Realty – SoCal Home Blog

Once the abundant beauty of Park Santiago has captured your heart, the charm of it will hold it forever. A captivating setting in Santa Ana unites with community to create a place like no other. Park Santiago’s 1,175 homes are nestled between 17th Street, the 5 freeway, Main Street, Santiago Park and Lincoln Street. Verdant tree-lined streets, stylish architecture, and friendly neighbors make this Santa Ana neighborhood a hidden gem offering serenity in a community so near a bustling metropolis.

There’s more fun to be had at the numerous events created for the enjoyment of Park Santiago’s residents and their guests. Kids and adults alike will be entertained and get acquainted at the annual Concert in the Park, and the 4th of July parade.

The Park Santiago Neighborhood Association is active in preserving and enhancing the quality of the neighborhood. The local residents volunteer and create various committees helping to make our community a better place to live.

PARK SANTIAGO HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

January 6, 2016

Wilshire Square Santa Ana Homes For Sale

WILSHIRE SQUARE HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Wilshire Square is a neighborhood in Santa Ana where neighbors know each other. Wilshire Square is not just a collection of historic houses, it is also a place where people gather and socialize during the summer concert. Where neighbors swap cuttings to expand their gardens. Where you know your neighbors well enough to actually recognize them when you run into them in Home Depot or the supermarket.

The first house in Wilshire Square was built in 1915. The majority of homes was completed between 1922 and 1931, with a second building phase between 1935 and 1942. Very few houses were built after that, though a few were built as late as the 1950s. The wide tree-lined streets, period street lighting, and large lawns and gardens add to the neighborhood’s charm.

The homes were built by master craftsmen with Arts and Craft style overtures. The houses reflect some of the architectural styles popular at the time — Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial, and California Bungalow. Although you will find similarities in the houses, because each one was custom-built, they all reflect the individuality of the original owners and builders. In many cases, you will also see the influence of subsequent owners who have completed sensitive remodeling, renovation, and addition projects to their home.

Residents enjoy wandering through some of the neighborhood gardens. Each one reflects the personality and style of the home, and each is an artistic and thoughtful complement to the home it surrounds.

WILSHIRE SQUARE HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

December 30, 2015

Manhattan Beach Homes For Sale

MANHATTAN BEACH HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

If Manhattan Beach has classy beachside cottages, bougainvillea-lined walk-streets, bustling sidewalk patios, friendly boutiques, surfers silhouetted against the setting sun, and all within half a mile of a portrait-worthy pier. It’s that impossibly perfect.

A bastion of surf music and the birthplace of beach volleyball, Manhattan Beach has gone chic. Its downtown area along Manhattan Beach Blvd has seen an explosion of trendy restaurants, boutiques and hotels. Yet, even with this Hollywood-ification, it remains a serene seaside enclave with prime surf on either side of the pier.

There’s a Friday farmers market near city hall, metered parking at the base of the pier and a public parking garage on Valley Dr between Manhattan Beach Blvd and 13th St.

The Perks of Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach benefits from ocean breezes that provide clean air and summer temperatures that are 10 to 20 °F (5.6 to 11.1 °C) cooler than the inland regions of Southern California.

The Manhattan Beach Unified School District has test scores ranked #3 in the State of California according to California Department of Education statistics. Forbes Magazine ranked Manhattan Beach Unified as the sixth best School District in the U.S.

According to a July 5, 2014, article in the Beach Reporter newspaper, the city of Manhattan Beach has the most educated residents (according to percentage of residents with bachelor’s degree or higher) than any other city in California.

Manhattan Beach Neighborhoods

Residents have divided the city into several distinct neighborhoods, including the “Sand Section”, “Hill Section”, “Tree Section”, “Gas Lamp Section”, “The Village”, “Manhattan Heights”, “The Knolls”(East Manhattan Beach), “Liberty Village”, “Poet’s Section” (Shelley, Tennyson, Longfellow, Keats), and “El Porto” (North Manhattan Beach).

The “Hill Section” is known for its high priced homes where many of the residences are remodeled or newly constructed. The steep hills allow panoramic ocean and city views.

MANHATTAN BEACH HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

The nearby “Sand Section” is notable for its quiet walk-street neighborhoods adjacent to the ocean. Oceanfront homes stretch along the bike path and walking lane of “The Strand”.

