This year’s Pebble Beach Concours raised a record $2 million in charitable giving.

That was the tally announced by Pebble Beach Company CEO Bill Perocchi at a celebrity luncheon in mid-November. Perocci said that the $2,112,980 that was raised and is being distributed to local charities is up from the $1,900,461 raised in 2015.

Through its primary charitable partner, Pebble Beach Company Foundation, Concours funds support more than 80 local nonprofit organizations, many of which focus on youth education, particularly literacy.

“These nonprofits help us put each dollar where it will have the most benefit, and as a result, are directly impacting our region for the better,” said Perocchi, noting that The Foundation believes education changes lives and that all children deserve access to exceptional educational opportunities.

Since its founding in 1950, the Concours has now raised more than $27 million in charitable donations that go to local charities.

Charities that benefit directly include Montage Health and the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, the Natividad Foundation, the Kinship Center and United Way Monterey County.

“People think we’re all about cars but the car world is really all about people,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “Behind every great car, there are a great many people — designers, mechanics, drivers, caretakers … In addition to our entrants and judges, more than 1,200 people volunteer their time to make this event a success.”

Efforts to raise charitable donations for the 2019 Concours, which is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 18 and will feature centennial celebrations for Bentley and Zagato are already underway. It will take place during the 100-year anniversary of Pebble Beach.

For information or to make a donation, go to www.pebblebeachconcours.net

An ordinance banning the use of plastic straws and other single-use plastics at all food service establishments within Monterey was passed unanimously by the City Council in late November.

The new legislation, which will go into effect on Earth Day, April 22, includes plastic beverage straws, utensils, stirrers, and cup lids and requires these products to be biodegradable, compostable or recyclable. The policy’s intention is to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste in the environment as well as to begin to address the growing challenge of the diminishing amount of types of materials that can be recycled.

“It’s a way forward to continue to reduce plastic consumption as well as pollution,” said Kim Cole, the City’s community development director. Representatives from the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Surfrider and Save the Whales have come out in support of the ordinance that bolsters the city’s already strict single-use disposable plastic laws in place.

“What’s happening – particularly in coastal cities – is that they are learning from each other and beginning to follow the lead of cities like Carmel and Monterey … it only makes sense that we protect our pristine coastline,” said Barbara Meister, public affairs director for the Monterey Bay Aquarium. According to a recent report prepared by the Aquarium staff, almost nine million tons of plastic enters the ocean each year. Plastic input into the ocean is expected to double by 2025.

Currently, many plastic materials aren’t recyclable and therefore have to be compostable.

Meister said, “The nuance about the word ‘recyclable’ is that items like straws, stirrers, utensils-to-go or coffee lids are not because they are too small.” She also noted that in general, recycling markets such as China are changing and in the case of Monterey,  ‘recyclable’ refers to those items that Monterey Disposal is able to recycle.

At last week’s meeting, there was also a presence from members of the disabled community who rely on plastic straws to help them function more independently. Cole said the new amendment will include an exemption for individuals with a self-identified disability. “It was the most significant issue discussed with quite a few representatives from that community concerned about the need for plastic straws. So if a person requests a plastic straw with their own self-identified disability, the restaurant will be required to provide one,” said Cole.

It was in June the Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf Association announced that upward of 20 food establishments (including both restaurants and fish markets) would be participating in a plastic straw ban. Moving forward, the establishments would be using paper or reusable straws. That was after city officials sent out notices to restaurants letting them know of a potential citywide plastic straw ban.

Ted Terrazas, the city’s sustainability coordinator, had worked with other community officials like Meister to incorporate community and business input into the proposed and recently passed the ordinance. Terrasas has previously explained that due to changes in global markets, recycling some plastic items that used to be done routinely has become more difficult. 

Currently, eight cities have similar plastic bans including Carmel, Santa Cruz, and Manhattan Beach.

Also last week, on the same day that Monterey’s City Council passed its new ordinance, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors banned single-use plastic amenities in hotel rooms and vacation rentals.

