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December, 2010:

Ring in the New Year on the San Mateo Coast!

We’re so excited to look forward to the New Year on the San Mateo Coast and all that it will bring!  As we reflect on the past year, we’ve been privileged to live and work in the Coastal Area and have enjoyed getting to know many of you!  Whether you’ve bought a new home in Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach or El Granada or have gone through the home selling process; we are glad to have been a part of the process.

2011 should be another great year in the San Mateo Coast Real Estate market as the economy continues to get back on its’ feet.  The towns along the coast are charming and vibrant communities with much to offer.  Of course saying goodbye to the memories of the past year and welcoming in the New Year is something the San Mateo Coast is looking forward to celebrating this Friday!  If you are still wondering what to do this New Years’ Eve, below are a few great options taking place around the San Mateo Coast!

Barolo Restaurant
404 San Pedro Avenue, Pacifica
www.barolopacifica.com/event/new-years-eve-2010
Dec. 31- 5pm to midnight
- Executive Chef and owner, Jason Yeafoli’s passion for the cuisine of Italy with a four course tasting menu, featuring Dungeness Crab Bisque, Fuju Persimmon, Goat cheese, Pistachio,  Pear Vinaigrette salad, Chantrelle Mushroom Agnolotti, and Garlic Studded Lobster Tail or Grilled Angus Rib Eye Steak for the main course. Desserts include Nocciola Chocolate Soufflé Cake or Madeira Caramel Sauce, Hazelnut Gelato. $69. Wine paring add $25.

Cameron’s Restaurant & Inn

1410 S. Cabrillo Hwy., Half Moon Bay
www.cameronsinn.com
Dec. 31- Open all day till past midnight
- Dinner specials and a small party in the back for an evening of dancing and a New Year’s Eve countdown and celebration at 9 p.m. for the kids, right when the ball drops in Times Square in New York City at midnight. The adult party will then continue till after midnight.

Cetrella Restaurant
845 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
www.cetrella.com
Dec. 31- 5:30pm to Midnight
- New Years Eve dinner and sparkling wine with live music by Deborah Winters Jean-Michel Huré Quartet. Seating one is 5:30 p.m.  for $75; Seating two is at 8 p.m. to midnight with complimentary glass of sparkling wine at midnight for $85. Special entrée options include crab-stuffed sole, pan-roasted duck breast or slow-roasted filet mignon.

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company
390 Capistrano, Princeton
www.hmbbrewingco.com
Dec. 31- 5pm to 9pm
- Early bird party with local brews and the Robin Campbell Band with a special menu featuring New York steak and prawns, Petrale sole, whole Dungeness Crab or Mavericks Cioppino.

It’s Italia
401 Main Street, Half Moon Bay
www.itsitaliapizzeria.com
Dec. 31- 5pm to Midnight
- Choose from two seatings, first one is 5 to 8 p.m. at $65 per person for a prix fixed menu or option to order off the basic pizza and pasta menu; second seating is at 9 p.m. to midnight at $85 per person for exclusively the prix fixed menu, a champagne toast at midnight and dancing from 9 p.m. to midnight on the back patio to the five-piece band Gypsy Tribe.

La Costanera

8150 Cabrillo Hwy., Montara
www.lacostanerarestaurant.com
Dec. 31- 5pm to midnight
- Chef Carlos Altamirano has designed a special menu, featuring contemporary Peruvian food. Dance the night away salsa style to a live Latin band.

Old Princeton Landing

460 Capistrano Road, Princeton-by-the-Sea
www.theoldprincetonlanding.com
Dec. 31- 9pm to 1am
A New Year’s Eve party with live music by Nashville recording artist Rodeo House, “A Rockin’ Little Country Band.” Ages 21+, $10.

