This is a world of superbly crafted, richly appointed spaces wrapped in view balconies, verandas and patios –  custom-made for expansive, easy times with family and friends.

Broad, airy spaces are highlighted by a sophisticated open foyer, living room and dining room with lofty planked and beamed ceilings, walls of windows, and a veranda that runs the entire oceanside expanse of the home.

This setting flows to a spectacular windowed chef’s kitchen anchored by a vast hardwood island with prep sink and seating for four. A large eat-in area nearby opens to the veranda.

The outdoor heart of the estate is an expansive deck where a screen of trees opens to admit glimpses of the azure cove and bay. A spa, pool with rock waterfall, separate pool house with elegant pergola, outdoor kitchen and fireplace complete this quintessential California setting.

The main house features six bedroom suites, starring a lavish master with a huge dressing area and soaking tub with a woodland view. Other settings include a large formal office, two family rooms, a play room, mud/laundry room, gym, hidden wine cellar and roomy office/game/media room.

The grounds include an orchard, raised vegetable beds, a lavish garden and an inviting lawn. A three-car garage and abundant storage, with more than 8,000 sq.ft. of finished space, complete the property. It’s listed by Steve Mavromihalis at $8,600,000.

LA Greater Area

Getting Grand Central Market

Face it, a sea of food swimming in people can be overwhelming. The key to GCM is having a guide with the know-how to navigate to the best choices, from Kismet Falafel to Ramen Hood. You’re welcome.

20 weird, wonderful LA walks

As temps finally start to fall, relaxing strolls get a lot more appealing. When the generic model (birds, trees) gets a bit boring, head for routes like these. Each one is as LA as it gets.

Where the horror flicks rolled

The “Phoenix” Poltergeist II house is in Altadena. Spike, Dru and Angel’s pad in Buffy just sold in Los Feliz for a solid $18 mil. Thirsty for more? Bookmark this map and amaze your out-of-town friends.

LA’s trailblazing black architect

He was the first certified black architect west of the Mississippi. The first black member of the AIA. And designer of countless LA mansions only whites could own by law. A photographer just spent three years exploring his legacy.

The San Francisco Bay Area

NoPa, no problem

It stands for north of the Panhandle. And between the dive bars, hip watering holes, indie shops, and destination dining scene—if you go to Che Figo, make sure to order the impossibly light and delicious homemade focaccia—NoPa just may be San Francisco’s hottest hood. Here’s a guide to this emerging neighborhood stretching along Divisadero Street.

Beyond stamp collecting

Get your head out of that screen! These 6 creative workshops in San Francisco give you a hands-on primer on fun and tactile activities like sewing, dancing, making kombucha, letterpress, pottery, and more. You just may find yourself with a new hobby—besides texting, that is.  

Guide to the Bay’s horror movie scene

Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo” was set in San Francisco? Wes Craven’s “Scream” in Sonoma County? John Carpenter’s “The Fog” in Bodega Bay? Some of Hollywood’s  spookiest films were set in the Bay Area. Learn which—and maybe queue one up on Netflix with some popcorn in honor of Halloween—courtesy of SFCurbed’s local horror movie map.

Presidio gem reopens 

Part movie house and part community theater, the Presidio Theatre has reopened to rave reviews after a $40 million makeover. Learn more about this historic property built in 1939 and closed since 1994—and check out the fall schedule to check it out in person.

Cherished by the original owner for over 60 years, this three bedroom home was designed to capture the elements of the natural landscape while creating a minimalist, yet sophisticated, living environment.

The open and flexible floor plan features walls of glass that offer amazing views of the neighboring foothills.

Classic wood-beamed ceilings are featured throughout the upper level. A handsome slate fireplace provides the focal point in the living room and adjoining kitchen space.

Three bedrooms with custom built-ins, include a master suite with treetop views and access to the expansive upper patio.

Downstairs a spacious family room, recently permitted, has new windows and opens to the private, wooded backyard.

A treasure in its own right, this property invites your further restoration and re-imagination to realize its full potential.

300 Anita Drive, Pasadena is offered at $1,375,000 by Roland Wilhelm, Candace Gunther & Alex Ford.

Created by and for renowned physicist Albert Baez, father of legendary singers Joan Baez and Mimi Farina, 58 Greenbrae Boardwalk has hosted countless memorable parties and community events throughout the years.

Bounded by Corte Madera Creek and the San Francisco Bay, the Boardwalk is home to 49 houses set on pilings above a salt marsh, accessible only on foot or by bike via a raised walkway.

