by Jeff Pittman | Jun 22, 2015 | So Cal Cities
Unwrapping Orange County’s Most Decadent Chocolate Shops If your sweet tooth has a penchant for chocolate then it’s time to you clued into the highest quality chocolate shops right here in Orange County. Whether you’re in need of a sweet fix yourself or are on the hunt for the perfect gift, a trip to one of these chocolatiers is a must. From delightful drinks to pure chocolate straight from the bean, these shops are the best in town. Chocolates and coffee go hand in hand so most of the shops on this list also have a coffee bar – what more could you want? Speaking of brews, if coffee is your true passion, then definitely check out our list of artisan coffee bars in Orange County as well. CHOCXO ChocXO makes their own chocolate bars one small batch at a time using genetically pure beans right here in Orange County. They use only high quality beans to make high quality chocolate and coffee roasts. They roast their coffee in Lake Forest and produce their chocolate at the Irvine factory. Yep, ChocXO is the only chocolate factory in Orange County and it’s worth the trip. Take the guided factory tour for a day trip or just pop in for a treat. LOCATIONS: Costa Mesa Lake Forest Irvine chocxo.com VALENZA CHOCOLATIER Discover the authentic Italian inspired artisan chocolates tucked into Costa Mesa’s Hood Market at Valenza Chocolatier. These handmade confections are made from the best local and imported Italian ingredients paired with the purest single bean origin, fair trade chocolate and no added preservatives. If you’re in the mood to venture from founder Amy...
by Jeff Pittman | Jun 15, 2015 | So Cal Cities
Local Favorites Orange County’s Best Hiking Trails This summer is a great time to get to know the wild side of Orange County – this is the best Orange County hiking trails where locals like to escape the suburbs and enjoy a bit of much needed nature and fresh air. TOP OF THE WORLD WHERE: LAGUNA BEACH According to the Yelp reviews Top of the World is one of those hikes that has a little bit of everything. On the west end of the trail, you’ll find higher elevation and more hillside views with minimal shade. On the east side of the park (the car wreck trail) you’ll find more greenery, shade, and water. And the very north ends in a neighborhood. Reviews said it’s a great trail to do for a sunrise or sunset hike up to the view. Depending on which path you take you’ll have a different experience which also means you might need to do this hike several times to see it all. Warning: It’s a high climb so the hike is pretty steep! Make sure you’ve got good shoes with grip. PETERS CANYON REGIONAL PARK WHERE: ORANGE Tucked in the back corner of Orange behind North Tustin along the toll road is Peters Canyon Regional Park. It’s a lot of fun to explore with tons of trail options for beginners, moderate hikers and advanced hikers. Peter’s Canyon is also a great choice for biking and jogging. Start off with the flat trail and make your way up to the hill trails on the 5 mile loop which is a favorite. It’s a great place...
by Jeff Pittman | May 20, 2015 | So Cal Cities
If the thought of hot breakfast food swaddled in a giant tortilla gets your mouth watering, then it’s clearly time to read up on the best breakfast burritos in Orange County. If you like your breakfast burritos fat, loaded and affordable then this is the list for you. From delis to donut shops, we’ve singled out the top can’t miss spots to order up your beast of a breakfast. Based on Yelp reviews, here’s the best of the best across Orange County. HAM ‘N SCRAM Hidden away in Westminster is a meaty breakfast burrito just waiting to blow your mind. According to the reviews, the Double Meat Burrito truly lives up it its name. With a name like Ham ‘n Scram, you can trust that these guys know how to smoke the perfect pig. You could comfort yourself with a bowl of the split pea soup, order a whole ham for the family or stick to the fan favorite – the breakfast burrito. The décor is cute with lots of pigs plus they’ve got a delivery service – deliciousness straight to your door. NATE’S KORNER Nate’s Korner on Main Street in Santa Ana is a deli and quick stop breakfast place. It doesn’t have the trendy vibe of downtown, it’s just a good old fashioned hole in the wall deli with some good eats. Their breakfast burritos are monsterous and mouthwatering. The burritos are big enough to feed too (don’t worry though, no need to share) and stuffed with eggs, cheese, tons of meat and more. According to the Yelp reviews the triple meat burrito is a must try! KELLY’S DONUTS &...
