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We’re launching something new for San Diego homeowners (you’ll want in)

Welcome to the first edition of Coast & Key SD, real talk, not recycled content

Author

Joy Aumann
July 17, 2025

Welcome to the debut edition of Coast & Key SD, our monthly email curated for clients, friends, and fellow real estate insiders.

If you're living in, or dreaming about, La Jolla or anywhere along our coastline, you’re in the right place.

This month, we’re diving into a La Jolla listing that we are obsessed with, two local spots you’ll want to book a table at this weekend, a key update on California’s new balcony laws (with a must-know rental rule), and why biotech might be your next neighborhood’s biggest value driver.

Oh, and if you’re wondering where La Jolla’s median price is sitting right now, we’ve got that too.

Each month, we’ll share:

  • 🎥 Aumann on Air: Our latest video feature

  • 🍴 Coastal Culture: Eat & Do: Where we’re eating and what our 4-year-old is obsessed with

  • 🏡 The Condo Corner: Stunning listings & condo tips

  • 📈 Market Moves: Real stats and real talk on what’s driving home values

  • 🏗️ On the Horizon: Big developments and how they could shape your next move

LET'S DIVE IN ↓

IN ESCROW:
One for the Record Books

We quietly opened escrow on a $47 million property, and if we reach the finish line, it will mark the highest residential sale in San Diego history.

It’s an honor to represent a deal of this magnitude, and a powerful signal about the confidence buyers still have in San Diego’s most coveted coastal addresses.

Want to know what makes a $47M property stand out? We’ll break it down in a future issue, so stay tuned.

🎥 AUMANN ON AIR

Why we’re obsessed with coastal architecture in La Jolla Village

Offered for the first time in 22 years, this architectural gem was designed by world-renowned architect William Lumpkins, celebrated for iconic works like the Audrey Geisel Black House and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.

Thoughtfully designed across three levels, this sophisticated 2,261 sqft residence lives like a single-family home, offering three oversized bedrooms, three and one-half baths, and an elevator for effortless access.

The reverse floor plan maximizes ocean breezes and panoramic sunset views, with a light-filled open-concept kitchen, dining, and living area equipped for entertaining.

Enjoy coastal elegance in the heart of La Jolla Village with exceptional privacy and a walled garden perfect for afternoon tea, evening soirées, or quiet relaxation.

A private, street-level attached garage completes the home’s blend of luxury and convenience.

Ideally located just steps to La Jolla’s renowned shops, restaurants, galleries, and the Cove, this is an exceptional opportunity for a full-time residence or lock-and-leave coastal retreat.

🎬 Watch the full reel and you’ll get it.

And if you want to walk it in person, we’ll make it happen.

🍴 COASTAL CULTURE: EAT & DO

Brunch, Bites & Beach Days

Few spots in the village feel more like “weekend mode” than The Cottage.

Tucked right on Fay Ave, this place has been serving La Jolla for 25+ years, and still delivers one of the best brunches in town. It’s charming, laid-back, and always buzzing for a reason.

We’re talking Lemon Ricotta Pancakes that somehow disappear faster than you expect, Eggs La Jolla Benedict (a local favorite since '92), and buttery house-made scones that could easily steal the whole meal.

Their Stuffed French Toast is also a fan-favorite if you’re rolling in with a sweet tooth.

The outdoor patio is where it’s at, especially when the sun’s out and you’ve got a coffee in hand.

Plus, it’s dog-friendly, stroller-friendly, and surprisingly efficient even when it’s packed.

Seafood lovers, this one’s for you.

Tucked into Pearl Street, La Corriente is a flavor-packed gem bringing the bold, coastal dishes of Tijuana and beyond straight to La Jolla.

It’s cozy, stylish, and wildly satisfying, especially if you’re into ceviche, tacos, and anything zarandeado.

We started with Clamato “A.A.” mocktails and the housemade guac, but the standouts came fast.

The La Corriente Ceviche is citrusy and bright, the Ribeye Tacos are juicy and bold, and the Sayulita Butterfly Fish hits that perfect crispy/flaky balance.

But the real showstopper? The Zarandeado Whole Octopus. Charred, tender, and unforgettable.

The vibe is intimate, the service is on point, and yes, you’ll want a reservation if you're going on a weekend.

Looking for a day out that entertains and teaches?

Birch Aquarium in La Jolla is one of our go-to family picks, especially if you’ve got curious kids in tow.

The tide pools and touch tanks are always a hit, but let’s be honest: our 4-year-old would happily spend an hour just watching the seadragons float around.

It’s hands-on, oceanfront, and packed with marine exhibits that keep both kids and grown-ups exploring.

Seasonal events like Shark Summer (July 5–Aug 10) and Storytime with Seadragons make each visit feel fresh.

Plus, the café, shaded outdoor areas, and stroller-friendly layout make it easy to spend a full morning here.

