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San Diego Home/Gardens Lifestyles Magazine has named a Rosarito Beach house one of their four "2013 Homes of the Year". This is the first time the award has been given to a house in Baja California. Fortunately, it's ours.

DiscoverBaja has posted the downloadable PDF file. Because of the colors- the file size is large at 15MB. Link to PDF Download: http://discoverbaja.site50.net/ROSARITO2013.pdf

We're happy with the article and their reference to the "nascent Rosarito real estate revival". I'm not sure a Rosarito Beach real estate revival is actually taking place, but we presented Baja California and Rosarito Beach to potential investors in the most positive light possible for the magazine. The rest is up to Rosarito Beach. The links I forwarded to the Magazine for the builder, craftsmen, the Artisans Boulevard organization (aka Blvd. Popotla) that runs the shops just north of the FOX Baja studios, the tile shop were all included in the "resources" - so we hope that gives them all a well-deserved boost. Sadly, the store we bought the slate tiles from has since closed due to lack of business. A few stores offered to "stage" the photo shoot for us in exchange for the credits- but in the end we just went with what we had. We didn't want people thinking we had nice stuff worth harming us for (with six Labradors we don't).

They did make an error with the layout which the writer tells me is not uncommon. They describe the pool Angel and waterfalls, but show a very camera-unready BBQ and trash area. The two things I personally like about our house weren't shown: the Talavera tiles on the main staircase, and the courtyard/pool. I don't have access to the photographers photo set, so these are photos I have on hand. Viva Baja and Rosarito Beach!

It's no secret I have been a strong and vocal critic of the lack of progress being made in reviving Rosarito Beach and making it a safe place for investors. That won't change.

I've been to your house and the photos don't do justice to the design, layout and "feel" of the place. It really is a wonderful home - congratulations to you and Alonzo!

...Wow ... persistence and knowledge DO pay off !!!

Pool Angel??? That looks like Richard Nixon.
Congratulations, Craig. Very impressive.

What a beautiful home. After participating in, and supervising our construction, I can't imagine building something with so many (very nice) details.

Thanks for the comments. The other winners are the jaw-dropping beautiful. We must have dazzled them with color (and value).

Thanks for sharing the link. Congrats on the award. A well built house is its own reward.

I saw on another thread that you wanted your house to sell for Christmas. Was this the one you meant? Or do you have another one you want to sell?

Originally Posted by bwall

Thanks for sharing the link. Congrats on the award. A well built house is its own reward.

I saw on another thread that you wanted your house to sell for Christmas. Was this the one you meant? Or do you have another one you want to sell?

I think I was singing "All I want for Christmas is my house to sell...". But I was singing it with Dennis. He needs out of here first. Everything I have is for sale- how many dogs you want? :)

Very beautiful home. Congrats!

INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!

Tammy

We were honored today with the presence of U.S. Consul General Tijuana Andrew Erickson. He paid a visit to compliment us on the "2013 Home of the Year Award". He got the full tour and enjoyed the house very much. He loved the idea of a casual lunch at the kitchen island enjoying his view of the Coronados. (foodie alert: we had Shrimp Louie followed by Tuna Melt sandwiches with a granny-smith apple pie I got up early to make so I could serve it warm).

During his visit I explained to Consul Erickson it was unlikely we would be able to promote Rosarito Beach to expats and investors at this time, be assured him we could support the Baja State Tourism Office in their promotional efforts (there must be a few places in Baja worthy of promotion). I also told him a "Dog Beach" in Rosarito would be a good idea for tourism- there are three in San Diego. We asked Hugo Torres to consider that idea for our concession two years ago without response. I think some people may feel safer with their dogs actually. I know there are many clean and safe 200 peso a night ($18) motels on the strip that accept pets.

I think the next three years with Consul General Erickson being posted in Tijuana will be very good for Baja. He is a security expert and came here from Afghanistan by way of Columbia and Panama- so he knows the problem and the players. I can tell he is genuinely interested in the expat experience and will be a more vocal and visible presence than previous consuls. We thanked him for his service and I am very proud as an American to have a man of this caliber here to support us Americans.

I didn't think to take photos. He presented us with a commemorative medal and we gave him a signed copy of the Magazine article for his office.

Wow what an honor!! I don't know you but found myself so very proud of you while reading your post!!

Tasteful obscuration of his email/tel. #; good thinking there!

We're also honored to have him as a member here...

so everybody ¡compórtense bien!

That's awesome Woooosh and I agree, our new consul general comes with a great attitude and resume to back it up!

Figures!!! The connection keeps timing out for me....but I'm tenacious & will keep trying to open the link! The pics you've posted are pretty cool!! Congrats to both you & Alonzo!!

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Figures!!! The connection keeps timing out for me....but I'm tenacious & will keep trying to open the link! The pics you've posted are pretty cool!! Congrats to both you & Alonzo!!

Thanks Legs. The written story was a disappointment so you're not missing a lot. I haven't actually read it all the way through believe it or not. The PDF file is huge, but there are more photos of the house on our website, but not the ones from the magazine. Woooosh! - Welcome! Bienvenidos!

I entered the house thinking maybe they could do a future story on Baja, with no expectation of winning. It's just cement block put together like leggos with bright paint. We don' t even have heat, just a fireplace. When the editor called and said we had won, I actually tried to talk her out of it (always sandy, wet, beach towels and dogs everywhere) but she said the jurors selected it. The award is good for Rosarito, the builder and the local craftsmen who built it though. That's nice.

What a cool casa & interior design!! Who designed it? You? Architect?

I really feel sorry for those poor dogs who gotta endure living there!

If you're serious about selling, all this positive publicity certainly won't hurt!!

That is indeed a very beautiful home. Who was the builder?

The builder is Carlos Urrea of Rosarito Beach. Both BajaGringo and I give him the Baja Seal of Approval. I think he's on a very short list. He does sales, rentals and construction.

URREA REALTY - BIENES RAICES