Roberta Murphy

Grado El Tupelo is a quiet La Costa Valley residential street off Paseo Aliso, within walking distance of El Camino Creek Elementary School. We have sold a couple of homes on this street to two very satisfied clients. They love the location, the excellent schools and the La Costa Valley community center which includes an Olympic-sized pool, lighted tennis courts, an exercise facility, pre-school and community room.

Finally, everyone appreciates the nearby Encinitas Beaches and the Encinitas Ranch Golf Course just a mile or two away!

This is a central street in downtown Oceanside that is attracting new businesses, hotels, restaurants and luxury condominiums. Newest development on the block is Oceanside Terraces, a mixed-use project with commercial on the first floor (watch for Harney's Sushi and Sotheby's International Realty opening soon), professional office condos on the second floor, and luxury residences on floors 3 through 6.

The forces behind Oceanside's redevelopment areas have transformed this city into a coastal jewel.

Estrella de Mar is one of the original streets in the near-historic Rancho La Costa. La Costa Resort and Spa opened in the 1960's as a retreat for Hollywood celebrities and noted sports figures. Many wanted second homes in the area, and built residences on and off Estrella de Mar. Some of the luminaries who once lived on the street include singer and actor Billy Daniels, baseball legend Sandy Koufax, Ginger Rogers, and noted actor Robert Young (Dr. Marcus Welby and Father of the Bride).

The close proximity of La Costa Resort allowed residents here to ride their golf carts over for a day of golf, tennis and/or a massage at the spa. Entertainers like Billy Daniels would spend summers here with their families, who could also take advantage of La Costa's pools, activities and equestrian center (long gone). They would also entertain guests in the evening and enjoy socializing with other celebrities during the day.

Most of the custom homes on Estrella de Mar and the cul de sacs off it have undergone at least one renovation since original construction. At the northern end and western edge of Estrella de Mar are condos and townhomes. Prices for these units start in the $300's, while single family homes on the street start at around $1 million.

La Costa Resort and Spa recently benefited from a $150 million renovation under its most recent owners, KSL Resorts, and the properties around the resort and its 36-home championship golf courses have also appreciated in value.

Homes on Estrella de Mar (as well as the cul de sacs off it) are served by the Carlsbad School District, with Aviara Oaks Elementary and Middle School being the closest.

If you are seeking oceanfront living in Encinitas, you would be hard pressed to find a better street. It is close to both well-preserved downtown Encinitas and the funky, quintessential beach town of Leucadia. Traffic is well-managed, with much of Neptune being a one way street.

Homes here are pricey, ranging from $1 million and up, depending upon ocean view and which side of Neptune you are on. Those that front the ocean are obviously more--and are more rarely available.

This area of Encinitas is serviced by the highly-desired Encinitas Union School District for elementary levels, and the San Dieguito Union School District for middle and high schools.

Azahar Street is off Cadencia, one block in from La Costa Avenue. It is a quiet street with friendly neighbors, who enjoy their close proximity to great shopping at the Carlsbad Forum, golf and tennis at La Costa Resort and Spa and a relatively short walk to the award-winning La Costa Heights Elementary School. It street is also served by Oak Crest Junior High and La Costa Canyon Hight School.

Homes on this street are well-maintained and many have undergone recent renovations, given that most were built in the early and mid 1980's. There are no Homeowner fees or MelloRoos.

Cadencia is located off eastern La Costa Avenue, only a couple of blocks west of Rancho Santa Fe Road. It is served by award-winning La Costa Heights Elementary School, Oak Crest Junior High and the highly-desired La Costa Canyon High School.

Homes here vary in architectural style, with many having been constructed as custom homes. It is just over a mile to La Costa Resort and Spa and is very close to upscale shopping at the Carlsbad Forum and other shopping venues off El Camino Real.

There are walking and hiking trails off Cadencia that are good for both the hiker and the biker.

La Costa Avenue starts across the street from the Pacific Ocean and heads east, where it passes the beautiful and protected Batiquitos Lagoon. About two miles east of the ocean, it intersects El Camino Real. a long thoroughfare that offers miles of shopping, dining, theaters, medical care and a large selection of services.

Heading east, one is immediately struck with breathtaking views of La Costa Resort and its famed golf course. La Costa Avenue then turns very residential, with a mix of golf condos and custom homes--and ultimately ends as an entry into La Costa Oaks, a lovely new subdivision.

Life on La Costa Avenue can be noisy, interesting and relatively free of HOA constraints (though Carlsbad zoning and use laws are strictly enforced). It is a major street and is full of both auto--and bicycle--traffic. On any given weekend, it is not unusual to see hundreds of cyclists whizzing down the bike lanes.

Our immediate neighbors are eclectic, interesting and fun. There are lots of dogs in the area, and the sidewalks make for nice strolls and more strenuous running, given that La Costa Avenue runs uphill east of El Camino Real.

Nearby schools (La Costa Heights Elementary and La Costa Canyon High School) are within walking distance, at least on the upper east side of La Costa Avenue. Across from the high school is Stagecoach Park, with a large gym and recreation area.

La Costa Avenue is busy, convenient, and offers some relatively good values on larger homes in a premier area with excellent schools, fabulous recreation and incomparable climate.