacht Club. This year’s Sunset Series takes place on Wednesdays beginning at 6:00 PM from April 15 through September 9, 2015.  Participants gather at the Club after the races for barbecue and drinks. After the floors are posted, trophies are awarded.

There are a number of starts including PHRF, Martin 242, and Cruising boats.  The 2015 Cruising Division will be scored using the ASMBYC “certificated” buoy readings. The 2015 Rating Information for each boat must be posted on the website of PHRF of Southern California.

The races began just off shore from the flagpole on the detached Breakwater. See the MDR “SS” mark.  Skippers looking for crewmembers and skilled crews searching for a boat need only check with the Club.

Recent Race Results include 75 to 80 entrants.      Following is the approximate breakdown of the competition:

  • PHRF A (1-2)
  • PHRF B (8-9)
  • PHRF C (14-16)
  • PHRF D (14)
  • PHRF E (8-9)
  • Martin 242 (8)
  • Cruising A (10-12)
  • Cruising A, Skipper Handicap (10-12)
  • Cruising B (9-10)
  • Cruising B, Skipper Handicap (9-10)

As the winds and the weather change over the seasons, so, too, do the standings. Rarely do the same yachts finish in first place two weeks in a row, but it does happen. Everyone has a chance to take home a trophy.

Real Estate Agent Marina Del Rey

For information about Southern California homes for sale including Marina Del Rey properties, call Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

Coastal Bike Trail/Beach near Pacific Palisades Real Estate

/in , /by

Coastal Bike Trail/Beach near Pacific Palisades Real Estate

Buyers in the Pacific Palisades real estate market regularly imbibe extraordinary beauty and experience refreshing outdoor recreation. Two of the most popular outdoor destinations in Pacific Palisades are Will Rogers State Beach and the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail. Each parallels the shores of Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Coast Highway, an area full of exclusive Southern California homes and beach cottages.

Will Rogers State Beach

Pacific Palisades real estateThe lifeguard-protected Will Rogers Beach is maintained by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. It spans approximately 1.75 miles. Speckled with volleyball and beach play, Will Rogers Beach accommodates swimmers and surfers, fishing and diving.  Facilities include restrooms and showers and there are beachside restaurants nearby.

The beach is named after Will Rogers, an actor who developed a 183-acre weekend getaway ranch along the Pacific Palisades coastline. The ranch became a state park in 1944 after Rogers and his wife Betty passed on.  A long list of movies and television shows have been filmed on the Pacific Palisades beach.  Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail passes along the Will Rogers Beach.

Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Trail

The Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Path extends through 22.3 miles of beautiful coastal scenery. The Coastal Bike Path begins in Pacific Palisades at the north side of Will Rogers State Beach and reaches to Torrance Beach on the southern terminus.

Leaving from Will Rogers Beach, cyclists must walk bikes to the trailhead at Temescal Canyon Road. From there to the Santa Monica Pier, it is 3.2 miles. On to the Venice Fishing Pier at.8 miles and into Marina Del Rey, which is the 7.8-mile point. The trail goes around the marina.  Playa Del Ray is next and then Dockweiler Beach at the Imperial Highway (12.5 miles).

The Manhattan Beach Pier is at the 16.5-mile point and Hermosa Beach Pier at 18.2.  Continuing past Redondo Beach Pier at 20.4 miles from Pacific Palisades to Torrance Beach, cyclists have surveyed the entire 22.3-mile trail.

Pacific Palisades real estateThere are numerous places to stop along the way or food and beverage.  Cyclists may also enjoy stopping at public parks, visitor centers, shopping areas, and shops and businesses found all along the beach side promenades and boardwalks.

Pacific Palisades Real Estate Agents

For information about Southern California homes for sale in Pacific Palisades, call Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

Oceanfront Historic Real Estate Santa Monica Pier

/in /by

Oceanfront Historic Real Estate Santa Monica Pier

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Monica Pier represents over a century of history.  In addition to developments of historic real estate Santa Monica, a wide range of special events held at the Pier have been captured in diaries, history books, and all kinds of multimedia productions.

real estate santa monicaSanta Monica Pier is actually two combined piers. The City of Santa Monica opened a long narrow Municipal Pier in 1909.  Its primary use was to carry sewer pipes out past the breakers.  Then, to the south of Municipal Pier, in 1916 amusement park pioneers Charles I.D. Looff and son Arthur Looff built the Newcomb Pier or Pleasure Pier.