With the recent unveiling of Pebble Beach Resort’s new Visitor’s Center, the intention was not only to share the resort’s storied 100-year history to today’s golfers and visitors but also to showcase it to those attending this June’s U.S. Open Golf Championship. The approximately $10-million facility’s ribbon cutting also symbolized the formal kick-off of the resort’s 2019 Centennial Celebration.

“The year 2019 is a special one for our company with the Open and the Centennial and it’s also the 20th anniversary of our current ownership group,” said CEO Bill Perocchi, before the crowd of approximately 200 that included guests and officials from the United States Golf Association, Pebble Beach Resorts and cities across the Peninsula.

But the new 8,000-square-foot Visitor Center located across from the Pebble Beach Lodge that features 25 exhibits, many ceiling to wall displays highlighting iconic scenes from the resort’s history, was really just an introduction to the resort’s preparations.

As the 119th U.S. Open Championship draws closer to the June 10-16 event, a renovation that has been taking place for the last 20 years on all 454 of resort’s rooms and the new Fairway One complex is complete. The renovation of four of the course’s greens has also taken place. More recently, leading up to the actual Open, fairways are in the process of being narrowed.

It’s the sixth U.S. Open to be held at Pebble Beach, and it is that much more special because of the 100th year anniversary of the course.

Pebble Beach Co. President David Stivers emphasized how much larger the U.S. Open is in scope to the annual AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with over 220,000 spectators expected for the week and roughly 40,000 a day on one golf course.

In reality, Perocchi noted all of the planning and preparation for the upcoming Open began long ago.

“We started planning for this event the day after (the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble) was over,” he said, noting that executive RJ Harper, who was instrumental in golf operations at Pebble Beach before dying in 2017, would be the 2019 U.S. Open’s honorary chairman.

Now, with approximately four and a half months to go, Stivers points out the resort’s recent and current undertakings, which include the building of venue infrastructure and sales and marketing efforts.

“They’re subtle improvements,” said Stivers, noting that last November, the process to make the course’s fairways approximately 30 percent narrower also began. Archival photographs were used to gather information about what the course looked like back in the 1920s and ’30s while state-of-the-art techniques were also used to refine the course to specifications of the USGA, which oversees the tournament.

Stivers said the USGA wants to bring the ocean into play more, so there will be very little rough along the cliff’s edge.

“For this golf course, it’s a tough challenge already – the average green is 3,500 square feet – some of the smallest greens they’re going to play in a given year so there’s really not a whole lot more we can do for the world’s best players,” said Eric Steimer, senior manager of U.S. Open Championships.

Steimer is part of “the boots on the ground” team of five who have worked with Pebble Beach on what will go on “outside the rope lines.” That includes working with law enforcement and other agencies to try to control the impact of the event on local residents.

Needed infrastructure build-out (tents and grandstands) will start in March at the Peter Hay Golf Course and then be transported to Pebble Beach Golf Links for the event – what Steimer said is a seven-day build-out process to get the vendors on site.

“In earnest, it all begins three months before the Championship,” he said.

Stivers said the number of grandstands will basically be the same as in 2010.

Parking will once again be at CSU Monterey Bay on the site of the former Fort Ord property with visitors bused in while the cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel are expected to offer their own shuttle services. The U.S. Open is expected to fill up most hotels in the community.

June’s U.S. Open corporate hospitality presence will be different than in 2010.

The Trophy Club, a main vendor that’s associated with an upgraded ticket featuring an air-conditioned sports bar-like setting and indoor/outdoor patio will be located between the second and third fairways, a short walk from the 17th and 18th holes. In 2010, it was located on the Peter Hay Golf Course, which company officials determined was too far away from the golfing action.

More venues have been added because of the greater interest from businesses. In 2010, many were suffering from the recession.

Stivers explained that in these final days leading up to the event the emphasis is on sales and the different ticket packages available at usga.org. Steimer, in particular, noted the Centennial Club, an all-inclusive ticket providing fans access to the championship grounds and the Lodge at Pebble Beach in celebration of the resort’s 100th anniversary.

