In the days where much of the shopping for home can be done from home, a place has to be pretty special to lure us outside. These home-design retailers aren’t just shops—they’re experiences:
Swoon is located along the main drive in the sleepy town of Santa Clara, and the new boutique is a decor-lover’s dream. Designer April Hickman transformed an old brick bungalow into a shop with a swanky vibe that takes hold the moment visitors step inside the entry, where a dazzling chandelier and a dark mural wallpaper deliver drama from the get-go.
Nancy Van Matre’s décor and lifestyle shop in St. George, Cosy House, is designed to help others create a welcoming air—with fresh, clean, timeless and comfortable style—for their homes.
Native Flower Company. Photo courtesy of Native Flower.
The Garden Store is not only Salt Lake’s cherished destination for unique gifts, furnishings and décor for the home and garden, but it has also served as a beloved retreat, offering a happy escape and gratifying retail therapy. With welcoming spaces and inspiring displays, The Garden Store is curated with an approachable yet elevated aesthetic, enlivened with just enough whimsy to keep things interesting.
Native Floral Company is a spacious, urban-style boutique teeming with fresh flower arrangements, bloom bundles, indoor plants, stylish vessels, gifts cards, candles, treats and much more. The open space also hosts classes and workshops for plant enthusiasts and floral hobbyists.
For unique home décor, luxurious accessories and exceptional gifts, visit O.C. Tanner Jeweler’s Home & Lifestyle Department on the third floor of the flagship store in Salt Lake City. Highly curated, there are always new offerings from well-known and recently discovered designers and artisans. (The Park City location also offers pieces selected for mountain luxury lifestyle.)
See more stories about our community in our City Life Section. And while you’re here why not subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine delivered to your door.
As you’re shopping for car insurance quotes, you’ll notice that most providers will offer you roadside assistance.
It’s a simple question that’s hard to answer because what they’re really asking is:
Hey, do you think you’ll find yourself stranded a lot this year?
Roadside assistance is a tricky form of insurance that may be absolutely worth it for some and passable for others. To help you decide which camp you fall into, let’s investigate roadside assistance.
What’s Ahead:
What is roadside assistance?
As the name implies, roadside assistance is an optional program that lets you call a 911-like hotline for your stranded car. Here’s how it works:
You purchase a year of roadside assistance (typically between $70 and $150).
You receive a Member ID and a hotline phone number.
When your car is immobilized for some reason (breakdown, locked out), you call the number on the card, give your Member ID, and describe your issue.
Dispatch sends the nearest participating mobile mechanic to your location within the hour (sometimes).
You’re back on the road, and your roadside assistance provider comps the mechanic.
Breakdowns, getting stuck in mud or snow, running out of fuel, and simply locking yourself out are all common reasons why you might call for roadside assistance. If the mobile mechanic can’t fix your issue onsite, they’ll tow it to the nearest participating service station.
While roadside assistance is designed to get you back on the road, not every service is included. I’ll go into more detail below, but I wanted to set that expectation early on; folks are often surprised when they call for roadside assistance and still receive a bill later on.
To avoid such unpleasant surprises, let’s cover in detail what roadside assistance does and doesn’t cover.
What does roadside assistance include?
Again, roadside assistance will perform pretty much any necessary service to get your car back on the road, whether onsite or at a local garage. However, not all of it is free.
Here’s a list of services that are typically included in a roadside assistance program at no extra charge:
Tire changes. Hey, no shame in calling for a tire change if you’re stuck on the side of the road; especially if your car is at an unsafe angle to the road. Note that the mobile mechanic will typically use your spare tire, which you should never drive on longer than 50 miles.
Battery jump-start.Car batteries typically die within two and a half months of a car not being driven. Luckily, most roadside assistance programs cover jump starts for free.
Fuel delivery.If you’re like my dad and think that the Low Fuel Light “really means there’s plenty left,” you’ve probably run out of gas at some point. Thankfully, roadside assistance will deliver enough fuel to get to the next gas station at no charge (you just have to cover the cost of the fuel).
Lockout services.Lock yourself out? Roadside assistance will dispatch a locksmith to get you right back into your car in no time. Don’t be distressed if they bend your window back in lieu of picking the lock Mission Impossible-style – auto glass is surprisingly flexible, so that’s just the easiest way to do it.
Extrication and towing (up to a few miles).Roadside assistance programs typically include free extrication (i.e. wenching you out of a ditch) and limited towing, often three to five miles per call. Sometimes your annual membership will include a pool of towing miles, like 25 for the year. Anything beyond that and you foot the bill.
That covers the services that are included in your roadside assistance program. Now, let’s talk about some that aren’t.
What does roadside assistance not include?
Sadly, roadside assistance isn’t “get your car up and running again at any cost” insurance. It’s really just a subscription to a dispatch service that won’t charge you for the quick and easy stuff, like tire changes or fuel delivery.
Roadside assistance will always show up, but you’ll have to pay extra if they need to perform services like these:
Tire repair. If you don’t have a spare tire in the trunk, roadside assistance will have to repair or change out your existing tire – both of which usually involve towing it to a tire shop.
Roadside diagnosis.If you have a Check Engine Light (CEL), your roadside assistance will have to use an OBD-II Scanner to read and translate your engine error codes. Most mechanics charge at least $50 for OBD-II scans, which is why I recommend all drivers buy their own scanner for $50 or less.
Dents, dings, and scratches. Did you know that you can fix a dent in your car in about 15 seconds using only hot water and a plunger? I wish roadside assistance programs would capitalize on this for some easy brownie points with customers, but sadly, none that I know of do any sort of aesthetic repair.
Long-distance towing.It’s worth mentioning again that most roadside assistance programs only include a few miles of towing, either per call or per year. Plus, there may be a rule stating that they can only tow you to a shop approved by your roadside assistance program, which may be on the other side of town.
Any necessary repairs.Typically, by the time your car reaches the shop for repairs, you’re totally on your own for the cost of repairs. AAA and State Farm are the exception to this rule: AAA will cover 10% of the final bill and State Farm will cover the first hour of labor – that’s around $100 if you drive a Toyota and $200 if you’re in a Porsche.
Should you buy roadside assistance from your auto insurance provider, AAA, or someone else?
Most people think “AAA” when they hear “roadside assistance” and for good reason. The American Automobile Association has been around since 1902, six years before the Ford Model T even began production.
With over a century of experience protecting American motorists, AAA is hard to beat. That said, others are certainly trying; in recent years, most of the major auto insurance providers have stepped in to chip away at AAA’s market dominance.
So what does one have to offer over the other?
Roadside assistance from AAA
AAA is the Toyota Camry of roadside assistance: affordable, dependable, and well-equipped. The AAA Basic Membership costs around $60 – $100 annually depending on your region, and includes the following roadside benefits.
Four free service calls per member per year.
Three to five free towing miles per call (depends on your region).
Free fuel delivery.
Free extrication.
Up to $50 per year in locksmithing services.
Now, you might be thinking that’s not a whole lot of coverage. Honestly, I agree with you; $50 of locksmithing services can dry up in a single call, and three miles of towing isn’t particularly far, especially if you live in a rural area. These are certainly the two weakest points in AAA’s armor, and the ones competitors are targeting.
However, AAA still has the competition walloped in two key areas:
Perks and benefits. 119 years of networking has certainly paid off; AAA offers huge discounts with a bevy of retailers, many of whom aren’t even auto-related. Included in your AAA membership is up to 30% off at Samsung, The UPS Store, HP, rental car agencies, and more. You’ll also get 10% off at Dell, which if you’re buying a $1,500 laptop, pays for two years of AAA itself.
Free Associate Membership.Included in your AAA membership is one free Associate Membership for a member of your household. Associate AAA members enjoy the same benefits as you either for free or at a steeply discounted rate, so it’s like a roadside BOGO.
Like a Camry, AAA membership is popular for a reason – but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best option for you. It’s entirely possible that your provider has them beat.
Roadside assistance from your auto insurance provider
Don’t assume that the roadside assistance program your provider offers will directly mimic AAA’s like a generic brand cereal. Providers can’t possibly match AAA’s affiliate perks and benefits, so they compete on roadside coverage instead.
Even still, most providers can’t offer increased coverage across the board – they generally offer a little more here and a little less there.
For example, Allstate can’t offer 30% off a new fridge at Samsung.com, but they do include $1,500 in complimentary Trip Interruption coverage with their roadside assistance program. That means if you miss your expensive trip due to illness or tragedy, your Allstate roadside assistance coverage will comp you up to $1,500, even if driving wasn’t involved.
Allstate also includes $100 in Roadside Hazard coverage, which helps to cover the cost of a tire repair (~$15) or a new tire ($80 – $200) after you hit a road hazard. If you live in a pothole moonscape like LA or Boston, free tire replacement could be a seriously useful perk.
Allstate’s roadside assistance program isn’t a holistic upgrade from AAA’s, however – you lose those affiliate discounts, the associate membership, and you’re only given three calls per year compared to AAA’s four.
The subtle differences between Allstate and AAA’s coverage serve to highlight why you should read the terms of your own provider’s roadside assistance program extremely carefully. Providers tend to bury the areas where they can’t beat AAA, so bring a magnifying glass.
Are there any alternatives?
AAA and your provider aren’t the only two players vying for roadside dominance.
Better World Club is a direct response to AAA and they’re certainly not shy about why they’re trying to topple the industry stalwart. In stark contrast to AAA, they say, BWC is 100% carbon-neutral, supports environmental causes, and advocates for sustainable transportation.
Although they price-match AAA on membership and coverage, they’re short on perks, discounts, and that extra associate membership. Still, if you’d prefer roadside assistance from a more eco-conscious, forward-thinking company than AAA, consider Better World Club.
Is paying for roadside assistance worth it?
Whether or not roadside assistance is worth it depends on a few factors. To keep things simple, I’ll break it down into two categories:
You might consider paying for roadside assistance if:
If you meet one or more of the following criteria, it might be worth ponying up for roadside assistance.
