$1,234,510Average Value$856Average Price per Sq Ft16Homes For Sale
Desirable Bay Area city with unusual origins
Home to a little more than 20,000 people, suburban Albany is a sought-after bayfront city that harbors a remarkable history. At the start of the 20th century, this area – then known as Ocean View – was used by the city of Berkeley as a massive dumping ground for excess garbage. Fed up with their community being treated like a landfill, the women of Ocean View armed themselves and confronted inbound Berkeley trash wagons, kickstarting a series of conflicts known as the “Garbage Wars.” In September 1908, locals were finally able to incorporate Ocean View as a city and passed legislation to prevent further dumping. Soon after its incorporation, the city was renamed Albany, and the community spent the following decades focused on revitalizing the land. Today, Albany is a vibrant Bay Area enclave with walkable shopping districts, scenic parks and highly rated schools. “The area is so desirable,” says Allen Cain, executive director of the local Solano Avenue Association. "It’s not just the schools and the businesses and the great yogurt places; it’s about the public safety. The streets are well-lit, and your kids can walk home from school alone."
Jogging is a common morning routine in Albany parks.
Dog-lovers end their day at Albany Beach.
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Homes with character and million-dollar price tags
Albany spans less than 2 square miles, so its residential streets are lined with densely packed homes exhibiting eclectic Craftsman-style and Mediterranean motifs. Lawn space is minimal, and although many homes have short driveways, residents also take advantage of the city’s free street parking. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are present on many properties; they’re becoming increasingly popular as homebuyers seek more affordable housing options. The median price of a home here is approximately $1.2 million; listings spend an average of 35 days on the market before being sold. Albany’s high housing costs are primarily attributed to the city’s public school system and East Bay location next to Berkeley.
Cherished memories built in this cozy Albany family home.
Albany is full of architectural houses and landscaping.
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A's all-around at Albany City Unified School District
The Albany City Unified School District is one of the town’s biggest draws. The district receives an overall A rating from Niche and includes three elementary schools, one middle and one high school. Families can also send younger children to Albany Children’s Center, the district’s preschool; all Albany City schools earn ratings of A or higher. At the A-plus-rated Albany High, students can take applied arts courses in partnership with the Contra Costa County Region Occupation Program.
Albany is also home to the University Village neighborhood, an off-campus residential community maintained by the University of California, Berkeley. The university’s main campus is situated in downtown Berkeley, only 3 miles from Albany. Part of the UC system, this research university is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top public universities. Between 2023 and 2025, UC Berkeley was ranked the No. 1 public university in America by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Center for World University Rankings.
Shaping futures at Albany High School.
Educational cornerstone Marin Elementary in Albany.
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Albany Bulb is a waterfront wonder
Albany has a total of 16 city parks with recreational amenities like athletic facilities, picnic areas, walking trails and playgrounds. What was once the community’s primary landfill site in the early 1900s has since been transformed into the Albany Bulb, a waterfront park and natural area spanning over 80 acres. Urban trailways in the area include a hiking trail at Albany Hill Park lined with towering eucalyptus trees and the Ohlone Greenway, a pedestrian walkway stretching from El Cerrito to Berkeley. Farther inland is the Tilden Regional Park, a well-known hiking destination with a 2,000-acre landscape including a botanical garden, golf course and a swimming lake. The city’s recreation department, public library and cable station are all in the Albany Community Center, which also offers event venues. Albany has a moderate Mediterranean climate, meaning residents can enjoy year-round outdoor recreation.
Joyful beach day with dogs at Albany Beach.
Get an adrenaline rush from high-speed cycling in Albany.
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Events, eateries and entertainment along Solano Avenue
Albany’s cardinal shopping destination is Solano Avenue, a bustling east-west street packed with small businesses, boutiques and local eateries. This principal corridor also hosts a jam-packed calendar of events organized by the Solano Avenue Association; one of the largest events is the annual Solano Avenue Stroll, a massive street festival that began in the 1970s. “It’s this huge kind of community event, and it wouldn’t be a community event without the community. Whoever you are, however much you make, you can come here and listen to bands, meet nonprofits and try new food, all for free,” Cain says. “Last year, it was over 100,000 people.” Additional shopping and dining options in Albany are located along San Pablo Avenue, a local thoroughfare with heavy motor vehicle traffic. Aside from Target and a couple of grocery stores, the closest big box retailers and national chains are in next-door Berkeley.
