There’s wildly differing opinions. Many say that its a dangerous spot and a traffic light would reduce the number of accidents. Two facts contest this opinion: One, the collision history for the four years between 2006 and 2010 show that the number of accidents on that stretch of road is “far below the statewide average for similar state highways”; and two, consultant Steve Brown commented that although a signal usually reduces overall accidents, it actually will increase rear-end collisions.

Another opinion is that a light won’t change anything; George Patterson, an Emerald Bay resident and retired deputy sheriff, says that his experience has shown that most accidents are caused by human error, not traffic lights or any other reason.

A third, and very controversial, opinion comes from Pete Collisson, a former president of the Emerald Bay homeowners’ group. He asserts that the service district is shielding a beautification project with a safety issue, allowing them to make improvements without opening the gates of the closed community to the public. He says: “The safety issue was an expedient that was adopted by the political powers that be in Emerald Bay.”

And council members, including Toni Iseman, see this as a big part of the problem. According to the Laguna Beach Independent, the traffic-signal issue has “revealed lingering resentment over Emerald Bay’s elite legacy as an unincorporated, gated community now within city borders that bars public beach access but is exempt from complying with the city’s ordinances and development rules.” Iseman pointed out the letters that she had received that uncovered this “festering resentment” between Laguna Beach city residents and Emerald Bay residents, and goes as far as to say “I think that’s the real tragedy of what’s gone on here.”

What do you think about the traffic signal that Emerald Bay wants to build? Are you for or against it, and why? Please let us know in the comments section! We’d love to hear from our fellow Laguna Beach and Emerald Bay residents how they really feel.

We’ve got 10 guests coming, and we can’t wait! The food is always wonderful, there’s a silent auction and many raffle prizes and Jerry Bieser always does a great job hosting the festivities. I wonder what we will come home with this year?

For more information and for tickets, give me a call. I might have a few extra that I can give away: (949) 547-1860.

And don’t forget that the Laguna Beach Taste For Charity is in a new location: Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course, NOT Tivoli Too! And free trolleys are available from the Albertson’s underground parking lot from 4 – 8 p.m. See you there!

22331 Eagle Rock Way, a true eagle's nest in Laguna!

This morning at the Laguna Board of Realtors’ weekly meeting we were shown some of the newest and best properties on the market for Laguna Beach. And guess what? Summer is definitely here! We’ve got 80 degree weather, beautiful beaches and a number of properties with pools.

Pools are a luxury in Laguna Beach, where the lot size and a lot’s steep grade can prevent pools from being an option. So if you’re looking for a home with a pool in Laguna Beach, here are this week’s options:

• A 4,600 square foot home in the luxurious area of Irvine Cove, north of Emerald Bay and south of Crystal Cove State Beach, for just $9,780,00.
• A 2,875 square foot home in Laguna Canyon that’s had a $750,000 remodel and a saltwater pool on a 30,000 square foot lot! All this for under $500 a square foot–unbelievable! Price: $1,395,000.
• A 9,500 square foot home in Mystic Hills, one of Laguna’s most desired areas because of the stunning views across downtown. This one has a pool and is priced at $820 per square foot! Price: $7,795,000

Those are three very different properties with a lot to offer, and if you’d like to see any of them, please give me a call.

Another property to be showcased today is one in Bluebird Canyon for—wait for it—under $800,000! Can it be possible in Laguna Beach? Is it a teardown, you ask? No it’s not, but it is a little on the small side. They’ve managed to get three bedrooms and 2 bathrooms into 1,290 square feet.

One last property to talk about, which is featured in our photo today: 22331 Eagle Rock Way. Tucked up in the hills of South Laguna, this 1,950 square foot home has astounding views and a beautiful yard. At $1,650,000, this is a real Laguna beauty, but beware: The house has a lot of steps, so is not a good property for those looking to retire there.

Call James St. James at (949) 547-1860 if you’d like to see these properties, or find something similar in Laguna Beach. As a resident of Laguna Beach since 1960, I am the city’s truly local realtor.

The painting we bought last year at Taste For Charity

Are you ready for this year’s best and favorite Realtor® event? The Laguna Beach Taste For Charity is one event that we never miss, and always invite our clients to. Why? First of all, you get to sample dishes from some of Laguna Beach’s best restaurants, which is always a great way to dine. Secondly, you get to bid on over 70 original works of art, both from some of Laguna’s legendary artists and some of our own real estate agents.

