Tag: southern california

The Interesting History of Balboa Island You May Not Have Known

Close to Newport California, Balboa Island is part of the interesting and dynamic history of the region. During the later decades of the 19th century, Newport Bay was a hub for exports, and the area soon developed a reputation for its thriving commercial trade and shipping businesses.

 

By the early 1900s, some of the small waterfront communities that sprung up in the area were divided up, and real estate promoters traveled around to tout the sports in the area.

 

Many plots were sold to residents in Pasadena, and as a result, many longtime residents of Balboa Island have considerable connections with people in Pasadena today.

 

At this point, Balboa Island was still just a sandbar, but William Collins gave birth to the modern-day Balboa Island after using his dredge to cut up a channel and piling the sand on a mud flat between 1908-1909.

 

Another man, Joe Beek, spent much of his lifetime dedicated to the island, and secured a ferry contract in 1919 to shuttle cars between the island and Balboa Peninsula. Beek later served as Secretary of the Senate of California.

 

Here are a few interesting historical facts about Balboa Island as is grew into what it’s known as today.

 

The First Lots Sold for Cheap: Collins originally sold lots on the island for just $25.00. A sale came with a promise that utilities and ferry services would soon start up on the island. At this point, the island was just a summer vacation spot since there was no gasoline or electricity.

 

Development Grew in the 1910s: Balboa Island became part of the City of Newport Beach in 1916, while the Balboa Island Improvement Association started up in 1918. The Association was a powerful tool in the process to get utilities and other amenities, like streetlights and paved roads, on the island.

 

Many Movies Were Filmed on the island: During the 1920s and 1930s, a number of films were shot on the island, and the Coast Guard even used the spot during World War Two.

 

A Number of Bridges Have Served Residents: One of the original bridges to the island, during the 1920s, was two lanes of wood. In 1929, a concrete bridge was constructed that served residents for a little more than 50 years. By 1981, the concrete bridge was replaced with a modern structure that also had walkways.

 

The Boy Scouts Had an International Event in the Area: In 1953, the Boy Scout’s International Jamboree was conducted where Newport Center and Fashion Island rest today. A number of tents were pitched near Palisades Road, which was later changed to Jamboree Road in homage to the Boy Scouts.

 

Balboa Island is Thriving Today: Jamboree Road is now a major road that runs through Newport Beach and finishes on the Island. Over the past few decades, Balboa Island has rapidly grown into a destination spot that’s also home to families, retirees, students, and even a few celebrities.

 

Now, some of the lots on the island sell for millions of dollars. Big City Feel…Small Town Charm: Despite the massive growth, Balboa Island still has a small town feel despite the massive changes in the island’s infrastructure. Many visitors come to the Island to enjoy the scenery and weather, while also taking in the sights and sounds of a tranquil beachside community.

 

Are you thinking of buying a home near Balboa Island? Click here to contact the Stavros Group today!

 

Courtesy of Cuselleration

4 Outdoor Activities in Corona Del Mar

Corona del Mar, also known as CDM, is the perfect spot for your next family adventure. This neighborhood that’s located in the city of Newport Beach is famous for its fine beaches, tidepools, cliffside views and quaint village shops. Fun fact: Corona del Mar is Spanish for “Crown of the Sea.”

This neighborhood also consists of many activities and adventures that are a must-do. Here are some favorites from locals and tourists who have left their heart in Corona del Mar.

 

1. Beach volleyball.

Beach volleyball is one of the crowd favorites at the Corona del Mar Beach. Corona del Mar Beach has the reputation for family games. There are ten volleyball courts that are perfectly spaced out around the beach and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t worry if you’re afraid you won’t get a chance on the courts because this beach has a relaxed atmosphere that always welcomes players into games.

 

2. Water activities: Surfing, Kayaking, Diving.

Corona del Mar Beach has the perfect atmosphere for all water activities. At this beach, you can go surfing, kayaking, and diving

  • Surfing – The main beach area only sees tiny ways, but once in awhile, a huge swell from the south or southeast brings in massive, challenging waves. The best waves now break off the end of the jetty and roll in toward the beach close to the jetty rocks. The best times to surf are from spring through mid-autumn
  • Kayaking – Many tourists and locals enjoying kayaking around the waters of Corona del Mar beach. The coves and beaches just inside the harbor mouth in Corona del Mar are perfect for a kayaking adventure. Experienced kayakers like to explore the interesting rock formations down the coast from the state beach, such as “Small Arch Rock” and “Big Arch Rock”. Contact nearby Kayak rentals to get their rates for tours and equipment rental.
  • Diving – Areas at the state beach are roped off for swimmers, so divers have to move down to more suitable spots to enter. Diving allows you to spot all the octopus, crabs, calico bass, and surfperch down in the water. If you want more information on diving in CDM, visit the local dive shop, “Beach Cities Scuba”  located on 4537 W. Coast Highway in Newport Beach.

 

3. Sandcastle Contests.

Corona del Mar holds their annual sandcastle contest on the first Sunday in October. This event is sponsored by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce with entry fees of $30 for families. The contest begins at 9am, the teams begin building at 11am, and the judging begins at 2:30pm. Winners receive awards for a wide variety of categories that include most unique, most humorous, and best display of theme.

 

4. Hiking.

There are many trails located in Crystal Cove State Park in Corona del Mar with both long and short distances thats are perfect for a hike or stroll if you are up to a challenge.