You find yourself stranded at least once a year. Emergency roadside assistance calls typically cost $99 a pop, so if you sense that you might be stranded at some point in the next year, a membership could pay for itself very quickly.
You drive in a city with inclement weather.AAA membership is typically more expensive in cities up north and for good reason; the likelihood that you’ll need to be winched out of a snowbank is much higher above the Mason-Dixon Line. Plus, getting stranded in cold weather can be life-threatening, so roadside assistance is practically a no-brainer.
Your car is prone to breakdowns.Is your car old? Unreliable? Behind on maintenance? Roadside assistance providers don’t charge extra for cars that are more likely to break down, so if you don’t always trust your ride to start up, it’s probably worth the extra insurance.
You drive more than 20,000 miles a year.Simply put, the more miles you drive, the higher the likelihood you’ll need roadside assistance at some point.
You want peace of mind.Even when they don’t use it, folks seldom regret having roadside assistance coverage. For the average motorist, just having a AAA card in their glove compartment can be a huge stress-reliever.
If you identified with one or more of the above qualifiers, it’s probably worth the $100 or so for roadside assistance coverage. That said, you might still be fine without it.
You can probably pass on roadside assistance if:
If you really want to save the $100, you can probably safely pass on roadside assistance if:
You drive a reliable car. If you drive a historically reliable car that’s unlikely to leave you stranded due to a mechanical issue, that’s one less reason to buy roadside assistance.
You rarely drive in inclement weather. Similarly, if Mother Nature is unlikely to leave you stranded on your usual commute, you’re way less likely to need an emergency extrication.
You rarely drive at all.If you barely drive your car, you’re significantly less likely to get stranded and thus probably don’t need roadside assistance. If you’re worried about your battery dying, don’t pay $100 for roadside – just spend $30 on a battery maintainer that charges your car from a standard wall socket.
Summary
Roadside assistance can lend convenience, peace of mind, even safety to your daily driving experience. $100 or less isn’t much to pay for free towing, jump starts, and lockouts, and the extra bonuses like trip insurance and hazard protection often make it totally worth it.
Even still, if you don’t foresee yourself being stranded anytime soon, you’re probably OK without it. Invest $80 or so bucks in an OBD-II scanner and battery maintainer and you’ll be much more self-sufficient at staying on the road.
Would readers take a gondola to Dodger Stadium from Union Station?
Several hundred people weighed in on a potential new way to reach Dodgers games, first proposed by then-owner Frank McCourt in 2018 and still alive, now shepherded by an environmental organization that hopes to take cars off the streets and keep pollutants out of the air. We asked readers if they would or would not use the gondola, or if they were not sure.
By just a few votes, “yes” received the most responses. Here are the areas that readers cited the most as factors in their decisions:
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Is Union Station easier than Dodger Stadium lots?
A common theme among respondents: Is the Union Station-to-Dodger Stadium route more convenient? Does it save time? For many, the answer was a resounding no. But many people said they’d use it for a variety of reasons.
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If I arrive at the boarding station at a reasonable time before first pitch, what guarantee do I have that I will not be stuck in line rather than in the stadium 30 minutes later? And, after the game, the last of those fans won’t be boarding their ride back until 60-plus minutes postgame … standing in line. And that’s just to get back to the station.
The Stadium needs better access — I can afford to go to games, in decent seats, but I choose not to because the traffic is ludicrous. The stadium desperately needs multiple accesses.
And … today’s environment also demands better security. Good luck to them in resolving their dilemma.
Answer: No
Chip Ossman, Altadena
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If improvements in total commute time and total price were a net positive I would definitely take it. If I have to Uber to the Expo Line to take it to Union Station and then get on the gondola, that sounds like a lot of work and the costs add up. Especially if we have a group.
Answer: Not sure
Patrick Pennel, Los Angeles
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I already park blocks away from the stadium and walk there because I detest the lot so much. It’s easy to get into but a nightmare after the games are over. A gondola would make going and leaving much easier and take less time.
Answer: Yes
Joe Kornbrodt, Los Angeles
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How long is the line going to be? The line for the current Union Station buses makes them impractical.
By my math and the numbers in the article (24 people every 23 seconds), it would take almost three hours to move the 10,000 fans the article talks about. Something doesn’t add up.
Fwiw, I’ve shared season tickets with others since 1992 and go to about 15 games a year.
Answer: Not sure
Wesley Monroe, Pasadena
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We need more public transportation in Los Angeles. How fun and easy. Train to gondola to stadium. I would go see a concert there if it were that easy.
Answer: Yes
Tamra Davis, Malibu
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I could take the train to L.A. from Ventura and not worry about traffic. I would definitely come to more games.
Answer: Yes
Anita Guerrini, Ventura
More Frank McCourt?
Frank McCourt did not sell the Dodger Stadium parking lots when he sold the Dodgers for a billion-dollar profit in 2012. Instead, winning bidder Guggenheim Baseball Management formed a joint venture with a McCourt entity to control the parking lots. Though Mark Walter, the Dodgers’ chairman and controlling owner, said McCourt can’t develop anything on the property without Guggenheim’s consent, McCourt’s name was a cause for concern for readers who offered their thoughts.
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I drink beer before getting into the stadium, my bladder couldn’t hold it in for the seven minute (estimated ride time) and that’s including the wait times lol ….besides, I hate that McCourt would somehow be involved with this …can’t stand the dude, for the way he treated our Dodgers….anyway just my opinion ✌️
Answer: Not sure
Tony Perez, Los Angeles
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It would be an adventure and add to the excitement of game day, like going to Philippe’s before the game. I’m not thrilled about a ton of development there. I also can’t think of a single person who likes the idea of giving so much as a penny to Frank McCourt.
Answer: Yes
Dan McCarrel, Diamond Bar
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Parking is not a pleasant experience at Dodger Stadium. I go to 20-plus games a year and park in Chinatown to avoid the hassle. It’s a walk of slightly more than a mile each way and after the game it’s downhill! A side bonus is not paying McCourt any money for parking. I would hate to support anything that benefits the guy who tried to destroy the home team.
Answer: Not sure
Deborah Vogel, South Pasadena
Is it really better for the area?
It is repulsive to me to have a gondola rising above the people and houses of the community who are near Dodger Stadium. That community has had to endure traffic through the streets and now a gondola above them is horrible. The cons outweighs the pros. This is another example of the rich exploiting the poor.
Answer: No
Susie Chow, Monterey Park
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I’m a resident in the community and NO, I would not set foot on the gondola. Residents like me would boycott and protest the gondola if it were built. This is not an iconic tourist attraction or innovative green transit solution. This is an ill-conceived boondoggle that is being pushed on us with a bunch of lies. If built, this gondola would be a monument to the exploitation and marginalization of our communities.
Besides, what good is a seven-minute ride if you have to stand in line for an hour to board the gondola? And where would everyone who drives to the gondola park? What good is it if the traffic is just redirected into our neighborhoods instead of into Dodger Stadium? This gondola will be a toy for a select few. Does anyone really believe that the tickets will remain free, that they won’t eventually jack up prices or charge an exorbitant membership fee for people to jump the long lines at the gondola stations? Nothing about this project adds up.
Answer: No
Phyllis Ling, Los Angeles
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People will either keep driving to the Dodger Stadium parking lots, or they will drive to Chinatown in order to hop on the gondola. This will turn the neighborhood of Chinatown into the Dodger Stadium parking lot, which means Chinatown will take on even more of the automobile traffic, noise, trash and public urination from beer-imbibing Dodger fans, and its residents will find all of their street parking disappear on game days. Meanwhile, these gondola cabins are proposed to be flying overhead (and not very high overhead either) every 30 seconds or so all year long? In service fewer than 100 game days and concert days? At a ticket price which remains unknown?
The stakeholders of Chinatown/Olvera Street were never asked if we wanted this — instead, we were told that this was already in the works and then asked if we thought the renderings were pretty. People assume that the gondola cabins will soar high in the sky over Los Angeles, but they will mostly be barely 30-40 feet above the pavement and above homes in some instances. They will cut down a swath of mature trees at the L.A. State Historic Park in order to make room for the new station and the flight path. This is information you can only access if you read through the thousands of pages of the DEIR (Draft Environmental Impact Report).
Answer: No
Tany Ling, Los Angeles
A matter of trust
Would need to park and ride, easier and faster to just drive to Dodger Stadium.
Also, many leave the stadium drunk or amped up, I would not like to share a small gondola, especially when with family.
Answer: No
Russ Randall, Santa Clarita
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My concerns about the gondola include earthquakes and power outages. What would happen to passengers in either case? Also how many homes or businesses would displaced? Dodger Stadium already has a tainted history in that regard.
Answer: Not sure
Lisa Babilonia, Nev.
More development?
I could take Metro and skip the traffic completely. It’s the only way I’d consider going to see a game — especially if there are bars and restaurants making it more of an entertainment destination all year. It’s well past time for residents and visitors to the area to be able to visit major destinations without needing to drive in the (world famous!) bad traffic.
Answer: Yes
David Swift, Pasadena
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The gondola would be a world-class attraction for L.A.!! Quit worrying about who may profit. I don’t like Frank any more than you do, but having shopping, dining, and apartments near the ballpark makes sense. Look at how Anaheim has created an entire apartment village around their ballpark. It’s attracted thousands of young people who never would have considered Anaheim. We need more housing. Everyone opposes urban sprawl and building in fire-prone areas outside the city … everyone opposes building inside the city … that’s why there is so much corruption for getting buildings approved through city hall. Is it any surprise we have a housing shortage?!!! Include some affordable housing so some of the stadium workers live nearby.
Answer: Yes
Dave Schafer, Torrance ::
Parking is expensive and difficult. Plus, the gondola also serves Cornfields Park and the restaurants in that neighborhood for before/after game fun.