by Jeff Pittman | May 13, 2015 | So Cal Cities
Long Beach has so many neighborhoods, areas and places to check out including Retro Row just down 4th Street. You can partake in a variety of vintage shopping, sips, awesome eats, and even get beautified all within a block. Stretching between Cherry and Junipero, Retro Row is home to over 40 kitchy, hip, independent merchants. It’s bike friendly, hosts tons of unique events and full of the creative spirit that makes Long Beach such a cool place to live. There’s tons of areas to explore in Long Beach but it’s time to put Retro Row at the top of your list! Check out these 9 rad shops and restaurants to hit on your tour of this vintage niche. Here are 9 Reasons To Check Out 4th Street Retro Row In Long Beach: GOOD EATS ART DU VIN WINE BAR They’ve got games, they only spin vinyl and of course they’ve got a great selection of wines to choose from. Pop in for Wino Wednesdays when a glass of house wine is just $4 or stop by any time to play a game of Cards Against Humanity with the local crowd. Art du Vin serves up a variety of wines coupled with fine cheese, meets, honey and fresh, hot homemade bread. Plus they carry a few beers and ciders to accommodate everyone’s taste. PORTFOLIO COFFEEHOUSE If you’re looking for some cool and friendly ambiance, Porfolio Coffeehouse is a great place to go. The coffee shop and café sometimes features local artists and live music, the customer service is great and it’s got WIFI so it’s the perfect spot to study or...
by Jeff Pittman | Feb 6, 2014 | So Cal Cities
Ladera Ranch, CA has a population of 23,121, with the average resident aged 32 years old. The average income in the city is $150,112 per year and the average home value is currently at $654,414. There are 7,173 households in Ladera Ranch and more than half – approximately 60% – have children. From these statistics it’s easy to see that Ladera Ranch is a popular community among young families. What makes it so popular? Great schools, a close knit neighborhood community and great perks like city wide parks and recreational facilities. Families with young children are drawn to Ladera Ranch real estate because the city offers beautifully maintained neighborhoods, great schools and a prime location in South Orange County. This city has everything you and your family needs including close proximity to the stores you need with community shopping centers sprinkled throughout each neighborhood and nearby larger shopping centers like The Shops at Mission Viejo, Kaleidescope Center and Laguna Hills Mall. Here are some more lifestyle statistics on Ladera Ranch: Ladera Ranch is a strong real estate market for buyers right now because of high inventory and and declining average sales prices. Last month the average sales price in Ladera Ranch was $583,218. Homes for sale in Ladera Ranch are also staying on the market longer – 76 days – than the average Orange County home – 61 days. That means buyers are lowering their prices in order to sell – a big bonus for home buyers. Market Trends In Ladera Ranch Active inventory represents the number of homes for sale that are listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Ladera Ranch listings have been stable for the past few months and are way up from last years slump. Pending...
by Jeff Pittman | Feb 6, 2014 | So Cal Cities
The Capistrano Unified School District services the community of Ladera Ranch. The two most prominent schools in the city are Ladera Ranch Elementary and Ladera Ranch Middle School. Both schools are located on a single campus serving students from several South Orange County communities including Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano. Both schools are tech savvy, implementing the voluntary Learning With Laptops Program to help students prepare for a technology-driven world and become innovative and creative problem-solvers adept at learning in a new and changing world. There are plenty of other Ladera Ranch community perks in town that are beneficial for kids including the Ladera Ranch Library located on the second floor of the school building and various city parks and recreational centers. Ladera Ranch Elementary Ladera Ranch Elementary spends a total of $7,608 on each student annually, $5,120 dedicated to instructional expenses. The school offers after school programs for students including the Saddleback College Capistrano After School Program. Designed to help students and any interested community members, the program offers short-term fee based classes to teach relevant up to date content. Children and adults can learn new and useful skills with a curriculum that is focused on current trends, feedback from past participants and similar popular programs in the area. Ladera Ranch Middle School The top school in Ladera Ranch according to GreatSchools.org is Ladera Ranch Middle School with a score of 10/10. The other 3 public schools in the city have a score of 9/10. Ladera Ranch Middle School also allots each student $7,608 for educational costs with $5,120 spent on instructional expenses. Along with Learning With Laptops, another great...
