Greetings from Florence, Italy! While enjoying a much-needed vacation to close out the summer, we were blown away by the richness of culture and architecture. It made us want to look for Tuscany in the Bay Area. What we found were these marble and brick villas with eye-popping price tags!
Visit our Properties page for a closer look.
We met Benjamin and Golnaz in 2020 and helped them buy their first home together. This week, they got married in Mendocino and invited us to be a part of the ceremony. Kevin was the wedding officiant, and Bora served as a flower cat. The weather was amazing, and we were surrounded by friendly people and natural beauty. We’re so grateful to be included in our clients’ life milestones!
Whether it’s giving gifts or acts of service or just spending quality time, we all embrace each other differently. So what’s your love language?
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a great time with someone you love. Sometimes a little adventure goes a long way. I like wandering off the beaten path and exploring the road less traveled. And I love new experiences that become old habits, like that restaurant at the top of a hill that you never knew existed and now can’t live without. Maybe we’ll go there for a Valentine’s dinner.
Everything costs money, and even the best things in life aren’t free, no matter what the song says. If you’re going to do anything for your special someone, you may as well throw down. A weekend escape to a coastal retreat complete with spa days and bubble baths will set you back a few bucks, but the relaxation and rewards it buys can be priceless. So don’t be afraid to spend a little green to show your love.
Recently, we took a road trip to San Diego to visit some sister Compass offices and get a feel for the diverse neighborhoods that make up this exciting city. There’s no shortage of beautiful beaches, walkable villages, and vibrant nightlife. Here’s a quick look at a few of our favorites.
Just 20 miles up the coast from San Diego proper, Del Mar is a cute seaside village with a small-town vibe, boutique shopping, fabulous food, and inviting beaches! And for the kids, it’s also home to the San Diego County Fair! This used to be where movie stars would come to take a break from Hollywood. It could be the perfect fit for you and your family.
A few minutes’ drive from Downtown, the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld, Mission Valley and Old Town are home to restaurants, cantinas, galleries, and theaters that showcase the rich and diverse history of the city. There are also plenty of shopping options, and the schools are among the top-rated in the nation. Enjoy a margarita while listening to street music in the summer sun.
La Jolla (pronounced la HOY-uh) is 20 minutes north of Downtown and an absolute jewel of the Southern California coastline. Surrounded by the ocean on three sides, with white sand beaches and cliffs, it’s easy to feel like you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean! This sophisticated enclave is only becoming more popular, so get in while you can!
Downtown is the heart of the city, and the pulse is getting louder every day. From the historic Gaslamp Quarter to Petco Park to fine dining and walkable commutes, this is the place to be for anyone who wants an urban living experience. You are literally 20 minutes from anywhere via foot, bike, bus, or train. Cars are entirely optional, and family outings are encouraged. Want to see more?
AAA estimates that about 113 million people will travel for the holidays, with more than 100 million of them traveling by car. That’s a huge increase of 3.6M travelers over last year, and the latest sign that we’re growing more and more comfortable with post-pandemic living. But it could only take one viral surge to turn an entire industry on its head again. How are you getting to grandma’s house this year?
