San Rafael and Novato are playing host to a new 13-episode series based on the debut novel by young adult author, Jay Asher.
The Costa Group Wishes You a Safe & Exciting Fourth of July!
4th of July Displays Light Up The Sky Around San Francisco
Historic San Francisco Real Estate Eye Candy Off The Market!
Originally constructed in 1883, this Charles Lewis Hinkel home located at 1709 Broderick Street is one of San Francisco's finest examples Italianate, Victorian architecture. But what is most recognized about this home and adds to its historical (albeit pop-culture history) appeal is that it's gorgeous exterior was used in the circa 1987-1995 television series, Full House.
Photo courtesy of Vanguard Properties.
And, after 21 days on the market, someone will be the lucky new owner of this piece of San Francisco history that was priced and appears to have sold for $4,150,000. This equates to $1,328/square foot.
The last time it sold was in April of 2006 and the sale price was $1,850,000. That's a tidy $2.3 million dollar profit in just 10 years. Not a bad financial investment.
"The interior of this magnificent three story adobe property is sophisticated, comfortable, and timeless with a spacious, 3,125 square foot floor plan, soaring ceilings, 3 bedrooms, an office and 3 1/2 baths. A large eat-in island kitchen boasts professional style appliances and overlooks the sunny, classically designed garden. Located on a picturesque, tree-lined street, 1709 Broderick is convenient to transit, shopping and dining."
While we have the opportunity, we wanted to give you a peek inside this truly one-of-a-kind Victorian. With its blend of lovely period details and modern convenience, this Lower Pacific Heights home was listed by Vanguard Properties.
From San Francisco to Marin County, The Costa Group has sold 100's of homes and placed families of all shapes and sizes into the perfect home for their unique lifestyle.
We invite you to experience 'The Costa Groups' hands-on availability, involvement and concern for you and your lifestyle.
Top Home Design Trends of 2016
San Francisco Development Report-June 2016
Just Sold in San Francisco & Marin!
The Costa Group is excited to share our most recent sales in San Francisco and Marin County.
From San Francisco to Marin County we've sold hundreds of homes and placed families of all shapes and sizes into Single Family Residences, Urban Dwellings, Penthouses, Condominiums, New Developments, Victorians, Edwardians, Apartments, Flats and Income Properties.
We have an intimate knowledge of the City of San Francisco and the Marin County neighborhoods and amenities.
With more than 30 years of experience, we are your partners: we listen and understand your requirements and desires and we advocate and negotiate to get you the best price possible.
From Noe Valley to Mill Valley, we invite you to experience The Costa Group's hands-on availability, involvement and concern for you and your lifestyle.
When you are ready to make a move, The Costa Group provides extraordinary service to elevate your life and bring you home.
Marin County Fair Celebrates is 75th Anniversary: "What A Ride!"
The Marin County Fair is celebrating its 75th anniversary. With its "What A Ride!" celebratory theme, the fair kicks off on June 30th and runs through July 4th at the Main County Fairgrounds in San Rafael. This 5 day community event features exhibits, family fun activities, rides, games, live performances and fireworks.
The inaugural Marin County Fair and Harvest Festival was held in 1925 in Novato. Since then, the event has earned a much-deserved reputation for 'celebrating art, agriculture and the community.' Thanks to the event's commitment to conserving water, solar-powered stage and carousel and its impressive record of composting and recycling 94% of its waste, the fair is proud of its claim as the "Greenest County Fair on Earth."
Bands the likes of Kool & the Gang, Sheila E., the Plain White T's, the Wallflowers and Foreigner perform live each night. In addition to live music, the Marin County Fair encourages Marin and residents from around the Bay Area to participate in the competitive exhibits that give the fair its distinct hometown vibe. The 2015 event featured over 800 categories, 13,500 exhibits and some 7,000 entrants in exhibits that covered everything from performing arts to baking, fine wine to fine art.
Many families come to the Main County Fair to experience the creativity of the talented, artistic, technologically savvy and green-thumbed exhibitors. Programs range from international short films to fine arts to chickens, tamales and quilts, just to name a few. The fair is known for offering traditional and innovative competitive student exhibit categories.
The juried Fine Arts, Crafts and Photography Show is considered by many to be the best among the 78 fairs in California. The International Short Film & Video Festival is the only one-of-its-kind in North America at a county fair.
Fireworks displays light up the sky every night at 9:30pm over the lagoon. This 'extravaganza of music, rockets, Roman candles, meteoric showers and spectacular bursting cascades' is a favorite among families from near and far.
Image courtesy of Marin County Fair website.
The Marin County Fair is often defined by buzz words of change: “cutting edge,” “out of the box,” “trend setting.”
“It’s certainly all of these things in the fair industry, an inspiring and model county fair,” said Gabriella C. Calicchio, Director of Marin County Cultural Services. “The Marin County Fair combines classic fair exhibits with innovative new ideas. Add to that one-of-a-kind events, cuisines both local and global, a welcoming staff, cultural diversity and a rich history and legacy. This is the reputation and brand that the Marin County Fair has built over the last 75 years.”
In keeping with its innovative reputation, the Marin County Fair has an interactive smartphone app that gives attendees a map of the fairgrounds, allows them to quickly find food and drink vendor locations and check the schedule for events happening through each day. The 2016 Marin County Fair App in the Apple App or Google Play stores.
The Marin County Fair is open daily 11am to 11 pm from June 30th through July 4th. The Marin County Fairgrounds are located at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael. More information and tickets are available on the fair website.
