Holiday shoppping can be pleasant?

Every year it happens, I have the candy in the bowl waiting at the front door for the first little "monster" to knock, there's no stress, I'm happy, the kids are happy and then it seems like I blink and Christmas is here, my to-do list is 5 pages long, we still need to get a tree, and the whole family is on their way to our house but we don't have any groceries yet... how does that time go by so fast?

The holidays are beautiful and fun, the kids are beaming with anticipation of Christmas morning but where did the magic go? For adults it seems that the holiday season is just an excuse to add more to our all-ready-too-full list of things to do and money to spend. 

Warning, you will never have access to "excitement" like this in the Santa Ynez Valley

When you live in the Santa Ynez Valley, there is no rush, the stores are delightfully still fun to shop in, and you feel good knowing that you're supporting small businesses. Plus, there's a wine tasting room in between just about every store, so... yea, it's pretty pleasant.  Even the grocery store is easy to navigate, and though it might be busy on occasion, everyone there is a friend and neighbor, it's like being at a Christmas party, in your sweats, with all of your friends in their sweats, casually getting our errands done together.

Downtown Los Olivos

Shopping (and wine tasting?) in Solvang

How could you go wrong doing your Holiday shopping in a town that has a store that celebrates Christmas all year long? Visit our favorite Christmas store, Jule Hus, while you're here, along with all of the other unique shops and boutiques.  We have a little bit of everything, incredible children's clothing and toy stores, Danish collectibles, leather and jewelry, yummy bakeries, home design...

Jule Hus

We also have an abundance of stores to fit your inner cowgirl or cowboy too, and endless selection for anyone that loves being "home on the range."  From Jedlicka's in Los Olivos to Farm Supply Company in Buellton.

Jedlicka's in Los Olivos

However, if you really need your Target fix, or any other big name store, you can find that 30 minutes away in Santa Maria. It's a win, win. So if you haven't checked it out already, come spend some time here, you will immediately see why we believe The Santa Ynez Valley Snow Globe is the perfect place to live.

Yes indeed, Holiday shopping can be pleasant, if you do it in the right town...

Here is where you could find yourself enjoying your hot cup of coffee on the morning of Black Friday, knowing that you have no crowds to fight later that day. Just kick back and enjoy your morning.

Our listing at 2875 Baseline Avenue in Santa Ynez.

If you are interested in learning more about real estate opportunities in the Santa Ynez Valley, give our office a call, we'd love to help you find your dream home in our little town.

3160 Box Canyon Rd, Santa Ynez, CA 93460

In the Santa Ynez Valley, buying a home is different than it is in, say, a city, even a small, beautiful one like Santa Barbara. When you buy a piece of property here, you not only get a home, you get a community. I've mentioned it before, probably because it is my favorite aspect of living here, and this is most likely because I am a parent to young children, but the community you live in has such an impact on your life, it really should be taken into consideration before buying anything.

Something special about this valley is the variety and diverse selection of neighborhoods. I am aware that you can find a variety of diverse neighborhoods just about anywhere you go, however, the difference here is that you really can't go wrong. How many towns or cities can you go to and learn that there is no "bad area"? What a relief that would be, especially if you are unfamiliar with the town.
I do have to admit though, I do have a couple of favorites, one of which would be Oak Trail Estates.  I love this gated community, not because it's gated, because we don't really need gates here, but because the houses are perfectly spaced in my opinion. The homes have a private ranch type feel but with neighbors that you actually connect with. The community takes care of each other and really has a passion for the valley.

Welcome home. 

This incredible 10 acre listing, located in Oak Trail Estates is everything you could hope for, starting with this huge circular driveway. I love that the front of the house is tasteful and reserved and the spaciousness really starts right here as you pull up.

 Imagine how it must feel to know that you have complete privacy in your home. I think this front door really shows how this house can be lived in. All windows open. No need for blinds or curtains, you can feel at peace knowing that there won't be anyone around unless you're expecting them.

The possibilities for entertaining are endless with the huge spacious living room which easily feeds over into the dining area and kitchen.

Oh and don't you love those tiles? They make the room look so warm and inviting.

Don't want to be inside? Go out and enjoy your beautiful patio, looking out onto wide open spaces.

 And take a little stroll down to the lower level of your property

And when you're ready to kick back and relax, I think this is a pretty ideal spot. Wash the day away in your big tub while looking outside at the giant Oak trees... Ok, if you insist!

All in all, I'd say that this is a pretty incredible property and home. I can't wait to see who gets settles in here.

If you love this home or would like to learn more about any other listings in the Santa Ynez Valley be sure to give our office a call, we'd love to help you!

The story of our office

Let's take a second to learn a little bit about our office building, shall we?

Yes it is beautiful and impeccably maintained, which I think really show's the level of respect and appreciation for this town that the owners of the real estate company have. The landscaping alone will take your breath away. How about those Dinner Plate Dahlias that grown year round in our front yard?

