My favorite place – Filoli.  I thought if we all visualized Spring it might come today.

Popularity: 1% [?]

I know you’ve seen it.  When I first saw it I said – Wow!  Look at that blimp.  And I still do!

You can take a Taste of Zeppelin ride with  for just [cough] $199.  Or you can give a great gift to a friend or family member – or me. 

Popularity: unranked [?]

It’s been cold and rainy here in San Mateo – it even snowed in La Honda this week!  I’ve been thinking of Spring.

Popularity: unranked [?]

I was walking around taking pictures of Las Casitas for an upcoming listing and couldn’t resist this.  San Mateo County’s geography is so amazingly diverse.  I’ve lived here all my life and it still surprises me.

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View Larger Map

Popularity: unranked [?]

Extreme Pizza Gives Back

They’ve been kind enough to donate 20% of proceeds over the two nights of June 10-11 to the Pink Pirates, Avon Breast Cancer Foundation Team.

I <3 Extreme Pizza

June 10th and 11th order from Extreme Pizza, Pacifica.  Mention this promotion and you too can participate in giving back to the community.

Contribute from the comfort of your home.  They’ll deliver your dinner and make the contribution.

Pre-ordering is appreciated.
(650) 738-8000

View the menu and order online.
Sorry, no other coupons accepted in conjunction with this offer.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Pacifica is known for its fog – maybe you’ve seen the Where In The Fog is Pacifica? t-shirts.  What it should be better known for is its beauty.

The city’s edge is the Pacific Ocean – it doesn’t get more beautiful.  There are many, many places to hike and bike.  There’s a trail that runs just about top to bottom.

Pacifica Skatepark

Sea Bowl

Pacifica Pier

Adventure Out Surf Lessons

Surf Camp Pacifica

Park Pacifica Stables

Clay Creations

Sanchez Art Center

Pacifica Performances

Sharp Park Golf Course

Sanchez Adobe

Frontierland Park

Popularity: 51% [?]

 

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Dog Parks

Seal Point Dog Park, San Mateo.  I read all the Yelp reviews.  I agree that it’s a barren desert land, but the dog doesn’t care and I can live with it while he runs around socializing.  On the upside it’s clean, there’s fresh water and bathrooms for me.  The big doggies play rough so it’s great that they have separate areas for the big and little pooches.  There were several reviews remarking on the excess poop people have left.  That hasn’t been a problem when I’ve been there, but ca’mon people! 

Foster City Dog Park has two play areas – one for big dogs, the other for the little guys.  But that last couple of times I’ve been there it smelled awful.  There’s clean water and lots of friendly pups though.

It seems that not a lot of people have heard of Heather Dog Park, San Carlos, but it’s absolutely one of my favorite places.  Your pooch can run off leash along trails through the trees and brush.  The views are gorgeous.  Keep in mind that the lower portion is not fenced.

Doggie Day Care

One of my clients uses Smilin Dogs for her baby.  She and Stuart absolutely love them!  They actually come to the house to pick him up.  Now, where can you get that kind of service?

K9 Social Club
 

Resources

Whether you want to do it yourself or have them bathe Sparky, Scrub A Pup is a great family-owned shop on 25th Avenue, San Mateo.

I love the K9 Social Club in San Mateo.  You can take your pup in for a full groom and pick up food, treats and toys too.  They’ve always been extremely patient and helpful.  When I took a friend’s puppy in for his first grooming, they spent all day working with him – in between walking and playing - so that his first experience with the groomer would be a good experience.

These are just a few of my favorite places and people.  There are many, many resources available.  If you’d like to share others, please do.

Got a dog, cat, guinea pig or parakeet with a great story or talent?  Share that too!

Popularity: 42% [?]

Beresford Community Garden is located at the corner of 27th and 28th in San Mateo.  It’s actually leased from the city and run by a non-profit.  If you’d like to get a plot to grow your own fruit, veggies and flowers, contact me and I’ll put you in touch with the right folks.

The garden is adjacent to Beresford Park which has a ton of outdoor activities -  there’s something for everyone.

Popularity: 72% [?]

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Emily Brandon of US News has determined that San Mateo is one of the 10 Great Places to Retire for Democrats.  “To pick 10 great retirement spots where Republicans and Democrats would feel right at home, U.S. News tapped our list of over 2,000 Best Places to Retire and sought out places in congressional districts that leaned heavily toward one political party in the past two presidential elections. ”

“There’s nothing quite like the warm bath of expressing your political views in public and knowing they are whole-heartedly embraced by the majority of your neighbors.”

I have my own top 10 list for living in San Mateo.  Look for that in the coming days.

Got a San Mateo County real estate question?   Call me at 650.888.9268 or send me an email Vicki [at] CallVicki.com.   If you like what you’ve read, subscribe to the San Mateo Real Estate Blog feed.     

Start your San Mateo home search here.

All the best,
Vicki Moore

Popularity: 61% [?]

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Camp Sawyer Trail in San Mateo is one of my favorite places to stop the craziness and just breathe.  It runs along the Crystal Springs Reservoir adjacent to the 280 freeway.  Its beauty is worth the sometimes difficult parking.  

It’s only been about five years that the reservoir area has been accessible to the public.  The San Francisco Water Department kept it completely locked up due to the immense fear of a disaster to the liquid gold.  You can even make a reservation for a guided trek through this mountain wilderness.

The history of the area is long and interesting.  William Bowers Bourn, president of Spring Valley Water Company and operator of the Empire Gold Mine, began purchasing farms to aquire the watershed and fill the insatiable need for water during the Gold Rush. 

Bourn is also well known for his magnificent home Filoli - Fight, Love, Live.  If you’re not familiar with the property, think back to the Dynasty days.  The mansion is the one shown in the opening of the show during the fly-over.  It’s an incredible site and is open for tours – the gardens are a must-see.

Got a San Mateo County real estate question?   Call me at 650.888.9268 or send me an email Vicki [at] CallVicki.com.  You can also subscribe to my blog feed by clicking here.

All the best,
Vicki Moore

Popularity: 62% [?]