While Stivers recognized the dedicated team of about eight employees spending 100 percent of their time just on U.S. Open preparations, he also noted the 750 temporary employees hired on for the Open week and the 5,500 volunteers who do everything from managing concessions to helping in retail endeavors and directing traffic. Currently, there’s a volunteer waiting list.

“Both for the AT&T and U.S. Open, those events couldn’t be put on without the generous support of all the volunteers,” said Stivers, noting that many travel from all around the country to participate. “It’s a critical part,” he said looking back to prior championship tournaments. There have been 78 USGA Championships at Pebble Beach, with more on the horizon. Scheduled in 2023 is the U.S. Women’s Open Championship and in 2027, another U.S. Open Championship.

Pebble Beach had hosted the tournament in 2010, 2000, 1992, 1982 and 1972.

Graeme McDowell shot even par to win the U.S. Open the last time it was in Pebble Beach in 2010. Brooks Koepka won the 2018 U.S Open at  Shinnecock Hills on Long Island shooting 1-over par.

Steimer predicts this year’s U.S. Open winner — Koepka is going for his third straight title — will be a player with the mental and physical resolve to not get lost in Pebble Beach’s picturesque setting, which often presents its share of weather-related elements. In 2000, the tournament dealt with fog delays.

He also noted that historically the Open has infused over $120 million into the regional economy.

“Right now, we’re forecasting with the Pebble Beach model close to $170 million in economic impact,” said Steimer. “For us, that’s pretty significant.”

Besides that, both Pebble Beach and USGA management intend for the event to be extra memorable in light of the iconic course’s Centennial landmark.

“People coming to the Championship – they’re going to know its Pebble Beach’s birthday,” said Steimer, noting that those marketing efforts are in the works now and that it was in 2000 that Pebble Beach, in turn, helped the USGA hold their 100th U.S. Open Championship.

“To be able to tell that story and the history of Pebble Beach is what it means to reciprocate,” he said.

If you’re looking to purchase a second home and have your sights set on Monterey Peninsula, you should know that there is an abundance of options here that many are unaware of.

The first thing the Monterey Peninsula Home team will do for you as a buyer looking in our area is drive you around the neighborhoods.

Pacific Grove, for example, has three areas within it that are all radically different from each other:

• The Old Retreat—Near the downtown area, the Old Retreat has the most Victorian homes per capita than any other city in America.
• Asilomar—This area sports huge lots.
• Beach Track—This area has one of the most beautiful stretches of coastlines on the peninsula
  
  

Carmel is similar to Pacific Grove in that respect. Everyone thinks they want to live in the Golden Rectangle area of Carmel until they realize that it’s very expensive and the homes are relatively small. Carmel Point affords homebuyers more privacy, as it’s set away from much of the summer traffic the area is likely to get.

Secondly, we can have a discussion about property taxes. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you feel about it, property taxes are really very simple in Monterey Peninsula. Currently, the property tax is at 1.25% of the sales price of the home, and unless Proposition 13 is modified, no community will change that rate.

To live in Monterey Peninsula, you’ll need to think about the lifestyle you want to lead. Even just within the peninsula, there are microclimates. Depending on where you are during the summer, you might expect the beach areas to be sunny and warm, but it actually might more often be foggy and cool. This may be a good or a bad thing for you—we often get buyers from hot areas coming here to escape the heat, but many people come with the expectation of sunny beaches and are soon disappointed.

Additionally, think about your preferences for travel. If you’re a fan of being able to walk around and enjoy the downtown area, you’ll want to choose an area close by. Other areas with larger lots may suit your style better, but they’ll be some distance away from downtown, so you’ll need to drive.

The variability of Monterey Peninsula is one of its greatest charms, but it also means that you’ll need to take a number of things into consideration before buying a home here. That’s why we invite you to come out and take a tour with us; we can show you around before you begin your in-depth search for a home and tell you about certain factors that will help you make a good decision about where to buy.

If you have any questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d be glad to hear from you.

With the AT&T Celebrity Pro-Am was again upon us, it seems fitting to look at the young up-and-coming golfers that have dreams of someday playing in the tournament themselves.

That’s why after 24 years as the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association’s executive director, it’s also appropriate to acknowledge the recent retirement of Linda Tunney. 

