Newport Beach

Single Family Homes

Newport Beach is a very diverse city and offers something for everyone. There are bay front homes, beach front homes, gated communities, and homes on private golf courses. There is even a private lake in Newport Beach called Cherry Lake which is for the exclusive use of the residents.

Newport Beach offers a wonderful lifestyle. Residents of Newport Beach can enjoy living on the beach, and the beach lifestyle.

The average sale price of single family homes for the past year in Newport Beach is as follows:

There has been a decline since January, 2010, however the data is based upon only a portion of the month of March, as this report is written as of March 9, 2010. There have been five homes sold in March. The highest average home price was in September, 2009 and the average sold price was $2,012,922.

The average price per square foot of sold single family homes in Newport Beach for the past year is as follows:

The range for the price per square foot average is from $433.98 and the highest amount per square foot was in the month of October at $669.30.

If you have any questions regarding market trends, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Data obtained from the SoCal MLS, and is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

The Toshiba Golf Classic which was held at the Newport Beach Country Club raised $900,000 for Hoag Hospital according to the Daily Pilot. The Toshiba Golf Classic is the primary fund raiser for Hoag Hospital. The golf tournament which was held the week of March 1, 2010 to March 7, 2010 invites members of the tour to participate in the event. Overall, in the past 13 years, this golf tournament has raised $13 million dollars for Hoag Hospital.

This year, Fred Couples (a former Newport Beach resident) won the Toshiba Golf Classic. This was his first time playing in the event. Ronnie Black finished second, and Tom Lehman finished third overall.

The money that is raised for Hoag Hospital supports the Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute, Hoag Cancer Center, Orthopedic Services, Neuroscience, and Women’s Health Services.

This golf tournament is for golfers who are 50 years of age or older.

The try outs were yesterday at Huntington State Beach lifeguard headquarters yesterday morning. The air temperature was 55 degrees, and the water was in the high 50’s. My daughter Heather participated in the requal swim yesterday, and I enjoy watching and encouraging these candidates who braved some less than optimal conditions yesterday. Not only was the air and water cold, there was a strong current, and choppy conditions. One of the candidates said because of the chop, it was difficult to get a rhythm.

There were two events. The returning guards requalify with a 1000 yard swim which must be completed within 20 minutes. Swim out around the buoys, back to shore and run to the finish line. Below the returning guards are lining up for their requal swim. 

Running into the water for the swim!

The second swim is for the new candidates trying out for a spot at one of Californa’s State beaches, and that is followed by an additional run swim run. The Huntington State Lifeguards were very prepared with the lifeguard boat, guards on paddle boards, and the personal water craft was utilized as well.

Definitely one of the highlights was there were dolphins during the swim. One of the applicants apparently touched one during his swim. How amazing they share their water with us.

 Mike Silvestri, a trainer for the Huntington Beach State Lifeguards said that some lifeguard agencies are not testing at all due to cut backs.

Running to the finish line, every tenth of each second counts as most of these candidates are trying to beat their time.

Overall, this was a very good event, with lots of successes and some who may try it another day. The Huntington State Beach Lifeguards run a very organized and safe event.

If I can answer any questions, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Balboa Island in Newport Beach actually consists of three islands – the main island, the little island and Collins Island. Collins Island actually has only 8 homes that are located on it.

The Grand Canal is the Canal located between the main island and the little island.

Here is a little history about Balboa Island: In 1908, William Collins, who was from Pasadena in California began dredging a channel on the north side of Newport bay and deposited the sand on the tide lands. As a result of the sand and silt piling up, that was the beginning of Balboa Island.  

The main island of Balboa Island has approximately 1459 home sites. There is a main street that you enter Balboa Island called Marine Avenue. Marine Avenue has many local shops and restaurants. Most of the residents of Balboa Island travel around via a golf cart.

There is a ferry that connects Balboa Island to the Balboa Peninsula. The ferry carries three automobiles, and bicycles and pedestrians as well. It is a brief but well worth it journey!

Currently, on Balboa Island there are 23 active listings on the main island ranging in price from $1,095,000 to $4,800,000. The property for $4,800,00 is a bay front.

There are 7 properties in back up/pending status, and 3 have sold since January 2010.

Balboa Island is a wonderful destination point, and it is a  peaceful way to starting your day with a walk or run around the islands.