Pleasure Pier included many attractions which thrived until the Great Depression.  People came from far and wide to its Santa Monica Looff Hippodrome, wooden roller coaster, merry-go-round, arcade, Wurlitzer organs, and fabulous carousel.  Since the 1950s, Morris “Pops” Gordon and children George, Eugene, Marlene, and Joni acquired and have been operating their Playland Arcade since the 1950s.  It is now the longest-running attraction at the Santa Monica Pier.

Enter the spectacular La Monica Ballroom in 1924. Boasting 15,000 square feet, it was the largest dance hall on the West Coast.  La Monica ballroom hosted a long over lists of events until it was demolished in 1963. These included:

  • Spade Cooley television broadcast
  • Hollywood Autocade famous and unusual cars
  • Skater’s Ballroom
  • Santa Monica Roller Rink and championship speed-skating club

Comeback of Santa Monica Pier

real estate santa monicaTwo major storms destroyed large portions of the Pier in 1983.  In 1973, Santa Monica citizens saved the pier from destruction and it was purchased by the City in 1974.  Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, a nonprofit, was created by the city of Santa Monica afterwards.  The pier has been restored and managed successfully.  The organization is now simply the It is now simply called Santa Monica Pier Corporation (SMPC).

Santa Monica Pier has a new life.  Special events, filming of film and television, video games, music videos promotions, numerous tenants, street performers, new acquisitions, and other exciting modern attractions are part of the colorful array.

Visit today’s exciting venues when searching for your own special real estate Santa Monica:  Pacific Park, Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, unique shops, dramatic entertainers, lively video arcade, extraordinary trapeze school, casual pubs, and exceptional restaurants.  Save some time to fish on the west end of the pier, ride bikes, and enjoy the Santa Monica Pier Paddle Board Races and the outdoor Twilight Summer Concert Series while you are here.

Santa Monica Real Estate Agents

For information about Southern California homes for sale in Santa Monica, call Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

West L.A. Manhattan Beach Homes in Southern California

/in /by

West L.A. Manhattan Beach Homes in Southern California

The love of the beach magnetizes buyers to Manhattan Beach homes.  Residents and visitors alike tout the classic Manhattan Beach as one of the best in Southern California.  It’s a place for graceful fun and relaxation in the sun.  Manhattan Beach is located a mere 15 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport – one reason many traveling athletes call it home.

What about Manhattan Beach Real Estate?

Truthfully, Manhattan Beach properties are rarely priced under $1 million. Even so, the million-dollar option may be quite small. Expect prices to reach over $6 million along The Strand. Gifted with breathtaking views, the extraordinary collection of beach homes elevates the beauty of Manhattan Beach.

Features of Beach Lifestyle near Manhattan Beach Homes

Ask residents why they chose to buy Southern California real estate here. In Manhattan Beach, the endless rhythm of the waves bathes a long, wide stretch of sand.  The sand represents the flexibility so embodied in the quality lifestyle they seek.

The South Bay Bicycle Trail and a pedestrian walkway follow the beach, a promenade referred to as The Strand. It reaches into all of the adjoining beach communities and is great for jogging, walking, and cycling. Residents and guests often stroll the entire length and then some.  Or they stop a while to bathe in the sun, catch the waves, or perhaps take in one of the prevalent beach volleyball matches.  There are plenty of snack bars and restaurants along the way.

Attractive people, expensive cars, and trendy accouterments fit right in and this coastal community of West Los Angeles. Downtown Manhattan Beach shops and restaurants cater to the upper-class clientele.  Boutiques, salons, spas, athletic shops and the largest Sketchers store ever.  There are ice cream parlors and bakeries, candy shops and places to pick up smoothies or pizza, fish tacos and refreshing drinks.

