Tag Archives: Pacific Grove

ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach!

 ABC’s of the Monterey Peninsula ~ “B” is for Beach

Carmel ~ Pebble Beach ~Pacific Grove ~ Monterey

Susan on Carmel Beach
Susan walking down Carmel Beach

A beach has always been a draw for most everyone and I’m no different.  I’ve always loved the beach –  the sound of the waves, the squawk of the sea gulls, the salt air, the feel of sand between my toes

Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach

 . . .  and yes, in my youth even enjoyed slathering on suntan lotion and baking in the sun – not recommended.  Of course, our beaches in northern California are quite different that the ones I spent time at in my earlier years – Cape Cod, the Gulf Coast of Florida, and Hawaii.

Carmel Beach
Carmel Beach

Even though it is not “hot” here in the summer time residents and visitors alike throng to Monterey Peninsula beaches.  The white sands of Carmel Beach with a backdrop of the Pebble Beach Golf Links attract hundreds of people any time of year.

Carmel Beach - kite flying is a fun activity at the beach!
Carmel Beach – kite flying is a fun activity at the beach!

When prospective buyers are thinking of purchasing a home here, a question I hear over and over again is, “How far is it from the beach?”

Roof top view of Carmel Beach
Roof top view of Carmel Beach ~ from this house it was just a block away!

For dog lovers it is heaven since this beach is famous for allowing dog owners to allow their pets freedom from the leash.  It’s a great place for picnics or a beach party and beach fires at this time are still allowed in certain areas and certain days – though many people would like to change that.

River State Bch
Carmel River State Beach, Carmel CA

The other beach in Carmel is Carmel River State Beach and is also a beautiful long “walking” beach where you can enjoy fabulous views.

Carrmel River State Beach
Carrmel River State Beach                                                              

Pacific Grove, also, has a wonderful beach on Lover’s Point that many flock to on a sunny day.

Lover's Point Beach in Pacific Grove
Lover’s Point Beach in Pacific Grove

When we have our warm spells, it tends to look like Coney Island with people sitting on their beach blankets packed together like sardines.  The Recreation Trail between Lover’s Point and the Hopkins Marine Station is a favorite walk or bike ride for those who want to enjoy the rocky, rugged coastline – like me!  I walk it almost every day.

Stanford Hopkins Marine
Stanford Hopkins Marine

Every spring the harbor seals have their baby pups who hang out at either the Stanford University Hopkins Marine Station beach or the 5th Street beach where the babies can be safe in the protected cove.

harbor seals
5th Street Beach.  A protected cove where baby harbor seals are born every spring.

Of course, the Pacific Grove coast in spring is special not only for the Harbor seal pups being born, but for the “Pink Carpet” that bursts into bloom in April and May!

"Pink Carpet' blooming in spring along the Pacific Grove coast.
“Pink Carpet’ blooming in spring along the Pacific Grove coast.

Pebble Beach has many wonderful beaches like Asilomar Beach (a lovely place to watch a sunset) on the boundary line of Pacific Grove

Asilomar State Beach
Asilomar State Beach

and Spanish Bay Beach complete with picnic tables.

Spanish Bay beach in Pebble Beach
Spanish Bay beach in Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach, also, has a phenomenal coastline.

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Monterey boasts Del Monte Beach, the long walking beach that goes for miles.  Whether you are walking, enjoying a sunset . . .

Sunset from Del Monte Beach
Sunset from Del Monte Beach

or hang gliding, this beach is a gem and not known by all visitors.  I didn’t discover it until I moved here even though I had visited the Monterey Peninsula most of my life.

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Hang glider about to take off from Del Monte Beach

Ok, ready to go to the beach?  Pick one and have fun!  Surf’s up!

Surfers on Carmel Beach
Surfers on Carmel Beach

Visit me on my Business Facebook page.

Do you dream of living on the Monterey Peninsula?  Share your dream on ProjectShareYourDream.

Enjoy the beach!!

“Good Old Days” are back again ~ Pacific Grove, CA

59th Annual Good Old Days Celebration featuring fantastic bands, crafts fair & parade!
Good Old Days Celebration featuring fantastic bands, crafts fair & parade!

April 9th and 10th 2016  Pacific Grove, CA

Don’t miss the 59th Annual Good Old Days  Celebration taking place today and tomorrow.  Every year residents and visitors look forward to this local event which begins with a parade Saturday morning down Pine Street and continues Saturday and Sunday with a wide array of fun events.

 Good old days

When I first moved to Pacific Grove 17 years ago I couldn’t believe what a big event this little seaside town puts together.  I even have been in the parade a couple of times with my then 97 year old mother riding in the front seat of my convertible.  What a thrill it was for both of us!

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It’s the largest arts and crafts show in the county, and features over 225 art and food vendors in downtown Pacific Grove on Lighthouse Avenue.  There will be live entertainment on five stages with old-fashioned games and contests, and lots of family fun.

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The schedule of events can be found on the Pacific Grove Chamber website.  To mention a few highlights you’ll be able to enjoy “Moonalice, Thom Cuneo Jazz Band, The Snarky Cats, Rayburn Brothers Band, Stu Heydon Blues Band, Samz School of Rock, Short Band, PG Pops Orchestra and more!”

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New this year is the BookWorks Dance Stage! There will be eight dance groups performing back-to-back-to-back from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. The dance groups include PGHS Breaker Girls Dance Team, Stevenson School Dance, Azahar Flamenco de Monterey, RockStar Dance Studio, DiFranco Dance Project, Park Avenue Belly Dance, Dance Center Carmel, and Groove Like BollyWorld.”

