Weekend Dilemma: Too Much To See and Do in Santa Barbara's Rich Cultural Community

Happy Friday everyone!

With the whole weekend ahead of me, I've decided to blog a little about the cultural offerings in Santa Barbara. If I were to cover absolutely everything I could experience in any given weekend here, I would have to get into more of a treatise on the pros and cons of living somewhere where there is ALWAYS something interesting happening. From cultural festivals to live performances and visual arts - there really is something for everybody.

This weekend is the annual Greek Festival held in Oak Park. The quiet neighborhood park is transformed into a shady summertime gathering place for people of all ages to enjoy great food and entertainment. I love this event because it gives me an excuse to walk through the charming Samarkand neighborhood and take in all the delightful cottage-style homes on the surrounding streets. Then waiting just around the corner are the lively Greek musicians and dancers on the Parthenon Stage who spread their infectious rhythms until everyone is on their feet!

For classical music lovers, the Music Academy of the West comes to life in the summer for 8 weeks. Perched on the Montecito bluffs adjacent to Butterfly Beach, the academy hosts gifted young musicians and gives them the amazing opportunity to perform with illustrious guest artists (last season opened with conductor/composer John Williams). Events are usually held downtown at the Lobero and now at Hahn Hall, the newly constructed theater on their campus. Attending any event during their Summer Festival is a treat!

One of Santa Barbara's little gems is the Contemporary Arts Forum (located upstairs in the shopper's paradise Paseo Nuevo). This weekend CAF hosts a short film festival at Samy's Camera. The outdoor event is the perfect way to enjoy a beautiful evening under the Santa Barbara stars.

Now if only I could decide what to do, I might be able to narrow down my dining options... Don't even get me started on my favorite Santa Barbara restaurants!

A PERFECT STORM: Santa Barbara is a Buyer's Market Amidst National Slump

A Down Market you say? A recent CNN article confirms that falling real estate markets are still running their course.

Contrary to national headlines there are cities and communities flourishing in this so called “down” real estate market. Perspective is an interesting thing – it shifts - and from where you stand, the information just might lean in your favor. In a perfect storm a set of disparate events combine to create an exceptionally powerful phenomenon with great impact or influence. It is at just such a time that ones individual perspective is most important. A perspective from within the storm calls for specific response, while a perspective from outside the storm calls for an often entirely different course of action.

Despite the general trend across the country, real estate values in Montecito and Hope Ranch California have continued to rise since the beginning of the year. Both areas are experiencing double digit increases with Montecito values up almost 25% and Hope Ranch up 10% thus far in 2008. If you are considering buying or selling in the Santa Barbara area and you are relying on the national news for real estate updates, I think it is time to shift away from that broad general perspective and zone in on a local perspective that is truly relevant to your personal real estate needs. Yes, the general perspective countrywide is that of a “down” market, however, Santa Barbara is not in the eye of the storm.

Indeed, there is another set of events which make this a fantastic time in real estate. Yes, our community does have its share of foreclosures and REO’s. If you are looking to get into one of the most beautiful communities in the world it just might behoove you to act with haste. However, interest rates are still incredibly low (jumbo loans in the low to mid 6% range) and there is an abundance of inventory with over 600 homes on the market between Carpinteria and Goleta. Those familiar with the “ins” and “outs” of real estate in Santa Barbara County might actually call this a buyers market. This kind of talk has not been on the lips of real estate agents since the late 1980s.

History loves to repeat itself and the buyers that take advantage of the market today are going to be those who will talk about the bargains they were able to find in Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Hope Ranch in 2008. I promise you, it won’t last forever.

If your future investments include a plan for purchasing real estate in Southern Santa Barbara County history tells the story of economic regression followed by recovery and increased market values.

7 REASONS TO LIVE IN SANTA BARBARA

#1 Monday
#2 Tuesday
#3 Wednesday
#4 Thursday
#5 Friday
#6 Saturday
#7 Sunday

“Oh! That’s too easy!,” you may say. Especially since the same may be said about many elite communities around the world. Well, let’s take a closer look at why every day of the week is so special, living on the central coast of California.

MONDAY:
Some say this is the most stressful day of the week. Not if you start your Mondays with a morning walk on one of our many pristine beaches, watch the dolphins dancing in the waves and listen to the songs of the sea birds winging overhead. Then enjoy a quiet breakfast at the world reknown Four Season’s Biltmore or my personal favorite, The Bath House at East Beach, where the blueberry wheat germ pancakes are to die for! It’s a pretty casual beachside location but ideal for reading the Wall Street Journal, people watching or soaking up the mid morning sunshine.


After lunch enjoy a round of eighteen holes at one of four private country clubs (La Cumbre, Montecito, Birnam Wood and The Valley Club) or try one of several world-class public courses. My personal favorite among public courses is Sandpiper – adjacent to the Bacara Resort Hotel - where the 11th hole is reminiscent of Pebble Beach. Finish at sunset with a glass of award winning Santa Rita Hills pinot noir at my favorite wine shop, Vino De Vino, on de la Vina Street. Now that’s a tongue twister! Not a pinot fan? Ask to try the Harrison Clarke 2005 Syrah, you won’t be disappointed! Then reflect on the day while dining at one of the many world class restaurants in and around Santa Barbara. With the reopening of The Plow and Angel at San Ysidro Ranch…that would be my choice any day of the week. Stress? Not in my world, how about yours?

TUESDAY:
After you wake to the day you can stroll through the lower village of Montecito and enjoy a strong and distinctive cup of Peets coffee at Jeannine’s to chat with friends or meet a colleague for a morning business brief. This is just one of the many comfortable social meeting locations in Santa Barbara. Spend the afternoon walking “the village” and shopping in the boutique shops and galleries along Coast Village Road. Ladies, I would suggest Kate for that one of a kind design! Afternoons at the Coral Casino is just too posh to miss, you’ll have to call me for an invitation…truly Santa Barbara at its absolute best. Winter sunsets in Santa Barbara are a secret shared by few and enjoyed by everyone who live here. Choose Butterfly Beach, Shoreline or Francheschi Park or any number of other locations to see the colors, but remember, it’s only Tuesday, you have all week to explore!

I cannot imagine going any further than Tuesday right now…but it is just the beginning to another perfect week in Santa Barbara! Give me a call to start your journey…


John

THERE IS A FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Welcome to my first blog entry! I invite you to visit often and see what is new in paradise as I share stories, insights and perspectives about Santa Barbara, real estate and creating the lifestyle that we all desire. My goal with these commentaries is to bring experience, insight and a much loved historical perspective.

For twenty three of my fifty years of living in Santa Barbara, I have been an integral force in the real estate community, representing both affluent clientele from around the world and local families and businesses. It has been an incredible joy and an opportunity for me to change lives by helping client's fulfill not only their personal and financial goals when it comes to real estate, but to be a partner in creating the lifestyle that will enhance my clients lives. Let these thoughts and stories as well as my services be your guide to our community as well as my services whether you are a Santa Barbara native or simply conducting a web search on Santa Barbara, Montecito, Hope Ranch or many the other distinctive communities in Santa Barbara County.

I am ever aware that living in Santa Barbara is a distinct privilege. I love Santa Barbra and enjoy its rich history and sharing little known facts with anyone who wants to truly experience the Santa Barbara lifestyle. Real estate is not just about selling homes and listing properties, for me the joy is to bring meaning and purpose to every aspect of what I do. This blog will allow me one more vehicle to stay in touch with my friends, clients and for those seeking to truly become a part of the special place I call home.

Visit this site often….trust me, the journeys will be worth returning for.