Here are some great places in and around Manhattan Beach:

  • Beach festivals and concerts
  • Manhattan Beach pier
  • Sand Dune Park with a 100-foot sand hill, playground, and picnic tables
  • Manhattan Beach Pier for fishing, body surfing, boogie boarding
  • Sunsets and incredible photo ops

Buying and Selling Southern California Homes

For information about Manhattan Beach homes for sale and properties in the Southern California real estate market, call Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

Experience the Beauty of MariSol Luxury Malibu Real Estate

/in , /by

Experience the Beauty of MariSol Luxury Malibu Real Estate

Luxurious, resort Malibu real estate in MariSol features the ultimate oceanfront homes in Southern California. MariSol is 30 miles from Santa Monica and Los Angeles. The new and exciting Malibu waterfront real estate is located on 80 acres atop a bluff where amenities and homes overlook the ocean and surfing beaches.

MariSol is a labor of love and work of art, an idea come to fruition over the past 150 years. Developers of MariSol perfectly complement the powerful presence of the Pacific Ocean with serene and naturally opulent environs. Truly, the setting exults the distinctive Malibu homes and lots.

MariSol Malibu Real Estate for Sale

MariSol resort community features 17 lots. These include 1-acre lots, 2-acre lots, and estate sites. One of the properties is the historic Grand Estate, a 57-acre ranch and vineyard established by the original owner Frederick H. Rindge. Homes feature single-story custom designs and exemplary grain construction. Prices for lots range from approximately $5-$11 million.

Exceptional MariSol Amenities

In a central area of MariSol are wonderful amenities in a gorgeous setting. The Sol of Malibu spa and infinity pool, trails and ponds, tennis courts and a vineyard set the stage for relaxing moments.

MariSol is a garden, restored to its original vegetation after decades of farming. The environs burst with 20,000 native plants and 2000 native trees. The gardens are drought resistant species grown from seeds found on the original property. Mature trees acquired from nearby areas include the coastal oaks and Toyons so familiar to the area. An official Monarch butterfly way station is perfectly at home in MariSol. Stone gathered from the property stacked in walls beautifully anchors the walkways.

The Malibu real estate features a 400-foot greenbelt buffer, added protection against wildfire. Ventura County fire station is next to MariSol also.

Nearby Recreational Opportunities

MariSol is a world of its own were family and friends can find renewal while walking the beach, swimming, fishing and kayaking. The completely restored Malibu Country Club beckons Gulf aficionados.

Directions to MariSol

Approaching from Santa Monica on the Pacific Coast Highway, proceed west to Buena Road. Turn right on Buena and then right on Ellice Street. The Camarillo jet airport is 15 minutes from the properties in MariSol.

View Southern California Homes

To view beautiful Malibu real estate in MariSol and luxury properties throughout Southern California, contact Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

Why Consider Investing in Venice Beach Homes in SoCal

/in , /by

Venice Beach homes in their eclectic mix are great for full-time, seasonal, and investment properties in Southern California.  Venice Beach lies between Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica about 15 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport.

Set on the ocean west of Los Angeles, the timeless beach community is home to approximately 30,000 residents.  Annual visits by tens of thousands make Venice Beach homes excellent as rentals, also.

Why invest in Venice Beach homes?  In the Southern California home market, Venice Beach is a unique artistic community, steeped in an active lifestyle.  It is a place to go to rest in motion, full of unusual and fascinating elements.  Tucked into the beachfront village are wonderful restaurants and bars, theaters and music, and a gallery of shops.

Pedestrian-friendly, Venice Beach by its nature encourages folks to imbibe the epitome of the Southern California culture.  Walk along the Ocean Front Walk or the beach.  Hop on a skateboard or bicycle, head out to the peer for fishing.  Arise early to surf or dance into the night.

Charming Venice Beach homes with lush landscapes line the canals, boardwalk, and art-colony neighborhoods.  The properties include historic cottages built after the founding of Venice of America in 1904.  The resort area was designed after Venice, Italy.

Buying and selling Southern California Homes

For information about distinguished Southern California homes in Venice Beach, call Bob Cumming of Keystone Group Properties at 310-496-8122.

Showcase of Venice CA homes