The announcement was made inadvertently at a recent reception dinner and awards ceremony that took place at Monterey Peninsula Country Club celebrating 30 years of junior golf. The event, which also served as a fundraiser in conjunction with the TaylorMade Pebble Beach Invitational, honored CBS Sports commentator Jim Nantz as 2018’s golf ambassador of the year and Brad Cursio as PGA golf professional of the year.

It was also Tunney’s last big event serving as the association’s executive director.

Tunney, 75,  said it was time for her to spend more time with her family and to devote efforts to her campaign to raise awareness and funds associated with Parkinson’s disease. Tunney’s daughter has early onset of Parkinson’s disease.

Tunney, who is the wife of former National Football League official Jim Tunney, was first hired part-time by Pebble Beach Academy Director of Instruction Laird Smith in 1995 to work for the local nonprofit organization. It was created in 1988 to introduce the game of golf to young people between the ages of 6 and 17 who live and attend school in Monterey County. Since its inception, the association has gained approximately 1,300 junior golfers who have benefited from the various activities and scholarships it offers.

She said the program has been a meaningful and huge part of her life as she’s watched and been part of the lives of hundreds of junior golfers helping them develop their golf skills and personal characteristics for almost 24 years. 

“The most important thing is watching the children go through the program and a lot of them receive scholarships, go on to college and even become pros. So it goes full circle,” she said. 

PGA professional Justin Russo, who founded the Justin Russo Golf Academy in 2014 and was the first recipient of the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf scholarship of $5,000 in 1993, said that if it weren’t for her influence, he wouldn’t be in the profession. 

“She was very active in introducing me to the local professionals like RJ Harper and producing a bond that facilitated what I do today,” he said.

Today, the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association has six scholarships including the RJ Harper Memorial Scholarship, the Payne Stewart Memorial Scholarship and the Johnny Miller Memorial Scholarship.

During Tunney’s tenure, nearly $1 million in scholarship money has been granted. She was inducted into the Northern California PGA Hall of Fame with the Jim Langley Award for professionalism and leadership.

Marc Pritchard, president of the association’s board of directors, credited the Tunneys with an ability to get support for the program from the heavy hitters in the community.

“It’s their absolute commitment to this area and the kids. What they do is out of the goodness of their hearts and desire to make sure the kids in this area have a chance to go into golf,” he said.

Pritchard noted the numerous kids who have gone on to play golf in college because of the scholarships that are given out.

“Last year, one student played golf at Harvard, another at Brown and the year before, one at another Ivy League school. It’s phenomenal what we get with these folks,” said Pritchard. 

“Linda Tunney is just a caring and giving, wonderful person,” added Russo. “She and her husband have been great ambassadors for junior golf.”

Said Tunney, “I have to pinch myself when I think about how grateful I am to have had a career with this outstanding organization. It’s been a labor of love of which I’ve always been proud to be a part of.”

Marking its 16th anniversary, the group behind the banter of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am’s Club 15 remains committed to the steadfast fight against cancer.

For the Club’s members and the raucous fans staked out between Pebble Beach’s 14th hole and the 15th tee, come rain or shine their event continues to bring out a sizable crowd every year.

“It’s special because despite possible complications or weather conditions the same core group shows up and is not afraid of a little water,” said Steve Kasper, one of the group’s founders. “And somehow, every time the sun comes out.”

That was the case Saturday, at least until about noon when the raindrops made an appearance as they had on both Thursday and Friday, with Friday’s play suspended early due to weather.

Willi Franz, who is part of the core group that Kasper referred to, explained the group’s intent to raise and donate money to the Cancer Foundation. Franz lost his wife Debbie to breast cancer three years ago. “This is the one time a year we all get together and see people we haven’t seen all year,” said Franz. “It’s a hoot.”

This year, breast cancer was specifically focused on with the Club 15 ball caps available in pink and black, the colors of “breast cancer awareness.” The money raised from the sale of the Club’s paraphernalia goes back to the cause. 

“It’s a cause close to our heart,” said Natasha DiPretoro, administrator for the group. 