I also support redeveloping these parking lots into something far more useful than black asphalt. It’s a disgraceful waste of land when there’s an opportunity for the city to broker a win-win-win scenario (more parkland, less surface parking, centrally located housing, and more attractive shops/businesses/restaurants). There’s also a chance to build an entire community from a clean slate that incorporates today’s best practices for sustainability, walkability, etc.
Cleveland, Ohio, is renowned for its vibrant cityscape and rich history, but it’s also a city that embraces its natural beauty through a plethora of parks. If you’re in search of a home for sale or an apartment for rent in Cleveland, OH, you’ll be excited to discover that the city is home to a multitude of stunning green spaces. In this Redfin article, we’ll explore the most popular parks beloved by Cleveland locals.
1. Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland Metroparks is a vast network of parks that spans over 23,000 acres, providing residents and visitors with an abundance of natural beauty and recreational opportunities. With over 100 miles of trails, you can explore scenic forests, tranquil rivers, and picturesque lakes. Popular parks within the Cleveland Metroparks system include the Rocky River Reservation, which offers stunning views of the Rocky River and features an extensive trail network, and the North Chagrin Reservation, home to the renowned Squire’s Castle and Buttermilk Falls.
2. Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Just a short drive from downtown Cleveland lies Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a true gem of the region. This expansive park encompasses over 33,000 acres of diverse landscapes, including rolling hills, lush forests, and beautiful waterfalls. You can enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding on the park’s extensive trail system, or explore the Cuyahoga River by canoe or kayak. The park also hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, such as guided hikes and wildlife presentations.
3. Edgewater Park
Situated along the shores of Lake Erie, Edgewater Park offers a stunning beachfront escape within the city limits. The park features a mile-long sandy beach where you can relax, swim, or soak up the sun. Picnic areas, grills, and playgrounds make it a perfect spot for a fun outing or a leisurely afternoon with friends. Edgewater Park also offers breathtaking views of the Cleveland skyline, especially during sunset, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature lovers.
4. Wade Oval
Located in the heart of University Circle, Wade Oval is a picturesque park surrounded by some of Cleveland’s top cultural institutions. The park’s expansive green space serves as a gathering place for concerts, festivals, and community events throughout the year. You can relax under the shade of the park’s trees, enjoy a picnic on the lawn, or take a leisurely stroll around the pond. Wade Oval is a vibrant hub of activity and a testament to Cleveland’s thriving arts and culture scene.
5. Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve
For those seeking a unique natural experience, the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve offers a peaceful retreat amidst the industrial backdrop of Lake Erie. This 88-acre park features a variety of habitats, including wetlands, meadows, and woodlands, which provide a sanctuary for numerous bird species and wildlife. You can explore the park’s trails and observation decks, which offer panoramic views of the lake and the city skyline. The Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve showcases the resiliency of nature in an urban environment.
6. Rockefeller Park
Rockefeller Park is a historic park located along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Cleveland. This 275-acre park features beautifully landscaped gardens, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic waterways. One of the park’s highlights is the Cultural Gardens, a series of thematic gardens that pay homage to different ethnic and cultural groups in Cleveland. You can stroll through the gardens, admiring the ornate statues and vibrant displays of flowers, or enjoy a peaceful picnic in the park’s shaded groves.
7. Forest Hill Park
Nestled in the charming neighborhood of Cleveland Heights, Forest Hill Park offers a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. This 235-acre park has rolling hills, wooded areas, and a lake. You can enjoy a walk or bike ride along the park’s trails, have a picnic in one of the designated areas, or let children explore the playgrounds. Forest Hill Park also hosts community events and concerts, bringing neighbors together in a beautiful natural setting.
A final note on parks in Cleveland
Cleveland is home to a diverse range of parks that offer an escape from the urban landscape and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you’re looking for scenic trails, beautiful gardens, or serene lakefront views, Cleveland’s parks have a lot to offer. So, lace up your hiking boots, pack a picnic basket, and explore the natural wonders that await you in these ten popular parks in Cleveland, OH.
Inflation has hit all aspects of daily life, including that fun and romantic ritual known as date night. The average cost of dinner and a movie for two now rings in at a steep $159. Ka-ching!
But that doesn’t mean you need to go broke enjoying fun times with your sweetie or getting to know someone new.
Here, you’ll find 27 ideas for date nights that don’t cost much. In fact, some of these date night ideas are more than cheap; they’re free.
Fun Date Ideas for Couples on a Budget
Whether you’re just getting to know each other or you’ve been married for years, here are some ways to enjoy a romantic day or evening out without busting your monthly budget.
1. Watching the Sunrise or Sunset Together
Watching the sun come up or sink over the horizon with your sweetie can be a very romantic and cute date idea. Depending on which time of day you choose, you can bring coffee and donuts or a bottle of wine and some cheese and crackers to mark the occasion.
2. Taking Dance Lessons
Couples can show off their moves while taking a lesson in salsa, ballroom dancing, or swing. Consider a home viewing of “Dirty Dancing” afterwards to close out the date.
💡 Quick Tip: If you’re saving for a short-term goal — whether it’s a vacation, a wedding, or the down payment on a house — consider opening a high-yield savings account. The higher APY that you’ll earn will help your money grow faster, but the funds stay liquid, so they are easy to access when you reach your goal.
3. Going on a Hike
Getting some fresh air and walking in a beautiful area together can be a great bonding experience. To make sure you don’t take on more miles (or hills) than you can handle, you can read reviews of hikes and check out trail maps online before you head out.
4. Picking Apples or Berries
This can be a great idea for a “sweet” date. In the fall, couples can pick apples together and then go home and make some baked apples or an apple pie. In the summer, consider heading to a local farm to pick berries. You can use your harvest to make some tarts or smoothies afterwards.
5. Checking Out a Botanical Garden
Many towns have beautiful botanical gardens where people can walk around. This is a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon and it should be either free or low cost.
6. Staying In and Watching a Movie
One (or both) or you may have a Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime subscription. Why not take advantage and watch a movie together at home? You can open some wine and order a pizza or inexpensive takeout.
Not a member of those networks? Look into free services like Hoopla or Kanopy.
Recommended: How to Save Money on Streaming Services
7. Gardening Together
Another cute date idea is to garden together. Whether you and your honey live together or apart, you can start your own garden and fill it with flowers, herbs, and vegetables. At the end of the day, you’ll have a shared sense of accomplishment.
8. Checking Out a Free Museum
Some museums are always free, while others will have free days throughout the month. Couples can go and see cool artwork and have stimulating conversations about the artists.
💡 Quick Tip: An emergency fund or rainy day fund is an important financial safety net. Aim to have at least three to six months’ worth of basic living expenses saved in case you get a major unexpected bill or lose income.
9. Going to a Free Concert
Many towns will hold free concerts in the park during the summer. You can bring a blanket and some food and enjoy a picnic dinner while listening to great live music.
Recommended: How to Save Money Daily
10. Taking a Scenic Drive
You can pick somewhere you’ve never been or head to a favorite spot, such as a nice drive in the country or along the coastline. Consider creating a playlist of tunes you both love for the ride.
11. Breaking Out the Board Games
Who doesn’t love a little competition? This can be a great idea whether you play against one another or with another couple. You can even throw in some prizes from the Dollar Store to up the ante just a bit.
12. Eating at Happy Hour
Want to sidestep a pricey dinner? Here’s a way to save money on food: Couples can find out which establishments have a happy hour and then enjoy some appetizers and drinks for a cheap date idea.
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13. Visiting Open Houses
Whether you are actually looking to buy a house or just want to be a voyeur, or pick up some design ideas, consider checking out open houses in your area. You can search for open houses on sites like Redfin and Zillow.
14. Cooking a Dish Together
For a fun and tasty evening, you might go to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and then come home and make a gourmet meal together. If neither of you are skilled in the kitchen, you can order a meal delivery service that sends all the instructions and ingredients you need.
15. Checking Groupon for Deals
You can often find some interesting things to do for date night by checking Groupon to see what experiences are on sale. You might find a wine-and-paint night or perhaps a sale on arcade tickets.
16. Renting a Pool
For a fun date on a hot summer day (or night), consider checking out Swimply to see if you can rent out a private pool in your area by the hour. Pool toys and snacks may not be included, so you may want to pack everything you need before heading over for a swim.
17. Going on a Bike Ride
Another cute date idea is to go on a bike ride together. If you don’t own bikes, you may be able to rent them from the city or a local company. You can research local biking trails online before you go.
💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided
18. Taking a Ferry Ride
Typically, ferry rides are pretty cheap. They may even be free. Consider taking a ride at sunset so you can enjoy a beautiful view.
19. Checking Out a Local Park
When the weather is nice, you might want to pack a blanket and some food and head to a nearby park to enjoy a lazy afternoon together. Have any leftover bread? Maybe you can feed it to the ducks or birds.
20. Going to a Pet Cafe
Pet cafes are now located in many towns around the county. Couples can sip on lattes while petting cute dogs and cats at the same time.
Recommended: Tips to Save Money on Pets
21. Renting a Canoe or Kayak
If you split the cost of a kayak or canoe rental, you can enjoy a relatively inexpensive afternoon paddling around a lake or bay together.
22. Taking a Walk in the Mall
Just because you go to the mall, it doesn’t mean you have to shop. Instead, you can do some browsing and not spend any money. Though you might want to share some favorite cheap mall food like Cinnabons and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels.
23. Listening to a Podcast
Podcasts can be just as entertaining as television and movies. Consider grabbing some drinks and snacks and listening to a great podcast together.
Recommended: What Are Average Monthly Expenses for One Person
24. Thrifting Together
Here’s a great way to save money on clothes and spend time together: Hit some local thrift stores for a cute and cheap date night. Maybe you’ll find some treasures or just try on outfits from decades past and make each other laugh.
