http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4uNu7EicIQ

While working this morning at RealtyV2 Headquarters I kept hearing a strange sound like a waterfall.  Finally curiosity overcame my work ethic and I went downstairs to see the following:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W9zTWXSlVo

Pioneer Lofts, which is a historic building, is 6 stores tall.  I talked with residents that were on the roof deck that stated the water was well above the building height.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbJQHTqwW-Q

Every year Operation Clean Sweep uses volunteers to clean up the San Diego Bay and tidelands. This year the focus will be in South Bay Bayside Park and South Bay Power plant in Chula Vista.  It is one of the largest environmental cleanup efforts on the west coast.  Volunteers are needed in all locations and you can sign up at this website.

More information can be found on the United Port of San Diego website including a list of locations and start times.  Click the image below to download a list of locations and times.

 In the annual clean-up, civilian and military divers locate debris on the bay’s surface. Volunteer boaters and equipment operators assist with hauling the trash out of the water and back to shore to be disposed of in dumpsters. While this is going on, civilian volunteers pick up trash from along San Diego Bay’s shoreline. The combined efforts result in a big reduction of trash and debris.

“Each year, dozens of divers and hundreds of civilian volunteers work together to improve the health of San Diego Bay,” said Scott Peters, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners. “The Port of San Diego, along with the San Diego Port Tenants Association, is extremely grateful to these volunteers for taking the time out of their weekends to join in this effort. This is truly a great example of community spirit.”

Although this year’s event spans the north and south areas of San Diego Bay, the focus is on the Chula Vista area. The main clean up sites are at Bayside Park and the South Bay Power Plant, both in Chula Vista.

Each volunteer will receive gloves, trash bags, and an operaton clean sweep t-shirt.  Following the cleanup at 11 a.m. there will be a after party at Bayside Park.  Entertainment will be provided by the Navy Band and prizes will be given out for the most unusual trash.  Last year it was the Navy with a 20 foot sail boat on the bottom of the bay.

According to the United Port of San Diego construction for Ruocco Park has been awarded to Ledcor Construction, Inc.  The park which is located near Seaport Village on West Harbor Drive & Pacific Highway is currently a parking lot and portions of a building known as Harbor Seafood Market.

Download Ruocco Park Concept PDF by clicking on the image below:

If you want to check out schools scores & parent opinions in the US, Great Schools is a good source.

In fact, I have used it on San Diego Lifestyle for some time.

Schools are very subjective and the best way to get a general feel for a particular school or district is by looking at parent ratings (opinions) and school scores (facts).  I have always advised clients this is a good place to start, but also go speak to the school in your district and contact the parent-teacher association.  It’s not appropriate or legal for real estate agents to weigh in on anything that is not factual.

If you would like more information there is an informative Q&A on “Agent Duties, what a real estate agent can and can’t do for you.”

Because of lawsuits, there are many other types of requests that smart real estate agents will not address. For example, where I work in California, there is no guarantee that homeowners who live within certain school districts will be able to enroll their children in that school. If a client asks me to find them a home in a particular school district, I will ask them to give me the boundaries for the search. I don’t supply the boundaries. I also explain that their children might not get accepted into the school of their choice. Guaranteeing a certain school district is not within the scope of my fiduciary duties to a client and could also be construed as a violation of Fair Housing.

With the GPS function in the iPhone you can locate any school nearby including elementary, middle, and high schools.  Once located you can view detailed reviews, ratings, and test scores.

Key features of the mobile version include Search the latest school information for more than 125,000 K-12 schools in the U.S., including public, public charter, and private schools.

• Search the latest school information for more than 125,000 K through 12 schools in the US, including public, public charter, and private schools.
• Map and compare schools for any city, based on your current location.
• Filter schools by public or private, grade level, or distance, GreatSchools Rating, Community Rating, or enrollment size.
• Browse parent reviews, recent test scores, and district information.
• Save schools to your personal list of favorites for quick retrieval later.
• Share school information with family and friends.

Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier Dedicated by Port of San Diego from Port of San Diego on Vimeo.

