My friend and co-author, Ernie Marquez, whose family once owned all of Santa Monica canyon and beyond, 6,656 acres that included Pacific Palisades and even a bit of Topanga (and whose ancestors lie in a small, sheltered cemetery in the canyon), makes my business cards. Over the years he has amassed a stunning collection of photos of bygone California, including hundreds of remarkable pix of old Malibu. Yesterday's photo comes from that collection, as does this one of the original trailers of Paradise Cove. (Both are in my biz card rotation.)

When we moved to Paradise Cove 14 years ago, some of those trailers were still here, available for about $35,000. They've been turned into beach cottages now, available for about $350,000.

Still a bargain.