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Solano Hill

Solano Hill

Neighborhood in Albany, California

Alameda County 94706

$1,175,515 Average Value
$788 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

Combining the best of Albany's dining and recreation

Sitting at the base of Albany's most prominent landmark, Solano Hill is a quiet, suburban neighborhood just steps from recreation and dining. "You've got hiking on Albany Hill; you've got views. You've got 99 Ranch Market right there and Albany schools," says Seth Franklin, a broker associate at Red Oak Realty and longtime Albany resident. "The biggest thing in Albany is that we've got a really cool community." The neighborhood is just south of Albany Hill, a historic landmark and scenic park. Solano Avenue passes through the community and has locally owned shops and restaurants covering various international cuisines. With the University of California Berkeley nearby, people from all walks of life and backgrounds move into Albany, adding to the vibrant, thriving community that draws in homebuyers.

Like many neighborhoods in Albany, Solano Hill has small lots lined with relatively small homes.
Like many neighborhoods in Albany, Solano Hill has small lots lined with relatively small homes.
Most of the houses in the Solano Hil community are typical suburban homes against the hills.
Most of the houses in the Solano Hil community are typical suburban homes against the hills.
Albany Hill Park is a great place to get away from it all.
Albany Hill Park is a great place to get away from it all.
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Eclectic East Bay commercial corridors

Solano Hill is at the west end of Solano Avenue, a long strip through Albany known for its eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. The one-mile street has over 200 businesses, ranging from Mediterranean to Asian to Mexican restaurants and stores selling books, sporting goods and plants. The Solano Avenue Association hosts several events each year, including the Solano Avenue Stroll, which brings hundreds of vendors and visitors to the street each September. San Pablo Avenue, a north-south road on the eastern border of the neighborhood, has its share of highly rated eateries. "Berkeleyside did a blind taste-testing of bagels in the East Bay, and the bagel they found consistently number one was Hella Bagels," says Franklin. "I would eat them anytime. If my worst enemy said to me, 'Do you want to meet at Hella Bagels?' I'd say, 'Ugh, yeah, I want Hella Bagels.' They're fantastic." Franklin also recommends Juanita & Madue, an upscale American restaurant known for its cocktails and innovative dishes. 99 Ranch Market is an Asian grocery store just north of the neighborhood, and more groceries are available at nearby chains like Sprouts and Target.

If you fancy great Japanese food then visit Kuriya restaurant in Solano Hill.
If you fancy great Japanese food then visit Kuriya restaurant in Solano Hill.
Juanita & Madue is a popular spot for Solano Hill residents to celebrate life and special occasions.
Juanita & Madue is a popular spot for Solano Hill residents to celebrate life and special occasions.
Most Solano Hilllocals have groceries available at nearby chains like Sprouts.
Most Solano Hilllocals have groceries available at nearby chains like Sprouts.
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Natural and developed Albany parks

Albany Hill is a large natural area just north of the neighborhood. This local landmark has 39 acres of undeveloped land and is home to approximately 100 native species of plants. The park has a short trail with several benches where visitors can enjoy views of San Francisco to the west or Albany to the east. Ocean View Park is just across Buchanan Street and has baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts and a playground. The park is jointly owned by the city and the Albany Unified School District. Recent renovations include upgrades to the fields, resurfacing the tennis court and adding a community garden. The Albany Bulb is a former landfill west of the neighborhood that has been turned into a park with walking trails and public art sculptures. The San Francisco Bay Trail passes through this park, offering access to a 350-mile hiking and biking trail that circles the Bay.