“Downtown” Manhattan Beach is considered the heart of the city. The area runs along Manhattan Beach Boulevard and the streets perpendicular to the Manhattan Beach Pier and Valley Drive. There are many Zagat rated casual-fine dining restaurants, specialty boutiques and retailers that create a pedestrian friendly, mixed-use downtown center. The new Metlox site includes a luxury boutique hotel, spa, restaurants, shops and underground parking.

The “Rosecrans corridor” is located on the south side of Rosecrans Avenue, east of Sepulveda, and west of Aviation. The Manhattan Beach Country Club, the Marriott Hotel and Golf Course, Fry’s electronics, retail stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and shopping centers border the Rosecrans corridor between Sepulveda and Aviation Boulevards.

The “Sepulveda Corridor” occupies the commercial zone, and is the city’s main north-south highway. The area includes the Manhattan Village Mall, which is located east of Sepulveda Boulevard between Marine and Rosecrans Avenues. The mall, built in the early 1980s, was remodeled in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The mall is anchored by Macy’s on both ends and tenants include Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams-Sonoma, and the Apple Store.

The “Aviation Corridor” is located along Aviation Boulevard, the zone includes several major entertainment and aerospace complexes, including Manhattan Beach Studios and the Northrop Grumman Space Park Complex. Manhattan Beach Media Campus is home to the production of many popular releases in movies and entertainment, including the Marvel pictures “Thor” and “Iron Man 2” and both sequels to James Cameron’s “Avatar” movie.

MANHATTAN BEACH HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

December 30, 2015

Redondo Beach Homes For Sale

REDONDO BEACH HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County. Redondo Beach is a working-class beach town – it’s also the largest in the South Bay, as it wanders inland and bleeds into neighboring Torrance. Its heart is at King’s Harbor, where the dated pier is still a Southern California icon.

The ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has restaurants and boating activities while inland of PCH is largely residential. Redondo Breakwall is a well-known surf spot in the South Bay.

Many original homes still stand in Redondo Beach neighborhoods, but many small Arts and Crafts style homes have been demolished and replaced with new modern houses. Zoning allowed properties within two to three blocks of the beach to be developed as large, two to three-unit luxury townhomes; inland areas are more likely to have single-family homes.

A revitalized downtown area affectionately termed “Riviera Village” provides locals an opportunity to eat, shop and commune in a quiet atmosphere. Since 2004 several new or newly renovated restaurants have made a positive impact on local options for an on-the-town experience. Downtown also supports a number of independent boutiques and shops specializing in clothing and fashion, as well as at least three wine-tasting galleries.

The Marina, Harbor and Pier complexes are large, planned centers of activity that host Korean seafood restaurants, touristy bars, smaller shops and a games arcade. The pier is a common spot for anglers to cast for a local catch; many residents of inland Los Angeles drive to Redondo Beach to take advantage of the long and unique shape of this pier. The adjacent Marina, located just north of the Pier, is home to another half-dozen restaurants, a seafood shop, and a pub with almost 100 beers on tap. The large, monolithic concrete structures that make up the pier and harbor area stand in stark contrast to the venerable cozy feel of the rest of the South Bay’s neighborhood-style street front architecture; the city continues to consider options for the area as new entertainment and dining chooses to locate in other areas of the Beach Cities.

Lifestyle

Much of the Redondo Beach lifestyle is a blend of the neighborhoods, activities and people of the three Beach Cities of Southern California’s South Bay. Like its sister cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, Redondo’s draw is the beach that links the three cities. Redondo was described as “The Gem Of The Continent” in the Los Angeles Daily Herald in 1887.

The beach starts below the bluffs of Palos Verdes in the south (after Torrance Beach) and carries north to the Redondo Pier. The area of the beach that starts in Palos Verdes is known as “RAT (Right After Torrance) Beach.”

A paved path, called The Strand runs from Torrance through South Redondo, north to Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and eventually to Santa Monica. The path is broken by the Redondo Beach King Harbor Marina and Pier complex, where it veers away from water and onto dedicated lanes of surface streets for about a mile before again turning to the ocean in Hermosa Beach. Continuing north from Manhattan Beach, the path stretches to Marina Del Rey.