Pacifica Performances at the Pacifica Center for the Arts
1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica
www.pacificaperformances.org
Dec. 31- 6pm till Midnight
- Dance to the beat of The Brother Buzz Band, rock ‘n roll, rhythm and blues, funk and ballads. Food includes hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, various delectable desserts, one beverage plus champagne at midnight, all-inclusive. Everyone will be seated at tables for this event. Members $40; non-members $45; youth and children under age 18 $15.

Pasta Moon and The Music Box in the Tin Palace
315 Main St., Half Moon Bay
www.pastamoon.com
Dec. 31- 5:30pm to midnight
- Revelers will like the $75 prix fixe menu, a special appetizer menu and drinks in the contemporary lounge The Music Box and live music starting at 7:30 p.m. by Paris style gypsy jazz band Gaucho. Limited seatings. Call to make reservations.

Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
One Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay
www.ritzcarlton.com
Dec. 31- 6pm to 12:30am
- Guests can partake in a New Year’s Eve Celebration in The Conservatory Lounge and bar area, complete with a DJ, live music, champagne bar and midnight balloon drop. There is no charge for this celebration, which is available on a first come-first served basis. Dinner options include Navio with two seatings, one at 6 p.m., which includes a four course prix-fixe dinner for $130 per guest and the other at 8:30 p.m. The second seating at 8:30 p.m. includes caviar and champagne and five-course prix fixe menu for $215 per person. Or experience New Year’s Eve Dinner in The Observatory/Miramontes at 8 p.m., with a festive four-course prix-fixe menu, including wine pairings. $185 per person. Reservations are required per seating. Call 650-712-7040 to make reservations. The New Year’s Eve Children’s Party is one of the best children’s party in town. A private pool party is available only to attending children with arts and crafts, games, dancing, and a special children’s buffet. S’mores, flashlight tag, a kids’ countdown to midnight and mini-balloon drop will highlight the evening, ending in a toast of sparkling apple cider.

San Benito House
356 Main St., Half Moon Bay
www.sanbenitohouse.com
Dec. 31- 9pm to 1am
A center of downtown nightlife, the Bar at San Benito House will be a happening place New Year’s Eve with live music by Dave Felix, good times and some drink specials.

We hope you enjoy one of these events this New Year’s Eve on the San Mateo Coast!  Whether you’re visiting the coast or are a current resident; you’ll have fun getting out and about in these coastal towns.  If you are interested in buying a home on the San Mateo Coast this coming year; please let us know!  We’ve helped many buyers find the coastal home that best fits their needs and lifestyle!  Feel free to contact us anytime- we look forward to hearing from you!

Have a Happy New Year!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

San Mateo Coastal Real Estate
View San Mateo Coastal Listings
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An Eco-Friendly Christmas Cleanup on San Mateo Coast!

We hope you’re enjoying the holiday season on the San Mateo Coast!  It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only a few days away!  The holiday cheer of decorations, parties, events and carols has created a building excitement and an anticipation of this favorite holiday!  All of the hustle and bustle that has surrounded the season will pay off when you’re able to relax and enjoy the holiday season with loved ones.

While we don’t want to start thinking about the holidays being over, there is the thought of taking down the decorations and putting the holiday cheer away until next year.  This year, however, taking down the Christmas tree doesn’t have to be a drag! The San Mateo Coast is very in tune with its environment and wants to accommodate its residents who have enjoyed having a fresh Christmas tree over the holidays.

San Mateo County’s waste services are providing free Christmas tree recycling!  All of the trees will be reused around the cities along the San Mateo Coast- which is a great way to give back to our environment.  Most of the trees will be turned into mulch or compost except for flocked trees which cannot due to their chemicals.  The flocked trees will still be used in other ways, so any tree donated is sure to be recycled!

4 Easy Steps to Recycle Your Christmas Tree:

- Remove all decorations (including tinsel)
- Do not bag your tree
- If your tree is large (8ft or more) please cut the tree in half as a courtesy to the drivers. (If you are not able to do this, your tree will still be taken)
- Leave your tree curbside

Below is a list of the Curbside Services along with the dates of pickup and any special instructions:

Provider: Allied Waste

Dates: 12/27-12/31- On your regular recycling day
Customer Assistance: (650) 592-2411

Leave tree next to(not in) the green Yard Waste container. Multi-family dwellings call Customer Service to arrange pickup.