For those of you that have not seen the new Pavilion on Broadway Pier that opened in December 2011 check out this video.  Driving by the broadway pier doesn’t really give you any idea of how interesting this LEED certified building really is.

Some of the key points of the Broadway Pier Cruise-ship terminal are the following:

• It is a multi-use facility not only for the Cruise Ship industry but also for community events.
• The terminal will accommodate 2,600 passengers.
• LEED certified with photovoltaic system, reflective roof paint, and low flow toilets, urinals, and faucets.
•   52,000 square feet of space.
• Designed by Bermello Ajamil and Partners, Inc.
• Built by Jaynes Corporation.

Shore power, an electric system – known as cold ironing – is the process of switching from a ship’s onboard diesel power supply to shore-based electrical power, while at dock. This process greatly reduces polluting air emissions, from the ships since electricity from the grid is much cleaner than generating energy from diesel engines.

Shore power technology is just one of the initiatives the Port of San Diego has implemented to minimize its impact on the environment through its Green Port Program.

“Ships are our largest single source of air emissions and this project is going to significantly reduce those (harmful) emissions,” White said. “It’s going to be a huge benefit to the community.”

I have stocked up my coffee supply since the next 3 days will have mile long Starbuck’s lines.  Been working in the office all day at RealtyV2 World Headquarters and thought I would take a break and give you some pictures on the opening night of Comic Con.

Crossing over from The Gaslamp District on Harbor Drive towards the Convention Center.

For those that did not already know it was Comic Con, here was a bright reminder.

Foot traffic starting to slow down as the evening wears on.

Workers spent days putting up this huge signage on The Bayside Hilton with the Cornado Bridge in the background.

Really a bad day for the Hotel that had plumbing issues.

Blue hair seems very much in fashion this year.

I told you so….

Slithering down 5th Avenue in The Gaslamp.

View southwest from 38th Floor with Marriott, San Diego Bay,North Island, and Point Loma.

Some interesting homes for sale today on the downtown San Diego broker caravan.  One spectacular listing stood out in my mind which was two units combined in the Harbor Club towers in the Marina District of downtown.  Those that are familiar with Rancho Santa Fe and North County would recognize the unmistakable mark of Ken Ronchetti.  No expense was spared in the ultra-modern home in the sky.  The unit is listed for sale by Prudential California Realty – Neuman & Neuman team.  For more details and interior pictures see below:

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110035537 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.

8 spectacular luxury downtown condos for front row seats to 4th of July fireworks.

Everyone knows that downtown San Diego offers some of the best values in the US for luxury units located in homes high above the city.  Today I thought we would look at some that would offer you a front row seat on the San Diego Bay fireworks held each year.

The following units are located in the Harbor Club, Horizon, Grande, Electra, Bayside, and Sapphire Tower listed with various real estate brokers.  Prices range from the low million dollar range up to $5,500,000.  These listings are updated daily and if they don’t appear they have either gone sale pending or are off the market.

If you are following luxury downtown real estate please bookmark our 10 Top Downtown Listings which is updated daily to keep an eye out for what you’re looking for.

Compare these opportunities to Manhattan and you’ll soon discover what a value San Diego offers in it’s real estate prices.

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1325 Pacific Hwy 3302, San Diego, CA 92101 (MLS # 110035733)

BAYSIDE BY BOSA - Last spectacular SW corner Penthouse. Ultra Chic very spacious home with spectacular ocean, city and bay views in downtown San Diego! This Penthouse home spans the entire south side of Bayside. Enjoy panoramic views from every room, 2 large entertaining balconies, and the finest finishes including Viking, Miele, Snaidero Italian cabinetry, Caesarstone and California closets.

Property Type(s): Residential / All Other Attached, Residential / All

Last Updated	1/9/2012	Tract	Columbia
Year Built	2009	Community	Downtown
Garage Spaces	2.0	County	San Diego
Total Parking	2	Walk Score ®	91

Location

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

Listed with Pacific Shore Platinum

(view all details for MLS #110035733)

We're sorry, but we couldn't find MLS # 110035537 in our database. This property may be a new listing or possibly taken off the market. Please check back again.