Why not Alameda?

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Why not Alameda?

It’s Labor Day weekend! If you are planning to spend a nice and quiet getaway for the family,
why not try Alameda, California? Alameda is a hidden gem by the Bay area, filled with beautiful
beaches, hiking trails and curio shops lining the streets. From adventurous hikes to a quiet and
peaceful day at any of the museums, Alameda has something to offer for each member of the
family.

For the Family

Crown Memorial State Beach

This place was once known as the Coney Island of the West for a
now long-gone amusement park right beside its shores. But no matter, Crown Beach is a 2.5-
mile stretch of sandy beach where the family can hang out and just enjoy the sunny day and its
warm waters. The shoreline has a bike trail and the waterfront is a haven for windsurfers and
kiteboarders.

USS Hornet Museum

For those who enjoy the thrill of the action but have never had the
chance to serve, this is a good place to start. The USS Hornet Museum is housed inside an old
aircraft carrier that once served during WWII. The museum is open to everybody and even
offers overnight trips where guests can book ahead of time to experience the life of a ship’s
crew, down to sleeping in a ship’s bunk, to eating in the crew’s mess hall. Place your
reservations and stay up to date with different events of the museum by visiting their website.

Pacific Pinball Museum

If gaming nostalgia is your thing, this is the place for you. This
museum has over 100 fully restored pinball machines to choose from, with some set to free
play. This interactive museum offers the family that precious bonding moment as they explore
different eras with their corresponding pinball machines.

Where to Eat

Scolari’s

Famous for its stacked cheeseburgers, this Alameda institution has been serving
hungry families for decades. The fried chicken with Nashville hot sauce, pork belly with collard
greens and biscuits are the all-time best sellers.

Burma Superstar

This is a Bay area favorite. Aficionados swear by the tea leaf and rainbow
salads. Book your reservations early as this place gets easily packed.

Ole’s Waffle Shop

Order a homestyle breakfast with its signature waffles and enjoy the
company of regular patrons while being served by the friendly wait staff. This Alameda favorite
has been around since 1927. Retro feels all the way.

Cookiebar Creamery

Situated off the West End, this ice cream place offers the most
scrumptious ice cream cookies and sandwiches which are a sure-fire hit for the kids. While
there, check out their bestsellers, purple ube, Vietnamese coffee and 1606 (peppermint,
cookies and cream chunks and oreo)

Nightcap

Hangar 1 Vodka

This Alameda native pays homage to the city's history as a naval hub. Try the
limited edition Fog Point vodka or better yet, experience the thrill of distilling by enjoying a
guided tour of the 60,000-square-foot facility.

Faction Brewing 

“Come for the beer stay for the view” This place’s patio offers a majestic
vista of the San Francisco skyline. Try any of their 20 plus original brews.

There you have it folks, a taste of what Alameda has to offer. So if you’re looking for a place
where the family can bond this Labor Day weekend, why not Alameda?

Weekend Guide and Open House List | August 24 - 25

. ~ Your Satisfaction is My Success ~ #Izabella #luxuryrealestate #bayarea #luxury #realestate #milliondollarlisting

If you're looking for fun things to do, let our Weekend Guide help you find the best things happening this weekend in the East Bay Area!

HuLuv (Hula) Hoop Cardio Fitness Class

Sat, August 24, 2019 at 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Lake Merritt, 2250 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA

Join us for a high cardio waist training class! $5 off your first class with code WAISTHOOPING when booking online. Focuses include waist, lower body, and core engagement.

Music and Dance: Strengthening bonds through music & movement

Sat, August 24, 2019 at 9:00 AM

Hively: Tri-Valley Conference Room, 6601 Owens Drive, # 100 Pleasanton, CA

Rossana Alves, Early Childhood Educator from Lotus Bloom, joins Hively for a fun and interactive music and dance workshop for childcare providers. This workshop presents the basic structure of a children's dance class whose main focus is creating a space for families to dance and play together, enhancing their connection, communication, and bonding.

TriValley Community Harvest

Sat, August 24, 2019 at 10:00 AM

5800 Parkside Dr. Lot #2, Pleasanton, CA

We will harvest fresh backyard fruit for donation to local soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and the food bank. Typical harvests take about 3 hours and travel no more than 25 miles from the starting location. We will have all the necessary equipment, including buckets, picking-poles, ladders, clippers, and crates with us.

Bake & Sip Kids Edition!