Provider: Half Moon Bay
Dates: Anytime after December 26 – On your regular recycling day
Customer Assistance: (650) 592-2411

Leave tree next to(not in) the green Yard Waste container.

Provider: Recology San Mateo County
Dates: January 1st through January 31st -On your regular service day
Customer Service: (650) 595-3900

Leave tree next to your green Compost cart on your regular service day.
Multi-Family Dwellings: Call us to determine the best location for a consolidation of loose trees or to place a bin or drop box.

Provider: Recology of the Coast

Dates:  December 26-January 31 -On your regular service day.
Customer Assistance: Pacifica, (650) 355-9000; County Areas, (650) 355-8400

Pacifica Residents Only – If you are unable to place tree curbside during this period, cut up your tree and place into your green Organics cart. Make sure the lid closes completely for service.

We hope this information is helpful to you as you begin your holiday cleanup!  We have enjoyed living on the San Mateo Coast and appreciated the emphasis each of the towns along the coast places on caring for our environment.  This is just one more way we can help make the San Mateo Coast a better place to live!

Whether you’re staying around the San Mateo Coast or are traveling this Christmas, we hope you have a great holiday!  We look forward to working with you in 2011 to help you navigate through the Coastal Real Estate Market!

Happy Holidays!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

San Mateo Coastal Real Estate
View San Mateo Coastal Listings
Visit Our Website
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Getting Crabby on the San Mateo Coast!

Living on the San Mateo Coast is great for many reasons, but the one we’d like to highlight today is crab season!  Fresh Dungeness crab is a delight to many living in the coastal area and with the season kicking off a few weeks ago, it’s in full swing!

Fisherman had to wait for the go ahead until the quality tests were conducted, and were then given the “ok” to set their pots for catching.  According to fisherman in Half Moon Bay, the initial few weeks are very telling of how fruitful the entire crabbing season will be. It seems as though this year’s season found that not many crabs settled in the area, meaning a harder year for the fisherman.  There’s always a gamble, and an ever-present hope that crabs are in abundance.  Although the crab numbers are not desirable, the San Mateo Coast fisherman will make the most of the season as they always seem to hope for the best.

Of course, residents along the San Mateo Coast will make it a point to enjoy the crab this season, even if prices rise a little from the lack of supply.  Some of the best places for tasting the Dungeness crabs are Half Moon Bay and Pacifica!  You’ll find boats filling Half Moon Bay which allow you to buy fresh crab right off the boat!  Enjoy meeting the fisherman and getting their insight on the best ways to cook the crab along with their favorite recipes that enhance the flavor.

Want to catch your own crab?  Head to Pacifica where you can go crabbing right off the pier! Rusty Hook Bait & Tackle will provide you with all the gear you need such as a crab right, gauge, bait box, bait and bucket for around $35.  They’ll give you a quick lesson in catching the crab and the rest is up to you!  This is a great way to enjoy crab season to the fullest!

We enjoyed a taste of fresh crab a few weeks ago and can attest that the flavor of the crab is the best it’s been in years!  We picked up our crab, which was cleaned and cracked for us at Princeton Seafood in the Harbor in Half Moon Bay.  Yum!

Crab season is just one more reason to find a home on the San Mateo Coast!  If you have been considering a move to any of the coastal towns of Half Moon Bay, Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach or El Granada- let us know!  We’d be happy to show you around and help you find a home that fits your needs and lifestyle!  For those currently residing on the San Mateo Coast- Happy Crabbing!

Kathy & Michael Rain
Your San Mateo Coastal Real Estate Experts

San Mateo Coastal Real Estate
View San Mateo Coastal Listings
Visit Our Website
Email Us