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Garcia and Tad, who manages state training funds for companies, were college sweethearts at the University of Southern California, later moving to Texas, where Garcia worked as an anchor and reporter in El Paso, Austin, and Dallas. But when the couple decided to have a child (son Jackson is now 15 years old), they moved back to their native California to be closer to family. "It's the only place that feels like home and the only place I'd want to raise my family," says Garcia, who is third generation Mexican on her mother's side and British/Scottish on her father's side. Both sides of her family moved to the West Coast more than a century ago. "I love our neighborhood," she says of their family-friendly community. "ere are always kids playing in the street. We know so many of our neighbors. Halloween is so fun here!" ey bought their 1970s-era home five years ago and have been renovating it in stages ever since. Although the house was in good condition, it needed updating. So, the couple gutted the house to take advantage of the ocean views, knocking down a wall to open up the kitchen, installing new custom cabinets and a large island topped with quartzite. ey also added wood beams to match those in the entry and living room and installed wood floors throughout. "e kitchen is a favorite spot because we love cooking," says Garcia. "It's probably my favorite thing to do as a family. Our son Jackson is a great cook! He's been helping me in the kitchen since he was really little. We try to sit down to a homemade family dinner together at least four nights during the week. And we also love to have friends and family over for dinner as often as we can." ey also hang out in the cozy family room with a fireplace, television, and comfortable leather couches where Ponch, their chocolate Labrador retriever, and Charlie, a silver lab (each weighing in at 100 pounds), like to lounge. Two cats, Olive and Lulu, complete the family's menagerie. Connect people << @ranchandcoast ranchandcoast.com 76 NOVEMBER 2022 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE