San Diego Condos, Homes and Real Estate News

We all know that a good credit score is helpful, if not necessary to get a mortgage, or buy a car in San Diego.  Your credit score will also determine the interest rate you have to pay. 

Read Also:  How To Qualify For A Mortgage: San Diego

What factors go into figuring a credit score?

• Have you Established Credit?  Paying case is often construed to be the act responsible consumer, by doing so you establish no history for a mortgage lender to examine.  One way to establish credit is to get credit cards and use them - you can, and should, pay them off every month and on time.  A credit score considers the number of creditors as well as payment history. 

Read Also:  Don't buy into those clean credit scams

• Prompt Payment of Financial Obligations.  This is very important, but you should know that this accounts for only about a third of the total score.

• Amount of Available Credit.  Your credit score might be impacted by the number of credit cards you have, even if you never use them.  They indicate the amount of credit you have access to, thus opening up the chance of financial strain.

• Your Debt Ratio.  Lenders will consider this when you apply for a mortgage.  In spite of an excellent credit rating they will use this debt ratio to see if you can take on additional debt.

• Consolidation of Debt  Although this might make it easier to pay off debt and thus increase your credit score, the process of consolidation will have no effect on your credit score.

Before you approach a lending institution for a mortgage, know where you stand, and then regularly check your score so you can spot an error immediately and correct it.

San Diego Outlet Shopping

If you are looking for a great place to shop near your San Diego downtown condo, stop by The Shops at Las Americas. Located in San Diego, this is the largest fashion outlet within close proximity to the downtown are, with more than 125 stores and restaurants, and California's only Neiman Marcus Last Call!

Located just twenty minutes South of downtown, The Shops at Las Americas is a great place to go to enjoy discounted prices and a wide variety of stores including Neiman Marcus! Other shops include Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach Factory, and several terrific restaurants to choose from. Throughout the year, The Shops at Las Americas will hold sidewalk sales, offering you the opportunity to enjoy even more savings.

The Shops at Las Americas are particularly popular with families, due to the fact that there seems to be a store to please everyone.  One of the nicest features of this outlet center, besides the great prices, is the fact that everything is located within a large courtyard setting, with plenty of outdoor resting areas. Parents with young children and strollers find this to be very accommodating, as it allows for frequent rests between shops.

The Shops at Las Americas is located at:

4265 Camino de la Plaza, San Ysidro

Phone: 619-934-8400

US Marine Corps Toys for Tots

With Camp Pendleton right around the corner and the Marines Toys for Tots Program kicking off the holiday season with various drive, I thought you might be interested in learning a little about the history of the program and what you can do to get involved in a San Diego Toy Drive near you to help less fortunate children through this holiday season.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 in Los Angeles, CA., with the efforts of Major Bill Hendricks (USMCR) who, noticing there was no charity which distributed toys to deserving children during the traditional Christmas season, collected and distributed more than 5,000 toys to children in the Los Angeles area that first year.

Since then, the Toys for Tots Program has grown into a nationwide effort, coordinated by U.S. Marines, to help disadvantaged children learn the meaning of holiday giving through the gift of a new, unwrapped toy.

The Toys for Tots Program has grown significantly during the years with over 30 million toys distributed in the past four years alone. Over 231 million toys have been distributed to more than 116 million children since the program's inception.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SOUTH OF CARLSBAD (LA COSTA RD AND RANCHO SANTE FE RD ), ESCONDIDO AND HWY 78 EAST OF ESCONDIDO.

IF YOU ARE NORTH OF THIS BOUNDARY CONTACT GUNNERY SERGEANT ERIKSON AT MCB CAMP PENDLETON: (760) 725-8251, OR BY FAX: (760) 725-4706.

Bike Tour of Mt. Soledad, Pacific Beach, Sunny Jims Cave

Biking in San Diego is a favorite activity for locals. The best way to go sightseeing while on vacation in San Diego is to take our bike tour. There is a Freefall bike tour that is easy and stops at the best local places, and you have experienced guides to ehance your experience. But you don't have to be on vacation to take advantage of this incredible trip.

Here is the description from the tour information:

The La Jolla Freefall bike tour starts off as we transport equipment and participants to Mt. Soledad in our company Expedition. We will go over a basic bike lesson, make seat adjustments, and fit your helmet before beginning the bike tour. On Mt. Soledad, witness the breathtaking 360 degree view of San Diego and check out the War Memorial and controversial cross.