Have you ever seen these up close? They are really amazing flowers, and they really seem to enjoy their home under our historical clock tower. 

 
This clock tower is one of the only four-sided Ansonia clock's in the world!
This cool clock is located right in our front yard and was put there around 1985 by the property owners, Edwin Skytt and his father Hans Skytt. It is a cast iron street clock that was originally manufactured in 1914.
This clock was appraised several years ago for insurance purposes and it was determined to be the only four-sided Ansonia clock on public display. The appraisers were only able to find one other in existence in a private collection in Tennessee. There were rumors of a third one, but it was never located. Though Ansonia produced between 1,500 to 2,000 two-sided street clocks, there were only 40 to 50 four-sided street clocks made.

All of this really makes our office one of a kind, but the real history is in the building itself.  Did you know that our little office was originally a gas station? That's right! In the 1950's and 1960's Solvang was  "Service Station Hub" and you had more opportunities to gas up your car than you did to buy a tee shirt. 
I found this little write up from Curt Craig about this history of our building on oldgas.com blog:

In July of 1956, Chick Chicken Barrett opened a Union 76 station in a newly constructed building. We know from his grand opening ad that a pound box of Sees candy was offered to the first 150 customers to visit the new station. Opening on a Saturday in July would require catering to a plethora of tourists, but the locals had been tipped off about the opening in the local paper and no doubt made it to the candy first.

Chick's sons worked at the station when they were in high school. Both boys loved sports. His son Jan was so good that he went on to play professional football for the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi and the Oakland Raiders. Tragically, Jan was killed in a boating accident in 1973.

Barrett's 76 was the midtown station situated at the corner of Atterdag and Mission Drive. Following Lunde's lead, this new station featured the requisite thatched roof and Danish detailing. A canopy stretched out from the roof line shading the pumps and the service lanes. After the station shut down, this canopy was glassed in for a time and the Union 76 became a hamburger hang out.

Just because the gas pumps are gone, doesn't mean that the building no longer exists. One of the more artfully converted station buildings, it now houses the Santa Ynez Valley Real Estate Company. Of the eight service stations that once served Solvang, it's the only remaining building in town.

The canopy has been cut off and is now a dormer window in the roof. The driveway has been replaced with landscaping. If you tried to drive into the service bays you'd end up in Rich Condit's office. Today they'd probably prefer that you come in and sit down rather than drive through their front lawn, but they're still happy to provide you with old fashioned service at this former service station.

So the next time you are in town, stop by and take in a little bit of history and visit browse our current listings to see what we have available for you to call home.

1290 Via Dinero, Solvang

This listing located at 1290 Via Dinero in Solvang really captures all that The Valley  is loved for. Starting with the beautiful gated entry of Fredensborg Hills Estates neighborhood which is located within the California Distinguished Ballard School district. 

This community is really one of the most desirable in the area.

This family living space with a full wet bar is not only ideal for entertaining but perfect for family lounging. Imagine family movie night, cuddled up on the couch in front of the fireplace under that amazing ceiling.

If cooking isn't your favorite thing to do, it will be after you get settled into this kitchen. It's funny how you can learn to love something once you're in the right space for it. This huge open kitchen really allows you to enjoy your guests while preparing the perfect meal.

This master bedroom is so inviting. The fireplace creates such a romantic feel, the most difficult part about this room will be getting out of bed!

 However, with this bright and sunny en suite master bathroom waiting to help you wake up, you will find yourself enjoying your morning routine again.






 
 With such an amazing value for these incredible 5 acres, you have full privacy and space, while still being close enough to everything that the Santa Ynez Valley has to offer. Your private pool deck, which is partially covered to offer a beautiful poolside living space.

 

Give our office a call to set up your appointment to see this incredible listing today.

FALL in love with the Santa Ynez Valley

It's not difficult to love The Santa Ynez Valley. There really is something for everyone here, whether you're a cowboy at heart with a passion for horses and ranches, or you're a wine enthusiast looking to test and grow your knowledge at one of our many wineries or vineyards, or you have a love for the outdoors that has you craving morning hikes to the top of a mountain to watch the sun rise over the valley. Whatever you love, we have it, but the thing we, as locals, all seem to love the very most is Fall in The Valley.

There seems to be a whole new vibe in the valley as we dust off our sweaters and seek out our rain boots, eagerly awaiting a dewy morning to give us to excuse to wear all of it. Although our fall weather sometimes closely resembles our summer weather, there is that cool crisp air that gently blows through our hair and that sweet smell of apple cider filling the air. 

Here in the valley we welcome fall, not so much with the change of color in the trees but more the change of color in the vineyards. And instead of watching things turn brown and slowly fall to the earth, our valley seems to come to life and turn green from the fresh new temperature and the tease of a little rain.

Yes, fall in the valley has to be the very best, and we welcome it with open arms.

If you would like to make this amazing valley your forever home please contact us. We would love to take you on a tour of our listings and show you some of our very favorite places in 

The Santa Ynez Valley.