25. Competing in a Video Game Competition
If you and your mate enjoy playing video games, consider challenging each other in a video game competition. You can offer fun rewards, such as the winner gets a gourmet home-cooked meal or doesn’t have to do any dishes all week.
26. Having a Spa Night
For couples who live together, a nice date night idea is to have a spa night at home. You can include foot massages, a bubble bath, and face masks for some relaxation, and laughs.
27. Doing Crafts Together
Couples that are feeling crafty can go to their local art store and buy supplies they need to create something together. You might even choose a sentimental project like a wreath made of corks from bottles you’ve shared or a scrapbook of vacation memories.
Recommended: How to Create a Budget in 6 Steps
The Takeaway
Going out on a “date” doesn’t have to mean dinner at a fancy restaurant followed by a movie. With a little bit of imagination and planning, couples can enjoy a night (or day) out that costs considerably less, yet can be just as romantic and fun.
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Do you want to make money driving for Instacart? This Instacart Shopper Review will show you how it works and how much money you can make delivering groceries.
Instacart is a popular website for people looking to earn extra money as shoppers and grocery deliverers. Acting as a middleman between customers and stores, Instacart allows you to turn your free time into a chance to make some extra money.
As an Instacart shopper, you can enjoy the flexibility of choosing when and where you want to work, making it an attractive option for those with busy schedules or seeking gig work opportunities.
Before deciding if you want to become an Instacart shopper, there are some things to think about. And, you may have some questions too.
In this Instacart Shopper Review, we’ll dive into an in-depth review of what it’s like to be an Instacart shopper, from shopper requirements and the sign-up process to tips for increasing your earnings and efficiency.
This information will help you make an informed decision about whether becoming an Instacart shopper is the right side hustle for you.
You can click here to sign up to be an Instacart Shopper.
Key takeaways:
It is easy to get started as an Instacart shopper.
The flexibility of being an Instacart shopper provides an opportunity to make extra money. You can choose your hours and there is no minimum you have to work.
Maximizing earnings and efficiency is essential for success as an Instacart shopper so that you can make the most money per hour.
There is no compensation for car maintenance or gas expenses. You are driving your own vehicle.
Instacart Shopper Review
What is Instacart?
Instacart is a grocery delivery service that allows you to view, select, and purchase products from a variety of stores online or through their Apple and Android apps. As a user, you can place an order for groceries, and an Instacart Shopper will fulfill your order and deliver it to your doorstep.
I have used Instacart many, many times in the last couple of years. The service has made my life so much easier, because sometimes I simply don’t have time to run to the grocery store or I may simply not have a car (such as when traveling).
Instacart is available in the United States and Canada.
Related content:
What is an Instacart shopper?
As an Instacart shopper, your main responsibilities include shopping for and delivering groceries to customers from stores like CVS, Publix, and Kroger. The amount of money you can earn depends on factors like order size, tips, and the distance traveled for deliveries.
To become a Instacart Full-Service Shopper, you’ll have to meet basic requirements such as:
Be 18 or older
Have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle
Own a smartphone with the Instacart Shopper app installed
Be able to lift heavy items (up to 40 lbs.)
You can click here to sign up to be an Instacart Shopper.
How does Instacart make money with grocery delivery?
Instacart makes money in a few different ways. They charge customers a delivery fee and a service fee for each order placed.
Usually, the prices of items on Instacart are higher than in-store prices. So, customers are paying a higher price when shopping on Instacart than if they just went to the store themselves.
Additionally, Instcart has partnerships with retailers that offer their services on the platform. So, they charge these companies a fee as well.
How much do Instacart shoppers make?
The amount of money that you can make as an Instacart shopper can widely vary depending on several factors such as location, order volume, tips, and your efficiency of shopping and driving.
Shoppers typically make around $11 to $20 per hour. Keep in mind that as an independent contractor, you may have additional expenses such as gas and vehicle maintenance to account for when calculating your earnings.
Where do Instacart shoppers shop?
There are many different stores that you may shop at as an Instacart shopper. These stores may include major grocery retailers, as well as specialty shops, depending on your area.
Stores where you might shop at through Instacart include Walmart, Walgreens, Aldi, Kroger, Publix, Petco, and more.
Instacart Shopper Requirements and Sign Up
Background Check
To become an Instacart shopper, you first need to pass a background check. The background check for Instacart means that you will need to give them some personal information and consenting to a check before being allowed to be a shopper.
This is so that they can protect Instacart customers, as you will be personally going to people’s homes.
Car and Insurance Requirements
To deliver groceries for Instacart, you will need to have a reliable car and meet any insurance requirements. This is because you will be delivering groceries, of course.
This also means that you will want to maintain your vehicle and make sure that it is in good working condition. After all, you do need to drive and deliver groceries, so you do not want your car breaking down on you.
Also, don’t forget to factor in the expenses that go along with driving, such as gas and regular maintenance, as part of what you are actually earning from Instacart. These expenses can add up quickly.
Cell phone and the Instacart App
To shop for Instacart, you will need a phone so that you can accept orders and see what you are supposed to be shopping for.
You will need a smartphone with either Android or iOS to access the Shopper app (iPhone 5 or Android 4.4 or newer).
You’ll also want to make sure that your phone meets the minimum requirements and has reliable cell service, as the Instacart app is what you need so that you can receive orders, choose your work hours, and more.
Instacart does not provide you a phone, you would be using your own phone.
How To Sign Up As An Instacart Shopper
To become an Instacart Driver/Shopper, you will need to:
Sign up for Instacart here: Go to the Instacart website or download the Shopper app to begin the registration process. You will have to answer some easy questions and confirm your cell phone number.
Submit application: Complete the form with relevant information and submit it for review. A local Instacart team will review your application, and if approved, you’ll receive an email with more instructions.
Onboarding process: Depending on your chosen role, you may be required to attend an in-person onboarding session where you’ll learn about Instacart’s policies and procedures. These are typically around 90 minutes long.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be ready to start accepting orders and making money as an Instacart shopper.
Earnings and Payments
Pay Structure and Hourly Rate
As an Instacart shopper, your pay varies depending on the type of order and the size of the grocery batch. The company guarantees at least $7 to $10 for each full-service batch, where you pick, load, and deliver the order of groceries. On average, Instacart shoppers can earn between $11 and $20 per hour.
However, the actual hourly rate may fluctuate based on factors such as location and demand.
You can earn more by shopping when it is busiest. This is usually on the weekends and on holidays.
Tipping and Bonuses
In addition to the base pay, you can also earn tips from customers. Instacart allows customers to tip their shoppers, so providing excellent service can result in more generous gratuities.
There are also opportunities to earn additional bonuses through referral programs, promotional periods, and peak hours.
Keep in mind that while tips and bonuses can boost your overall earnings, they may not always be consistent or guaranteed.
Direct Deposit and Debit Card
Instacart shoppers receive payment via direct deposit or the optional Instant Cashout feature, which transfers earnings to a debit card for a $0.50 fee.
You receive payments weekly between Wednesday and Friday for services you provided the week before (from Monday to Sunday).
Shopping and Delivery Process
Grocery Shopping
Once you receive an order through Instacart, you will go to the designated store and find the items on the customer’s shopping list.
This means that you will be personally picking out the fruits and vegetables (please make sure to pick out good ones that are fresh), checking expiration dates on items, and more.
You will be personally going through the store and putting things into a shopping cart or basket.
Also, while shopping for a customer, you may also have to make replacements in case a requested product is not available (this does happen!). If there are any changes, then you will want to contact the customer through the app and confirm any substitutions with them.
Picking Up and Delivering Orders
After completing the in-store shopping, you will need to deliver the groceries to the customer’s doorstep.
Sometimes, the customer does have specific delivery instructions, such as placing the items at the doorstep or handing them over personally.
Pros and Cons of Being an Instacart Shopper
Advantages of being an Instacart shopper
As an Instacart shopper, there are several positives of this side hustle. This may include:
Flexible hours: You can choose when you want to work and decide on your own schedule.
No minimum hours required: You can work as little hours as you want. It’s all up to you.
Quick payment: Instacart pays its shoppers weekly or they also have an instant cash out feature.
Disadvantages of being an Instacart shopper
While there are benefits to being an Instacart shopper, it’s important to consider the negatives such as:
Driver expenses: As an Instacart shopper, you will have expenses such as gas, vehicle maintenance, and insurance. So, if you are making $20 an hour, you will want to make sure that you are still making money after all of the car expenses that you will have.
May need additional insurance: Depending on your car insurance, you may need additional coverage to work as an Instacart shopper.
Orders aren’t guaranteed: Just because you’re signed in and available to work doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive orders.
Hidden costs: Using your personal vehicle can lead to additional costs, including depreciation and potential repairs. Keep this in mind when calculating your overall earnings from Instacart.
As you can see, there are many pros and cons of becoming an Instacart shopper. Some of these may not mean much to you, whereas others may make or break this side hustle gig for you.
You will want to determine if it is something you want to do as everyone’s situation is different.
Instacart Shopper Alternatives
If you are interested in becoming an Instacart shopper, then there are a few other side hustles that you may be interested in as well.
Some alternatives to Instacart include:
Shipt: This company also allows you to work as a personal shopper and offers flexible hours. Stores on Shipt include Costo, CVS, Harris Teeter, Sephora, Target, Winn Dixie, and more.
UberEats: If you are looking for something where you would not be personally shopping for groceries, then you may be interested in UberEats. With UberEats, you can deliver restaurant meals, groceries, and drinks.
Postmates: Another food delivery service, Postmates gives you the flexibility to deliver not only restaurant meals but also groceries and retail items.
DoorDash: This website focuses on restaurant meal deliveries. So, you would not be shopping for any groceries, just picking up and delivering meals.
As you can see, there are many alternatives to Instacart.
Tips for Increasing Your Earnings and Efficiency
Instacart Shopping Strategies
When working as an Instacart shopper, it’s important to choose batches/orders carefully. This will help to increase the amount you are earning and to make sure that you are picking the most profitable orders.
