Andrew J. Pridgen

San Francisco

Contributing Editor at SFGate

central ca contributing editor @sfgate.

Articles

Stunning oceanfront lot in Carmel asks $100K, but comes with a catch

1 day ago | ksbw.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

Video above from KSBW 8 morning headlines for June 5, 2025It’s not often a real estate listing is so rare that it renders the real estate agent representing the seller unable to comment. But that’s exactly what happened this week in Carmel. The parcel for sale is an oceanfront property in the heart of one of the most sought-after stretches of coastline in the world. The property is also one door down from the region’s famous Frank Lloyd Wright house. And it can be yours for $100,000.
Stunning oceanfront lot in Carmel asks $100K but comes with a catch

2 days ago | sfgate.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

It’s not often a real estate listing is so rare that it renders the real estate agent representing the seller unable to comment. But that’s exactly what happened this week in Carmel. The parcel for sale is an oceanfront property in the heart of one of the most sought-after stretches of coastline in the world. The property is also one door down from the region’s famous Frank Lloyd Wright house. Two zeros haven’t been accidentally dropped from the price.
Hedge fund moves in on private California ranch that's larger than San Diego

3 days ago | pressdemocrat.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

For decades, Tejon Ranch, California's biggest parcel of privately held land, has been simultaneously entangled in preservation and development efforts, as well as litigation with environmental groups over the land's future. Now, there's a new wave of turmoil, and changes are afoot.
The proxy fight over California's biggest parcel of private land

1 week ago | sfgate.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

Bulldog’s aggressive tactics and willingness to make a move against the rest of Tejon’s board came as an affront to the Lebec-based corporation, which presents itself as steward of a parcel of land that has served as the wild geographic divider between Los Angeles and the rest of the state.
20-mile highway closure slated for California's notorious 'Blood Alley'

1 week ago | kcra.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

A historic and notorious stretch of California highway known as “Blood Alley” is set to temporarily close.A critical 20-mile section of Highway 41 that connects the Central Valley and the rest of California to the Central Coast between Paso Robles and Kettleman City is slated to close for five days of construction in early June, Caltrans officials confirmed to SFGATE on Tuesday.
Wealthy Calif. coastal city is now a high-risk fire zone

1 week ago | ksbw.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

Carmel is facing a new reality: Much of the oceanfront village’s historic and highly sought-after core has been redefined by the state as a high-risk fire zone. But unlike in other California cities and towns that are facing a similar reckoning, residents are concerned that Carmel’s very charm and character — along with its historic homes and buildings — are facing an extreme existential threat, whether a catastrophic blaze happens here or not.
20-mile highway closure slated for California's notorious 'Blood Alley'

1 week ago | sfgate.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

A critical 20-mile section of Highway 41 that connects the Central Valley and the rest of California to the Central Coast between Paso Robles and Kettleman City is slated to close for five days of construction in early June, Caltrans officials confirmed to SFGATE on Tuesday. The construction on the highway will take place starting at the interchange of highways 41 and 46 near Cholame and extend about 20 miles east to Reef Station near the junction of state Route 33.
'A lot of hysteria': Wealthy Calif. coastal city is now a high-risk fire zone

1 week ago | sfgate.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

Beyond the adoption of the ordinance, the new map “presents the City Council with an opportunity to look at wildfire hazards within the city as a whole and determine the proper next steps to address wildfire hazards throughout the city,” the report stated.
Longest closure in Highway 1 history to continue through summer

2 weeks ago | sfgate.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

“Repairs to Regent’s Slide are now expected to keep Highway 1 in this area closed through summer 2025,” he told SFGATE via email. “Caltrans will continue to provide regular updates on progress on these slide repairs and an estimated reopening date. We can not predict how this will impact travel.”The Regent’s Slide area of the highway, south of the Esalen Institute, was washed out and has remained closed since February 9, 2024.
This cozy Central Calif. diner has sold over 5 million Danish treats

2 weeks ago | sfgate.com | Andrew J. Pridgen

Today, Valhalla is the go-to breakfast spot in Visalia. It’s also often a stop for travelers on the way to or from nearby Sequoia National Park, which is around 35 miles away, or even Yosemite, which is just over 100 miles away. “What I find really fun: In the summer, we have a lot of travelers and tourists, who come to the sequoias and Yosemite,” Payne said. “I’ll have people from Denmark come in who go, ‘This is totally unexpected.