You have gorgeous views of the Albany hillside from Albany Hill Park.
You have gorgeous views of the Albany hillside from Albany Hill Park.
Join a pickup basketball game at Ocean View Park.
Join a pickup basketball game at Ocean View Park.
The San Francisco Bay Trail offers access to a 350-mile hiking and biking trail that circles the Bay.
The San Francisco Bay Trail offers access to a 350-mile hiking and biking trail that circles the Bay.
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Modest homes on small Albany lots

Like many neighborhoods in Albany, Solano Hill has small lots lined with relatively small homes. The average lot size is around 2,500 square feet, and the median home size is around 1,300 square feet, much lower than the national average of 1,931. Franklin says most of the houses in the community are what people picture as typical suburban homes. They include several bungalows and Mediterranean houses. The neighborhood's hilly streets allow for some homes to have views of the Oakland skyline to the south or the San Francisco Bay to the west. One-bedroom houses typically cost between $470,000 and $650,000, while two-bedroom homes range from $860,000 to $1.2 million. Houses with three or more bedrooms cost between $1 million and $1.65 million.

Beautiful and stylish Mediterranean homes in Solano Hill are very popular.
Beautiful and stylish Mediterranean homes in Solano Hill are very popular.
A row of one-story bungalows with small gardens are typical in Solano Hill.
A row of one-story bungalows with small gardens are typical in Solano Hill.
Single story bungalows are the most frequentt home types in Solano Hill.
Single story bungalows are the most frequentt home types in Solano Hill.
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Highly rated Albany schools

Students might attend Ocean View Elementary School and Albany Middle School, each receiving an A rating from Niche. Albany High School gets an A-plus and serves approximately 1,150 students. Niche ranks it as the 33rd-best school in the Bay Area, and it has been named a California Distinguished School and Gold Ribbon School.

Ocean View Elementary School provides education in the neighborhood of 
Albany.
Ocean View Elementary School provides education in the neighborhood of Albany.
Albany Middle School provides education in the neighborhood of
Albany.
Albany Middle School provides education in the neighborhood of Albany.
Albany High School provides education in the neighborhood of
Albany.
Albany High School provides education in the neighborhood of Albany.
Black Pine Circle School provides safe grounds for students in Berkeley.
Black Pine Circle School provides safe grounds for students in Berkeley.
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Ease of access around the East Bay

San Pablo Avenue offers a route to nearby East Bay cities like El Cerrito, Berkeley and Oakland. Interstate 80 is just west of the neighborhood, leading 8 miles south to Oakland or 14 miles to San Francisco. Oakland International Airport is about 16 miles away, and the closest hospital is Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus, about 3.5 miles away. City sidewalks and the location on Solano Avenue make it easy for residents to walk to nearby shopping and dining. AC Transit has several bus routes for public transportation along Solano Avenue, Pierce Street and the interstate, including local and Transbay routes.

AC Transit has several bus routes for public transportation along Solano Avenue in Solano Hill.
AC Transit has several bus routes for public transportation along Solano Avenue in Solano Hill.
Interstate 80 is just west of Solano Hill, leading 8 miles south to Oakland or 14 miles to San Francisco.
Interstate 80 is just west of Solano Hill, leading 8 miles south to Oakland or 14 miles to San Francisco.
Oakland International Airport is about 16 miles away from Solano Hill.
Oakland International Airport is about 16 miles away from Solano Hill.
The closest hospital to Solano Hill is Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus, about 3.5 miles away.
The closest hospital to Solano Hill is Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Herrick Campus, about 3.5 miles away.
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Matthew Atkins
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Marcell Puzsar
Jonathan Bradley
Video By
Jonathan Bradley

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Anthony Arsondi, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

25 min drive

Bus

Pierce St & Washington Av

Bus

San Pablo Av & Buchanan St

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Solano Hill US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,275,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,155,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,444,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$788
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
14
Months of Supply
1.70
Median List Price
$1,054,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
21%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
385
Median Year Built
1940
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,284
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,219
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,211
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
832
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Anthony Arsondi, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,493
Median Age
42
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$101,182
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$142,140

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
93.9%
College Graduates
67%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
28.8%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
73.2%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
26''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

88 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

93 / 100

Good Transit

Transit Score®

56 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Solano Hill