Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever we do, our favorites involve getting outdoors and mixing up our landscaping features.

Whether it's as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming like re-plotting plants, a fresh look for the lawn always gives your home a fresh look as well. Here are our top five easy landscaping projects!

Create a pathway.

To guide you and visitors throughout your yard and link different areas together, install a pathway. You can use materials from a variety of materials, including reclaimed pallet wood, flagstones, gravel, and more to add texture and color.

Add a wall or border.

Installing a flagstone, rock, or brick wall around flower beds or trees adds a sleek, clean look to your…

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The Festival of Whales is returning again this year, making it the 49th anniversary of this family fun event. The Festival celebrates the return of the migratory gray whale to our coastal waters. Spring brings many other types of marine life to our waters, making it the perfect time to see nature’s splendor on the sea. The Festival takes place during the first two weekends in March every year, and here's a highlight of the most famous events that are fun for the whole family.

  • When: March 7-8th and 14-15th
  • Where: several locations in Dana Point - mostly the Harbor

Our First weekend favorites activities include:

  • Annual Parade:

The Parade kicks off the two-weekend celebration of the California Grey Whale migration. The parade…

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Happy Chinese New Year 2020!

Also called Lunar New Year - this Chinese festival celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The festival - also called Spring Festival in mainland China- is also one of several Lunar New Years in Asia. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February. In 2020, the first day of the Chinese New Year will be on Saturday, 25 January, initiating the Year of the Rat.

Celebrations around us!

The celebration of Chinese New Year is a festive, colorful, loud, and incredibly fun holiday to enjoy, even if you aren’t Chinese. So, check out this list of the Best Lunar New Year Celebrations in Southern Orange County and mark the special…

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This article is being reposted from the Washington Post, Real Estate section on Jan. 6, 2020 by Kathy Orton.

Experts predict what the 2020 housing market will bring

By  Kathy Orton  Jan. 6, 2020 at 10:05 a.m. PST

A strong job market and low mortgage rates should sustain the housing market in 2020. The problem will be finding enough homes for buyers.

With unemployment hovering at a 50-year low and interest rates well below historical norms, the real estate industry is being dragged down by scarcity in housing stock, especially at lower price ranges. Not enough homes are being built, and homeowners are staying put longer, creating a bottleneck.

Still, the market is on better footing…

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Is that time of the year and with this darker, rainy winter days, what a better excuse to get out of the house, run those errands that you are procrastinating, get the family a hot cocoa for the ride and look at Christmas Lights! Peeps in Orange County are very lucky with some famous neighborhoods always lit up and other annual lights traditions.  Here's a few ideas of what we have liked in the past:

1. Dana Point

Not only does Dana Point have their annual Boat Parade of Lights ( December 6-7th, and 13 - 14th), but also the Dana Point Harbor has a wonderful themed display with thousands of lights, giant light sculptures and pathways completely lit up. Our recommendation is to go there on one of the Boat Parades, park at the Harbor, walk around and…

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Yes, you've heard it right! A brand new event JUST FOR DOGS in the city of San Clemente is coming up this Saturday.

  • When: Saturday November 23rd at 10am
  • Where: Olen Hanson Beach Club in San Clemente ( pool)
  • What: Doggie Dive!

 

Bring your dog, with proof of license and rabies vaccination and literally unleash the fun for them at the Ole Hanson Beach Club, and let them swim at the pool! This is a one last event at this pool before the city closes it for winter maintenance. Dogs will rule the pool!

Also there's a dog costume contest at 10am, tennis balls at the pool, and eat a tasty treat at the Doggie Pie Eating Contest at 11:45am. All participants enjoy prizes and get a goodie bag. Humans are free, dogs are $2 each.

For more…

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A super fun tradition in Dana Point and very famous around Orange County is right around the corner! Register for the Dana Point Turkey Trot and give yourself two reasons to exercise on Turkey Day: more room for your turkey and give a donation to local charities while participating!

The race course is on flat course alongside Dana Point's Harbor, and has been listed as “One of America’s best Thanksgiving Day runs” by Fitness Magazine and named one of the top 3 destinations in the world for Thanksgiving by Fodor’s Travel. 

 Races:

  • 10K - 7:00AM: $49 pp
  • 5K - 8:30am: $44 pp( ages 4 and over)
  • 5K - 9:30am: $44 pp
  • Combo 5K & 10K : $62 pp
  • Kids Gobble Wobble (1 Mile) - 10:15AM :$22
  • Virtual Runner :$35

Note - regular registration…

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Registration is open for all the Turkey Trots around us. What a better start of Thanksgiving Day, than some empowering run that will leave you with some extra room for the delicious Thanksgiving delicacies. 

First and foremost it's the Dana Point Turkey Trot, but if you feel like going to a smaller one, there's several other options. All these turkey trots happen on Thanksgiving Day - Thursday November 28th - times vary. Here we go:

1. Dana Point Turkey Trot :  this one goes through the Harbor in Dana Point. This flat - scenic race features a 10k, 5k and Kids Gobble Wobble.  Prices below - according to their site, they will increase November 25th.  All participants will receive a shirt and medal.  Chip timing is available for the 10K and both 5K…

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The city of San Clemente has many events for the whole family this October 2019 - Fall and Halloween ones that have a very small fee to attend.

Playschool Harvest Festival:

This one is for kids ages 3-5 and you must register before attending. Wear your costume! Children will be invited to decorate pumpkins, participate in carnival booth games, enjoy festive arts and crafts, march in a costume parade and more. 

  • When : Friday, October 18
  • Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Where: Tierra Grande Park
  • Fee: $15

Spooky San Clemente!

This is the 3rd Annual Event of this kind! Have a spooktacular time at the Spooky San Clemente event. Presale wristbands available for purchase online to be picked up at will call on the day of the event.…

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Are you looking for fun events this weekend? There's two events happening this weekend in Dana Point and San Clemente - so read below  and head over to one of them - maybe both! 

Dana Point Lobster Fest:

The Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club's Annual Lobster Fest Fundraiser is on Saturday October 12th at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. Doesn't get better than a Lobster & Steak dinner at the beach! They will have live bands, dancing and casino gaming tables. All proceeds support our communities charities. Come and enjoy the evening, and make a positive difference! More information and Tickets: www.monarchbeachsunriserotary.org

  • When:  Saturday October 12th 2019
  • Where: Doheny State Beach
  • Time: 4pm - to 9pm

 

San Clemente…

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