Bordered by wetland walking trails and observation areas, the reserve is a key habitat for native plants and wildlife – an incomparable waterfront setting that creates an ambience of sheer delight indoors and out.

The home’s creative, eclectic interior centers on a vast circular great room designed for entertaining.

Warmed by a woodstove, this bright, dramatic space opens to a spectacular deck with panoramic views of the Corte Madera Marsh State Marine Park and Mt. Tamalpais, which can be seen from nearly every window in the home.

The open plan room embraces a dining area, upscale kitchen and office. There are three bedrooms and two baths, including a wonderful upper level master suite overlooking the sweeping wetlands.

Even though this home feels miles away from the world, it’s close to everything: the shops and restaurants of the Bon Air Greenbrae center, the Marin County Mart, Kentfield schools, public transportation, Highway 101 and the ferry to San Francisco.

This incomparable property is listed by Blaine Morris and Susan Van Liere at $1,295,000.

LA Greater Area

Why is ancient knafeh the latest LA thing?

It’s been a Middle East treat since the 10th Century – but cheesy, sweet, buttery knafeh is suddenly super-hot in LA. Here’s where to find the best, from ultra-traditional versions to (seriously) knafeh-topped ice cream.

The ghostliest hotels in LA

Most ghosts like hotels. Ours are no exception, as these tales, some backed by eyewitness reports from managers and maintenance workers, prove. Some haunts are now apartments, but it hasn’t curbed the paranormal partying.

LA’s most unique streets

The shortest. The steepest. The roundest. The, uh, birdiest. These streets may not be as famous as Rodeo Road or the Route 66, but they all have fascinating stories to tell. Get yourself in gear: it’s time for a pretty weird ride.

Seeking the bottomless brunch

Sometimes it’s just one of those weekends: The “keep ‘em coming” kind. Fortunately, countless restaurants across the basin are only too happy to oblige. P.S The food runs the gamut from respectable to exceptional. 

The San Francisco Bay Area Area

Don’t forget your proton pack

Everyone has heard stories about haunted houses. At these four historic Bay Area properties—from San Jose’s Winchester Mystery House to Benicia’s Southern Pacific Railroad Depot—you can measure the paranormal vibes for yourself. Plus, they’re all just really cool buildings. 

Spirits of San Francisco

The Sidecar at Bix. The Irish Coffee at Buena Vista. The Chinese Mai Tai at Li Po. 7×7 put together a list of the 50 most iconic cocktails in San Francisco. And just like The Progress’ Manhattan, it goes down smooth. 

Cardio with a view

It was only a matter of time in a city obsessed with both fitness and pop-ups… Dryft, the new San Francisco–based mobile gym that packs 36 workout stations on the back of a solar-powered semi-truck, allows for waterfront exercise at Ocean Beach and Marina Green.

Do we have to do the Macarena?

It’s hard to believe for the 40-somethings out there, but the 1990s have entered into the realm of nostalgia. The 90’s Experience, a new pop-up museum in Oakland’s Jack London Square, lets visitors revisit the days of floppy disks and Nirvana, the Fresh Prince and pagers. One exhibit highlight among many on this trip down memory lane: the orange couch from “Friends.”

The expansive windows perfectly frame the glorious views of city lights and rolling hills from the ocean to the city.

The main level features a two story living room, dining area, high tech kitchen as well as an enticing bar that ushers you to the grand outdoor patio, an extraordinarily rare find in high-rise living.

The upstairs master suite is a surreal experience of dazzling amenities and quiet elegance with an unbelievable master bath and huge walk in closet.

The Remington, a supreme architectural statement on Wilshire Blvd, provides top notch services like valet and concierge as well as luxurious amenities including a top of the line fitness center and salt water pool.

Other features are a salon with catering kitchen, private wine storage and outdoor courtyard.

10727 Wilshire Blvd, Unit PH 4 is offered at $14,850,000 by Luke Anderson, Aaron Kirman, Greg Holcomb & Cassandra Petersen.

Download the full report here.

Buyers bounced back in the third quarter from being especially cautious in the first half of the year. The overall number of home sales was only 2 percent below last year, compared to about a 14 percent decline seen in the first quarter. The improvement in home sales activity was most driven by solid increases in West San Fernando Valley, though other areas saw more sales as well. Still, Eastside communities, which entered the year outperforming their Westside counterparts, saw relatively more slowing in the third quarter. Interestingly, changes to home sales activity varied a lot in this quarter and across regions. Sales of homes in higher priced communities also showed strength in this quarter, particularly areas around Bel Air and Brentwood, as well as Beach Communities to the south. 