One factor worth considering is the distance to deliver the order- picking closer orders will save you time and fuel expenses. Another factor is the number of items in the batch. Larger orders may take more time but can result in higher earnings. Also, it’s important to be in an area with high demand to find more batches and have less competition.
Additionally, you should:
Familiarize yourself with the store layout to reduce shopping time.
Group items by category or aisles to complete batches more efficiently.
Time Management
As an Instacart shopper, you have the flexibility to create your own schedule. That means you can choose the most convenient time for you to work.
However, you’ll make more money if you work during peak hours. Typically, the busiest times tend to be weekends and early evenings when people finish work.
Consider the following tips to improve your time management:
Organize your day by taking into account peak hours and the time required to complete each batch.
Choose deliveries that are close together.
Save time by shopping at stores that you frequently visit, so that you know where items are located.
By applying these shopping strategies and time management practices, you can take advantage of the flexibility Instacart offers while maximizing your earnings and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Instacart shopper pay for the food upfront?
As an Instacart shopper, you will be given an Instacart payment card to pay for the groceries. You do not pay for anything out of your own pocket. The amount on the Instacart card is usually similar to the amount on the order that you are shopping for.
How much can I earn as an Instacart shopper?
Pay is based on a combination of factors such as the number of items, weight, and distance. Instacart guarantees a minimum of $5 for delivery-only batches and $7 for shop and deliver batches.
Average pay is typically between $11-$20 per hour.
How do Instacart Shoppers earn money?
Instacart shoppers earn money through a combination of base pay, tips from customers, and potential bonuses or incentives.
The earnings depend on factors like order size, distance, and the number of batches completed.
As you can see, there are many different things that go into your page for this side gig.
Are there any vehicle requirements to become an Instacart Shopper?
Instacart allows shoppers to use a car or a bicycle for deliveries. Car shoppers must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and a reliable vehicle.
Bicycles must meet certain requirements for carrying groceries.
What are the pros and cons of working for Instacart?
Pros:
Easy to get started as an Instacart shopper
Flexible schedule and you can choose your own shifts
Opportunity to earn tips
Exercise while working (walking and lifting groceries)
Cons:
Variable income
Wear and tear on your vehicle
Responsibility for gas and other driving expenses
What are common Instacart shoppers complaints? What is the downside of Instacart?
Some common complaints from Instacart shoppers include:
Inconsistent earnings
Difficulty in getting desired working hours or batches
No compensation for vehicle maintenance or gas expenses
What benefits are offered from Instacart?
Instacart shoppers, being independent contractors, do not receive traditional employee benefits like health insurance, paid vacations, or retirement plans.
However, they can benefit from flexible schedules, potential for tips, and control over how much they want to work each day and each week.
Does Instacart pay for gas?
No, Instacart does not cover gas expenses or any other vehicle-related costs for shoppers. These expenses are the responsibility of the Instacart shopper.
Can I choose my working hours as an Instacart Shopper?
Yes, one of the advantages of being an Instacart Shopper is the flexibility to choose your own working hours. You can log in to the app and accept or decline orders based on your availability.
How to make $500 a week with Instacart?
To make $500 a week with Instacart, you may need to strategize by working during peak hours, increasing your speed and efficiency, and delivering to higher-income areas for better tips.
It will require dedication, effective time management, and continued efforts to maintain good customer ratings.
What’s an in-store shopper?
Occasionally, Instacart hires for in-store shoppers. This is a position where you would be shopping for groceries, but not delivering them. The downside of this is that you will not get tips.
Is it better to do Instacart or DoorDash?
Instacart and DoorDash are a little different.
With Instacart, you are shopping for and delivering groceries.
With DoorDash, you are primarily delivering meals from restaurants.
So, the amount of time you spend on each order will be a little different, as is the skillset, and earnings.
Is it better to do Instacart or UberEats?
Similar with DoorDash, choosing between Instacart and UberEats will depend on what you want to do.
While Instacart focuses on groceries, UberEats specializes in restaurant food delivery. Consider pay rates, potential tips, the type of work, and your local market demand when making a decision.
Can I work for other delivery platforms while being an Instacart Shopper?
Yes, you can work for Instacart and other delivery platforms all at the same time. But, you will want to make sure to stay organized.
Is it worth it being a shopper for Instacart?
This is a personal question, as everyone is different. Some people love being an Instacart shopper, whereas for others, it’s not a good fit for them.
The ability to have flexible hours and earning potential can be attractive, but you still need to think about the car costs you will have as you will have to drive in your own vehicle.
Analyze your needs and research other Instacart shopper reviews to determine if it’s a good fit for you.
Instacart Shopper Review Summary
As an Instacart shopper, you can make extra money by delivering groceries.
With flexible work hours and typical average pay around $11 to $20 an hour, Instacart can be a good source of income for you.
Actual earnings can vary due to things such as tips, the number of orders, and the distance traveled for deliveries.
A positive of working as an Instacart shopper is the ability to make your own schedule. You can choose how many hours you want to work each day and each week, and there is no minimum amount of hours that you must work.
But, there are negatives to Instacart as well. As an Instacart shopper, there may be extra costs that you may not have thought of, such as gas and vehicle maintenance costs, and you might need to purchase extra insurance to cover your activities on the platform. These extra car costs can add up quickly if you are not careful.
Navigating the gig economy can be tricky, but Instacart may be a good way to make extra money for your situation.
You can click here to sign up to be an Instacart Shopper.
Are you interested in becoming an Instacart Shopper? What other questions would you like me to answer in this Instacart Shopper Review?
The steep hillsides of Benedict Canyon offer unobstructed views, glimpses of soaring hawks and a quiet that one rarely encounters in the city.
But whether this leafy enclave should also house a luxury resort for the wealthy is sparking a fierce debate.
The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to try and halt a developer’s plans for the 58-room Bulgari Resort Los Angeles.
Developer Gary Safady is in the process of seeking city approvals for the hotel after it cleared an initial hurdle at the Planning Department several years ago.
City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky, who represents the wealthy neighborhood, is seeking to block the project.
The council Tuesday is expected to take up her motion asking city Planning Director Vince Bertoni to consider rescinding the initiation of a general plan amendment for the project. The amendment is needed because the general plan doesn’t allow hotels in the neighborhood.
Yaroslavsky said the city’s planning staff shouldn’t be wasting time on the project, which she deems inappropriate for the Santa Monica Mountains. She vowed to oppose the hotel during her campaign for City Council last year.
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“For me, preserving the Santa Monica Mountains is a core value,” said Yaroslavsky, who formerly worked as a land use lawyer for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Safady told The Times that Yaroslavsky’s effort to halt the development is “a shame.”
“I think it’s based on a campaign pledge without having any knowledge of the property or merits of it,” he said. “There’s codified procedures that are built into the city to protect against stuff like this, so her actions are completely contrary to that.”
Safady said city staff have spent “thousands of hours” reviewing the resort application, and a draft environmental impact report will be published soon.
The 33-acre site off Hutton Drive in Benedict Canyon was once owned by businessman Kirk Kerkorian. Some of the property already has been graded. Safady said he stays in a small home on the property when he is in Los Angeles.
Former District 5 Councilmember Paul Koretz initially supported initiating the general plan amendment for the project, according to Nora Frost, a spokesperson for the Planning Department. The initiation application was approved by Bertoni in 2017, Frost said.
Koretz didn’t return a phone call. He told the L.A. Times editorial board that initially he was “somewhere between encouragement and being OK with it” and wanted to see if the neighborhood liked the project. Later, he came out against it.
Maria Salinas, chief executive of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, said Monday that her group “supports the city’s review process for development” and that real estate projects such as Bulgari “rely on these processes to ensure a fair review.”
Several large labor groups, including Unite Here Local 11, support the project.
Mayor Karen Bass opposed it last year on the campaign trail; her spokesperson Zach Seidl wasn’t able to provide an answer about her position on Monday.
There are two competing community groups: Save Our Canyon, which opposes the project, and Enhance Our Canyon, which supports it.
Celebrities have taken sides: Singer Lance Bass supports it; others, including actress Jacqueline Bisset, have warned about increased fire risks.
The hotel would consist of a dozen bungalows, along with a stand-alone building, that house 58 rooms. Also planned are a sushi restaurant, spa, screening room and parking structure. Eight private residences on the property could range from 12,000 to 48,000 square feet each, Safady said.
He estimated that 50 to 70 employees would work at the hotel. To contend with the flow of cars coming up the canyon roads, a carpool program for employees would be instituted, he said.
Safady suggested that the hotel would be less prominent and have less of an impact than if large mansions were constructed on the land. A developer could carve up the 33-acre parcel and build 30 homes, he said.
Asked about that statement, Yaroslavsky said, “If Mr. Safady would like to pull his proposal and submit a new plan for housing based on what this property is currently zoned for, by all means he should.
“The number of homes that would even be allowed on this site would have a far less intensive use than a commercial hotel, which hasn’t been allowed in the Santa Monica Mountains in 80 years,” she noted.
It’s far from clear whether Yaroslavsky has support from her colleagues in trying to halt the project.
Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, a former organizer with Unite Here Local 11, is “still considering his position on this issue,” his spokesperson Nick Barnes-Batista said Monday.
Two council members declined to support Yaroslavsky’s motion at a March meeting of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee.
“Don’t we have to allow due process to happen?” asked Councilmember John Lee, who represents the northwest San Fernando Valley. Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, who also represents the Valley, voiced similar concerns.
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who represents South L.A., sided with Yaroslavsky.
At that meeting, Yaroslavsky said she had been told by staff at the city attorney’s office that it was “in the discretion of the [Planning Department] to rescind the process that they have started.” She also cited several wildfires in the region since the application process was started for the hotel.
The city is “going to get sued no matter what” by the developer, she added.
