Are you prepared for the Big One?

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Well, hello there. Did anyone feel that?! The Bay Area got a solid shake on Thursday morning thanks to a magnitude 3.8 temblor originating near San Leandro. The quake was followed by two lesser aftershocks. While you’re most likely to feel anything over a 2.5 magnitude, I for some reason missed this one, as I was on the street and didn’t feel the earth moving under my feet.

It’s another reminder we should always be prepared in case of The Big One. Are you? Easy ways to start are to keep back-up power chargers for your phone, always have your car powered or gassed up, and store three days’ worth of supplies in a go bag if and when the power and gas are out. We keep flashlights around the house like party favors and a go bag in our wine closet (can’t get more San Francisco than that, right?). Down below in the letter I’m providing a helpful checklist, including what to keep around for emergencies.

Speaking of seismic safety, Alcatraz is undergoing structural improvements. The former federal penitentiary closed as a prison in 1963 and opened to tourists as part of the Golden Gate Recreation Area in 1972. The reinforced concrete building that houses the Cell House will remain open during the $63 million improvement project, but the hospital wing, dining hall, and shower room will be closed to visitors through 2028. The Rock opened as a prison on August 11, 1934, and is well overdue for some renovations.

Here’s an alternative plan: This weekend, the hotly-anticipated Presidio Mess Hall finally opens. Located inside a former Army depot at Tunnel Tops, there will be a gourmet market, cafe, full bar, and “three distinct all-day food concepts,” according to the eatery’s website.

And here’s a fun way to get your steps in, literally: A new mural covering the staircase at 388 Beale Street has been unveiled. Designed by artist Wilma Wyss, the mosaic depicts coffee seed roots, California poppies, and a moon at the top.

Last week, I reported on the record-breaking Hillsborough estate that sold for $70 million. The property had recently been featured on Must Like Fog’s list of the 5 most expensive properties for sale in the Bay Area. The buyer was listed as a secretive Limited Liability Corporation (LLC), but the SF Standard reports that “records point to xAI cofounder Yuhuai Wu as the real buyer.”

If you missed out on this Italian-inspired mega mansion, take heart. There’s a $25 million estate available in Woodside, CA. You’d be in good, or at least, fancy company: Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, the late Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, and A-list star Michelle Pfeiffer have all owned homes there. The Silicon Valley build from 2016 features 4 acres, a 5,740 square foot residence, detached guest house, pool, and a professionally managed Pinot Noir vineyard producing up to 50 cases annually.

This week’s letter features the Carriage House in Mill Valley, a home in Capitola almost as old as the seaside town itself, and a DIY summer checklist. Read on.

Yes, much of my part of the city is fogged in during this time of year. But if I crave a little vitamin D, all I need to do is head north to the Golden Gate Bridge and drive till I find the sun. With this in mind, I give you a good reason to get out of the city over to Marin, where The Carriage House has come on the market.

The historic home, listed by Katie Jarman of Coldwell Banker Realty, is asking $2.495 million. It last changed hands in 2020 for $1.9 million.

Built in 1895 by San Francisco boatyard owner George Lingard Payne, the main house and carriage house were intended as a summer retreat for his wife, Barbara Marie Frey, and their six children, according to a 2007 story in Marin Magazine.

Although the property has changed hands many times since, and condos have sprung up around the historic home, the original facade to the 131-year-old structure has remained intact while updates inside offer “all the modern amenities for comfortable living,” the listing notes.

Hidden within a redwood grove, the serene space spans 2,334 square feet with three bedrooms and four bathrooms.

The main house features primary suites on both floors, along with a third bedroom that opens out to a new Ipe wood deck and private garden.

The separate studio is perfect flex space for an office, gym, or art studio. In addition, the property has two storage units for bikes or sports gear, along with a one-car garage.

Although the lush landscape may feel worlds away, the listing notes the place is walkable to downtown Mill Valley, Tam High, and Mt. Tam hiking trails. Plus, the commuter bus to SF can be accessed at the end of the driveway.

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Just south of famed Santa Cruz lies the coastal community of Capitola, one of the Pacific Coast’s oldest vacation destinations. And this cute cottage on the market is one of the town’s oldest. The darling domicile with “peaks of the ocean” is available for $2,515,000. Diana Mercer with Compass holds the listing.

In Capitola, vacation life began in in 1856, when the the Capitola Wharf was built and 1,882 lots were subdivided into vacation cabins, the Venetian Hotel, a theater, and bandstand to become the city of Capitola. Ever since, the seaside retreat (just two square miles) has attracted residents and tourists alike.

As for the home that could be yours, it’s almost as old as Capitola itself. Dating to 1860, the updated abode offers two beds, 1.5 baths, plus a newly built two-car garage with a 575 square-foot rental unit on the second level.

Inside the main house, you’ll find an eye-catching kitchen with walnut cabinets, farmhouse sink, soapstone counters, and a handmade tile backsplash. Other details include hickory flooring, decorative fireplaces, and dormer windows on the second level. Original elements include board-and-batten siding, a distinctive green metal roof, and a Dutch front door. The listing notes that past owners raised nine children in the home!

Modernizations include new electric, new plumbing, thermal pane windows, along with insulated walls and floors.

Outside, the landscaped lot leans into its beachy locale, and includes a spa, outdoor shower, fenced yard, and deck.

The location is ideal, just a few blocks to the esplanade and beach, Highway 1, and just 15 minutes from Santa Cruz. Listing agent Mercer notes as to the rarity of one of these oldies on the market, “There may have been some in the past of course, but there hasn't been one that has totally been updated and also allowed to build an ADU.”

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Whether you’re a longtime homeowner or have recently snagged a new pad, ownership is not a “set it and forget it” scenario.

There are always plenty of projects, big and small, to keep your home humming. Here are a few ideas for projects that take just a few minutes to a few days from home insights expert Courtney Klosterman at Hippo Insurance.

Quick and easy:

- Change the batteries on smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.

- Clean sink drains (flush with an enzymatic cleaner like Nature’s Miracle)

Got an hour?

- Grab a caulk gun. Seal up window leaks for more efficient heating and cooling.

- Spray for pests around foundation and doorways. If you have pets or kids, use a non-toxic version, such Wondercide.

Have a couple hours?

- Clean the condenser coils behind your fridge. Dusty coils can make your fridge less efficient and drive up energy costs. A brush and supplies will run around $10.

- Inspect the dryer vent. That’s the big aluminum tube attached to your dryer that can build up dust and potentially cause a fire. You can buy a dryer vent cleaner kit for about $10 or have it professionally cleaned out.

In a weekend:

- Clear tree branches over rooflines or sidewalks. During a storm, falling branches can cause serious harm to people, cars, or your home. (OK, you may want a professional tree trimmer for this one.)

- Unclog gutters or downspouts so you’re ready for El Niño.

- Stock up for an earthquake. Prepare for major disasters with an emergency stockpile or go bag that should contain a first aid kit, batteries, water, and food, plus other necessities like pet food and medications. Make sure your emergency supplies haven’t expired and replace ones that are out of date.

Must Like Fog is a San Francisco-based newsletter that’s looking at must-see real estate, cool architecture, fun neighborhoods, and more. Come obsess with me, a long-time real estate reporter who wants to keep the party going with a Bay Area twist. If you’re into real estate, the Bay Area, and want to get the inside track on these topics and more, please subscribe.

Huge thanks to editor extraordinaire Erik Gunther.