DiPretoro’s father was diagnosed with brain cancer this year. Her best friend Heather MacRae, a Monterey native, died from liver and spine cancer at the age of 40 last summer. A well-known Peninsula resident, she had won the LLS (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) “Woman of the Year” award for raising awareness for the disease.

“She had wanted to come out with me to Club 15 this year,” noted DiPretoro. “Unfortunately she didn’t get the chance.”

It was 16 years ago that Kasper along with Scott Larson and Larson’s brother Ted, founded Club 15 at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Ted Larson later passed away from cancer in 2014. As Scott Larson explained, so many in the group have had loved ones affected by the disease. Since its beginning, Kasper’s father passed away from it, as did Larson’s mom’s best friend. 

“Every year it’s affecting another one of our members,” he said.  

Club 15 continues to evolve while still representing the overarching cause of “Stand Up to Cancer.” Larson said they’re working toward getting an official 501(c)(3) status so Pebble Beach can match the funds they earn on their own. 

“Remember this is 16 years old – we were dumb when we started,” quipped Larson, revealing that once they witnessed Club 15’s popularity grow they couldn’t help but 

wonder where the group’s popularity would lead.

“We are tour-sponsored but not an official fund-raising group with the tournament,” he explained while noting the incredible support that they’ve received from Steve John, CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am tour director. 

Larson said now the members would like to be hand-in-hand with the tournament. “We want to try to make this thing a real part of the tournament for whatever charities we’re looking to support and do,” he said, noting that next year the club’s founders hope to incorporate a benefit concert. 

While the initial group that shows up can start out with a few, as the day progresses, spectators seem to gravitate toward the spirited cheers at Club 15.

Some years as many as 800 have gathered. 

It can’t hurt that it’s where the level of interaction between fans, celebrities and amateur players is as close as it can get. And while it’s never been the intent of Club 15 founders to imitate the antics that go on at the 16th hole during the Phoenix Open held a week earlier, it’s always about professionally supporting the amateurs. The official protocol includes asking the golfers teeing off whether they want to be cheered on or not. 

On Saturday, actor Greg Kinnear wanted anything but silence as he asked for even louder encouragement and said, “I need all the support I can get.” That’s after he sprinted to the Club 15 couch, sprawled out on it and inquired, “Do you do therapy here too?” 

Kinnear was golfing with pro Seth Reeves and arrived after Condoleezza Rice made an appearance diligently choosing tees from the Club 15 giant-size wine glass. Charles Schwab also stopped by. The financial executive/philanthropist asked Larson in a serious tone what membership in Club 15 required.

“You just show up,” quipped Larson. After teeing off, Schwab kissed his black Club 15 cap.  

Later, Andy Garcia, Chris O’Donnell and Bill Murray were amongst the other celebrities making an appearance with both amateurs and professionals. 

Last year, quarterback Aaron Rogers and wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald took a load off when they hung out on the warm black leather couch for a bit. 

“The Great One” Wayne Gretzky sauntered right over to the sofa and took a seat – a move that surprised many. He sat for a while as his teammates Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Country music artist Jake Owen took their shots before he signed a Club 15 T-shirt. 

Likely not all of them were as lucky as player Pascal Grizot this year. The PGA’s of Europe Honorary President, Pascal was paired with pro Tommy Fleetwood and twosome Russell Henley and Antoine Arnault, the CEO of French Menswear Company Berluti.

Grizot got his sore shoulders rubbed by DiPretoro while taking a break on the Club 15 couch.

DiPretoro was happy to do it, still amazed at the fact that it wasn’t raining. 

“It always shines on us,” said DiPretoro, about the sunny weather. “Every year we get lucky and the sun shines on Club 15.”

Pebble Beach is home to some of the worlds finest luxury real estate including Golf Course Homes for sale and Ocean View Homes for sale.

Search all ocean view homes for sale in Pebble Beach, CA

Listing Details:

• 4080 Los Altos Drive, Pebble Beach CA 93953
• $1.150,000
• MLS# coming soon
• Bedrooms: 3 plus Guest Suite or Bonus Room
• Bathrooms: 3
• Square feet: 2721 sq ft (Third Party)
• 2 Car Garage
• 2 Car Carport with Circular Drive Through

Contact Mark Bruno or Jeff Davi with the Monterey Peninsula Home Team to see if this property is still available and to set up an appointment to view it (831) 313-2289.