Yaroslavsky, in an interview last week, said there is precedent to roll back a general plan amendment initiation, pointing to the council’s 2016 decision that ultimately stopped a developer from pursing a plan to put hundreds of apartments along the Cahuenga Pass.
In that case, developer Behzad Forat later sued the city but lost. In an interview Sunday, Forat said he’s appealing the court’s decision. He expressed frustration with the council.
“[City officials] cry for the fact that there’s a shortage of housing, but then they stop people from building,” Forat said.
In a twist, land use attorney Fred Gaines represented Forat on the Cahuenga Pass project in his dealings with the city. Gaines is now working with Save Our Canyon, which opposes the Bulgari Resort.
Earlier this month, Gaines sent a letter to the council that suggested the project had been improperly rushed through the initiation process.
The Planning Department’s Frost said the application was “treated like all requests that have been received by the department.”
California requires you to have some amount of insurance to drive legally. To be specific, you’ll need liability insurance, which covers others’ injuries and property damage if you are the at-fault driver in an accident.
Here’s everything you need to know about liability insurance in California.
What does liability insurance cover in California?
You can think of liability insurance in California as a way to cover two different things:
Liability insurance does notcover your own injuries or property damage, but it may cover your legal expenses if you’re sued by another driver.
Your insurance policy may include several types of coverage, but they don’t all cover the same things. Understanding the different sections of your policy can help you know what’s available if you ever need to file a claim.
How much liability insurance is required in California?
California drivers are required to maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance. Specifically, an auto policy needs to have at least:
$15,000 in bodily injury liability, per person.
$30,000 in bodily injury liability, per accident.
$5,000 in property damage liability, per accident.
Here’s an example of how these minimum limits work if you cause an accident: Your auto policy will pay up to $15,000 in medical bills for the other driver’s injuries. If more people are involved, your bodily injury liability coverage will cover up to $30,000 in medical bills for all injuries sustained from the accident — but not more than the $15,000-per-person limit. If you damage any property, your policy will cover up to $5,000 in property damage, whether that damage is to another car, a picket fence or a glass storefront.
While these amounts may seem like more than enough coverage for most accidents, liability insurance only covers others’ expenses after an accident that you cause, and those costs can easily exceed California’s minimum liability limits. If you want more extensive financial protection, consider purchasing higher limits and additional coverage types.
Should I get more than just liability insurance in California?
While liability insurance is the only coverage you must have on your policy, California law also requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. You can reject these coverage types in writing, but they can be valuable, since they pay out if you’re hit by an uninsured or minimally-insured driver. An estimated 16.6% of California drivers don’t have car insurance
, so you may want to keep these coverage types if you can afford them. Think of it as planning ahead, just in case.
Below are some common types of car insurance worth considering for California drivers.
Coverage type
What it pays for
Your medical bills and property damage costs if you’re in an accident with another driver who doesn’t have car insurance.
Your expenses if you’re in an accident with another driver whose policy limits aren’t high enough to cover your medical or repair bills.
Medical expenses for you and your passengers, regardless of who’s at fault for the accident.
Damage to your own car from a collision with another vehicle or an object like a tree, fence or mailbox.
Damage to your car from things outside of your control, whether that’s a force of nature, vandalism or even theft.
*If you lease or finance your vehicle, you may be required to add collision and comprehensive coverage to your policy.
California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program
The state of California offers a low-cost insurance program if you’re unable to find a policy that both fits your budget and includes the required liability insurance limits.
This program offers lower liability limits as an exception to the state’s minimum requirements. So while you’ll have less coverage if you cause an accident, you’re at least able to legally drive in California.
However, California’s Low Cost Auto Insurance program is income-based, so not every driver will qualify. (You can review the qualifications on the program’s website.)
Drivers who qualify for this program can purchase liability limits of:
$10,000 in bodily injury liability, per person.
$20,000 in bodily injury liability, per accident.
$3,000 in property damage liability, per accident.
Qualified drivers can also add uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage for an additional cost. If they want to add comprehensive or collision coverage, they’ll need to purchase it separately from an insurance agent.
🤓Nerdy Tip
California’s low-income insurance policies can be a source of financial relief for qualified drivers. However, the program’s low liability limits may not be enough to cover costs of injuries and property damage if you cause an accident, especially after a bad crash. If you can afford it, you should purchase an auto policy with higher coverage limits from an insurance company.
Cue up your favorite girlboss anthem, because the high-powered female brokers at the Oppenheim Group are back!
And along with them come more million-dollar deals, some fresh new faces, and all the drama you’d expect from the Netflix series best described as ‘Real Housewives meets Million Dollar Listing.‘
Spicing things up this season are two new additions to the Selling Sunset cast, joining familiar faces like Chrishell Stause, Mary Fitzgerald, Emma Hernan, Heather Rae El Moussa, Amanza Smith, and Chelsea Lazkani.
O Group veteran Nicole Young steps into the limelight (after she’d only made brief appearances in past seasons, including a memorable one in Season 2 when she officiated Mary and Romain’s wedding), alongside model-turned-real estate agent Bre Tiesi.
For those of you keeping up with celebrity news, Bre might already be a familiar face, as the ambitious real estate agent was holding headlines last year after having a baby with Nick Cannon.
We also get to meet Jason Oppenheim’s new girlfriend, Marie-Lou Nurk, and Chrishell Stause’s partner (later turned wife), G Flip. But despite the show’s new additions, what we’re most excited to see more jaw-dropping mansions and multi-million-dollar homes — and there’s no shortage of those in the new season.
So we took it upon ourselves to track down all the spectacular houses in Selling Sunset Season 6, and give you a breakdown of their impressive features, endless lists of amenities, and upscale features.
The spectacular houses in ‘Selling Sunset’, Season 6
Selling Sunset doesn’t disappoint when it comes to real estate eye candy. From sprawling penthouses to massive mansions, Season 6 brought us plenty of million-dollar homes to daydream about — and even had us revisit some past favorites, like Chrishell Stause’s beautiful home in Hollywood Hills.
And since luxury real estate is our obsession, we couldn’t help ourselves and tracked down all the Selling Sunset houses that graced our screens in Season 6 of the hit Netflix show.
With the exception of Chelsea’s Santa Monica listing, which we couldn’t find as there weren’t many details available (or maybe Chelsea didn’t land the listing?), and Nicole’s West Hollywood listing, here’s a quick update on all of the houses featured this season, along with property photos and videos that allow you to take a closer look at these phenomenal estates.
Bonus: before we go into the houses that made their way on-screen, we’d like to take a second to applaud the Netflix production crew’s choice when picking the shooting location for promotional images.
The posters for Selling Sunset‘s sixth season were shot at the iconic Sheats-Goldstein Residence, an architectural marvel and Hollywood landmark designed by lauded architect John Lautner.
Saint Ives Place, West Hollywood – Harry Styles’ former house
An impressive property with celebrity pedigree, this West Hollywood manse was the perfect location to kick off Season 6 of Selling Sunset.
Previously owned by As It Was hitmaker Harry Styles (who bought and sold quite a few Los Angeles-area mansions over the years, including one that later became Lizzo’s house), Emma’s listing has a phenomenal location and all the luxury amenities you’d expect from a former celebrity pad.
With 4 bedrooms, 6 baths, and 4,401 square feet of living space, the Netflix-features Saint Ives Pl. is ideally located behind private gates right above the Sunset Strip — which means it offers beautiful panoramic views that extend from Downtown L.A. to the ocean.
At the time Selling Sunset filmed its Season 6 episodes, the property was listed for $7,995,000. Not to spoil anything for Netflix fans (as Harry Styles’ former house may make a comeback in the next season), but the property is still on the market, with a slightly reduced price.
We’ve also learned that the property is available as a rental asking a whopping $1,500 PER DAY.
Lloydcrest Drive in Beverly Hills, Emma’s $18,995,000 listing
We’re suckers for striking modern mansions, and the Lloycrest Dr house on Selling Sunset is right up our alley.
The 5-bed, 9-bath house, which comes with a coveted address (it’s set in the prestigious Crest Streets in Beverly Hills), was listed for just under $19 million.
Hardworking Emma had already secured a buyer for the modern Beverly Hills spread, but the sale fell through as the buyers were not happy with how much they’d have to pay for fire insurance, which ran high even for a property this size (the show mentions that the cheapest fire insurance for the house would be 200,000/year – yowza!)
(Spoilers ahead) Fast-forward to now, Lloydcrest Drive is still on the market, though at a significantly lower price point. The property — which offers 10,359 of living space, a massive 2,000 sq. ft. primary suite with a private glam room and hair salon, a gourmet kitchen, and a 20-person home theater with a bar, among others — is currently listed for $12,995,000.
Jason Oppenheim’s two $7.5M penthouses on Hollywood Boulevard
After his Season 5 breakup with Chrishell, O Group co-founder Jason Oppenheim threw himself into work — specifically, converting four condo units on Hollywood Blvd. into two spectacular penthouses with massive rooftop decks and the finest luxury finishes.
As mentioned on the show, Jason sunk nearly $10 million of his own personal money into the project, and he’s looking to cash out by listing each of them for a whopping $7.5 million.
(Spoiler) The two penthouses are still on the market following Selling Sunset‘s Season 6 premiere, though the smaller of the two — both units have 3 beds and 4 baths, but one is slightly larger at 3,820 square feet versus 3,580 sq. ft. — has seen its price drop by $500,000. It’s now listed for $6,995,000 (and as a rental for $49,900/mo), while the larger unit retains the original $7,495,000 asking price and a $49,900/mo rent price.
Micah’s Hillside Ave house
Micah, the developer behind the impressive Lloydcrest Drive property we mentioned earlier, was also selling his original home — and had enlisted Emma to be his agent for this one too.
Set on the same prime Hollywood Hills street as the unforgettable $40 million Hillside house from Season 1 and 2, the 5-bedroom, 5-bath home comes with 4,840 square feet of luxurious living space, an open floor plan with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, and a King Kong statue(?) guarding the pool area.
