Historic Warehouse For Sale in West Oakland

Location: Oakland, CA Once stables for Wells Fargo Bank, then a Cigar Factory, this 2 story masonry warehouse w/wood floors is currently divided into nonconforming spaces that have been used as artist studios for the last 30 years. Retrofit to minimum voluntary standards in 1994; 1 gas & electric meter for entire bldg, easement for 5 off street parking spaces in adjacent lot. Probate/requires court confirmation, needs work.

The Old Rossi Cigar Warehouse

This 12000 square foot commercial building has 2 floors, 5 parking spaces and is listing with Sara @ Red Oak Realty for $799,000.  This gorgeous  brick structure was purchased a few years back for over a $1million by a recording artist, who had dreams of building a sound studio, teaching children music, as well as living in this space.  Unfortunately, the previous owner passed away prematurely of cancer.  What can you make of her big dream?

Summer Field Trip - Paso Robles, California

The Bay Area is one of those places where you love to live.  If you grew up here, you stay here.  You might move away for college or a boyfriend, but chances are you will be back.  If you moved out here to attend schools such as Cal, you often decide to linger and plant roots here.  If you live in the Oakland or Berkeley area, here is a field trip for you.

The other month, I had the opportunity to drive down to Paso Robles. A small city nestled between the mountain range and beach in Central California. From my house, Paso Robles is a 3 hour drive, making this a great weekend adventure.

In 1857 this community  was a rest-stop for travelers of the Camino Real trail, and was known for its mineral hot springs. Now this community is part old time town with a strong sense of  yesteryear and part up and coming hip, foodie community. Paso Robles is known for it's wine country and a trip down here can be filled with great restaurants and wine tours.

In Paso Robles you can have steak and turkey nuts at F Mc Clintocks Saloon, to fine dining at Artisian Paso Robles a happening American restaurant featuring locally grown, sustainable food operated by brothers Chris and Michael Kobayashi. Chris Kobayashi was recently a semifinalist for Best Chef/Pacific by the James Beard Foundation.(www.ArtisanPasoRobles.com)  In regards to the turkey nuts, according to our server, these are fried reproductive organs of the chicken and no I am not Anthony Bourdain, so I did not try them. Sorry!

I asked Michael Kobayashi  to name a few of his favorite wineries for my readers, he named, L'Aventure, (www.aventurewine.com), Booker Winery, (www.bookerwines.com) and Linne Calodo, (www.linnecalodo.com).

When staying in Paso Robles  you can stay at the historic Paso Robles Inn, a hotel that was established in the late 1800's and in 1906 expanded to a luxury hotel complete with a hot spring bathhouse. Burned in 1940, was rebuilt, and is still in business.  Recently  Hotel Chevel Hotel opened, giving people luxe service in a boutique setting.

For a day trip, you can take the quick 45 minute drive from Paso Robles to Pismo Beach to view the Pacific Ocean and build sand castles.

Another reason to live in the Bay Area - we are close to dreamy destinations.

Deidre Joyner of The Oakland Berkeley Journal Gets National Attention!

Keith Pandolfi editor at This Old House contacted me a few months ago after he selected Oakland as one of the best cities to buy an old house in the United States. Keith wanted to know more about the various districts of Oakland, as he was looking for a great neighborhood for first time home buyers. I suggested Temescal, as many of my clients would love to live there. I am happy to say that the Temescal district of Oakland made it through to the July/August 2009 issue. ...and I am happy to say, I was sourced and thanked!

West Oakland Edible Garden

Artists Jo and Leah used their creativity and vision to create an urban oasis in their West Oakland home.  When I showed them their home four years ago they saw past the cigarette stained walls and 70's wood paneling and put an offer in.  The first thing they did was refinished the hardwood floors, re-plastered the walls and installed a working bathroom.  Later they created an edible garden in the backyard complete with raised garden beds, tomatoes, corn, strawberries, an apple tree grafted with four varieties of apples and peas. When a friend was about to rid their garden of a pluot tree, they rescued the tree and reap the benefits with annual bowls of sweet fruit.  In between the fruits, vegetables and herbs are poppies and other flowers.  In Jo's spare time you will see him re-seeding poppies and nurturing his plants.

Pluots a few weeks away from being ripe.

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Temescal Outing, Oakland

A few weeks back I was invited to the Spring Serrahna fashion show that was being held at Tanjia's restaurant in the Temescal District of Oakland.  I have to admit I had never heard of this Moroccan eatery, but I was down for something new.  From the humble exterior one would never know how grand the interior is.  As I entered into the shadowy candle-lit dining room, I was amazed by the tented room draped with rich fabrics.  It was as if I walked into a scene of a novel.  I was taken to a dining table about the height of my living room  coffee table and was seated on a leather pillow.  The atmosphere was cozy and relaxed and I was entertained by fantastic Moroccan music and models who were showcasing the clothes of Andrea Serrahn.  I had an scrumptious order of lamb brochette with spices that permeated through the meat.  Just when I thought my entertainment was over, I was charmed by belly dancing.  I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and the best part, was the 10 minute drive from Tanjia to my bed.  Serrahna is a Rockridge clothing boutique that features contemporary clothing made from India textiles and are made for REAL women.  (I love how Andrea had her clients showcase her designs!)  serrahna.com and tanjias.com