ADU Adventures: Building in Your Backyard
ADU Adventures: Building in Your Backyard is the podcast for homeowners exploring Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—what they are, why they matter, and how to build one. Hosted by James Parks from Acton ADU, a leader in ADUs across the Bay Area and LA County with over 35 years of experience, this series covers everything from planning and permits to design, construction, and the long-term benefits of ADUs, also known as mother-in-law suites or granny flats. Whether you're looking to create space for family, generate rental income, or invest in your property's future, this podcast gives you the insights and expert advice to get started.
Episodes
17 episodes
Santa Monica ADUs And The End Of Route 66 | ADU Adventures EP016
Route 66 is about to turn 100, and Santa Monica still feels like the moment a long drive finally becomes a life. Before you start searching for the best ADU builders in Santa Monica, come to the coast with me to unpack why this city pulls peopl...
In Rosemead, Homeowners Turn Backyards into Family Businesses | ADU Adventures EP015
Rosemead is only a few square miles, but it has a weird superpower: it keeps producing massive family businesses from ordinary kitchen tables. In this episode, we're in Rosemead, California to tell the story behind that pattern, starting with t...
The Planted City: The Whole Property ADU Approach in Burlingame, California
If you're searching for the best ADU builder in Burlingame CA, the search usually starts with a bigger question: what do you do with a 70 to 100-year-old house that's full of charm and full of aging systems? Burlingame looks like a place that's...
Fertile Ground for ADUs: What Caring for Our Parents Really Costs In San Gabriel, CA | ADU Adventures EP014
Who Specializes in ADUs in San Gabriel Valley? The hardest cost to estimate is the one nobody wants to price out: the moment a parent can't safely live alone. I'm James, and this episode takes us to the San Gabriel Valley to talk about e...
Arcadia's California Luck Story And The Smart ADU Move After Success | ADU Adventures EP013
Searching for top rated ADU contractors in Arcadia CA? Start with the story of the city itself. Arcadia hands us a perfect metaphor for housing decisions: a city founded by "Lucky" Baldwin, centered on Santa Anita Park, and remembered for a lon...
How California ADU Law Forced San Marino To Change
Can you build an ADU in San Marino? Today, yes. This episode explains how California ADU law opened the door, what the rules now require, and how homeowners are using backyard homes to keep their families close in one of the most careful...
Why Palo Alto’s Most Discerning Homeowners Don’t Build Cheap ADUs | ADU Adventures EP011
"It's just a rental. Why overspend?" In Palo Alto, where the typical home tops $3 million, that question gets answered fast. In Episode 11, host James digs into why the homeowners who could most easily put up the cheapest backyard unit are the ...
The Backyard Hedge: Why LA Homeowners Build Small First | EP010
LA homeowners are doing something that looks backwards until you sit with it: they're building the small thing before the big thing. Instead of remodeling the main house first, they're putting an ADU in the backyard and using it as the anchor f...
The Family Legacy of ADUs | EP09
Podcast Description: ADU Adventures – The Final Episode: Next Steps for ADUs & FamiliesAfter an incredible journey exploring everything ADUs, it’s time for one final conversation. In this series finale of ADU...
ADU Trends – The Future of Backyard Homes | EP08
Podcast Episode Description: The Future of ADUs – How Backyard Homes Are Reshaping HousingThe housing landscape is evolving rapidly, and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are leading the charge. No longer just a trendy altern...
ADU Maintenance – Keeping Your ADU in Top Shape | ADU Adventures EP07
Protect Your ADU: Essential Maintenance Tips to Avoid Costly RepairsYour Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is a major investment—don’t let small maintenance issues turn into expensive disasters. In this episode, we discuss why ...
Finding the Perfect Builder – A Homeowner’s Guide | ADU Adventures EP06
How to Choose the Best ADU Builder: Avoid Costly Mistakes and Find the Right TeamChoosing the right ADU builder is the most important decision in your backyard home-building journey. The right team ensures a smoot...
Funding Your ADU – Financing Options and Strategies | ADU Adventures EP005
ADU Adventures – Funding Your ADU: Financing Options and StrategiesWondering how to finance an ADU? In this episode of ADU Adventures: Building in Your Backyard, host James Parks breaks down the most common ...
Designing Your Dream ADU: Tips and Inspiration | ADU Adventures EP04
In this episode of ADU Adventures: Building in Your Backyard, host James dives into one of the most exciting (and crucial) parts of the ADU process—designing a space that truly works for you. Whether you're building...
The Legal Landscape – Navigating ADU Regulations | ADU Adventures EP03
ADU Adventures: Building in Your BackyardEpisode 3 – Navigating ADU RegulationsThinking about building an ADU? Zoning laws, permits, and city regulations can be overwhelming. In this episode, James Parks expla...
From Vision to Reality – The ADU Journey | ADU Adventures EP02
ADU Adventures: Building in Your BackyardEpisode 2: From Vision to Reality – The ADU JourneyBuilding an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is an exciting opportunity, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelmin...
ADUs Uncovered – What They Are and Why They Matter | ADU Adventures EP01
ADU Adventures: Building in Your BackyardEpisode 1: ADUs Uncovered – What They Are and Why They MatterIf you're thinking about building an ADU but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you. In ADU Advent...