Surfing is an element of the South Bay lifestyle year-round. Winter storms in the Pacific Ocean sometimes turn typically placid and rolling South Bay waves into large and occasionally dangerous waves, a draw for surfers. Wave heights in December 2005 were some of the largest on record at 15 feet (4.6 m) to 20 feet (6.1 m).

Beach volleyball is another aspect of Redondo Beach’s lifestyle. The wide and flat sand beaches provide the perfect venue for the sport and permanent poles and nets are placed and maintained by the city year-round. Professional tournaments managed by the AVP take place in neighboring Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. Redondo Beach is home to Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh and AVP Pro Casey Jennings.

REDONDO BEACH HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

December 24, 2015

Mount Washington Homes For Sale

MOUNT WASHINGTON HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Mount Washington is a neighborhood in the San Rafael Hills of Northeast Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1909, it is a historic area with one high-achieving elementary school within it. It includes the Southwest Museum, the world headquarters of the Self-Realization Fellowship, and Eldred Street, one of the three steepest streets in Los Angeles.

The district is generally considered the most affluent area of the East Side. The “beauty and the quirky nature of Mount Washington” has inspired songs. In recent years, many homebuyers have become attracted to the area as a relatively affordable alternative to the Westside.

San Rafael Hills

The San Rafael Hills define the valley area of Pasadena and San Marino, and retain a large aquifer on the hills’ north side, from the San Gabriel Valley.

They were the homeland, with settlements, of the Tongva Native American people for over 8,000 years before the Spanish invasion and colonization of the late 18th century. They are named after the Rancho San Rafael, an 1874 Spanish land grant beyond the hills to the west. The rancho was later acquired by Henry E. Huntington for his residence, gardens, and library, and real estate development.

The Southwest Museum of the American Indian is a museum, library, and archive located in the Mt. Washington area . It is part of the Autry National Center. Its collections deal mainly with Native Americans.

Major collections include rooms devoted to 1) American Indians of the Great Plains, 2) American Indians of California, and 3) American Indians of the Northwest Coast.

Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF) is a worldwide spiritual non-profit religious organization for the preservation and worldwide dissemination of writings and teachings, including Kriya Yoga.

Elvis Presley reportedly visited the Self-Realization Fellowship in the late 1960s, commenting to the founder, a monk who had left an acting career to devote his life to the fellowship, “Man, you made the right choice. People don’t know my life or that I sometimes cry myself to sleep because I don’t know God.”

SRF_Headquarters_at_3880_San_Rafael_Dr. — Self-Realization Fellowship

Eldred and Baxter Streets

Eldred Street was constructed in 1912. On clear days, it offers a commanding view of Highland Park against a backdrop of Mt. Wilson and Mt. Baldy to the east.

Baxter Street was laid out in 1884. Parts of it are paved with grooved concrete designed to improve traction in rainy weather.

They don’t make streets like these anymore in Los Angeles; 32% grades that climbs a ridge east of the Silver Lake Reservoir, crosses over the top of the hill and immediately drops off on the other side.

Unsuspecting motorists gasp when they reach the crest and discover the roadway in front of them has dropped out of sight and there is nothing but empty space in front of their car’s hood.

eldred-street-los-angeles — Eldred Street

MOUNT WASHINGTON HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

December 22, 2015

North East Los Angeles Homes For Sale

NORTH EAST LA HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Northeast Los Angeles is an area of the city of Los Angeles, northeast of Downtown Los Angeles, east of the Los Angeles River, bounded on the north by the cities of Glendale and Pasadena, and bounded on the east by several cities of the San Gabriel Valley.

The area is home to Occidental College located in Eagle Rock. The bulk of the area closer to Pueblo de Los Angeles-Downtown Los Angeles was part of the original Spanish and Mexican land grants of Rancho San Rafael and Rancho San Pascual when the city incorporated in 1850. One of the first annexations of the city was the city of Highland Park in 1895. Other cities in Northeast Los Angeles were soon annexed to the city: Garvanza (1899), Arroyo Seco (1912) and Eagle Rock (1923). Its development was served by the Los Angeles Railway “Yellow Cars.”

