Pasadena | $ 1.489 million
A five-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom craftsman's home built in 1908 on 0.2 acre lot
Once a popular winter destination for people from colder parts of the country, Pasadena is considered by many to be one of the world's finest collections of artisan-style homes. This has retained much of its original exterior character, including the gable roof line and the covered porch. It is located in the Garfield Heights neighborhood, a few blocks from the landmark of the same name. The old town of Pasadena with its shops and restaurants is about three kilometers away. Downtown Los Angeles is a 25-minute drive away.
Size: 3,246 square feet
Price per square foot: $ 459
Inside: A low wall separates the drought-tolerant front garden from the street.
Behind the original Arts-and-Crafts front door is a family room with windows facing the street and a stone fireplace flanked by original built-in shelves. On the left side of the room, a door leads into a living room with more windows facing the street. Off this room is a bedroom with an attached bathroom.
The living room is partly open to the eat-in kitchen, where the cooking and dining area are separated by a breakfast bar with a granite top. The kitchen has hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances with exposed beams that run across the ceiling. French doors in the dining area open to the side courtyard. There is also a laundry room, game room, and half a bathroom on this side of the house.
A staircase leads from the living room to a landing on the second floor with a contemporary ceiling light and space for a small seating area. Next to the landing are two bedrooms large enough to accommodate queen beds.
Down a short hall there is a bathroom and a guest room with a balcony overlooking the pool. Across the hall is the master suite, which includes a large bedroom, two walk-in closets, and a bonus area that can be used as an exercise room. The bathroom has a double marble vanity, a walk-in shower and a vintage-style porcelain bathtub.
Outside space: The rear terrace, which is reached through the kitchen, is paved with bricks and offers space for grilling and eating. Brick also surrounds the recently added saltwater pool, which adjoins a small garden with three citrus trees. The free-standing garage offers space for two cars and two charging stations for electric vehicles.
Taxes: $ 18,912 (estimated)
Contact: Tim Hartley, Deasy Penner Podley, 626-379-2549; deasypennerpodley.com
Long Beach | $ 1.495 million
A three bedroom, three and a half bathroom home built in 1954 on 0.1 acre lot
This home was designed by Cliff May, an architect and contractor who is credited with the popularity of mid-century California ranch-style homes, with their indoor and outdoor spaces and large expanses of glass. This is located in an area of around 700 houses near El Dorado Park, which has playgrounds, a skate park, a golf course and a nature center, most of which are within walking distance. California State University at Long Beach is about 10 minutes' drive away. Downtown Long Beach is 20 minutes away.
Size: 2,288 square feet
Price per square foot: $ 653
Inside: The glass front door leads into an airy living room that is part of a mid-2000s extension to the house that encompasses the entire second level. Two glass doors open onto a terrace that is also accessible from the office and the main living room.
A door connects the living room with the office, which is connected to the main living area by a hallway. The living room has hardwood floors (like most rooms in the house), a white brick fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the patio and pool area.
Opposite the fireplace, a breakfast bar separates the living area from the kitchen with dark gray cupboards. A dishwasher and an oven are built into the bar; The hob is part of an adjacent counter and the refrigerator is integrated into the cabinets.
There are two bedrooms on this level. One off the living room has a private bathroom with a bathtub. The other has a private terrace and can be reached via the office (with attached bathroom with walk-in shower) or via the seating area in the entrance area.
The upper level could be used as a large suite. It has a kitchenette and space for a sofa at the top of the stairs; Behind it is a bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private balcony, and an en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and shower combination.
Outside space: Between the extension and the original part of the house there is a terrace with a fire table and space for gathering. A concrete path leads from the terrace to a long pool with a wooden deck that offers space to relax and eat. The deck can also be accessed from the kitchen. The attached garage has space for two cars.
Taxes: $ 18,984 (estimated)
Contact: Nate Cole, Superstructure, 562-673-3550; uniquecaliforniaproperty.com
Albany | $ 1.495 million
A 1938 Mediterranean style home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms on 0.1 acre lot
Albany is a city of about 20,000 people north of Berkeley on the east side of the San Francisco Bay. Many of its residents were attracted to the family-friendly neighborhoods and walkable streets.
This home is just a few blocks from Solano Avenue, the city's main thoroughfare. Memorial Park, an open green space, is less than half a mile away, as is Albany High School. The center of Berkeley is about 10 minutes away by car. Oakland is a 20 minute drive away.
Size: 1,740 square feet
Price per square foot: $ 859
Inside: The front yard is designed with succulents, and the driveway cuts a path to the front door, which is painted a cheerful blue to match the cladding of the exterior windows.
The door swings into a small foyer, from which a few steps lead to the main living area, which has hardwood floors (like the rest of the house), a large arched window, and an original stucco fireplace with decorative tile paneling.
On the left side of the room is a short hallway that leads to a guest room that is currently used as a combination of study and home office.
A sunny dining room leads through the living room and an equally sunny kitchen with plenty of storage space and a backsplash made of geometric tiles. Behind the kitchen is a breakfast nook with a built-in desk.
A hallway off the dining room leads to two bedrooms and a bathroom with a porcelain pedestal sink.
The master bedroom is at the rear of the house and has a seating area overlooking the rear terrace. The en-suite bathroom has a separate shower and bathtub, clad with painted Spanish-style tiles.
Outside space: The kitchen and master bedroom have access to a covered, tiled rear terrace with space for chairs and a small table. A wooden fence separates the yard from that of the neighboring house. Tall trees provide shade and privacy. The detached garage holds a car and could be converted into an additional unit, a common change in the Bay Area.
Taxes: $ 17,496 Estimated
Contact: Kathryn Stein or Betsy Thagard, the Green Planet Team, the Grubb Company, 510-717-2117; grubbco.com
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