Remember when Emma said how flattered she was that Micah was entrusting her with the sale of this home? Well, turns out he was right to do so (Warning, spoilers ahead): The Hillside Ave house from season 6 of Selling Sunset sold for more than the asking price.
Listed for $5,495,000 in August 2022, the 5-bedroom spread sold for $5,726,000 a few months later, in November 2022 per public records. Way to go, Emma!
N Stanley Ave, the black house on Billionaire’s Row
For this one, we didn’t have to do much research, as we extensively covered this beauty when it came to market last year.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
Definitely one of the most impressive houses featured on Season 6 of Selling Sunset, the newly-built N Stanley property that Heather and Bre visit together is nestled in the hills above Sunset Strip, in the coveted ‘Billionaire’s Row’.
Priced at a cool $24.995 million, the plush property offers all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an ultra-luxurious L.A. listing. And a few extras that probably wouldn’t have crossed your mind.
Offering panoramic views of DTLA, the Pacific Ocean, and the canyon, the spec house offers 6 beds, 9 baths, and nearly 10,365 square feet of living space. It also has a custom home theater, fitness center, wine cellar, second living room, and all the finest custom finishes.
Photo credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The AgencyPhoto credit: Sean Gordon courtesy of The Agency
The sophisticated smart home also features museum-quality crystals sourced from around the world and placed with extraordinary care throughout the home to energetically enhance the luxury residence. Take a closer look at this stunning Hollywood Hills mansion.
Now, while on the show we see Bre and Heather touring the property (and later, Bre showing the house to her client, Adam), the black N Stanley house from Selling Sunset‘s season 6 was never listed with the Oppenheim Group.
The listing agents for the property are Camellia Yeroomian of The Agency (the other luxury brokerage that has its own Netflix series, Buying Beverly Hills) and Monty Abramov of The Beverly Hills Estates. Which means it isn’t a spoiler if we reveal that the fabulous mansion is still on the market, boasting a slightly altered listing price of $22 million.
300 The Strand, Chelsea’s $22M listing in Manhattan Beach
Set on a corner lot facing one of California’s best beaches, 300 The Strand is a rare oceanfront listing with all the bells and whistles its high price point commands.
With 4 bedrooms, 9 baths, and 4,440 square feet of modern coastal living space — plus a Strand-front patio, and a sports court with basketball hoop and a private, heated entertainment terrace with in-ground spa, fire pit and BBQ — Chelsea’s 300 The Strand listing is definitely one of the most impressive properties featured in Season 6 of Selling Sunset.
Related: Manhattan Beach’s priciest listing is a $36M modern mansion with luxury resort vibes
A few months after the season filmed, the oceanfront home in Manhattan Beach is still on the market, looking for either a buyer (it’s still listed on the O Group’s website for $21,999,000, though it’s worth noting that other industry websites no longer have it listed for sale) or a renter (it also appears as a $55,000/mo rental on popular real estate websites like Zillow or Realtor.com).
The Woodvale Road property in Encino
Heading over to Encino, new O Group agent Bre Tiesi is hoping to land a phenomenal listing set on Woodvale Road.
The newly built, 8-bedroom, 14-bath property is the pinnacle of luxury, offering over 21,000 square feet of meticulously crafted and designer done living space.
With stand-out features like a chef’s prep kitchen, home theater, professional gym, full spa, hair salon, elevator, temperature-controlled wine storage, 14-car garage that doubles as an event space, outdoor basketball court, and fabulous detached two-story guesthouse, the Woodvale Road property was priced at $25 million, and Bre was eyeing the ultra-generous $750,000 commission she would make from the sale.
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(Spoiler ahead) However, a little bit of research shows that Bre did not in fact land the Encino listing. Public records for the property show that it did find a buyer though — even if the O Group was likely not involved in the transaction.
The Encino mansion ended up selling in February 2023 for a cool $17,500,000, a price point that made it one of the biggest transactions in the family-friendly Encino neighborhood.
The Benedict Canyon house Mary was eyeing for one of her clients
For one of her clients — a couple from the UK who works in events and needs plenty of space and a large backyard — Mary was touring a stunning Beverly Hills property aptly dubbed Jardin de los Suenos (the House of Magical Gardens).
The newly designed Benedict Canyon house on Selling Sunset comes with 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths and one half-bath, and a generous 7,000 square feet of living space.
With extra tall ceilings (14-foot ones for the common spaces, and a 23-foot ceiling in the formal entry foyer) paired with equally tall windows and sliding glass doors, the property perfectly embodies the indoor-outdoor Cali living.
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2231 Benedict Canyon Dr Beverly Hills from Barcelo Photography Inc. on Vimeo.
Also featuring a total of 5 fireplaces, a 200-bottle temperature-controlled all-glass wine storage room, and a media/screening room, plus a one-bedroom guest house, it’s no surprise that the property didn’t linger on the market for too long.
(Spoiler alert) Listed for $8,999,995 in late July of last year, the property was sold a couple of months later for almost full ask: $8,956,000. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Mary’s clients were the lucky buyers. Public records show that a different brokerage was attached to the sale.
The Oak View Drive house in Encino that Chrishell visits
On Episode 5, S06 of Selling Sunset, we join Chrishell for a property visit that brings us back to Encino to tour a 7-bedroom, 9-bathroom house on Oak View Drive.
Boasting the “best views in Encino”, the 7,003-square-foot home had been completely re-imagined by the developers, who invested about $1 million in property upgrades before listing it themselves.
Featuring beautiful cedar and oak detailing, a perfectly-appointed kitchen, a 1,000-square-foot primary bedroom with a large bathroom, and an infinity pool (plus a quirky neon sign that says “I Licked It So It’s Mine”) the Oak View Drive house also got Amanza and Heather’s seal of approval.
What happened to it since that episode was filmed? (Potential spoilers ahead) While Chrishell mentions that she does have a client that’s looking for something in this price range (especially if the developers/listing agents are willing to adjust the price, if needed), it seems that the property may have not been a good fit after all.
Listed for $7,895,000 million at the time of filming, the Encino house is still on the market — but has recently been re-listed at a revised price of $6.5 million. Take a closer look (swipe for more pics):
The sleek $33M Londonderry Place mansion Bre tours with her client
Bre means business! Her drive to sell eight-figure properties leads to her showing a striking $33 million mansion to one of her clients, Telli Swift, the fiancée of championship boxer Deontay Wilder.
One of the most bonkers mansions we’ve seen this season, the Londonderry house blends black and gold finishes throughout its 14,000 square feet of living space.
With 6 bedrooms, 8 baths, and soaring 30-foot ceilings, this sleek Selling Sunset mansion has an endless list of amenities, including a spa wellness retreat with a cryo chamber, hot yoga and salon, and a two-level glass-bottomed pool.
The striking property was also featured on Architectural Digest a few years back, with its unique amenities and aesthetic appeal attracting over 4.5 million views on YouTube.
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(Spoilers) At the time of writing, shortly after Season 6 of Selling Sunset aired, the Londonderry house is no longer on the market, per public records. However, since no sale was recorded in the meantime, it could very well be that the property is still up for grabs but held as a pocket listing by one of L.A.’s top luxury brokerages.
Poo Bear’s house at Zorada Court
Once again courting her many famous friends, we see Bre touring music producer Poo Bear’s house in Los Angeles, a 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath modern retreat overlooking Nichols Canyon.
Poo Bear and his wife, Ashley, are looking to list the property as they’re moving to Miami and Bre is hoping to get the listing, which could potentially earn her a $297,000 commission.
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Beyond the property’s many attributes, Poo Bear’s house is also where music history has been made. The music producer/songwriter has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Usher, Skrillex, and J Balvin, with many of their famous songs being written in this house.
In fact, the white piano (that comes with the house) is where Justin Bieber’s Yummy was created, Poo Bear shares.
Related: Where does Justin Bieber live? His many houses — both past and present
As for what happened to the property after its Selling Sunset appearance (warning, spoilers ahead): after first being listed in November 2022 for $8,900,000, Zorada Ct’s price was dropped to $7,995,000 in early February 2023, only to sell less than two months later for $6,850,000. No O Group agent was involved in the transaction, neither on behalf of the seller nor of the buyer.
Chelsea’s listing at 15th Street in Manhattan Beach
Taking us back to dreamy Manhattan Beach, Chelsea walks us through her 3-bed, 4-bath listing with easy beach access.
While the first offer Chelsea got for the property was fairly low ($3.6 million), she knew she priced the house right and wasn’t going to budge until she got the offer up for her client.
And she stayed true to her words, selling the 3-story for $3,900,000 — just $50k shy of the initial asking price of $3,950,000. Way to go, Chelsea!
The Beverly Boulevard condo Heather tours for Heather and Terry Dubrow
Leading the home search for Real Housewives of Orange County star Heather Dubrow and her husband, plastic surgeon and Botched co-host, Terry Dubrow, Heather tours a $17,500,000 condo at 8899 Beverly Boulevard, hoping she will land her biggest sale to date.
Accompanied by Brett, Heather walks us through the 4-bed, 4.5-bath condo with jaw-dropping views and resort-level amenities.
However, we learn later on that Terry and Heather Dubrow didn’t purchase the place, but they did ‘settle’ on an equally expensive penthouse set in the coveted Century building known as the Cavalli Penthouse (due to its many upscale furnishings that bear the signature of Roberto Cavalli).
Heather wasn’t the only one to land a killer commission though. (Potential spoiler) The $17.5 million penthouse from Selling Sunset was sold a few months later (at full ask), with none other than Brett Oppenheim repping the buyer.
Elvis’ honeymoon house
Okay, so this isn’t an O Group listing, we know. But how can we write an article about all the phenomenal luxury listings featured in this season of Selling Sunset without at least mentioning Elvis and Priscilla’s honeymoon house?
An iconic Palms Springs property, the futuristic residence was actually built in 1960 by pioneering Modernist architect William Krisel.