Then begin the thrilling descent into Pacific Beach; stop at Crystal Pier before cruising down Pacific Beach's Boardwalk. Bikers will stop at Mission Beach's rendition of the Green Flash before riding around Mission Bay. Bike the quaint back streets of La Jolla and stop to watch surfers at Windansea, a historic and well known surf spot.  Ride to Children's Pool for a close up view of the harbor seals and then on to La Jolla Cove, the Clam's Cave, and the short trail along Dead Man's bluff and Coast Walk.

This bike tour is about 2.5-3 hours and is mostly flat. Our biking tours in San Diego are designed for those who want to enjoy the outdoors while on vacation, or to experience our city in a new light. San Diego biking tours are an excellent way to visit and explore our unique coastal communities.

Tour Details:

• Tour Times:  10am, 1pm & 4pm
• Cost: $45
• Duration:  2-3 Hours
• Included Equipment:  bike, helmet, water bottle, snack bar, tour guide, locker and transportation to Mt. Soledad

December Nights Are A San Diego Downtown Holiday Tradition

With festivities in the heart of Balboa Park, December Nights is a San Diego tradition for over thirty years. Mark your calendars for December 5th and 6th. 

The festival features caroling, food, bands, choirs, crafts, shopping, light displays, music, theater and dance performances, as well as free admission to many park museums.   Click here for a free printable map.

•  The food  - in addition to seasonal treats at most museums, the largest food draw by far has been the ring of International Cottages, past the Spreckels Organ Pavilion toward the Aerospace Museum. From potato lefse tosausages, crepes to goulash, it pays to make the 25-cottage-plus ring of yum your first stop
• Bring cash as this event serves as a primary fundraiser for the cottages. Most items are $3 to $6, and lines get long as the dickens, but you don't want to lose that holiday spirit. Get there early and take a quick walk around to eyeball the menus and prices before laying down the bucks. Start with your favorites as they may not look as good with a long line later.
•  Parking can get pretty ugly coming and going. To enjoy this annual, one-of-a-kind San Diego tradition to the fullest, the best advice is to take advantage of one of the public transportation or shuttle options, or get there very early and enjoy the time with a stroll. If waiting in a seemingly endless line of traffic is your personal hell, leave a bit early, take a shuttle or plan ahead to wait until the traffic is long gone. If you park close by and don't end up waiting in an exit line, consider yourself very lucky.
• Free parking, shuttle service and valet
  Free parking with shuttle service is offered from the east side of the park from the San Diego City College lots and, on the west side, from the County Administration Building (1600 Pacific Highway). City College shuttles run from 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. County Administration shuttles run from 4:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Shuttles are not available from the Inspiration Point lot. Valet parking is available, but with tens of thousands of people flooding the park, it should be a challenge.
• Trolley to shuttle or bus to the park
  You may want to explore the trolley-to-shuttle route: Take the San Diego Trolley to the City College stop and walk a few blocks to 11th and A streets to catch the SD Transit shuttle #7. From North or South Park Blvd., take the SD Transit sus #7, then catch the Transit shuttle. Call MTS at (800) COMMUTE for the full range of public transportation options.
•  Lose the baggage
  Finally, organizers suggest leaving large purses, bags and backpacks at home, as these items will be subject to inspection and will not be allowed in most museums.

Getting around San Diego downtown is easy thanks to a multitude of available forms of transportation. Due to wonderful year round weather conditions, San Diego downtown is the perfect place to implement a pedestrian lifestyle. Use the following links to find a form of public transportation that is conveniently located near your San Diego downtown condo. Many San Diego downtown condo buildings offer subterranean parking, and some even offer private garages, which makes the perfect place to park your hybrid car. Regardless of which form of transportation you choose, the perfect option waits near your San Diego downtown condo.