Last year, we were happy to have a successful bid on a beautiful painting from Nikki Norman, an agent from my office of Surterre Properties, and in the past we’ve purchased paintings for our home, my mother and my clients.

This year is going to be a little different, though. For the first time in its history, the event will take place at the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course instead of Tivoli Too! The Aliso Canyon location will be just as beautiful as Tivoli Too, but we don’t want our guests to go to the wrong location.

Parking may be challenging, so the Board of Realtors has set up a free trolley service that runs from the Albertson’s underground parking lot (Wesley Drive) down to the Aliso Creek Inn. This service will run from 4-8:30 p.m. for the attendees of Taste For Charity.

Tickets are $35 in advance—you still have a few days left to purchase!—or $40 at the door. For that price, you get quite a lot, and it all goes to a great cause. The Laguna Beach Board of Realtors carefully selects the charities that they donate the raised funds to, and all are very worthy.

Need more information about the event? Want to purchase tickets? Call James St. James, Laguna’s truly local realtor, on (949) 547-1860 or click here to send an email. We hope to see you there on Thursday!

The kids pull the audience's heart strings--for a great cause!

We were so pleased to be invited to this event, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach‘s annual fundraiser, as it truly is one of the top events of the year for our fair city. Luckily, the fog was held off long enough for us to all enjoy a wonderful few hours on the Montage‘s lawn, sipping cocktails and snacking on the delicious passed appetizers while reconnecting with friends and colleagues.

Brazilian dancers kept the Carnival theme alive all evening!

The Brazilian dancers held a clue for what was in store later during dinner, and they kept us entertained while we perused the silent auction items. There were some amazing items on offer, from a bottle of Chateau Margaux that received a 100-point rating by Robert Parker to a seven-night stay at the Rockin’ 5 luxury Idaho ranch (including first-class air fare for eight people!).

"Surf and turf", Montage style!

We all moved to the ballroom and sat down for our lovely meal (thanks to our friend Chef Craig Strong for creating a delicious meal on such a large scale!), and soon the dancers were really showing us their moves! One of our table members was invited up for a short dance—he did a great job, even though he was understandably shy.

Then the live auction started, after a very moving video about the amazing work that the Boys and Girls Club provides to their charges. When I was growing up, the Boys and Girls Club (well, it was just the Boys Club back then!) was a godsend for my single working mother. I met some of my best friends who I am still close with today, and I went on to mentor when I was in my latter teens. I’m proud to say that the Boys and Girls Club helped me be who I am today!

So when the live auction started, my wife and I were visibly moved by the video. The auctioneer described how just $250 would sponsor a child for an entire year, and we donated as generously as we could. But not as much as Mr. and Mrs. Stone, who donated $25,000 and a few others who donated $12,500 to the Club. All in all, in a mere 10 minutes, over $100,000 was raised for the Laguna Beach Club! It was a wonderful moment.

And that was before the auction for the wonderful prizes started, so we can’t be sure exactly how much money was raised from these generously donated items.

We are looking forward to next year’s event already! Thank you to Ann Roth of our local Union Bank branch for the invite; it was a true treat.

If you are looking for Laguna Beach real estate, call the only realtor who has been a local since 1960: James St. James (949) 547-1860

Front yard and driveway of 533 Brooks

Don’t miss walking through this wonderful home—properties like these are very rare in Laguna Beach.

Why? You might think that there’s a lot of four-bedroom homes in Laguna to choose from. But right now, there’s only two like this for sale in the coveted “Village” area.

That means that, in addition to all of the amenities of the home (which we’ll get to later), this home’s location gives it many advantages to families. First of all, you’re only three blocks to the beach, and two blocks from Laguna’s HIP District, which is known as the “local’s downtown” area, especially when it’s crowded in the summer. There’s some of Laguna’s best dining and shopping in this area, and it’s great to be able to walk down to Gina’s Pizza with the kids, or to El Casa del Camino’s Rooftop Bar with adult friends and not have to worry about driving or parking.

Also within walking distance, for those with kids at the playground age, is the popular Bluebird Park. Not only is it Laguna’s best kid’s play area, but it also has a basketball court and a Boys and Girls Club House. And, in the summer, there’s free concerts here, perfect for the whole family, plus friends. A half-mile up Bluebird Canyon, there’s great hiking trails for families with children of all ages, or no children at all!

Laguna’s great school system is a draw for many Orange County families, and this home is only six blocks to the high school—that means you don’t need to drive the kids to school!

