The Bay Area IS a Cheat Code

This is an appreciation post to the Bay Area and a personal experience I'd like to share. Not a lot of real estate info for you today.  Anyway...

This past week, we spent a few days in Santa Cruz to celebrate the kids’ summer break, and I came back with sand in my hair and a full heart. We stayed just two blocks from the beach in Capitola, walked to the water, strolled through the cute downtown shops, bought the kids stuff they definitely don’t need, spent a day at the Boardwalk, had dinner at Shadowbrook (that place is straight out of a fairy tale (get the baked brie), and grabbed breakfast at Zelda’s while watching the waves crash. On the way back home, we capped it off by stopping by Roaring Camp Railroad and rode a train through giant redwoods. I mean, come on. It was an amazing few days, just 45 minutes from my front door in San Jose.

Seriously, what other place has this kind of variety? The Bay Area has everything: beaches, forests, mountains, sports, wine country (in two directions), world-class food, and the kind of weather that makes your out-of-town relatives suspicious you’re photoshopping the blue sky.

And yes, I know… people love to complain about California. “We're leaving for Texas!” “North Carolina is so up-and-coming!” “The Bay Area has changed!” I hear you. But let’s be honest, greener pastures? Have you seen our hills in the spring? Have you gone to a Giants baseball game? Have you felt the energy in a tech startup? We have so much!

Sure, the homes cost more than a small country, but you’re basically paying for a lifestyle that’s one part national park, one part innovation hub, and one part outdoor wine-and-ocean wonderland. It’s like a country club fee… but instead of a pool, golf course, and tennis courts, you get Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, and a train ride through the Redwoods.

It’s easy to forget how special this place is until you step away for a minute. I’m feeling extra grateful this week, and just wanted to share that little moment with you.

Let’s make the most of where we are! We're lucky! There’s truly no place like home.  But, hey, maybe I'm an idiot and don't know what I'm talking about. 

Have a great week!  It'll be mid-70s outside. Tough life! 

Read Also: Housing Market Update, Summer Edition