If you would like additional information about Balboa Island homes for sale, please contact me:

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

March 1 through March 7, 2010

The Toshiba Classic Golf Tournament began today at the Newport Beach Country Club. This is a tournament where Newport Beach welcomes the the PGA players at the Toshiba Classic. This tournament has been one of the most successful tournaments in the Champions Tour history. The Toshiba Classic has raised over $12 million in the past 12 years for Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach which is the main beneficiary. There are over 150 sponsors for this event, 1200 volunteers, and they are expecting 85,000 spectators at the Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach.

The schedule of event for the Toshiba Classic include morning practice rounds for golf professionals, and the classic pro-am begins on March 3, 2010. This is where amatuer four somes are paired with golf professionals. Some of the professionals playing at this tournaament in Newport Beach include Lee Trevino, Fred Couples, Paul Azinger and rookie Corey Pavin. This is a great opportunity to get out and walk the course with the professionals and the amateurs, and enjoy the game of golf.

Hope to see you at at the Toshiba Classic at the Newport Beach Country Club. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

begin on

March 6, 2010

The Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Try-Outs are beginning next month at March 7, 2010. For those of you who want to consider a position as a state lifeguard, this is your opportunity to try out for this event. The try outs will be held rain or shine, and despite the weather conditions, so be prepared!

The 2010 Ocean Testing Dates and Locations are as follows:

Huntington State Beach Saturday, March 6, 2010  – 9:00 am
Ventura (San Buenaventura) State Beach Sunday, March 7, 2010  – 9:00 am
Silver Strand State Beach Saturday, March 13, 2010  – 9:00 am
Rio Del Mar State Beach Saturday, March 13, 2010  – 9:00 am
South Carlsbad State Beach Sunday, March 14, 2010 – 9:00 am
Leo Carrillo State Park Saturday, March 20, 2010 – 9:00 am
Monterey State Beach Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9:00 am
San Clemente State Beach Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 9:00 am
Refugio State Beach Sunday, March 28, 2010 - 9:00 am
Crystal Cove State Park Saturday, April 10, 2010 - 9:00 am

If you trying out for the Huntington State Beach Lifeguard program, make sure you show up early. You will need to have registered for the try-outs and have time to line up with the other candidates for the initial swim. If you are going to swim in a wet suit, then it is recommended that you swim in one before you show up at the event, as the wet suit changes how you swim. Also, you will want to bring something warm to put on after the swim, as the water is cool this time of year. Many swimmers do not wear wet suits.

The following is a description of the events which must be passed in order to be considered for a State Lifeguard position.

• Pass a COMPETITIVE 1000 yard open water swim. Time limit of 20 minutes.
• Pass a COMPETITIVE [200 yard run - 400 yard swim - 200 yard run] event. Time limit of 10 minutes.

In addition to the physical events stated above, the candidates must also:

• Pass a qualification appraisal interview.

In order to be hired as a California State Lifeguard, the candidate must demonstrate successful completion of the above mentioned items and successfully compete the training as outlined below:

• Successful completion of the California State Park Lifeguard Training Program. (8 days)
•  Successful completion of work location Field Training Program.

If I can answer any questions about the Huntington State Beach Lifeguard  Try-Outs, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

The Planes of Fame Airshow is coming up on May 15-16, 2010 at Chino Airport. Chino Airport  is located in Chino, California and is approximately 35 miles from the Newport Beach area. Chino Airport is located at :

Chino Airport
7000 Merrill Ave
Chino, CA 91710
(909) 597-3910

Chino Airport which is previously known as Cal Aero Field, is a general aviation airport. Chino Airport serves the general aviation community, as well as for business and corporate travel. The runways line up with the compass. Also, there are two directions of each runway depending upon which way the wind is blowing. Planes typically land into the wind, and if you are landing on Runway 26, then the other direction would be Runway 8.  

 Chino Airport which is situated on approximately 1,100 acres and has three runways: there are two parallel runways  – Runway 8L-26R and Runway 8R-26L, and there is Runway 3-21 which crosses the parallel runways. Runway 8R-26L is 7000 feet long and 150 feet wide, and is the longest runway at Chino Airport. The parallel runway  is 4,838 feet long and 150 feet wide. Runway 3-21 is which is crosses both Runways 8R-26L and Runway 8L-26R and is 4919 feet long and 150 feet wide. Generally, what that means is that larger air craft can take off and land at the longer run ways. Aircraft have a minimum take off and landing distance.