At the time, its spaceship-like design earned it the moniker “The House of Tomorrow”, but that didn’t last long, as Priscilla and Elvis Presley famously celebrated their honeymoon here in 1967 — after which it became widely known as “Elvis’ Honeymoon Hideaway”.
Related: Graceland, Elvis Presley’s house in Memphis – everything you’ve ever wanted to know
Last year, the property had a brief stint on the market, listing in early October 2022 for $5,650,000. Unsurprisingly, a month later, the King’s honeymoon house was already sold at full ask.
The Brentwood house Bre shows Saweetie
Heading over to celebrity-friendly, suburban Brentwood, Bre takes us — and her friend, rapper Saweetie — on a tour of a 7,401-square-foot beauty priced at a cool $8,800,000.
The 5-bedroom, 7-bath home at 19th Helena Drive sits on a quiet cul-de-sac and boasts beautiful architectural details. With an expansive open floorplan on the main floor, inviting (and ultra-private) bedrooms shielded by the lush landscaping, and a lower level designed for entertainment — featuring a plush theater and deluxe wet bar, opening directly to the impressive pool with spa, green lawns, barbecue area, and built-in firepit — the house does seem to be a perfect fit for Saweetie.
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(Potential spoilers) However, despite Bre’s excellent match-making, it wasn’t a done deal. Public records show that the property did indeed sell, but the sale closed in late March 2023 and doesn’t show Bre or any other Oppenheim Group agents associated with the transaction.
The selling price was $7,000,000, considerably lower than the $8.8 million ask mentioned on the show. Fun fact: the property was actually first listed for a whopping $12,949,000.
The house Heather and Bre visit on Sunset Plaza Dr
The last property of this season takes us to Sunset Plaza Dr, where a new-to-market 3-bed, 4-bath listing needs to be assessed by Bre and Heather, to see if it’s a good fit for their clients.
Listed for $4,995,000, the 3,364-square-foot bachelor pad has a massive primary bedroom suite that gets several “Oh my gosh” out of Heather, which isn’t an easy feat given the type of properties she’s used to.
This sleek contemporary home located above the Sunset Strip showcases jetliner panoramic views from Downtown to the ocean. It then comes as little surprise that the home also has multiple outdoor decks and a rooftop deck to capitalize on those extraordinary views, as well as an infinity edge pool with a private Baja deck and swim-up bar.
As for what happened to it (Potential spoilers), the Sunset Plaza Dr property sold in April 2023 for $3,150,000. While it may not have been a good fit for any of Heather or Bre’s clients, the O Group did get a significant commission out of the sale, as Jason Oppenheim was the listing agent for the property.
Admittedly, while watching the show, I felt like there were fewer properties and considerably more drama than in previous seasons. However, after writing about each Selling Sunset house that graced our screens in Season 6 of the hit Netflix docu-soap, I realize there were quite a few show-stopping mansions for us to daydream about. Hope we’re going to get to see some of them return in Season 7.
Editor’s note: While we did our best to identify all the properties featured on Selling Sunset, there’s always a possibility that we’ve missed something. If you spot anything that’s off, or you have an inside tip on one of the properties, drop us a line anytime at hello (at) fancypantshomes.com
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What do JFK, Jackie O., William Randolph Hearst, Beyonce, Francis Ford Coppola, and Whitney Houston have in common, besides incredible fame and fortune?
They’re all tied, in one way or another, to the house at 1011 N. Beverly Drive in California.
Also known as the Beverly House (or the Godfather house, or the Bodyguard house, take your pick), it’s long been one of the most expensive houses for sale in Beverly Hills, having last been listed in 2018 for $135 million, down from its ambitious initial ask of $195 million.
Pool view of the legendary Beverly House at 1011 N Beverly Drive, Los Angeles. Photo credit: Jim Bartsch
But despite its countless attributes and storied history, the property known simply as the Beverly House failed to attract a buyer, and was auctioned off in 2021 with a $63.1 million winning bid.
So, you’re probably wondering, ‘what makes this house so expensive?‘
As it turns out, the Beverly House has an illustrious history of hosting famous individuals and serving as filming grounds for some of the most memorable Hollywood movies.
The history of the Beverly House – and its glamorous Hollywood roles
The Beverly House, as we call it today, was designed by Gordon Kaufmann and built in 1926 for banking executive Milton Getz.
Driveway leading up to the Beverly House at 1011 N Beverly Drive, Los Angeles. Photo credit: Jim Bartsch
In 1946, it found a new owner in actress Marion Davies, who bought it for her lover, American media mogul William Randolph Hearst, a time when the sprawling property came to be known as the Hearst estate.
The businessman, who never divorced his wife, Millicent Hearst, lived at the estate with Marion until his death in 1951.
Their love affair, along with the wealth that surrounded it, was highly publicized at the time, with Orson Wells’ iconic Citizen Kane — recognized as the best movie ever made — being inspired by Hearst and Davies’ story.
Most notably, in 1953, the Beverly House was one of the destinations for JFK and Jackie Kennedy’s honeymoon, and later, it even served as Kennedy’s West Coast presidential election headquarters.
But the estate’s interesting history doesn’t end here.
Remember that scene in The Godfather when Hollywood producer Jack Woltz, after having crossed the Corleones, wakes up with a severed horse head in his bed?
View of the backyard and pool area of the Beverly House, made famous by some of the hit movies filmed here, like The Bodyguard and The Godfather. Photo credit: Jim Bartsch
The infamous scene was allegedly filmed at the house at 1011 N. Beverly Drive, although the property’s previous owner suggests that might not be true after all.
True or not, the estate has been often referred to as ‘the Godfather house’ because of its alleged appearance in one of the most famous movies of all time.
And while it may be up for debate whether 1011 N. Beverly Drive is indeed the Godfather house, one thing that can’t be contested is that the property is The Bodyguard house.
Prominent scenes from The Bodyguard, the wildly popular 1992 movie starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, were filmed on-site at the 1011 N. Beverly Drive house.
The pool and outdoor area in particular have been heavily featured in the 1990s box office hit.
In recent years, the estate’s biggest claim to fame — other than being one of the most expensive homes for sale in the area — was its feature in Beyoncé‘s latest visual album, Black Is King.
Scenes from Beyonce’s visual album, Black Is King, showing the Beverly House in the backdrop. Photo credit: Beyonce / Youtube
Queen Bee shot a number of scenes in the Spanish-style mansion, which served as the perfect backdrop for the colorful visual feast thanks to its light pink hue and pops of green foliage.
1011 N. Beverly Drive’s many attempts at finding a new owner
You would think that buyers would line up to snag such a prestigious estate, but the Beverly House was a tough sell, despite its fame.
It was put up for sale in 2007 with an asking price of $165 million, a pretty steep price at the time. After a few years on the market, it was listed again in 2010, with a ‘discounted price’ of $95 million.
The Beverly House hit the market again in 2016, asking a whopping $195 million, but it failed to find a buyer. By 2018, it made the news rounds again, being listed with a price tag of $135 million.
Prospective buyers were long put off by the steep asking price. Besides, there probably isn’t a lot of demand for 19-bedroom, 29-bathroom homes, not even in ritzy Beverly Hills.
But the estate’s long wait for a new owner came to an end in 2021, when the property hit the auction block.
Who owns the Beverly House now?
Billionaire investor Nicolas Berggruen is the newest owner of the former Hearst Estate, after paying $63.1 million for the property at auction in 2021.
Prior to that, the Beverly House had been owned by financier and attorney Leonard M. Ross for more than 40 years.
Ross declared bankruptcy in 2010, which might explain why the house was listed for ‘just’ $95 million that year, however, he didn’t have any luck finding a buyer.
Even prior to the auction, Ross openly admitted that he was aware that there aren’t a lot of buyers out there interested in a property of this size, so he’d be willing to sell just a percentage of the home, if needed.
That’s likely why he was also open to renting out the Beverly House for a monthly rate of $600,000 to $900,000, or $20,000 to $30,000 a day.
A closer look at the sprawling estate with 19 bedrooms and 29 bathrooms
Inside the Beverly House at 1011 N Beverly Drive, Los Angeles. Photo credit: Jim Bartsch
The Beverly House, or the Hearst estate, as some still call it, is spread across 3.5 acres of land, on a 153,692-square-foot lot.
It features 19 bedrooms and a whopping 29 full bathrooms, as well as a jaw-dropping wood-paneled library, a covered ballroom that can accommodate more than 1,000 guests, a billiards room, and a tiled formal dining room that can seat up to 400 people.
Other features include a massive courtyard and garden, gated entry, a hot tub/spa, swimming pool, a wine cellar, a bar, a tennis court, terrace and balconies.
Outside, in the expansive gardens, there are Venetian columns, waterfalls, a projection room, and even a nightclub.
Leonard Ross further added to the dazzling array of fabulous amenities by creating his very own Art Deco-style lounge modeled after ‘Touch,’ Hugh Hefner’s former Beverly Hills club.
Ross reportedly purchased the doors of the club when it closed, doors that were commissioned by Hefner himself, along with the etched glass and the bar.
The billiards room is also one of a kind, featuring herringbone parquet floors, a hand-carved stone fireplace mantle, and an intricate ceiling that’s identical to one of the ceilings at Hearst Castle.
Inside the Beverly House at 1011 N Beverly Drive, Los Angeles. Photo credit: Jim Bartsch
All of this within just three blocks from the Beverly Hills Hotel and the bustling Sunset Boulevard.
The property on Beverly Drive is known by many names: the Beverly House, the Godfather house, the Kennedy estate, the William Randolph Hearst house, or ‘that gigantic thing that everyone always talks about but that nobody wants to buy.’
Even so, we’re happy to see that the house proved naysayers wrong and that a new owner took the reigns at 1011 N. Beverly Drive.
If you’d like to take a closer look at this iconic estate, you can take a short tour of the house by watching the video below:
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