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So come to downtown Pacific Grove and join the fun!

#Best Buy in #Pebble Beach! Come enjoy the #Pebble Beach Lifestyle

1117 Sawmill Gulch, Pebble Beach, CA

Offered for sale $1,295,000

Open House Saturday January 9th 10:00am – 4:00pm

Open House Sunday January 10th Noon – 3:00pm

Stunning single level residence in the Country Club area of Pebble Beach
Stunning single level residence in the Country Club area of Pebble Beach

Why is the Country Club area of Pebble Beach the choice of so many that move to the Monterey Peninsula?  I’m sure there are many reasons . . . for one thing, you can take a short lovely stroll and end up at the beach listening to the surf and enjoying a picnic or an amazing sunset!

Spanish Bay Beach
Spanish Bay Beach

It’s a quiet and serene way to live close to nature, yet it’s easy and quick to get to shopping in Pacific Grove or to Highway One to visit the other Monterey Peninsula cities.

Pacific Grove Golf Links
Pacific Grove Golf Links

It is a mecca for golf with both public and private courses minutes away.  Pacific Grove Golf Links “offers the most affordable golf on or near the Pacific Ocean”  The back nine has breath-taking views of the coast and the course also offers a pro shop and restaurant.

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The famous Monterey Peninsula Country Club is a private club near by that hosts the AT&T Pro Am that will be taking place in early February 2016.  In addition to these courses there are many public courses in Pebble Beach as well as in the surrounding area.

Monterey Peninsula Country Club
Monterey Peninsula Country Club

The Country Club area is known for privacy as well as quiet.  The parcels are much larger than in nearby Pacific Grove.  For instance the lot size of the home at 1117 Sawmill Gulch Road is a quarter of an acre allowing space between neighbors.

Rear exterior view
Rear exterior view

Ok, back to why is this amazing home the Best Buy in Pebble Beach? I confess this is a bit subjective, but look at the facts.  It is priced at a reasonable $1,295,000 (just look at the prices of some of the others!) yet is beautifully remodeled.  The owners lovingly did extensive upgrades after they purchased the home updating the kitchen, baths, windows, flooring, fireplace, and installing new baseboards, crown moldings, French doors, skylights, and Casablanca fans.  They also upgraded the things you can ‘t see like the electrical, plumbing and outdoor drainage system.

Spacious living room with vaulted ceilings.
Spacious living room with vaulted ceilings.

Why do I love this home?  I love it’s flow. It’s all single level with one room easily flowing into the next.  Also, the vaulted ceilings in the living room give it a very spacious feel – you have a sense it is much larger than the 2123 SF it actually is.

And the gourmet kitchen is amazing!

Kitchen with Cambria Quartz counters, maple cabinets, and dual fuel Wolf range.
Kitchen with Cambria Quartz counters, and maple cabinets.

Wolfgang Puck . . .  look out!

Dual fuel Wolf range
Dual fuel Wolf range

I love to kick-back and the family room is my kind of place to do just that.  Numerous windows and skylights make it a bright, light room.

Family room with slate flooring for easy indoor/outdoor ease.
Family room with slate flooring for easy indoor/outdoor ease.

The 2-car garage is extra roomy with room for storage and a work bench even with 2 cars inside.  That would make my husband very happy :)

If I have peaked your curiosity Take a Complete Tour along with a video if you hang in there.  The floor plan and Feature list is also included with the Virtual tour.  Or . . . just come by one of the Open Houses this weekend and see for yourself!!  Of course, I am always available to give you a private tour.

For a private showing contact the listing agent at Alain Pinel Realtors,  Susan Clark 831-320-6801.

Susan Clark, Realtor
Susan Clark, Realtor

 

 

Happy Holidays from Carmel CA

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday with family and friends!
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday with family and friends!

This may have been one of my most favorite holiday seasons . . . but then I may say that every year!  I am always filled with gratitude for all my many blessings.  Just living in this beautiful and awe inspiring place on the Monterey Peninsula I feel very thankful and very blessed.  Whether you live in Carmel, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, or   Monterey, you are living in one of the most beautiful and amazing places on earth.

Pacific Grove coastline
Pacific Grove coastline

Where else can you go surfing on Christmas Day!

Surfing off Lover's Point, Pacific Grove, CA
Surfing off Lover’s Point, Pacific Grove, CA

At this time of year we particularly think of others.  At our Alain Pinel holiday gathering we not only had fun singing holiday songs, but we also raised over $7000 for the Community Partnership for Youth (CPY) in addition to donating all kinds of toys, balls, legos, art supplies, and learning games for their after school program for at risk youth.

Alain Pinel agents celebrating singing holiday songs.
Alain Pinel agents celebrating singing holiday songs.

Susan Clark ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the Post Office.

    Susan Clark ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the Post Office.

The Salvation Army is one of my favorite charities so I was there to ring that bell!  People were so generous and gracious.

Sweet Elena's Apple Pie
Sweet Elena’s Apple Pie

As a realtor my gratitude list always has to include my clients – past clients who I have represented over the years and current clients who I am now representing either by selling their home or helping them find their dream home on the Monterey Peninsula.  December 12th I had a Pie-Give-Away party to say THANK YOU  for some of my local clients and gifted each one with a Sweet Elena’s pie.  All had smiles on their faces as they left with their beautiful and delicious pie!

The only thing left to say is Happy New Year 2016!

Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!

May you have a New Year filled with love, health, prosperity, and joy!

quote NY