  • 📍2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

Plan your visit or reserve tickets here

It doesn’t get more classic, or more kid-approved, than a trip to La Jolla Cove. The calm waters, sea caves, and tide pools make this spot a dream for little explorers.

Our 4-year-old is fully convinced the sea lions are just wet puppies, and honestly, we don’t have the heart to correct him.

The beach itself is small and sheltered, which means fewer waves and more peace of mind if you’ve got swimmers-in-training.

And when it’s time for a break, Scripps Park is just steps away with space to run, snack, or take in the view.

  • 📍1100 Coast Blvd, La Jolla

Learn more about visiting La Jolla Cove

🏡 THE CONDO CORNER

Balcony Laws Are Changing: Here’s What Condo Owners Need to Know

If you own a condo in a building with balconies or decks, this one’s important.

California has updated its safety requirements for what they call “Exterior Elevated Elements”, basically anything that hangs off your unit (think balconies, stairways, walkways).

Two state laws, SB 721 and SB 326, now require mandatory inspections of these structures by January 1, 2026.

Here’s the quick version:

  • Applies to buildings with 3+ units

  • Inspections must be done by licensed pros (engineers, architects, or experienced contractors)

  • They’ll check for things like dry rot, water damage, and structural wear

  • At least 15% of components need to be evaluated

  • If something’s unsafe, it has to be reported and repaired within 120 days

  • Re-inspections happen every 6 years

  • Noncompliance? That can mean fines of up to $500/day

These laws came after a tragic balcony collapse in Berkeley in 2015, so the goal here is safety and prevention, not paperwork.

Quick question: Is there a rental cap?

This may be one of the most overlooked yet crucial factors to consider when purchasing a condo.

A rental cap limits the number (or percentage) of units that can be rented out in the building.

Many caps are set at 20%, and if the limit has already been hit, you won’t be able to rent your unit unless you join a waitlist.

Even if you plan to live in the unit full-time, a building with no rental cap can start to feel more like a revolving-door apartment complex than a true community.

📋 Buying a condo soon? Don’t go in blind.

Here’s our full list of the 17 questions every smart buyer should ask before signing anything.

It’s quick, practical, and could save you from a very expensive surprise.

📈 MARKET MOVES

$3 Million and Holding Strong

La Jolla continues to rank among California’s most expensive and most stable real estate markets.

As of 2025, median home prices here are sitting north of $3 million, with wide swings depending on view quality, lot size, architecture, and school district.

What’s keeping values high? Limited inventory, local preservation efforts, and a steady stream of demand from move-up buyers, second-home seekers, and international investors.

Whether you're eyeing oceanfront in the Farms or hillside privacy in Hidden Valley, the premium lifestyle still commands a premium price.

📊 Want the full breakdown?

Check out our latest blog.

🏗️ ON THE HORIZON

Biotech Is Booming, And It’s Shaping More Than Just Skylines

San Diego’s life sciences sector is exploding, and it’s not just about lab coats and research grants.

It’s about real estate, too.

From the coast to the canyon, these massive development projects are already shifting how people live, work, and invest here.

First up: RaDD (Research and Development District). This $1.5 billion, eight-block campus in downtown San Diego is part of the Manchester Pacific Gateway expansion.

It will bring in new office, lab, and retail space dedicated to biotech and life sciences.

It’s a magnet for talent and capital, and it’s going to change the feel (and demand) of the surrounding area.

Up north, UC San Diego’s Hillcrest Medical Campus is in the middle of a multi-billion-dollar transformation.

The McGrath Outpatient Pavilion is set to open this summer, and a brand-new 300-bed hospital is planned for 2034.

With parking expansions, road upgrades, and even workforce housing in the mix, this project isn’t just medical, it’s urban planning at scale.

Here’s what’s coming and how it may affect home values:

These aren’t just construction sites. They’re long-term economic engines.

As biotech and healthcare expand, demand for nearby housing, both for professionals and investors, follows.

Neighborhoods like UTC, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, and even the coastal zones will likely feel the ripple effects: more jobs, more infrastructure, more demand.

BEFORE YOU GO…

Did you know you can blur your home on Google Street View? 👀

Some SoCal homeowners are doing just that to make it harder for would-be burglars to digitally scope out their properties.

It’s a simple, yet permanent, privacy step worth considering, especially after a move.

Click this link for a step-by-step how-to.

Just don’t forget: once it’s blurred, it can’t be undone.

Thanks for reading the entirety of our debut edition!

We don’t send this to just anyone.

You’re getting this because you’re either a client, a friend, or someone we’ve worked with personally, and we want to stay connected.

Think of Coast & Key SD as your insider pass to the neighborhoods we love and live in.

Thanks for reading,

P.S. From neighborhood spotlights and design tips to exclusive listing previews, we’re sharing more on our YouTube channel, where the SoCal lifestyle meets smart real estate moves.