Chino Airport has many hangars that aviators either rent or own, and has over 100 businesses, 2 aircraft museums including the Planes of Fame museum. Also, Chino Airport is home to Flo’s Cafe. This is a great place to fly in eat breakfast or lunch and fly out. Some of the hangars that have recently been constructed are amazing. Many of the hangars have build outs inside them with kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms. You can actually live in these build outs. Many of the occupants at Chino Airport have golf carts to travel around the airport. These  hangars house some pretty amazing aircraft.

Something else to consider when selecting an airport to have as your home base is weather. Chino Airport does have fairly consistent weather. With the exception of occassional fog, and winter weather, Chino averages about 345 VFR (visual flight rules) days per year. Chino is also a great airport for pilots that are learning to fly. The controllers are very cooperative even though the airspace can be busy at times.

The airport identifier for Chino Airport is CNO and is a control tower operated airport.

Chino Airport has the Planes of Fame Air Show, and this year it is going to be held on May 15-16, 2010. The theme of the 2010 Airshow  is “A Salute To The Greatest Generation.” In honor of the men and women whose provided service to the country during World War  II, the the Museum will fly its aircraft. If you are interested in aviation, this is an air show not to be missed.

Below are photos of a Twin Cessna 340 – very nice airplane. I used to fly of these. I still love to see them.

Watching the planes take off and land is always something that I enjoy. Yesterday, we were watching planes take off and land. In the photos below, the plane has just rotated, and the pilot is raising the landing gear in the second photo.

We watched this plane fly into the sunset, and it was a very beautiful site.

And then here is a close up of the plane flying into the sunsest.

If I can answer any questions about Chino Airport, or the Planes of Fame Air Show, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

UPDATE

2.26.10

There is ONE more dates to try out – see the times below.

The Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Try-Outs are underway at the Newport Harbor High School Pool. The dates of the try-outs are below:

Sunday, February 7th – 9:00am – 12:00pm

Sunday, February 14th – 9:00am – 12:00pm

Tuesday, February 16th – 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Sunday, February 21st – 9:00am – 12:00pm

Tuesday, February 23rd – 7:00pm – 8:30pm

Sunday, February 28th – 9:00am – 12:00pm

You still have several more opportunities to try out and this is a reminder of the dates. Find more information about the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard try-outs at the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard website.  The time requirements for the try-outs are as follows:

“A” (14-15 year olds): 1:35 (one minute, 35 seconds)

“B” (12-13 year olds): 1:40 (one minute, 40 seconds)

“C” (10-11 year olds): 1:45 (one minute, 45 seconds)

“D” ( 9 year olds): 1:55 (one minute, 55 seconds)

Below of a photo from a couple of years ago where the Junior Lifeguards were on paddle boards at the Balboa Pier.

If I can answer any questions about Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards, or the requirements, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949.280.0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com

Today, February 7, 2010 is Superbowl Sunday. This is a highly anticipated event every year, and this year it is even more exciting as this the first time the New Orleans’ Saints are playing in the Superbowl. And after everything the New Orleans has been through, they deserve a win.

 The first Super Bowl was first played on January 15, 1967, and this is the first appearance for the Saints at a Superbowl. Hurricane Katrina  damaged the Superdome and the New Orleans area where the Saints played their games. The New Orleans Saints scheduled 2005 opening game against the Giants was played at the Giant’s stadium. The remaining games for the 2005 season were played at two stadiums between the Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Lousianna and the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The New Orleans Saints returned to the Superdome for the 2006 season after the Superdome had a $185 million restoration and renovation.

The two teams arrived at Superbowl 44. The Indianapolis Colts beat Baltimore Ravens, and  also beat the New York Jets in the AFC playoffs. The New Orleans Saints edged out Arizona and also beat the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC playoffs (that was one awesome football game).

Whoever you are rooting for, have an awesome Superbowl Sunday and enjoy the game, advertisements and the half time show.

GO SAINTS!

The Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach is tomorrow February 7, 2010. The marathon begins at 6:30 am. I have driven by there several times and they are set up, and there are lots of participants registering for this event.

The participation for the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach is the largest ever, with 20,000 participants. There is also a half marathon, and a 5K run. Registration is closed, however you can go out and cheer on the participants in this run! Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, as it has been raining all day, however there are some blue skies in the distance over in Huntington Beach.

If you want to spectate at the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, you can find the information here. I would suggest arriving early as there is a large turn out this year.

If I can answer any questions about this event, please contact me.

Phone or Text: 949-280-0681

Email: Spaxson@roadrunner.com