Transportation in San Diego

Airlines

Airports

Auto Circles

Auto Parts and Accessories

Bicycle Shops

California Department of Motor Vehicles DMV

Car Repair

Limousines and Taxis

Motorcycle Dealers

New Car Dealers

• Acura Dealers 
• Aston Martin Dealers 
• Audi Dealers 
• Bentley Dealers
• BMW Dealers
• Cadillac Dealers
  
• Ferrari Dealers
• Hummer Dealers
• Jaguar Dealers
• Lamborghini Dealers
• Land Rover Dealers
• Lexus Dealers
• Mercedes Benz Dealers
• Porsche Dealers
• Rolls Royce Dealers
• Volvo Dealers

Public Transportation

Rental Cars

Scooters

Used Car Dealers

Visit The Museum Of Unnatural History Near Your Downtown San Diego Condos
Last week, while I had guests staying at one of my downtown San Diego condos, I was searching for an interesting venue to take them to. We were all very amused and intrigued by the Museum of Unnatural History. Did you know, that a little piece of Halloween and history lives year round in the Gaslamp District? Part educational, part sheer fun, the Museum of Unnatural History is a great time, especially in the evening after a dinner and a few cocktails!

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Earth Day Is April 22!

Downtown San Diego Earth Day celebrations grow larger each year. Earth Day, April 22, is the annual celebration of the environment and a time to assess the work still needed to protect the natural gifts of our planet. Downtown San Diego Earth Day has no central organizing force behind it though several nongovernmental organizations work to keep track of the thousands of local events in schools and parks that mark the day. Earth Day is observed around the world, although nowhere is it a national holiday. In the United States, it affirms that environmental awareness is part of the country's consciousness and that the idea of protecting the environment - once the province of a few conservationists - has moved from the extreme to the mainstream of American thought.  Below is a list of downtown San Diego Earth Day Events.

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The Top 10 Things To Do In Downtown San Diego

The reader polls are in, and here are the results for the top 10 things to do in San Diego. What makes these places the best? Visitors have agreed that these are places that helped create their fondest memories and photo opportunities!

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Downtown San Diego Party Spot

The Gerber Group, developers of internationally acclaimed restaurants, lounges and bars, introduces 2 exciting venues at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego: Moonstone Lounge and Sweetwater Saloon. Each embodies Gerber trademarks, fusing cutting-edge interiors, fashionable clientele and signature cocktails to create a setting of unparalleled style and flare.

The ambiance at Moonstone Lounge, the dramatic rooftop pool bar and lounge overlooking the Gaslamp Quarter, transforms throughout the day. A stylish oasis in the afternoon evolves into a vibrant evening nightspot. Private poolside cabanas feature lounge seating, flat screen TVs and mini bars. Sectional seating and opium beds flank the lounge's fire pits.

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The Westin Horton Plaza San Diego

The Westin offers a chic resting spot for visitors and locals alike. With it upscale, urban design and award winning restaurants, the Westin will please your senses and your appetite. Visitors love the fact that the Westin is located directly next door to the Horton Plaza Mall, offering an array of exciting shopping for all ages. Gaslamp Quarter is only a short walk away, where the shopping, dining, and entertainment options are endless. If you are planning to stay in one of the beautiful rooms at the Westin, the rates are very competitive, if not the best!

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Get To Know San Diego By Boat!

Getting to know San Diego is a never ending adventure, even for seasoned locals! There are plenty of interesting places to visit and land loving activities to participate in. I have found that one of the best ways to fall in love with San Diego is from the water. Visitors and residents alike have an opportunity to experience San Diego like never before, thanks to the folks at Seaforth Boat Rentals. Their reasonable rates and extensive services make San Diego boating a breeze.

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Confidential Was Voted The Best Bar and Lounge In Downtown San Diego

Local hunk and ex-Bachelor Andrew Firestone's name gets thrown around often as a major investor in this Gaslamp haunt, even though his face is rarely seen in the dining room. It makes no matter to downtown hipsters who come in droves to be seen at the stylish urban loft eatery complete with exposed brick walls and DJ booth upstairs. Red and blue hued lighting contrast with minimal white furnishings and industrial steel accents.

International tapas characterizes a menu of interesting small plates meant to be shared. Starters like soft pretzels with mustard seeds and jumbo sea scallop Adobo are served with style on an oversized spoon. The Coca-Cola braised short ribs arrive on a savory potato salad in a martini glass, and succulent Cuban shrimp is skewered on a stalk of sugar cane. Also popular are the Gourmet sliders and fresh assorted sorbets served in Chinese spoons for dessert.

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