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coffee and conversation
Where Do You Meet for Coffee?
Here a few favorites and some new ones in the queue.
Cafenated Coffee Co • Corner of College Ave and Ashby • the Elmwood
Terrace Gifts & Coffee • Next to Village Market and the Terrance Nursery on Broadway Terrace @ Clarewood • Upper Rockridge
And a few more places to meet, sip and socialize below, after this quick read:
Oakland and Berkeley, located in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, have vibrant and diverse coffee cultures that reflect the unique character of these communities. Keep in mind that details might have evolved since then, but here’s an overview of the coffee culture in Oakland and Berkeley:
Oakland Coffee Culture: Oakland’s coffee culture is known for its creativity, diversity, and community-oriented atmosphere. The city has a rich history of social activism and cultural diversity, and these influences are often reflected in its coffee scene. Some key aspects of Oakland’s coffee culture include:
- Local Roasters: Oakland is home to several renowned local coffee roasters, each with its own distinct character and approach to sourcing and roasting beans. These roasters often prioritize ethical and sustainable practices.
- Community Focus: Many coffee shops in Oakland emphasize community engagement and social responsibility. Some shops actively support local artists, host events, and contribute to charitable causes.
- Artistic Expression: The city’s creative spirit is evident in its coffee shops, where you may find a blend of art, music, and culture. Some coffee shops serve as galleries for local artists to showcase their work.
- Diversity: Oakland’s diverse population is reflected in its coffee offerings, with shops often featuring a variety of international coffee styles, flavors, and brewing methods.
Berkeley Coffee Culture: Berkeley, located just north of Oakland, is famous for its academic institutions, progressive values, and historical significance in the counterculture movement. Its coffee culture is influenced by these factors and offers its own unique characteristics:
- Academic Atmosphere: With the presence of the University of California, Berkeley, the city’s coffee shops often have an intellectual and scholarly ambiance. You might find students and scholars engaged in discussions or studying.
- Alternative and Sustainable: Berkeley has a history of environmental consciousness and social activism. Many coffee shops prioritize organic and sustainable products, and some even offer fair-trade and locally sourced options.
- Innovation: Like the city itself, Berkeley’s coffee culture can be innovative and experimental. You may encounter shops that offer unique brewing methods, coffee blends, or specialty drinks.
- Cultural Diversity: Berkeley’s diverse population contributes to a rich variety of coffee options, from traditional to international styles. You might find cafes offering a range of flavors and preparations.
Both Oakland and Berkeley have a “third place” culture, emphasizing the role of coffee shops as spaces for social interaction, relaxation, and creative expression. These communities often value inclusivity, sustainability, and a sense of belonging, which contribute to the distinctive coffee cultures you can experience in these two cities.
OAKLAND
Actual Cafe • 6334 San Pablo Avenue • Golden Gate
Awaken Cafe • 1429 Broadway • Downtown
Blue Bottle Coffee • 300 Webster Street • Jack London
Bicycle Coffee Company • 364 2nd Street • Jack London
Cole Coffee • 307 63rd Street • Fairview Park
Coloso Coffee • 1715 Webster Street • Downtown
City Lights Cafe • 2121 Harrison Street • Lake Merritt
Equator Coffee & Tea • 175 Bay Place • Adams Point
Farley’s East • 33 Grand Avenue • Uptown
Fig & Poe • 396 11th Street • Downtown
Highwire Coffee Roasters • 5655 College Avenue • Rockridge