Pebble Beach, CA Home for Sale in the Upper Forest

You are going to love this classic Pebble Beach home for sale located on a quiet street in the Upper part of the Pebble Beach Forest. First time on the market since 1975, this comfortably sized 3-bedroom, 3 bath home has a lot to offer its new owner.  

The main level of the home has a spacious living room with 15-foot open-beamed ceilings, a fireplace, and floor to ceiling windows looking out on the Monterey Pines of enchanting Del Monte Forest. There is a nice sized deck accessed through sliding glass doors. The dining area is huge with a large window seat.  The kitchen has tons of counter space and cabinets plus an eat-in counter/breakfast nook.  Also on the main level is the master bedroom and bath.  Both private and spacious. Finally, the main level also has a laundry room.

When you approach the lower level of this Pebble Beach home, you will notice an oversized hallway leading to two more nice sized bedrooms and a hall bathroom. At the end of the hall is a family room or if you prefer, a guest suite.  The guest suite has a small kitchenette and a full bathroom.

Other unique features of 4080 Los Altos Drive in Pebble Beach is the circle driveway that passes through a large carport.  In addition, there is a 2-car garage.

Pebble Beach Upper Forest Neighborhood

Pebble Beach's Upper Forest Neighborhood is located at the top of Huckleberry Hill and is the easternmost neighborhood in Pebble Beach. The Upper Forest is located to the north and slightly west of the Hwy 1 Gate into Pebble Beach and gets the most sunshine of all of Pebble Beach due to the coastal fog burning off here first. This neighborhood is known for its scenic views of the Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay, Point Lobos, and Carmel Bay. There is some amazing ocean view real estate in this neighborhood due to its unique vantage point.  Read more about Pebble Beach’s Upper Forest Neighborhood.

About Pebble Beach Luxury Real Estate

Pebble Beach is synonymous with luxury and I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you that Pebble Beach is full of luxury real estate.  To some people, Oceanfront real estate is the epitome of luxury living while others prefer a Pebble Beach Golf Course home with ocean views in the background.  It is hard to argue whether Pebble Beach Ocean Front Real Estate is more luxurious than Pebble Beach Golf Course Real Estate when they both are incredible pieces of luxury real estate

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The trail to McWay Falls, an iconic waterfall viewed by tens of thousands of visitors each month in Big Sur’s Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, is getting revamped.

California State Parks officials recently announced they have undertaken a resource protection project at the park in an effort to improve public safety and protection of the natural and cultural resources surrounding the popular waterfall. Increased visitation to the park has resulted in erosion along Highway 1 as visitors seek access to the Waterfall Overlook Trail. Traffic and stormwater runoff has also destabilized about 500 feet of coastal bluff above the falls on the west side of the highway. 

Jeff Frey, environmental scientist for California State Parks, Monterey District, said that because of the increase in usage of the park and unauthorized access and damage to its sensitive natural and cultural resources, new fencing and new signage is being installed. Both will guide visitors to the safest parking locations from which the Waterfall Overlook Trail can be accessed. About a half mile of the trail is also being rehabilitated by de-compacting the soil and planting native vegetation in order to return the area to its natural state. A home that was there in the late 1930s to the 1960s brought with it non-native trees and vegetation to the area.

“In the past, the whole area was coastal shrub vegetation,” said Frey, about that kind of vegetation that is lower growing and closer to the ocean and is trying to be restored there. “In addition to that, when fires come through areas, a lot of times the non-native vegetation that was being suppressed by native vegetation is able to gain a foothold.”

The project, which officially began in early November, is expected to be completed by March.

The McWay Falls resource protection project is one of a number of ongoing efforts to repair damage in Big Sur caused by fire, rain and increased visitation. A Park’s trail team has been working to repair and re-open the extensive trail system on the east side of Highway 1. Additionally, the parking lot at the main entrance of the park is slated for realignment, which will improve the accessibility of the restroom and picnic areas.

