Became a member in: 2020
Renewal Date: 02/Jul/2020
Hi, We are Ron and Mary James. We are semi-retired veteran journalists from San Diego, California. Mary is a home and garden writer, and worked for the daily in San Diego for 30 years. I pioneered online media beginning in 1993 and now write and do photography and video about food, travel and wine in our award-winning Wine Dine & Travel Magazine. Obviously we love traveling food and wine and enjoy them all as much as possible.
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Wine Lovers,
The Arts,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
Seniors,
Artists / Entertainment Industry
Profession
Travel writing, Photograph, Graphic Design and Publishing
Our personal links
Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
No Children Please
Use of Personal Car is not possible
Open to all dates and destinations |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
This house is beautifully located with 180 degree unobstructed rear views from the master bedroom, living room, dining room and family room of the mountains and hills studded with giant boulders and oak trees. It's like having your own resort on a private wildlife reserve with hundreds of acres of wilderness complete with quail, roadrunners, and even occasional deer. The views from the front are equally splendid with views of the mountains covered with avocado and orange groves.
And the house is a rare single level house with the exception of a wonderful casita complete with bath. The thoughtful layout is open with the master bedroom and bath situated on one side of the house and the other bedrooms on the opposite wing giving privacy to all. The interior and exterior design includes well-proportioned arches and Spanish mediterranean details and a delightful courtyard garden that make the home distinctive. And the wonderful gated interior courtyard provides a cool sanctuary for pets and owners. The hardwood floors in the key living spaces and hallway are made from eight-inch wide premium hardwood planks that offer warmth and charm and fit perfectly with the porcelain tile work set on the diagonal through the kitchen and entryway.
The landscape was designed by a noted landscape designer who brought in dozens of giant boulders and hundreds of rare California native, and Australian plant, shrubs and trees to make the foundation of one of the finest examples of low water landscape in the county. The entire property is automatically controlled through a drip system to save water. The backyard is a resort with a gorgeous high-end designer pool, covered patio and lot's of patio space for entertaining.
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Main Residence
Amenities
Entertainment
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
We live in a beautiful gated golf course community set in the city of San Diego's San Pasqual Valley agricultural area. We call it Happy Valley. Yet we're within 40 minutes from downtown San Diego and coastal beaches. There are lots of parks and recreation areas nearby as well as a major shopping center. The San Diego Zoo's Safari Park is about a mile away. The community has a large heated pool with jacuzzi.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
A 10 minute drive to the shopping center, downtown Escondido with restaurants and galleries. The San Diego Wild Animal Park is five minutes away. There is a full 18 hole golf course as part of the community. Lots of wineries close by. The San Diego Zoo, La Jolla, Coronado, Gas Lamp District and Old Town are about 40 minutes away. Orange County is about an hour away. Julian and the mountains and desert is a little over an hour away.
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
Our home is full of beautiful art from around the world, please be careful handling them.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2020
Renewal Date: 02/Jul/2020
Hi, We are Ron and Mary James. We are semi-retired veteran journalists from San Diego, California. Mary is a home and garden writer, and worked for the daily in San Diego for 30 years. I pioneered online media beginning in 1993 and now write and do photography and video about food, travel and wine in our award-winning Wine Dine & Travel Magazine. Obviously we love traveling food and wine and enjoy them all as much as possible.
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Wine Lovers,
The Arts,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
Seniors,
Artists / Entertainment Industry
Profession
Travel writing, Photograph, Graphic Design and Publishing
Our personal links
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
Local home swap representatives around the world to assist you
Travel, save and feel at home around the world!