Sat, August 24, 2019 at 12:00 PM 

Ne Ndoro, 4232 Martin Luther King Junior Way, Oakland, CA

Join us Saturday, August 24th, as Chef Baindu instructs basic piping techniques and cupcake decorating. We will be providing light snacks and Mocktails. Come in and enjoy our hands-on class for an afternoon of fun. Ages 5+. Parents are Welcome!

Just Dance Multi Style Showcase and Luau Dinner

Sun, August 25, 2019 at 12:00 PM

2500 Embarcadero. Oakland, CA 94606

Open to all styles of dance come and showcase your talents entry forms available from just Dance or just shoot an email to info@stiehlerdance.com

Yoga Meditation in Nature

Sun, August 25, 2019 at 8:00 AM

Pleasanton Tennis Park, 5801 Valley Avenue, Pleasanton CA

This is a free event for community members. The session includes stretches, breathwork or pranayama, and Meditation. Introduction to the Art of Livings SUDARSHAN KRIYA. Please bring a yoga mat if you have and a water bottle to stay hydrated. The session is at the basketball court of the tennis park that is at the intersection of Valley Ave and Paseo Santa Cruz.

FEATURED OPEN HOUSE 

729 Sweet Water dr., Danville, CA 94506

Sunday, August 25TH 1PM - 4PM

For price, features and more photos, click HERE.

60 BAY PARK TER., ALAMEDA, CA 94502

Sunday, August 25th 2PM - 4PM

For price, features and more photos, click HERE.

If you would like to set up a private viewing, please call me at (510) 506-2072

Here are the Open Houses happening this weekend in Alameda County

Saturday, August 24th

Sunday, August 25th

Didn't find what you're looking for? Visit my website for more listings. Click HERE.

5 Practical and Proven Tips for Successful First Time Home Buyers

. ~ Your Satisfaction is My Success ~ #Izabella #luxuryrealestate #bayarea #luxury #realestate #milliondollarlisting

5 Practical and Proven Tips for Successful First Time Home Buyers

By Izabella Lipetski

1. Know your worth. Let’s start off with the financials. If you must get a loan to buy your dream home, it is important that you get a preapproved loan amount that fits your budget. This will show any seller that you are a serious buyer and that you come prepared. Nothing scares off a seller more than a buyer whose financials are not in order. Besides, you will only have your heart broken if you look at houses and fall in love with one, only to find out that you can’t afford it.
   
2. Location, Location, Location. First time home buyers can sometimes get so fixated on the things they want in a house that they totally forget to consider the neighborhood where the house is located. Sure, the house has great curb appeal, has modern kitchen appliances, a crown molding you’ve only seen on TV, and a pool to boot. But is the neighborhood safe? How far are you from your place of work? How far are the kids from school? Or are there even good schools near the area? And here’s a deal-breaker, traffic. Selecting the right town is as important as having everything on your house wishlist. This is important not only for you but for the development of your family as well. After all, you can always make a renovation to your house if you want to improve on something but you cannot easily move house once you have committed to a neighborhood you hate. So it’s critical that the town where your dream house shares the same culture and values that you have. Find the perfect location for you here. 
   
3. Bigger is NOT always better. It’s easy to fall in love with the biggest house that you can afford. After all, the more space you have, the better it is for your family right? Wrong. It is also important to consider how big your family is right now or how big (or small) you want it to be. You don’t want a house that’s too big you hardly see each other anymore. And don’t forget to consider the effort (or the cost!) of cleaning a large house. Owning a house takes a lot of responsibility and making sure that they are kept clean and well-maintained is foremost among them. Find the house that’s best for you here. 
   
4. Nobody’s Perfect (And So Are Houses). You cannot find the “perfect” property. Not with a lot of variables like budget, location, and other must-haves. Looking for that perfect property will give you a wrong perception of how solid a property is and might cause you to pass up in the hope that something better comes along. What you need is to keep an open mind and see the potential of each house you visit. More often than not, a few tradeoffs will happen like not having a pool for that extra bedroom. 
   
