CSUSM Track: North County's Gem

Hey, it’s Ian. Happy Thursday!

I switched it up a little bit based on your feedback and will start sending the newsletter out on Thursdays so you can plan your weekend.

In today’s issue: 

• CSUSM track is open to public runners

• Rare Normal Heights cul-de-sac

• Marky Mark comes to 4S

And more…

P.S. If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here →

Let’s dive in ↓

MORTGAGE RATES

Source: Mortgage News Daily as of 1/20/2025

RUNNERS HIDDEN GEM

Tired of hills on the 15 corridor? Cal State San Marcos quietly welcomes public runners

If you live on the 15 corridor, you know it’s almost impossible to find a flat route to run. Sure, hills are amazing but when you have to run them every day it takes a toll!

And trying to find a track that’s open to the public is damn near impossible.

Well fear not my fellow runners, Cal State San Marcos’ track is open for public use.

If you decide to throw on your Hokas and do some laps make sure you follow their guidelines so this gem stays open to us all:

• Use common sense

• Like the road, pass on the left

• Go with the natural flow (counter-clockwise)

• Inner lanes are for sprints while the outer lane is for jogging/walking

• Sports teams take priority and be on the lookout when you’re running (especially when lacrosse is there)

Hope to see you out there! Here’s where to park.

PRESENTED BY MASTERWORKS

Here’s an un-boring way to invest that billionaires have quietly leveraged for decades

If you have enough money that you think about buckets for your capital…

Ever invest in something you know will have low returns—just for the sake of diversifying?

CDs… Bonds… REITs… :(

Sure, these “boring” investments have some merits. But you probably overlooked one historically exclusive asset class:

It’s been famously leveraged by billionaires like Bezos and Gates, but just never been widely accessible until now.

It outpaced the S&P 500 (!) overall WITH low correlation to stocks, 1995 to 2025.*

It’s not private equity or real estate. Surprisingly, it’s postwar and contemporary art.

And since 2019, over 70,000 people have started investing in SHARES of artworks featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso through a platform called Masterworks.

• 23 exits to date

• $1,245,000,000+ invested

• Annualized net returns like 17.6%, 17.8%, and 21.5%

My subscribers can SKIP their waitlist and invest in blue-chip art.

Just click this link

_{Investing involves risk. Past performance not indicative of future returns. Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd}

DEAL WATCH

3-bed on a rare cul-de-sac just dropped $50K after 13 days —seller wants this one gone

If you want to live central and land on one of Normal Heights’ rare cul-de-sac streets.

• 3 bed | 2.5 bath | 1700 sqft

• Minutes from Adams Street

• Garage converted to a living room

• Newer appliances, recessed lighting, Nest thermostat

• Now listed at $1,175,000 after a $50,000 price drop.

It DOES have a solar lease (you know how I feel about those) but overall a really nice find.

It’s only been on the market (as of writing this) 13 days and they already reduced the price which means they want to sell this thing. So if you like it you gotta move fast.

Interested? View full details + photos →
Want to see it? Schedule a private tour →

HOUSING MARKET

Source: SDAR MLS 1/21/2025

Want to know what’s happening in your specific neighborhood? Book a strategy session → 

MARKY MARK'S 4S DEBUT

Wahlberg's restaurant chain lands in North County—here's what to order first

Restaurant choices are limited when you live in the 4S Ranch, Del Sur, Rancho Bernardo area but Marky Mark came to the rescue with Flecha Cantina!

Full disclosure I haven’t eaten here yet, but Bridgett has and this is her review.

Background: Owned by Mark Wahlberg along with restaurants in LA and Las Vegas. Grand opening in 4S was January 21st.

• Sunday Brunch: 9-2pm

• Tacos & Tequila Tuesday: 3pm-Close

• Happy Hour: Mon-Fri, 3-7pm + Late Night HH: Sun-Thurs, 9pm-Close

Vibes: good for a girls night out, a family dinner or a date night. Vibrant colors and very well designed.

Worth ordering: Spicy cucumber margarita ($15), carnitas flautas ($18)

SAN DIEGO JOB BOARD

Who’s hiring in San Diego? 5 trending jobs

• Director of Global Facilities Engineering at Illumina. Work with cutting edge genomic technology.

• Director of Business Development at Element Biosciences ($152k-$215K). Expand diagnostics and pharma/drug discovery.

• Lab Automation Software Engineer at Lilly Biotechnology ($141K-$229K). Biotherapeutics discovery automation

• Senior Data and Research Analyst at San Diego County Probation Office $94k-$127K. Specialized team in the business intelligence unit.

• IT Engineer-Application Development & Support at San Diego County Sheriff $101K-$123K.

QUICK POLL

Last week’s poll results: Would you prefer a $240,000 in-office job or a $120,000 remote job? (331 subscribers):

• $240,000 office job — 88%

• $120,000 remote job — 12%

I really thought that it would be closer but I guess the financial acumen of my followers and subscribers is higher than Tiktok would lead you to believe (shocker).

THIS WEEKEND’S HAPPENINGS

FRIDAY 23RD

Goddess Groove | Downtown | A night of music, art and feminine power. At the courtyard in East Village. Tickets $18.

SATURDAY 24TH

SeaWorld Mardi Gras | Jan 24 - Feb 22 | SeaWord | Parades, live music, colorful chaos, and Cajun food doing most of the heavy lifting.

International Jewish Film Festival | La Jolla | 36th annual film festival showcasing dozens of film screenings. Tickets $28.

San Diego Museum of Art | Balboa Park | Centennial Exhibition celebrating 100 year anniversary.

SUNDAY 25TH

Spamilton: The American Parody | Balboa Theatre | Hamilton jokes, pop culture references, and musical chaos that lands whether you love Broadway or hate it.

San Diego Restaurant Week | Jan 25 - Feb 1 | Various Locations | Prix fixe menus across the county and a socially acceptable excuse to try somewhere new

Yoga by the Sea | Calumet Park La Jolla | Yoga by the Sea Gentle Hatha flow + mini Reiki healing meditation. $5.

Need more ideas? See what else is happening →

That’s a wrap! For those interested, be on the lookout for this case study I’m doing for a home that was listed for 1 day.

Stay classy San Diego and I’ll see you next week!

— Ian

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how I can help:

• Need a game plan? Book a strategy session → A clear read on price, leverage, and timing before you move.

• Want to see a home in person? Schedule a day to look at homes → You’ll know quickly if it’s right.