Modern Coffee • 411 13th Street / 381 19th Street • Civic Center / Uptown
Philz Coffee • 6310 College Avenue • Fairview Park
Red Bay Coffee • 2327 Broadway • Uptown
Subrosa Coffee • 4008 Martin Luther King Jr. Way • Longfellow
Tertulia • 1951 Telegraph • Uptown
The Cro Cafe • 470 49th Street • Temescal
Timeless Coffee • 4252 Piedmont Avenue • North Oakland
Trouble • 1545 Willow Street • West Oakland
BERKELEY
1951 Coffee Shop • 2410 Channing Way • Downtown
Alchemy Collective Cafe • 1741 Alcatraz Avenue • Bushrod
Allegro Coffee Roasters • 1025 Gilman Street • Westbrae
Algorithm Coffee • 1122 University Avenue • West Berkeley
Artis Coffee Roasters • 1717 4th Street • Northwest Berkeley Babette • 2155 Center Street • Downtown
Bartavelle • 1603 San Pablo Avenue • West Berkeley
Blue Bottle Coffee • 2118 Shattuck Avenue • Downtown
Catahoula Coffee • 2080 4th Street • West Berkeley
Cafe Strada • 2300 College Avenue • South Side
Cafe Trieste • 2500 San Pablo Avenue • West Berkeley
CoRo Coffee Room • 2324 Fifth Street • West Berkeley
Fellini Coffee Bar • 1401 University Avenue • West Berkeley
Gold Leaf Cafe • 1947 Martin Luther King Jr. Way • Downtown
Guerilla Cafe • 1620 Shattuck Avenue • North Berkeley
Philz Coffee • 1313 9th Street Ste 110 • Westbrae
Rasa Coffee • 3140 Martin Luther King Jr. Way • South Berkeley
Raxakoul Coffee & Cheese • 1578 Hopkins Street • Berkeley Hills
Romeo’s Coffee • 2499 Telegraph Avenue • South Side
Souvenir Coffee • 3084 Claremont Avenue • Claremont
Victory Point Cafe • 1797 Shattuck Avenue • Gourmet Ghetto
Should you be interested in other recommendations, resources and/or referrals, please reach out. Adam, Chase and I are happy to guide you. We look forward to speaking with you.
East Bay Bites Before 3PM
Bites b43 – Follow my entire Live Local Series on Instagram @DiMaggioAndBetta
Where you might find me if I decide to take a lunch break or meet up with a client, colleague or friend. And what I eat.
.+ Terrace Cafe ( BLT!)
+ Crepevine (Nutella & Strawberries )
+ Summer Kitchen (Chinese Chicken Salad)
+Casa Barotti (Pepperoni or Sausage, Spicy
+Yellow Door (Chinese Chicken Salad)
Share your favorites. I’ve tagged each establishment.
Enjoy!
The Fabulous Variety of Architectural Styles in the SF Bay Area
Architectural Styles In And Around the Bay Area, Range from Modern to Traditional and Everything In Between
By Summer Intern, Adhi Bornstein
The San Francisco Bay Area is known for its diverse and vibrant medley of architectural landscape. From historic Victorian homes to sleek modern designs, the region contains architectural styles that are reflective of the region’s rich history, cultural diversity, and progressive spirit. Throughout this blog post, we will delve into the most common architectural styles found within the San Francisco Bay Area, highlighting their unique characteristics and significance.
Victorian
The Victorian era has left an unforgettable mark on the architectural fabric of the Bay Area. Victorian homes contain ornate details, vibrant color, steep pitched roofs, and are iconic landmarks throughout the region. Most notable is the “San Francisco Victorian”, characterized by the iconics Painted ladies row houses with intricate woodwork and colorful facades. This style is a testament to the city’s historical cast and oers a charming glimpse into the 19th century architectural aesthetics.
Spanish Revival ( like my family home in Piedmont )
The Spanish Revival style emerged in the early 20th century, influenced heavily by Spanish colonial architecture. Known for their stucco exteriors, red tile roofs, and decorative accents like arched windows and wrought-iron details, these buildings exude a sense of Mediterranean elegance. Many homes and public publids in the Bay Area, such as the Berkeley City Club, embrace this architectural style infusing a touch of Old World charm into the region’s architectural tapestry.
