Now We'll Never Find Bob's House; Sign Removed In RSM

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA —How do you get to Bob's house? That's easy. Head north on Alicia Parkway, and turn right. That's what the sign says. Someone in Rancho Santa Margarita was getting a little fed up with directions. Maybe they were throwing a party. Or perhaps they were tired of the Amazon deliveries going to someone else's address. Regardless the reason, after a few weeks of driving by the sign most of South Orange County is pretty sure where Bob lives. After all, he's our new favorite resident.

The Bob's House sign appeared on Alicia Parkway and Santa Margarita earlier in January. Drivers headed toward Coto De Caza and Dove Canyon more than likely cruised right by Bob's House without ever knowing what they were missing. Now, they miss the sign.

The city of Rancho Santa Margarita finally removed the perfect replica street sign early on Thursday, along with a nice letter to the mystery person who owns it.

"We noticed the sign Tuesday morning," Rancho Santa Margarita City Manager Jennifer Cervantez told Patch. "The street sign meets the normal standards as if we were to order it ourselves. It could be a prank, a party, we don't know for sure. We're having a laugh along with everyone else."

Meanwhile, the city did have to take the sign down, however they left a message for the owner, in case they want it back.

"Dear Bob," the city of RSM wrote on their Facebook page. "We regret the inconvenience that motorists will no longer be able to find your house by way of a directional sign, and it is most unfortunate if they unknowingly travel the entire city in search of your home. Gone are the days of the Thomas Guide, and lets face it, every GPS system has its glitches. We completely understand your efforts and money to order and buy a sign that meets all of the Department of Transportation standards and guidelines so that those Amazon delivery trucks, party guests, and curious motorists find 'Bob’s House.'

Residents loved the response, even while they missed seeing the sign there.

"It's a nice touch," resident Mike Vaughn wrote on Facebook. "City Manager Jennifer Cervantez, for herself and the whole team at City Hall is the Cool RSMian of the day. Honorable mention, to Bob."

Other residents remarked on how nice it is for a city to have a sense of humor, and more than one resident named "Bob" was tagged with the question, "Is it you?"

The mysterious Bob remains un-found, and the sign is still hanging out awaiting its owner. The city is happy to return it, no questions asked.

"It could have been a new destination to rival In-N-Out, and for that, we are very sorry to so abruptly remove the sign that, well, is just not legally permitted. We do hope you took a photo of it. If not, we have one we can share with you. In any event, your sign may be retrieved at City Hall during normal business hours – no questions asked. It may make a nice wall hanging in your office or rec room and certainly a good story for your guests and Amazon deliveries that get lost or don’t quite make it on time.

Sincerely,
City Hall"

There will be no reprimand for Bob or whoever ordered his sign, should they intend to collect it, Cervantez told Patch.

So, here's to hoping Bob gets his sign back, and thanks for making us all laugh in the process.

Photos, courtesy City of Rancho Santa Margarita