Come into Zaytoon and for a bite to eat or even a nice glass of wine.
Enjoy fine food and drinks at Zaytoon restaurant.
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Albany caters to commuters and pedestrians
Albany’s small size allows for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including a city-wide network of biking paths and an abundance of sidewalks. Ohlone Greenway is a paved, pedestrian-only walkway through the middle of the city, passing by shopping areas, parks and community centers. Commuters can rely on local buses operated by the Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District, which connects with nearby BART stations in Berkeley and El Cerrito. Interstates 580 and 80 run through western Albany along the waterfront and connect to major cities like Oakland, 8 miles away. However, despite the short distance to places like Oakland, interstate traffic often causes longer driving times. Oakland International Airport is approximately 16 miles from Albany and has direct flights to dozens of cities in the United States.
Written By
Hayley Simms
Photography Contributed By
Jean Paul Toshiro
Video By
Tyler Belile
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Azadeh Yazdi,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Albany, CA sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Albany, CA over the last 12 months is $1,145,000, up 9% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
1050 Kains Avenue #3 (B1) presents a rare and compelling opportunity to own a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo with immediate add-value potential in one of Albany’s most desirable neighborhoods—east of San Pablo Avenue. Located on the top floor of a quiet 4-unit building, this unit enjoys no upstairs neighbors and low HOA dues of just $390/month. The open living/dining area features newer hardwood
Welcome to 545 Colusa Avenue, a Mediterranean gem in the heart of Berkeley’s coveted Thousand Oaks neighborhood. Situated on an upslope lot, this home is perched well above the street creating a peaceful and retreat-like getaway. Many modern updates are blended with classic charm in this home, which includes a bonus lower level space with its own separate entrance. When you enter the front door,
Searching for that elusive, easy-to-navigate single-story home? Look no further! Just five gentle steps lead to this light-filled Albany bungalow—circa 1929—offering classic charm with thoughtful modern updates. The approx. 1,510 sq ft floor plan features 4 bedrooms and 2 beautifully remodeled bathrooms with custom tile and elegant finishes. Just off the tiled entry, the 4th bedroom makes a
1050 Kains Avenue #3 (B1) presents a rare and compelling opportunity to own a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo with immediate add-value potential in one of Albany’s most desirable neighborhoods—east of San Pablo Avenue. Located on the top floor of a quiet 4-unit building, this unit enjoys no upstairs neighbors and low HOA dues of just $390/month. The open living/dining area features newer hardwood
Bright and spacious plan A unit. Beautifully remodeled a few years ago and Ready for move-in. Large Primary BR w/ , large walk in closet and en suite bath; second BR w/ wall-to-wall closets with access to Balcony. Chef-ready kitchen boasts ample storage and counter space w/ full pantry and newer dishwasher. Enjoy the welcoming fireplace and summer evenings on the large outdoor balcony featuring
Calling all builders and developers!!!! Approved plans for 3 unit townhouse community in Berkeley!!! Stunning architecturally significant design featuring rooftop loggias, three bedrooms, 2 baths and is prepped to convert the garage areas to an ADU. Creative floorplans offer a Lot of space to spread out and create both a home and a home office if desired. Bring your builder and make these
GOLDEN GATE, bay & city lights views! Single family unit in multi-unit home. Offers unique flexible layout; perfectly suited as an ideal family unit with private entries. Very large living room with ample dining space. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beautifully updated from top to bottom, this bright 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home blends modern comfort with classic charm in an unbeatable Albany location. Fresh paint inside and out, refinished hardwood floors, all-new dual-pane windows, LED/recessed lighting, new HVAC with A/C, completely insulated, new roof, and all-new plumbing and electrical. The spacious brand-new kitchen, featuring quartz
Peaceful relaxation in house with lots of restaurants and the Bay close by!Enjoy this sweet house in Albany with deck and garden to relax. On a quiet street, yet close to restaurants, shops and public transportation. About 1 mile to BART N. Berkeley and University Avenue in Berkeley, 5 min walking to Solano Avenue for a whole spectrum of restaurants and shops, 5 min to freeway, 30min to
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