Craftsman
Craftsman styles homes, popular during the early 20th century, emphasize fine craftsmanship and natural materials. These homes often feature low-pitched roofs, front porches, exposed rafters, and use of wood and stone elements. The craftsman style blend harmoniously with the Bay Area’s natural surroundings and can be seen in many neighborhoods, particularly in cities like Berkeley and Oakland.
Mid-Century Modern ( SOLD, DiMaggio Betta Group, Berkeley, CA )
The Mid-Century Modern movement gained prominence in the post World War 2 era, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and a seamless integration with nature. Architects like Joseph Eichler created modernist homes, characterized by open floor plans, large windows, flat roods and a focus on indoor-outdoor living. The Bay Area boasts several neighborhoods with these iconic homes, such as the Eichler homes in Palo Alto and Marin County, showing the region’s embrace of contemporary design.
Contemporary
As the Bay Area evolves, so does its architectural landscape. Contemporary styles blend innovative design with sustainability and environmental considerations. Many new structures feature sleek lines, extensive use of glass, energy-efficient features, and green roofs. Architects and designers in the area continue to push boundaries, creating unique and visually striking buildings that redefined the skyline of cities like San Francisco and Oakland.
Overall, the San Francisco Bay Area is a treasure trove of architectural styles that reflect its history, cultural density, and progressive mindset. From the picturesque Victorian homes that evoke a bygone era to the sleek lines of contemporary designs, the region’s architectural landscape is a testament to the evolving tastes and aspirations of its residents. Exploring the various architectural styles in the Bay Area is not only a visual delight but also a journey through time and a celebration of the region’s rich heritages.
Whether you appreciate the intricate details of Victorian homes, the timeless elegance of Spanish Revival or the innovative spirit of contemporary design, the architectural styles in the San Francisco Bay Area offers a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past, present, and future.
RealTrends + Tom Ferry The Thousand and America’s Best Lists Name The DiMaggio Betta Group
DiMaggio Betta Group | Realtors for the Generations
- 35+ Years of Experience
- Top 1.5% of Real Estate Professionals in the U.S.
- 2023 RealTrends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals
Corcoran Icon Properties congratulates DiMaggio Betta Group named among the top 1.5% of real estate professionals in the U.S. 2023 RealTrends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals
We are honored to be selected among the 2023 RealTrends + Tom Ferry America’s Best Real Estate Professionals, which includes the highest-producing real estate agents in the country. Those ranked are among the top 1.5% of 1.6 million real estate professionals in the United States. It’s a true honor to be one of them.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our colleagues at Corcoran, our clients, service providers, staff, family and friends for your continued support. We are here to help and navigate you through the real estate process so you too can achieve your real estate goals; and after 35 years we continue to be passionate about what we have the privilege of doing each and everyday.
Common Questions Asked By Home Buyers
Potential home buyers often have numerous questions as they navigate the process of purchasing a property. Here are some common questions asked by potential home buyers:
- Affordability: Buyers often want to know how much they can afford and what their mortgage options are. They may ask about loan pre-approval, down payment requirements, and estimated monthly payments.
- Neighborhood and Location: Buyers frequently inquire about the quality of the neighborhood, nearby amenities (schools, parks, shopping centers), safety, proximity to workplaces, and transportation options.
- Property Features: Buyers want to understand the specific features and condition of the property. They may ask about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, square footage, age of the home, recent renovations or upgrades, and potential maintenance issues.
- Pricing and Negotiation: Buyers often ask about the listing price, recent comparable sales, and strategies for making competitive offers. They may seek advice on negotiation tactics and factors that can influence the final purchase price.
- Financing and Mortgage Options: Buyers may have questions about different types of mortgages, interest rates, and the mortgage application process. They may inquire about the best lenders or seek recommendations for mortgage brokers.
- Home Inspection: Buyers commonly want to know about the importance of a home inspection and what it entails. They may ask about potential issues that could be discovered during the inspection and how to handle them.
- Property History and Disclosures: Buyers often inquire about the history of the property, including past ownership, renovations, or any known issues. They may also want to understand the seller’s disclosure obligations and what information they should expect to receive.