The Glory of Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park is one of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks. The 1,017 acre green space that runs from the tip of the Panhandle to the Pacific serves up an amazing amount of beauty and culture, including two renown museums, gorgeous copses of trees, play and picnic areas and miles of garden pathways perfect for a bike ride, leisurely stroll or even a Seqway tour.
If you're looking for a peaceful escape or a day of culture and exploration, look no further than Golden Gate Park. In addition to the Park's lovely green spaces, here are 5 of it's top cultural experiences.
1. Conservatory of Flowers
Bursting with elegant tropical plants, orchids and carnivorous species, The Conservatory of Flowers has captivated guests for over 100 years. According to their website, the Victorian architecture has a long and storied history, and is the oldest public wood-and-glass conservatory in North America. As a city, state and national historic landmark, the Conservatory remains one of the most photographed and beloved attractions in San Francisco. Tickets are affordable and range from $2 to $8.
2. de Young Fine Arts Museum
Founded in 1895, the de Young Museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and a cherished destination for millions of residents and tourists for well over a decade. In 2005, the museum re-opened in its state-of-the-art new facility that showcases priceless collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, Textile arts, and art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. The museum also offers a variety of rotating special exhibits. Tickets $6 to $10.
3. California Academy of Sciences
This scientific-focused museum centers around the multi-story Osher rainforest exhibit that includes plants and animals from numerous tropical locations. From the rainforest, visitors can enter outer space in the Morrison Planetarium, then dive beneath the depths of the ocean in the Steinhart aquarium. Experience the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the 1989 Loma Prieta temblor at the Life on a Dynamic Planet exhibit or take part in an interactive workshop, attend a lecture...or stay over night at the Penguins & Pajamas Sleepover! Tickets are available online and range from $25 to $35 per person.
4. Japanese Tea Garden
The oldest public Japanese garden in the United States and originally created as a “Japanese Village” exhibit for the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, today the Japanese Tea Garden provides visitors from around the block or around the world with the opportunity to experience the natural beauty, tranquility and harmony of a Japanese-style garden. The garden includes classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds and a zen garden. Stop for a cup of tea in the custom-designed irori (farmhouse style family table) Tea House. Entry fees are $2 to $8.
5. Koret Playground & Carousel
Opened in 1888, this play area dedicated to the sheer enjoyment of children is thought to have been the very first of its kind in America and has housed 3 separate carousels. The current carousel was built in 1914 and operated at amusement parks as well as was part of the World’s Fair on Treasure Island before being placed in Golden Gate Park in 1940. Its 62 colorfully painted animals include a dragon, camel, and goat as well as horses, frogs, dogs, roosters, and pigs. Painted panels inside the carousel depict various Bay Area landscapes. In addition to the carousel, the one-of-a-kind playground offers a place for kids to climb, slide, jump, swing and imagine.
6. San Francisco Botanical Garden
A living museum within Golden Gate Park, it includes 55 acres of landscaped gardens and open spaces, showcasing over 8,000 different kinds of plants from all around the globe. Thanks to the City's unique microclimate, the Botanical Garden can grow and conserve plants from all over the globe, including plants that are no longer found in their native habitats. Open 365 days a year, San Francisco Botanical Garden offers a place where visitors can experience nature, learn about plants and the environment in an 'outdoor classroom,' relax and seek respite from city life in an urban sanctuary. Admission ranges from $2 to $8.
Whether you are a naive San Franciscan, new to the area, a visitor from the Bay Area or across the globe, Golden Gate Park is bursting with adventure and culture as well as play and peacefulness.
3 Places In Marin County That Combine Great Food With Nature
If you're a nature AND a food lover, here are three places in Marin County that offer the best of both worlds.
1. Muir Woods National Monument
If you're looking to immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature, Muir Woods is the place to do it. The Japanese call this shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing.
Twelve miles north of San Francisco, the 6 miles of paved and boardwalk pathways lead 'forest-bathers' through old growth redwood groves where banana slugs, ferns and peace reign. The Main Trail wends along a 2-mile loop through 700 year old giants redwoods shrouded in fog, over Redwood Creek to Hillside Trail.
Part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, over 1 million people visit Muir Wood annually.
Nine miles away at Stinson Beach, the Siren Cafe serves up a casual atmosphere, ocean views, juicy burgers, tilapia tacos and an impressive wine and beer list.
2. Mount Tamalpais State Park
At 2,571 feet, Mount Tamalpais is Marin County's highest point. With copses of redwood trees, meadows overflowing with wildflowers and oak woodlands, Mount Tam offers incredible photo opportunities at every turn.
A favorite among serious hikers, those who wish to enjoy a more leisurely stroll can take the .7 mile Verna Dunshee Trail, a loop that encircles the east peak. With vistas that include Ocean Beach, the Farallon Islands, wine country and Richardson Bay, this peaceful path serves up all nature has to offer.
Take a short 11-mile drive into Mill Valley and dine at Molina. Their seasonal fare includes king salmon and scrumptious wood fired foods.
3. Point Reyes National Seashore
A triangular peninsula that juts into the Pacific, Point Reyes National Seashore encompasses 100 square miles of bluffs, sea stacks, forests and untamed landscape.
Abbotts Lagoon Trail is a 2 mile trail that meanders through the native habitats of quail, osprey, river otters and jackrabbits, up, over and through dunes, lagoons and driftwood piles to the Great Beach.
When you're ready to indulge in a hearty meal, head to the Saltwater Oyster Depot overlooking Tamales Bay in Inverness. Their locally sourced oysters head the menu (hence their name) but they also offer rockfish and BBQ pork ribs among other delicious choices.
Marin County is a treat for the senses, an ideal blend of nature, serenity and civilization.
Article excerpt from Via Magazine.