According to the Mapping L.A. survey of the Los Angeles Times, Northeast Los Angeles consists of a 17.18-square-mile region comprising seven neighborhoods, which are:

Atwater Village
Cypress Park
Eagle Rock
El Sereno
Glassell Park
Highland Park
Mount Washington

Other neighborhoods within the region are:

Arroyo Seco
Elysian Valley
Silver Lake north of Sunset Boulevard
Echo Park north of Sunset Boulevard
Garvanza
Heritage Square

Transportation In North East Los Angeles

The area well-served by freeways and public transportation. California’s first freeway, the 1940 Arroyo Seco Parkway (CA SR-110) connects the area with Downtown and Pasadena. The Interstate 5 and Interstate 10–San Bernardino Freeway lie directly to the south of the district.

The Metro Gold Line light-rail’s four Gold Line stations (Lincoln/Cypress, Heritage Square, Southwest Museum, Highland Park) connects Northeast Los Angeles with Downtown and Pasadena.

NORTH EAST LA HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

December 21, 2015

Boyle Heights Homes For Sale

BOYLE HEIGHTS HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Boyle Heights is a working-class, youthful neighborhood of almost 100,000 residents east of Downtown Los Angeles.

Boyle Heights is one of its oldest communities. It covers 6.5 square miles and is isolated from downtown and the greater LA area by the LA River and several converging freeways. Boyle Heights is one of LA’s most densely populated neighborhoods.

Boyle Heights is a vibrant community whose cultural richness is matched by its culinary richness, Boyle Heights is a mainly residential neighborhood that provides convenient access to livelier locales like Downtown and the Arts District. Watch the day unfold in the neighborhood’s favorite plaza or take yourself on a taco truck tour.

Mariachi Plaza

Since the 1930s, mariachi musicians have gathered in hopes of being hired by visitors who are looking for a full band, trio or solo singer. The plaza resembles Mexico’s famed Plaza Garibaldi in both form and function and draws people form all over Los Angeles. This plaza is also an historic gateway to the neighborhood.

Day or night, one can find many musicians waiting around the plaza and hotel across the street to be hired for work. Local leaders hope to promote the plaza and for it to remain a sanctuary for musicians. There is a small kiosk located in the plaza, similar to those found in Mexico, donated by the Mexican State of Jalisco, the birthplace of mariachi music.

BOYLE HEIGHTS HOMES FOR SALE | NEW LISTINGS | UNLISTED

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

December 16, 2015

Silver Lake Homes For Sale

SILVER LAKE HOMES FOR SALE | FOR LEASE | NEW LISTINGS

Since the 1990s, Silver Lake has become the center of the alternative and indie rock scene in Los Angeles. Since the indie rock music scene is particularly prominent in this neighborhood, Silver Lake, known as one of “the city’s hippest neighborhoods”, is sometimes referred to as the “Williamsburg (NY) of the West”.

In the community of Silver Lake lies the namesake reservoir composed of two basins, within the grounds of the reservoir are several popular recreational facilities — the Silver Lake Recreation Center, which includes an adjacent city park; the Silver Lake Walking Path, which circumnavigates the reservoirs (2.25 miles); and the Silver Lake Meadow, modeled after N.Y.C.’s Central Park Sheep Meadow.

There is certainly nothing cookie-cutter about Silver Lake, CA — it’s as diverse as the people living in it. Silver Lake is home to many artists, writers and musicians, like Beck and the late Elliot Smith, just to name a few.

Thanks to its neighborhood feel, Silver Lake is the perfect area for young people looking for an eclectic spot, and diverse families seeking out good schools and a community vibe.

Silver Lake is continually growing — with an ever-increasing mix of stylish boutiques, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and everything in-between. But it’s managed to hold on to its unique charm.

Silver Lake is flanked on the northeast by Atwater Village and Elysian Valley, on the southeast by Echo Park, on the southwest by Westlake, on the west by East Hollywood and on the northwest by Los Feliz.

SILVER LAKE HOMES FOR SALE | FOR LEASE | NEW LISTINGS

Tag: Realty

Park Santiago Santa Ana Homes For Sale

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

Wilshire Square Santa Ana Homes For Sale

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

North East Los Angeles Homes For Sale

Transportation In North East Los Angeles

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

Boyle Heights Homes For Sale

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449

Silver Lake Homes For Sale

Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449