- Closing Process and Timelines: Buyers may ask about the overall timeline for closing on a property, including the steps involved and any potential delays or contingencies that could arise.
- Homeowners Association (HOA): If the property is part of an HOA, buyers may inquire about HOA fees, rules and regulations, and any special assessments or upcoming projects.
- Future Potential: Buyers may have questions about the potential for property value appreciation, the resale value, and any planned developments or infrastructure projects in the area.
These are just a few examples of the common questions that potential home buyers often ask. Each buyer’s situation and priorities may vary, so it’s important to address their specific concerns and provide relevant information to assist them in their decision-making process.
We are ready to assist you with your personal real estate goals.
Common Questions Asked by Home Sellers
Real estate clients who are interested in selling their property typically have various questions and concerns. Here are some common topics they may want to know about:
- Market Analysis: Clients often want to understand the current market conditions in their area, including recent sales prices, average days on market, and trends affecting property values.
- Pricing Strategy: Clients seek guidance on setting the right price for their property. They may want to know the fair market value, comparable sales in the neighborhood, and factors that can impact the listing price.
- Marketing Plan: Sellers want to know how their property will be marketed to attract potential buyers. They may inquire about online listings, professional photography, open houses, virtual tours, print advertising, and social media promotion.
- Repairs and Staging: Clients may ask about necessary repairs or improvements that can enhance the appeal of their property. They may also seek advice on staging, decluttering, or depersonalizing the home to make it more marketable.
- Timing and Timeline: Sellers often want to know how long it may take to sell their property and the best time to list it. They may inquire about seasonal market fluctuations and the average time properties stay on the market in their area.
- Negotiation and Offers: Clients may have questions about the negotiation process, including how to evaluate and respond to offers. They may want to understand contingencies, inspections, and potential counteroffers.
- Costs and Fees: Sellers often want to know about the costs associated with selling their property, such as real estate agent commissions, closing costs, and potential expenses related to repairs or staging.
- Legal and Documentation: Clients may have questions regarding the legal aspects of selling real estate, including required disclosures, contracts, and any local regulations or permits that may apply.
- Tax Implications: Sellers may seek information on the tax consequences of selling their property, such as capital gains taxes or tax exemptions that may be applicable in their situation.
- Moving and Relocation: Clients may inquire about resources for moving services, storage options, and assistance with the logistics of relocating to a new property.
These are just a few examples of the questions and concerns that real estate clients typically have when considering selling their property. Each client’s situation may vary, so it’s important to address their specific needs and provide personalized guidance throughout the selling process.
Interested in specifics for your home or move, just reach out. The DiMaggio Betta Group looks forward to speaking with you.
5 reasons a seller should stage
- We get one chance to make a good first impression, and selling a home is no different
- Photographs look better and will draw in more Buyers and provide more marketing opportunities
- The home will sell faster
- Buyers can visualize themselves in the home easier
- Staging is an expense, thus a tax write-off for the Seller
Allow us to help you prepare your home for market. Step Inside
Piedmont, Our Small Town Community
Piedmont, CA | Family, Home, Events and Lifestyle | A Personal Perspective
A personal perspective: Debbi grew up in Piedmont, attended Wildwood Elementary School, Piedmont Junior High (in 1979 it was renamed and regraded to Piedmont Middle School) and Piedmont High. Debbi graduated in 1982 from PHS and from UC Berkeley in 1987. For all the same reasons she enjoyed and benefited from Piedmont are the same reasons she and husband and partner Adam Betta decided to move their family to town.
– The excellent school system tops the list. One must live in town to attend the top-rated Piedmont schools. The high school is similar to a private school with just under 800 students, grades 9-12.
– Piedmont is a tight community where everyone knows one another and watches out for one another. Many of the children have known each other since they were toddlers hanging out in the Piedmont Park. With that noted, the Piedmont kids are also very welcoming to new students and look forward to meeting the new kids on the block.
