Alameda County

Stretching along the eastern side of San Francisco Bay, Alameda County displays history and charm at every mile. Retail districts tend to be small and intimate, with specialty markets, gourmet eateries and unique coffee shops. Easily walkable neighborhoods often surprise with a community rose garden or rock outcroppings, where climbers practice their skills. In the hills above Berkeley, quiet roads snake along the ridge line, offering expansive views across the bay.

Always a draw for free-thinking, entrepreneurial types, the city of Berkeley is ground zero for the sustainability movement. Thanks to its proximity to the UC Berkeley campus, Kensington may boast the largest number of Nobel Prize winners of any community in the world. Albany’s sunny Solano Avenue hosts an incredible array of bakeries, boutiques, and bistros. Formerly an island, Alameda is home to tree-lined streets and Crown Memorial State Beach, a big draw for wind surfers. Tilden Regional Park is a popular destination for families, with its miles of biking and hiking trails, a naturally landscaped swimming hole at Lake Anza and a miniature steam train.

Homes in Alameda County are as diverse as the area. North Berkeley is known for its grand old houses, including prime examples of Berkley Brown Shingle, Craftsman, Neo-Tudor, one-of-a-kind Storybook homes and classic California bungalows. In Berkeley Flats and Jack London Square, former warehouses are being converted to live/work lofts. Oakland offers everything from gated hilltop estates and turn-of-the-century elegant homes to small bungalows with original details and charm. Piedmont’s large, estate-like homes recall its glitzy past. Alameda has more than 1500 ornately decorated Victorians. Whatever your neighborhood or housing preference, you can find it in Alameda County.