Located in Contra Costa County
Drive down Kensington streets like the sloping Kingston Road and one of the community’s biggest assets becomes clear: “The views,” says local Realtor Tomaj Trenda of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty. This Contra Costa County enclave in the Berkeley Hills comes with a tranquil atmosphere courtesy of its primarily residential makeup. Yet, it’s also just about a dozen miles from Oakland and just under 20 miles from San Francisco.
There are houses in Kensington that date back to the 1920s and options that run the gamut from then to recent years. Styles vary quite a bit, from Tudor to Spanish Revival to contemporary. One of the qualities that links houses here, though, is that they tend to be fairly spacious — the average square footage of Kensington homes is almost 2,000. Houses here are organized closely together, but neatly, and fill lots that are often around one-tenth of an acre or less. Some of Kensington’s streets come with sidewalks, perfect for taking a stroll to soak in the area’s views. Price tags here start at just under $1 million and top out at just over $3 million. These homes are coveted, too. “Very high in demand,” says Trenda, who is one of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty’s top producers.
Kids in Kensington can go to public schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District, which covers not just Kensington but also El Cerrito, Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, Hercules, Bayview-Montalvin Manor, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, North Richmond and Tara Hills. Students here can start at Kensington Hilltop Elementary, which has a B-plus overall grade on Niche and has earned recognition as a California Distinguished School. Students then move on to the B-minus-rated Fred T. Korematsu Middle School, where students can take part in athletics opportunities ranging from soccer to ultimate frisbee. The B-plus-rated El Cerrito High is next, which offers access to a College and Career Pathways program with programs in advanced manufacturing and product development; arts, media and entertainment; building and construction; engineering and architecture; health science; information technology pathways; and law, public safety and emergency response.
Kensington is an active community, where people take advantage of what the landscape has to offer. The area is adjacent to the 740-acre Tilden Nature Area, which features more than 10 miles of trails, winding through the hills. Locals can also enjoy a stroll through the Berkeley College of Environmental Design’s almost 11-acre Blake Garden, which features a variety of plant species that feed off of the area’s climate. “It’s very natural,” Trenda says of Kensington. “It’s close to hiking trails and a huge regional park. It’s really cool up there. People do a lot of walking in Kensington. Every day you see people out walking the streets, it’s a beautiful place to walk.”
Kensington doesn’t have an abundance of commercial establishments, but there are a handful along the community’s main thoroughfare: Arlington Avenue. Raxakoul Coffee & Cheese here is a spot to pop in to grab a cup of Joe and perhaps a slice of cheesecake, too. Inn Kensington Restaurant, a couple of doors down, is a popular place for breakfast, while locals can grab fresh produce and other products for a home-cooked meal at nearby Young’s Market.
There are several AC Transit bus stops in Kensington, part of a network that includes more than 100 routes across the East Bay. Also, drivers can hop on nearby Interstate 80 for commutes south to Oakland. I-80 can also take drivers across the bay to San Francisco.
The Kensington Community Council here sponsors multiple events to help bring neighbors together. The list includes an annual movie night at Kensington Park — the most recent edition featured a showing of “Encanto.” There’s also a farmers market in Kensington every Sunday, around Colusa Avenue, that features not just a range of fresh products but also live music.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
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TANIA BALAZS JACARD
Red Oak Realty
(510) 495-1339
86 Total Sales
16 in Kensington
$1M - $2.8M Price Range
Ann Wilkins
Golden Gate Sothebys International Realty
(510) 616-4757
22 Total Sales
1 in Kensington
$1,250,000 Price
Leslie Manzone
Compass
(707) 244-7025
68 Total Sales
1 in Kensington
$1,500,000 Price
Michele Manzone
Compass
(510) 291-6194
59 Total Sales
1 in Kensington
$1,500,000 Price
David Yi
Light Realty Inc.
(510) 880-1201
35 Total Sales
1 in Kensington
$1,370,000 Price
Eileen Townsend
Compass
(628) 250-3928
70 Total Sales
1 in Kensington
$1,725,000 Price
On average, homes in Kensington, CA sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Kensington, CA over the last 12 months is $1,562,500, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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