“Several parks in Big Sur that have been damaged by the last two major fires – the Basin and the Soberanes – and because of those, a lot of our trail systems have been damaged. said Fry. “In some cases it’s the trails and in other cases it’s the structures on the trails like stairwells and retaining walls.”

He also noted that for the last 10 years park officials have had problems with an increasing number of visitors accessing an off-limits beach in the park by way of steep cliffs. They’re now taking measures to prevent that.

“In the process, they’ve increased coastal erosion, caused vegetation damage and have endangered themselves and caused expensive and time-consuming rescues,” said Frey. “So for all those reasons we’re trying to decrease the number of visitors that try to gain access to this beach below the falls.”

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park is located on Highway 1 approximately 40 miles south of Monterey. It encompasses more than 2,000 acres of land ranging from the Big Sur coastline to the nearby ridges of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Donated to the California State Park system in 1962, the park was named after a respected pioneer woman of the Big Sur country.

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Today we’ll be going over our market predictions for 2019 and why you should consider buying soon.

There’s been a lot of talk about an upcoming market shift, but you know what? We think the California market shift has already begun. We spoke in 2018 about how the Monterey Peninsula area was showing signs of shifting, and that looks to be the case now. Throughout 2019, we’ll see the market shift from a seller’s market to one that favors buyers.

We’re seeing signs of a balanced market in most California cities, and some have already shifted into a buyer’s market. However, some are still strong seller’s markets.

There are always people here looking to buy, but when there aren’t a lot of choices, sellers have the control. However, when there’s a lot of inventory, buyers gain the control. The days where sellers can price their homes for whatever they want are gone. You want to begin pricing your home more competitively.

If you’ve been waiting for the peak of our seller’s market before you list your home, you don’t need to wait any longer. We believe we’re in the peak now.

If you’re ready to sell your home, have any questions, or need more information, feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Pebble Beach resident and real estate broker Ed Ciliberti purchased the train car and longtime fixture along the Recreation Trail back in April for $27,000. But after acquiring and consulting with Monterey city officials on the new lease and its deed restrictions, he learned the lease would require the approval of more than just Monterey. It would also need the consent of the Pacific Grove City Council and the Board of Directors of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District for any commercial use. 

Weighing a hefty 20 tons, the steel car with wood exterior siding was built in 1916 as an outside braced boxcar and converted into a caboose circa 1940. It sits on property leased from the city and is located between Prescott and Hoffman avenues and adjacent to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s new Center for Ocean Education and Leadership.

Ciliberti purchased the caboose with the expectation to not only keep and maintain the Cannery Row piece of history but to also run an antique and collectibles business out of it as the previous owners Debbie and Randy Reinstedt did. He paid approximately $15,000 for the railroad memorabilia inventory owned by the Reinstedts.

He has also had the caboose’s original 102-year-old roof restored by Noble Pride Roofing Company, which he said cost $5,000 although the company donated the labor costs.

Additionally, he paid the Reinstedts separately for the original porcelain sign that was on the original boxcar/caboose that says “Western Pacific” and “Feather River Route” in its circular middle. Because of its history and monetary value he will keep it on display but will attach a new porcelain sign on the caboose’s exterior after the train car receives a new coat of deeper red paint. The original sign is worth in excess of $10,000 to $15,000.

So far the city of Monterey has approved the lease and given permission to the new owner of the Western Pacific Wood Caboose #641, as it’s officially known, to open the commercial space. The five-year ground lease will cost $469 per month, almost $200 more than the previous lessees.

Janna Aldrete, property manager of the city’s commercial leasing and property management department, said a new fair market analysis was done when explaining the rise in cost.

While Ciliberti is still waiting, he expects permission from Pacific Grove and the Park District to come because support behind the preservation of the historic piece is so strong.

He described the city of Monterey as being “terrific” to deal with and that the Cannery Row Foundation has also been very supportive.

Upon his passing, Ciliberti has offered to donate the historical caboose to the Foundation.

“I’m doing that because I know it will stay where it belongs,” said Ciliberti.