Category Archives: Carmel Lifestyle

It’s Like Being On A Perennial Vacation? Living the Monterey Peninsula Lifestyle

Living the Monterey Peninsula Lifestyle

Late lunch on Schooner's deck at the Monterey Plaza hotel
Late lunch on Schooner’s deck at the Monterey Plaza hotel

My husband and I moved down here from San Francisco 17 years ago and ever since then, it’s been like we’ve been on a perennial vacation!  What ‘s great is you don’t have to put aside a whole week to get away somewhere to become refreshed, relaxed, and replenished – all you need is a few hours!  It was our dream to move here for years.  Whether you live in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, or Monterey.  Natural beauty and “vacation living” is close by and lots of time spur of the moment!

Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay

For instance leaving work this afternoon on a warm, sunny, beautiful afternoon about 1:00pm,  I decided to give my other half a call.  Being very hungry and about to go grab a sandwich at the 5th Avenue Deli in Carmel, I thought my hubby might still be available for lunch.  As it turned out he was just heading home from a round of golf and was delighted to contemplate a lovely Friday afternoon meal at Schooner’s which I suggested would be a great way to end the week.  (Of course, as a realtor, my week never really ends and I will be working both Saturday and Sunday- which is the reason I need to constantly sprinkle in “vacation time” when I can get it!)

Susan Clark, enjoying the views of Monterey Bay
Susan Clark, enjoying the views of Monterey Bay

My point is – we had an amazing afternoon bathed in sunshine and  dining on seafood while scanning the bay for otters, kayaks, and cormorants.  Most people would have to drive for hours to get an enjoyable afternoon like this – we only had to drive about 12 blocks from our home.

Allan Freidson delighted in the sea air!
Allan Freidson delighted in the sea air!

For Allan our lunch was his “19th Hole” having just finished a round of golf.  For me it was a nice reward for completing work and errands.   I was able to spend the morning getting ads created, preparation for a listing presentation, calls to clients made, and getting prepared for my weekend open houses.  I even had time to run by Pac Rep to return my Centennial parade costume!

If you don’t live here and are reading this, consider living in this amazing place.  We certainly have never been sorry to have settled in God’s country on the Monterey Peninsula.

Dreaming of living here on the Monterey Peninsula?  Share your dream on ShareYourDream.com where others have shared theirs.  I promise your dream will come true!

Carmel’s Favorite Ex-Mayor Rides Again! ~ Carmel-by-the-Sea Centennial Parade

Clint Eastwood getting ready to be in Carmel's Centennial parade.
Clint Eastwood getting ready to be in Carmel’s Centennial parade.

Clint Eastwood is everyone’s favorite mayor of Carmel – no offense to our current mayor, but hey, he’s Clint!  When Clint was elected mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea in 1986, he put Carmel on the national map – for those who already didn’t know about our charming village that just turned 100 years old yesterday!

clint-for-mayor-copy

So who else would Carmel invite to be the Grand Marshal of the Carmel Centennial parade.  Well, Clint of course!

100-years

The whole town turned out to take part in this fabulous community event.  There were amazing floats, marching bands, school groups, the girl scouts, theater groups, musicians, dancers, and dignitaries.

clint-stage
Clint Eastwood getting ready to lead the parade on the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

Here’s Clint in the staging area ready to lead the parade!    The Sunset Center, our center of performing arts, offered this lovely float.

sunset-center-float
The Sunset Center’s fabulous float

Carmel Plaza is Carmel-by-the-Sea’s only shopping center featuring many restaurants and boutiques. You can also find the Carmel Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center there with answers to all your Carmel questions.  They proudly entered this lovely float below.

carmel-plaza-float
Carmel Plaza with its amazing entry

The most fun was to see all of the community organizations turned out in their 1916 best!  Since I was in the parade, these photos are of everyone getting organized in the parade staging area.

chamber
The Ambassadors of the Carmel Chamber of Commerce representing the business women and men of 1916! What fun we had dressing up!
suffragettes
The Carmel Women’s Club as Suffragettes
The Red Cross of 1916
The Red Cross of 1916 as depicted by a community organization

I  loved watching these very well organized and adorable kids from the Carmel River Elementary School.

Carmel River School
Carmel River School

North Monterey County High School sent a fabulous marching band.

band
North Monterey County High School band

It is quite an amazing thing to be in a parade and quite a thrill.  Usually I am watching on the sidelines like these folks.

The crowd waited with anticipation
The crowd waited with anticipation

I’m not sure who had more fun those marching . . .

The Carmel Chamber of Commerce ambassadors rounding the turn-around at Monte Verde and Ocean
The Carmel Chamber of Commerce ambassadors rounding the turn-around at Monte Verde and Ocean

or those watching.  In any case, it was a fun-filled day.

Let’s not forget that Carmel was settled by artists, poets, actors, and bohemians so they were also well represented.

The Forest Theater float
The Forest Theater float
The Wizard of Oz cast with a young understudy of Dorothy
The Wizard of Oz cast with a young understudy for Dorothy
Shakespeare in the park played by Phyllis Davis and her husband.
Shakespeare in the park played by Phyllis Davis and her husband.

Those of us in the parade got a kick out of comparing our costumes.

L-Susan Clark, Cammie Jones, Whiz Lindsey
L-Susan Clark, Cammie Jones, Whiz Lindsey

The parade ended with a lovely lunch at the Sunset Center and then cake (in the shape of our office) at our Alain Pinel Realtors office on Junipero between 5th & 6th.

Cake baked by a chef from Cake Wars
Cake baked by a chef from Cake Wars

I hope everyone enjoyed this fun day!  If you weren’t able to be there, I hope these photos will give you a little taste.

susan-office
Susan Clark ~ Carmel Realtor from 1916 in front of Alain Pinel Realtors

After being in real estate for many years, I find every client has their own story,.  So whether you’re living in 1916 . . . or 2016, let’s find YOUR happy ending!

Susan Clark, Realtor 831-320-6801
Susan Clark, Realtor Call me.   831-320-6801

100 Reasons for Loving Living In Carmel!

100 Reasons for Loving Living in Carmel

The Carmel Centennial Celebration, October 29th

In honor of the Carmel Centennial Celebration Alain Pinel Realtors offers 100 reasons for Loving Living In Carmel.  What are your reasons for loving Carmel, what do you think is special about living in this magical place?  Let me know what your thoughts are.

If you don’t live on the Monterey Peninsula but are dreaming of living here, share your dream on the following web site.  I promise if you do . . .  your dream will come true!

www.ProjectShareYourDream.com

                               Every client has a story . . .

            Let’s find your happy ending!

Call me . . .

Susan Clark 831-320-6801
Susan Clark 831-320-6801