The Laguna Niguel housing market, part of the larger Southern Orange County real estate market, showed strong signs of improvement compared to a year earlier. According to a June 15, 2010 article from the Orange County Register, “For calendar month May – DataQuick’s latest stats – the 19 ZIPs located in south inland communities showed…947 homes sold, that is +46.1% vs. a year ago. The median selling price of these ZIPs was $520,000 – that is +4.9% vs. a year ago.” The piece continued to state that “The south inland ZIPs comprised 29.9% of the recent home sales in Orange County vs. 24.9% a year ago…36 ZIP codes in beach towns and inland South County communities had 1,515 home sales. That’s up 43.7% vs. a year ago.”

The recovery of the overall Orange County economy, which partially determines the number of Laguna Niguel homes for sale, is not as rapid as some analysts had expected. According to a June 3, 2010 article from the OC Metro, “Attendees got what they came for with news that an uptick in new jobs, consumer confidence and median home prices all point to a ‘weak but sustained recovery through 2011.’ The lagging construction industry, however, is expected to stall a more robust rebound.” The piece, composed by Kimberly A. Porrazzo, went on to say that “Typically, GDP growth is in the 6 percent range following a recession. Chapman’s forecast last December called for a mild recovery – around 3 percent…The report underscored the fact that the recession’s impact on Orange County was greater than previously though. Revised statistics from the Employment Development Department show that the county lost 110,200 payroll jobs during 2009, instead of the previously reported 64,800.”

The jobless rate will likely not reach pre-recession levels until next year, which might stall the recovery of the Laguna Niguel housing market. According to a June 3, 2010 article from the Orange County Business Journal, “Orange County isn’t expected to start adding jobs until 2011, according to a midyear economic forecast update released by Chapman University Thursday. Economists at the university in Orange now expect a 1.2% drop in employment for nearly 18,000 jobs lost in 2010, a sharp pullback from the 1,000 job gain it predicted in December.”

San Francisco is a great city home to thousands of restaurants representing ethnic cuisines from around the world.  With everything from that hole-in-the-wall coffee shop to that elegant, upscale, fine-dining restaurant, any person in San Francisco will be able to find a more that satisfying meal.

One of the highest rated restaurants in San Francisco is Restaurant Gary Danko.  Restaurant Gary Danko features a contemporary French Cuisine in a beautiful restaurant with a romantic atmosphere.  With a diverse menu and exquisite wine list, Restaurant Gary Danko is one of the top 40 restaurants in the nation.  However, be ready to spend about $90 for a complete meal.

The Blue Bottle Cafe is one of the most popular coffee shops in San Francisco, with frequent customers coming not only for the excellent coffee, but also the cozy atmosphere.  Customers have also rated the New Orleans style iced coffee and oatmeal very highly.

Another extremely popular restaurant in San Francisco is Frascati, which is a mid-priced restaurant with a romantic atmosphere.  Frascati features a diverse menu featuring cuisines including American, French, Italian, Mediterranean, and Contemporary.  The restaurant is known for its excellent waiting staff, great priced food, and overall positive experience.  However, it is highly recommended to call ahead for reservations because the restaurant is popular but small.