– Piedmont is a place where kids can grow up in a small town environment, yet not be isolated. Piedmont is situated near the cultural diversity of Oakland and Berkeley and convenient to shops, cafes, boutiques and a variety of restaurants.
– Transportation and alternative routes – Piedmont is just a 20 minute drive of San Francisco and can be accessed via BART, bus, car or the informal car pool. The East Bay has easy access to both San Francisco and Oakland, International Airports. The San Mateo Bridge, the Bay Bridge and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge provide alternative routes to other favorite destinations, unlike, for instance, in Marin County where public transportation and alternative routes are limited and the 101 freeway very congested. (A beautiful place, however.)
– Easily accessible to world-renowned and Debbi’s personal favorites for day trips or weekend overnights: Lake Tahoe, Napa, Sonoma, Pebble Beach, Carmel, Monterey, Big Sur and with the Oakland airport so close, Park City, Utah, Scottsdale, Arizona, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, even Cabo San Lucas plus many other cities are just a hop, skip and a jump away on Southwest or Alaska Air.
– Another personal favorite Debbi points out is the giving back and community service aspect. Piedmont families and students are very active in giving back to the schools, community and others less fortunate in the neighboring communities, hospitals and organizations. Students have a variety of opportunities to participate in philanthropy. One of the most popular high school volunteer program is the Mexico Trip. The Piedmont Community Church offers this program once a year and fills up immediately. The students spend one week building homes for families just outside of Tijuana giving up their Spring Break to help others. It’s an incredible and moving experience for these affluent kids to experience. Or young woman can join NCL, the National Charity League, a mother-daughter organization who support and volunteer their time to various organizations. Piedmont has an incredible number of boys involved in Boy Scouts, many who have become Eagle Scouts. These are just a few of the many opportunities offered to our Piedmont kids and young adults.
In Piedmont, kids and families are involved, no matter what it is, they are active, giving and compassionate citizens.
Click the Highlighted Links Below:
Piedmont, West Coast Mayberry with Great Schools
Fun For Kids | Piedmont Rec Department
Study Smarter | SAT Prep
Piedmont District Calendar
- Piedmont K-12 District Calendar
- Piedmont High School Website
- Piedmont – Millennium High School
- Piedmont High School Sports
- Piedmont Middle School
- Havens Elementary – Ask Debbi and Adam what they think, their children attended Havens.
- Wildwood Elementary School – Debbi attended Wildwood. Ask Debbi to learn more.
- Beach Elementary – The smallest of the three elementary schools, Havens being the largest.
Piedmont Portal | Connecting Community and Schools | Truly, what Piedmont is all about.
Family Fun
Piedmont Neighbors + Newcomers Club | Great for kids and adults of all ages!
Interested in other activities, advice or recommendations, just reach out.
Between the DiMaggio Betta Group we have you covered.
Piedmont, CA
The City of Piedmont is a charter city of approximately 11,000 residents located in the beautiful Oakland Hills, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The city, which is virtually built out, consists of established, high-quality single family homes on quiet tree-lined streets. Piedmont is centrally located within a few minutes from Oakland and San Francisco on the West and Concord and Walnut Creek on the East. Within Piedmont’s 1.7 square-mile area there are five city parks and numerous landscaped areas which offer wooded paths, tennis courts, children’s playgrounds and picnic facilities.
Live On 5! with Debbi DiMaggio and Randy Baruh
LIVE on 5! Linkedin Live with Debbi DiMaggio and Randy Baruh
Conversation Recap and Takeaways
What is the mindset you have around your job or career?
For me it has always been — Real estate is NOT a job but a Lifestyle
Change out the word Real Estate with your Job and complete the sentence. FILL IN THE BLANK ____________ is Not a Job but a Lifestyle
Here are 5 Top Tips to help you embrace a similar mindset. No matter what career you are in you can make it fun by following these 5 Principles.