5. Use Your Head (Not Your Heart). It is easy to get too attached and make a decision to buy a house based on what you feel. You “fell in love” with the place right? But what most first time home buyers forget is that buying a house is a major lifetime decision. Sure, your house is a place where you will build lifetime memories with your family. Sure, your house is a place where you put down your roots and prosper. There’s no harm in thinking that but do note that buying a house is also an investment. It involves your hard earned money AND money that you commit in the future for house repair, mortgage payment, taxes, insurance and association dues. The key here is to find a Real Estate Agent that you trust and who can provide you with the soundest advice and find you the most value for your money. Speaking of which…
   
6. Realtor Love. Your realtor can literally make or break your dream of owning your dream home. Start off by asking friends and family for referrals. You need a realtor you can trust. A good realtor is someone who has real knowledge of the area and has contacts with loan officers and real estate attorneys. But the most important trait your realtor must have is the ability to listen to your needs and fulfil what you are looking for. A good realtor will also help you until closing, a service above and beyond the sale. 

     

About the Author

     Izabella Lipetski is a premiere California licensed real estate agent with over 20 years experience. She has served over 200 clients with discretion, integrity, diligence and passion. You may reach her at the ff:

     Email: ilipetski@gmail.com

     Phone: (510) 506 2072

JULY 2019 Market Report

. ~ Your Satisfaction is My Success ~ #Izabella #luxuryrealestate #bayarea #luxury #realestate #milliondollarlisting

🏡 Buying or Selling Your Home? It's always a good idea to know more about what's going on in the market. 📊📈📉

Here's how the Real Estate Market performed last JULY 2019 for Pleasanton, Danville, Alameda, Oakland and San Ramon.

Thinking of buying or selling this year? 

When visiting isn't enough and you decide to make our beautiful area home, let me help you! From Single Family Homes, Condominiums, Luxury Houses and more, we are positive we can find the right home for you. Call or just text me at 510-506-2072 and let's get started!

Weekend Guide and Open House List | August 10 - 11

. ~ Your Satisfaction is My Success ~ #Izabella #luxuryrealestate #bayarea #luxury #realestate #milliondollarlisting

If you're looking for fun things to do, let our Weekend Guide help you find the best things happening this weekend in the East Bay Area!

Danville Area Community Harvest

Saturday, August 10th at 9AM

Danville Park & Ride, Sycamore Valley Road and Camino Ramon, Danville, CA 94526

Harvest fresh backyard fruit for donation to local soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters and the food bank. Typical harvests take about 3 hours and travel no more than 25 miles from the starting location. We will have all the necessary equipment, including buckets, picking-poles, ladders, clippers, and crates with us.

Free Outdoor Summer Concert

Saturday, August 10th at 6PM

Danville Town Green, 420 Front Street, Danville CA

Bring a blanket, a picnic, the whole family and enjoy a harmonious day of music and merriment at Danville’s Music in the Park. Sponsored by Danville as a special “thank you” to its residents, this free summer concert series offers a live performance against the scenic backdrop of the Town Green. I'll get there early to get a spot.

20th Annual Laurel StreetFair World Music Festival

Saturday, August 10th

35th Ave & MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619, USA

The Laurel Street Fair World Music Fest returns to Oakland’s Laurel District for it’s 20th Season! Rich with rhythms from around the globe and around the corner, the Laurel Street Fair is dedicated to celebrating our cultural roots, our community and the traditions that bring us together - reflecting all that is wonderfully and beautifully, Oakland.

Youth Outside's Community Hike: Celebrating Summer!

Sunday, August 11th at 11:15AM

Joaquin Miller Park, 10800 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94611

Youth Outside’s mission is to ensure that the lived experience of all youth is honored as part of the outdoor experience. We provide grantmaking, capacity-building and training to promote healthy lives and inspire future champions of the planet. Since 2013, Youth Outside has provided meaningful outdoor experiences for over 15,000 youth from historically underrepresented communities across northern and central California.

Alameda Mini Maker Faire 2019

Sunday, August 11th at 10AM

Alameda, CA

The Alameda Mini Maker Faire was born out of a desire to celebrate and support Alameda’s growing maker community. At this family-friendly event, makers, DIY enthusiasts, businesses, artists and crafters will showcase their work. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience interactive exhibits, meet other like-minded individuals, and be inspired by the creativity and innovation of the maker community in Alameda and beyond. The Alameda Mini Maker Faire will include hands-on exhibits of all shapes and sizes, art installations, live performance, workshops, and a selection of local food and beverage vendors.

FEATURED OPEN HOUSE

729 Sweet Water dr., Danville, CA 94506

Sunday, August 11th 1PM - 4PM

For price, features and more photos, click HERE.

If you would like to set up a private viewing, please call me at (510) 506-2072

Here are the Open Houses happening this weekend in Alameda County

Saturday, August 10th

Sunday, August 11th

Didn't find what you're looking for? Visit my website for more listings. Click HERE.