Although different names are used to define the coastal mountain range that runs north to south on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, two of the most common terms are the Berkeley Hills, which describes the slopes above Berkeley, and the Oakland Hills, the name that identifies the mountains stretching along the east side of Oakland. The boundary where the Berkeley Hills leave off and the Oakland Hills begin is somewhat ambiguous, but one thing that is clear is that the neighborhoods settled into the western slopes of these mountains are some of the most interesting and sought-after communities in the East Bay.
The Berkeley Hills are full of neighborhoods of architecturally significant homes, designed by some of the most influential architects in the Bay Area, including Joseph Esherick, Bernard Maybeck, John Funk, and Richard C. Peters. Many have spectacular views of the Bay and are surrounded by hiking and biking trails and walking paths that once (before automobiles were common) allowed homeowners access to homes perched on steep hillsides.
Just south of the Berkeley Hills are the Oakland Hills, which have some of the most charming, desirable communities in the East Bay. Many of these neighborhoods have the advantage of good access to the freeways, making for an easy commute, but are quiet, friendly, and out of the hurly-burly of metropolitan life. Claremont, the northernmost Oakland community (or, conversely, the southernmost Berkeley Hills community) actually straddles the boundary between Berkeley and Oakland.
Neighborhoods in the Oakland Hills are a world away from much of the Oakland you see as you pass through on the freeways. Just south of Claremont are the exclusive homes of Hiller Highlands and Glen Highlands. With some of the best views in the East Bay, homes here are luxurious and somewhat expensive.
Just a bit further south are the communities of Montclair, Shepherd Canyon, and Piedmont Pines. Montclair, which has been compared to Mill Valley in Marin County, has a small town atmosphere with its village center shops, restaurants, and small businesses that serve local needs. Homes in this area range from bungalows and cottages to mid-century ranch-style homes, many on large wooded lots.
Woodminster and Leona Heights are two neighborhoods with a definitely rural, mountain vibe. Not far from Highway 13, they feature narrow wooded lanes with homes perched on hillsides or ranch-homes on suburban-style lots. The Woodminster Amphitheater is a popular venue for summer entertainment under the stars. Just east of Leona Heights is Skyline-Hillcrest Estates, a community of larger contemporary homes, many with gated grounds and expansive views of the Bay and beyond.
Perhaps the ideal setting for mid-century modern enthusiasts is the community of Sequoyah Hills, in the southernmost stretch of the Oakland Hills. Although there is a country club in the neighborhood, for many the main attraction is the Eichler development. Sometimes referred to as the “lost Eichlers of the Oakland Hills”, many of these distinctive homes are still in original condition, making them a coveted find for modernists looking for a place to settle in the East Bay.
The neighborhoods tucked into the western side of the Oakland and Berkeley Hills offer a variety of lifestyles, but what they all have in common, from the recently rebuilt communities of Upper Rockridge (rebuilt after the Oakland Hills fire in 1991) to the down-home suburban community of Redwood Heights, is a setting surrounded by all the natural beauty of the coastal mountains, a wonderful climate, and proximity to everything that the Bay Area has to offer.
Renee Adelmann is the owner of East Bay Modern Real Estate, an architectural real estate firm specializing in modernist properties throughout the Bay Area, including the Oakland & Berkeley Hills. You can learn more online at http://www.EastBayModern.com.
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