  • Deer Canyon Loop Trail – a 6.9 mile lightly trafficked loop trail that features beautiful wild flowers and has a moderate to hard difficulty level. This trail also takes you to an amazing view point of the Pacific Ocean.
  • El Moro Canyon Loop Trail – a 5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a waterfall and has a moderate difficulty level. This loop trail gives you a tour of the El Moro Canyon, where you’ll enjoy some of the best coastline views in the park. You may even be  able to spot some horses walking past you at this trail.
  • Crystal Cove Perimeter Loop – a 9.4 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features beautiful wild flowers and has a difficult difficulty level. This trail follows the perimeter of the park and provides beautiful views over the Pacific and East.

The adventures don’t stop here, so don’t worry if you run out of time to explore! Many homes are waiting for you to help you continue your adventures. So what are you waiting for?

5 Activities for Family Fun in Newport Beach

Newport Beach is the perfect spot for your next family adventure. This city famous for its lavish lifestyle and beautiful surroundings and known for its beachy vibes and water sports. You can either make it a fun-filled day trip or a relaxing vacation by staying at the nearby hotels that allow you to see the gorgeous views that Newport Beach has to offer.

Newport Beach Civic Center and Park

The cool architecture at this location perfectly matches the beachy vibe that Newport Beach is known for, where the blue bridges match the color of the blue skies and the blue Pacific. This park also includes sculptures of white bunnies that many tourists and locals see as an instagram-worthy spot. So relax and have a picnic at the Newport Beach Civic Center and Park! There are many perfect spots to sit and eat on a picnic table or on the grass. After a picnic, this spot also offers great trails and a great space for a walk in the park. This is located at 100 Civic Center Dr in Newport Beach.

Balboa Water Sports

Come catch the cool waves and experience the beachy vibes that Newport Beach has to offer with Balboa Water Sports! The water sports that are available include paddle boarding and riding a sea doo. Many locals and tourists often say that these activities allow them to feel the freedom of the big blue ocean and highly recommend Balboa Water Sports as your next adventure in Newport Beach. This is located at 204 Washington St #B in Newport Beach.

Fashion Island

Fashion Island is a mall that is located right by the beach at 401 Newport Center Dr. in the heart of Newport Beach. This mall is known as an Orange County classic as a venerable, upscale outdoor mall that’s a perfect spot to spend the afternoon whether you’re shopping or just hanging out. This mall is also a great place to walk around to relax and settle down after a long and eventful day of other festivities in Newport Beach.

 

The Intriguing History of Costa Mesa

Location, Location, Location

Costa Mesa is nestled in a perfect Southern California spot. It is just 37 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 88 miles north of San Diego. The town of Costa Mesa is 16 square miles, with its border to the south only a mile from the Pacific Ocean.

 

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

The first inhabitants of what we now know as Costa Mesa were native American Indians who settled near the banks of the Santa Ana River. Archaeologists have found artifacts in the area that indicate they called their village Lukup. In 1776, six Spanish leagues founded Mission San Juan Capistrano, the area’s first European settlement. Occasionally, the padres at the mission would visit the nearby village of Lukup.

 

In the early 1820’s, Capistrano cattle grazed in the Costa Mesa area, and housing had to be constructed to protect the herdsmen, who protected the cattle. A small adobe was built to house the crew. This structure still stands, being recently restored and transformed by the City into a museum. You can see it at 1900 Adams Avenue in Estancia Park. Just down the road, at Adams and Harbor is another part of Costa Mesa’s history. Around 1810, Santiago Del Santa Ana made a land grant to Jose Antonio Yorba. Eventually, settlers began buying pieces of the rancho from Yorba’s heirs (around the 1880’s) and established the town of Fairview. They built a schoolhouse and a church there, and a small hotel would be built near the hot sulfur springs nearby. But just a few years later, in 1889, a storm devastated the community, and it reverted to mostly a farming area.

 

A nearby rancher by the name of Harper had established a little town named after him, on the siding of the Santa Ana and Newport Railroad. The first business there was Ozmen’s General Store, and the post office would be built shortly thereafter, in 1909. By 1920, Harper had decided to change the name of his town to Costa Mesa, which means ‘coastal tableland’ in Spanish. It was mostly an agrarian community and its farmers grew corn, tomatoes, apples, strawberries and sweet potatoes. Oil drilling industries began to flourish and call Costa Mesa home, but the Great Depression wiped out much of the industry in the area: even the local bank closed. Then, a couple of years later in 1933, a huge earthquake shook the town and damaged many businesses and the main school. The school was rebuilt and is now used for school administration and operations. Costa Mesa just exploded in population following World War II, as soldiers who had trained at bases here wanted to move back with their families and establish deep roots.

 

Then and Now

 

Costa Mesa has always rebounded, and today is a major commercial and industrial center of Orange County. It has a population of about 115,000 people. In Costa Mesa, we are proud of the arts, and our city adopted the slogan “The City of the Arts” and is home to the Pacific Symphony and the South Coast Repertory Theater. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts seats 3000 people, being completed in 1985. In 2006, both the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (seating for 2000) and the Samueli Theater (seating for 500) opened their doors to lovers of the arts. Costa Mesa also has 26 parks, the same number of schools and 2 libraries.

Costa Mesa

 

As you can tell, we love Costa Mesa, and would love to count you as one of our new neighbors! Call us and let us know how we can assist your move here at Stavros Group!