#1 Be Authentic | When you are doing what you love you are not only having fun but you are connecting with like-minded people who share a common interest.
#2 Be Creative | In Randy’s former life he was an actor and art director. Randy takes that same passion and love into his work as a real estate agent by creating entertaining and inspiring video content. Below is one of his most viewed YouTube videos.
#3 Create Opportunities | Rather than working from home or sitting behind a desk in the office, get out, be present and engage. When you are out in the world, or your community that is when opportunities arise. Randy strikes up conversations at his children’s sports games, standing in line at the grocery store and other places that are part of his daily routine. I don’t think this next one was intended but the outcome was unexpectedly fruitful. He was having his first colonoscopy and just was coming down from the anesthesia when the doctor, sitting in wait, across from Randy asked if Randy could help with him with a real estate need. Now that is truly an unexpected business opportunity! Randy leaned over, delirious, and grabbed a pen and paper and jotted down the contact information and details.
#4 Seek Inspiration | I find inspiration scanning fashion and design websites, movie sets, magazines, Pinterest, even Google images. The quickest way to spark creative and inspiring ideas is to Google what you are seeking to see what others are doing, then explore from there.
#5 Ask Questions | Most Realtors and quite frankly, anyone with a brand, product or service to sell is certainly more of a people person than one with an engineer type personality. One of the many aspects that keeps me so interested in real estate is working with a variety of personalities and people from around the globe. For over 30 years I have had the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and hear interesting stories. Engaging with others by asking questions is fun for me, so it’s easy to develop authentic relationships. I am truly interested in hearing other people’s stories. Randy shared a technique he uses called the FORD Method which includes question categories to ask when getting to know someone based on the FORD Method, an easy way to get a friendly conversation going.
To recap our TOP 5 Takeaways from Live On 5!
Be Authentic
Be Creative
Create Opportunities
Seek Inspiration
Ask Questions
One thing of many I will implement from our conversation today with Randy is to create videos and photographic content showing someone in the home, cooking in the kitchen, watching a movie in the media room, sipping a cocktail in the living room, reading a book on a comfortable chair in the den.
Love it Randy! Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you to our guests and you, for stopping by, and allowing us to share what we love! We hope we may inspire you to feel the same — Real Estate or FILL IN THE BLANK ____________ is not a job, but a Lifestyle
Seeking to buy, sell, lease or invest in real estate in Manhattan or Brooklyn reach out to Randy Baruh.
Looking for the same but in the San Francisco East Bay Area-or-Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, LA contact Debbi DiMaggio. If you are seeking to buy, sell, invest or lease in anywhere else in the world, just ask us for a referral so we can connect you with a local, experienced, knowledgeable and passionate Realtor.
When Asked About Real Estate Myths
Truth or Myth: I chose one common real estate myth, and here was my response.
MYTH: Home Buyers DO NOT need a Realtor
TRUTH: They do.
This is a myth for both home buyers and home sellers alike.
Let’s just review why a Buyer DOES in fact, NEED a Realtor when purchasing a home. Or, should certainly consider hiring a qualified Realtor.
Here are Top 5 Reasons To Partner with A Realtor for Success:
1. The Seller pays the commission so it would be foolish not to take advantage of the opportunity to work with an expert.
2. Would you choose not to hire an attorney if you were being sued?
3. A Realtor will guide you every step of the way; they will counsel, offer advice, break down the process and dissuade you from potentially making a big wrong decision or many small mistakes.
4. An agent will connect you with a variety of professionals from service providers to reputable lenders and efficient escrow officers, to inspectors, insurance reps and more.
5. Your agent will provide insight and expertise and know what sorts of questions to ask the listing agent, service providers, lender, insurance agent, etc.
Avoid buying a home with latent issues, getting yourself into trouble and/or making a huge financial mistake. Working with a knowledgeable agent has big upside and not working with one may potentially cause you heartache, headaches and great financial loss.
To learn more contact the DiMaggio Betta Group.