Home prices generally continued to remain flat compared to last year, however there was a wide variation in changes to homes prices across the region. Improvement in sales of higher-priced homes could have helped drive up average prices in some areas. Keep in mind, however, that home prices peaked during last year’s third quarter. Thus, even if prices in some areas are slightly below last year’s third quarter, they are still at cyclical peaks. 

Buyers do seem to be motivated by the lower mortgage rates that characterized the latter quarter of this year, especially given the swift increases seen at the end of 2018 which stopped buyers in their tracks. With mortgage rates expected to remain low and possibly go lower, and more balanced dynamics between buyers and sellers, we are expecting the last quarter of 2019 to post stronger numbers compared to last year. More inventory to choose from has also been a welcome reversal from the severely undersupplied housing market that we saw last year. 

Lastly, while economic expansion started to slow and fewer jobs will be added to the labor market, consumers should remember that current housing conditions remain particularly favorable. Buyers of homes in the recent decade have paid much larger down payments than during the last housing boom. Consumers are notably less leveraged as well, while financial institutions have put significant checks in place to keep them well-capitalized. At the same time, the levels of new construction seen in the last decade is still 50 percent and more below the levels seen during the last boom. Together, the current housing scenario is much better prepared to weather slowing economic growth than was the case the last time around. 

Measuring over 3,400 square feet, the two-story residence at 230 Oakcrest Road in San Anselmo centers around a spectacular great room with a soaring pitched ceiling and a massive wall of windows framing glorious San Anselmo views. The space embraces open living and dining areas plus a stunning Carrara marble kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless appliances, expansive marble island and huge walk-in pantry. A separate bonus space with its own deck would make a wonderful kids’ music room or ultimate private retreat.

A stairway ascends to a second-level overlook and the upper bedrooms, highlighted by an elegant master retreat with spacious walk-in closets, a Carrara marble bath with luxurious steam shower, and private heated deck with three temperature zones.

A legal one-bedroom unit with a private entrance, ideal as an au pair quarters or rental,

includes a full kitchen with high-end appliances, a stylish full bath, washer/dryer hookups, and a private deck.

The property’s infrastructure has been extensively upgraded throughout, including new foundation, framing, sheetrock, steel-reinforced foam insulation, Hardiplank siding, lifetime composition shingle roof and Milgard double-paned Low E windows.

It also features new hydronic heating; heated garage floors; electrical, copper and pex tube plumbing, Nest thermostats, tankless on-demand water heater and driveway. A new level grass yard enhances the outdoor setting.

Extensively upgraded and beautifully envisioned, this expansive woodland retreat is listed by Amy Deming Simkins at $2,465,000.

LA Greater Area

Michelin Stars back on LA restaurant scene

In case you missed it, the Michelin Guide is back for the first time in years, with a new all-California book honoring a galaxy of one- and two-star restaurants (sorry, no threes). Does it reflect our vibrant food scene? Does it matter? You decide.

Tracking down autumn

No, you don’t need a day trip to find glowing fall foliage in these parts. There are plenty of places  splashed with autumn hues right here in LA County – and more less than two hours away. Time to leaf summer behind.

Cinespia creeps you out

There’s no place like a cemetery to get the full impact of a truly horrifying film experience. So rev up your inner chainsaw for the last event of the Cinespia season at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. And remember: it’s only a movie.

Get your oompah on at SoCal’s oldest Oktoberfest

For its 51st anniversary, the Alpine Village is moving things out of the tent and back to the bier hall. Soak up German brews, food, and music by the Haderlumpen band direct from the Old Country. There’s even a kid-friendly version on Sundays. Prost!

The San Francisco Bay Area Area

Beyond budget boarding

Sometimes you need to treat yourself to something special. From hidden oyster bars to rooftop lounges, minimalist chic design to bold rock ’n’ roll aesthetic, these 10 boutique hotels offer travelers to San Francisco an experience that’s as beautiful and eclectic as the city itself.

Big Sur top stops

The 80-foot waterfall, the cliffside restaurant, the “library” in the redwoods. There are plenty of incredible spots to check out during your road trip to wild-and-beautiful Big Sur, but here are five absolute must-stops.

Oh my gourd!

Hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos, and oh so many round orange squash. Get into the Halloween spirit at these 10 pumpkin patches around the Bay Area. 

Fall fashion: Getups for guys

The surprise shuttering of Unionmade in San Francisco left fashion-forward men reeling. Where to get that canvas jacket, the leather accessories, the vintage denim? Not to worry dapper dudes, you can keep your duds from looking dated at these eight alternative menswear stores.