And finally, if you do want to get to the heart of Laguna, it’s only eight blocks away, a very short drive or an enjoyable walk. And if you want to stay home, the backyard is secure for young children to run around without worrying about cars. Plus, the street has many families with children of all ages, with a real community feel at holidays, with street parties and celebrations.

This home features many amenities that will tempt even those hard to please. The seller remodeled the home to live there herself, so she used the highest quality fixtures, materials and appliances, plus there’s enough off street parking for eight cars.

Interested in learning more? Have a look at the MLS listing by clicking here, or just call me to arrange a showing. Because of the current resident, we need to book showings 48 hours in advance. Please call 949-547-1860 to arrange a private viewing!

The kitchen has top-quality appliances, granite countertops and a wine cooler

The dining room makes the house perfect for entertaining and family meals.

The living room features a fireplace and beautiful hardwood floors.

A wonderful and unusually large backyard at 1275 Cerritos

Hello, and welcome to this week’s choice home on the Laguna Beach Broker Preview list: 1275 Cerritos. Why? There’s several reasons why this home stood out to me this week:

1. It’s a nice, large home that’s been recently remodeled.
2. It’s in the village, a very desirable location
3. Walking distance to downtown and the beach
4. The price per square foot is only $431, way below average Laguna prices
5. The house is on a larger lot with a flat, grassy backyard

Here’s what the MLS has to say: this is the best value in Laguna Beach! Totally remodeled,  this 3,000 square foot home boasts three bedrooms, 3.5 baths, gourmet kitchen, large living room, dining room, two fireplaces and family room. Only the best materials have been used. Granite countertops, travertine floors, stainless steel appliances and much more. The large backyard could accommodate a pool, and there are views of the ocean as well as amazing views of the hills and canyons. The home has been professionally landscaped. Priced to sell!

It is listed for just $1,295,000—truly, a real value for our beautiful beach community. Would you like to walk through it? Just give me a call and I will arrange an appointment: (949) 547-1860.

Elegant dining room

Great curb appeal

Expansive family room

Living room with fireplace

Ocean views

Beautiful landscaping on this modern Tuscan villa.

This week’s Broker Preview definitely had a clear winner in the “best” category, in my opinion. And why do I give 641 Loretta Drive this prestigious title? My top five reasons follow:

1. This home is of fairly new construction and utilizes the highest quality materials and appointments
2. Incredible unobstructed ocean views down the southern coast towards Dana Point, plus Catalina Island views
3. Located at the end of a cul-de-sac
4. Oversized chef’s kitchen with Viking and Sub-Zero appliances
5. Large, luxurious master bathroom

Now here’s the full details from the MLS listing:

Perched above the famed Montage Laguna Beach Resort and Spa, this 2009 contemporary Tuscan home exudes old-world charm with shots of modern luxury. Warm salty breezes and sweeping white-water, ocean and coastal views are brought to you with glamorous walls of glass that open for seamless indoor/outdoor entertaining. Designed for the serious cook, the state-of-the-art kitchen boasts custom mahogany cabinetry flanking Sub-Zero and Viking appliances as well as panoramic blue water views from a breathtaking wall of windows. Rejuvenate in your own master spa bath with two rain shower heads, three body sprays, hand-held and steam, or simply relax in ceiling-filled, jetted soaking tub. From the French limestone flooring to the reclaimed wood beams, this four bedroom, one office and 3.5 bath villa is your own private resort.

It is listed for just $2,695,000. Would you like to walk through it? Just give me a call and I will arrange an appointment: (949) 547-1860.

Stunning coastal and Catalina Island views.

Glamorous spa-style master bathroom.

A kitchen designed for the gourmet chef in you.

This never lived in, new-construction home blends contemporary style softened with warm woods and natural stone. Exceptionally well-designed and constructed residence offers panoramic white water, ocean and island views. Five bedrooms each with its own bathroom, plus two powder bathrooms, two family rooms, two fireplaces, three-car garage including space for golf cart, street-to-street lot.

This home has an airy, bright and open floorplan that presents all living space on just two levels with a master bedroom on each. over 500 square feet of decks and terraces overlooking expansive coastline and ocean views. Highest quality materials and fixtures, including a chef’s kitchen with stainless appliances, over 4,000 square feet of Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, custom mahogany doors and windows, and recessed lighting. A beautiful blend of formal and casual indoor/outdoor living makes this a wonderful home for entertaining. The Emerald Bay community is one of the most desirable oceanfront neighborhoods found in California.