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Berkeley Hills

Berkeley Hills

Neighborhood Reviews
4.1
$1,791,595 Average Value
$361 Average Price per Sq Ft
13 Homes For Sale

Life in the Hills

Framed by Berkeley’s urban core and hundreds of acres of open space, Berkeley Hills is a scenic residential community where hillside homes coexist with neighborhood parks and schools. Although not entirely walkable due to its steep streets and lack of sidewalks, this tree-wrapped community is known for its serene nature and diverse architecture. “The people in the hills are kind of old school, and they don’t like huge environmental impacts. They like the quiet,” says Allen Cain, executive director of the local Solano Avenue Association and a longtime resident of neighboring El Cerrito. But proximity to commercial corridors in both Berkeley and neighboring Albany ensures that, despite their seclusion, residents of the Hills are just minutes away from essential shops, local restaurants and exciting annual events.
Stunning views overlooking the bay from the Berkeley Hills neighborhood.
Stunning views overlooking the bay from the Berkeley Hills neighborhood.
Berkeley Hills has amazing views of San Francisco.
Berkeley Hills has amazing views of San Francisco.
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Hillside parks and sandy beaches

Berkeley Hills is dotted with neighborhood parks and green spaces, but few can compare to the spacious and colorful Berkeley Rose Garden, which boasts 1,500 bushes of over 250 rose varieties beside a relaxing picnic area and tennis courts. The garden is part of the larger Codornices Park, which was one of the city's first parks and features an extended concrete slide. Smaller spots like Glendale La Loma Park and John Hinkel Park are popular for their playgrounds, while other destinations like Indian Rock Park invite climbers of all levels to test their skills and reach the summit of a massive boulder formation.

Just northeast of the neighborhood, the 2,000-acre Tilden Regional Park boasts miles of hiking and biking trails, a golf course and a sandy beach shore on Lake Anza. The park also features the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, which was founded in 1940 and showcases an incredible variety of native California plant life. And for even more beach access and close-up views of the bay, residents can make their way west to the waterfront in neighboring Albany.
Overview of Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills neighborhood.
Overview of Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley Hills neighborhood.
Lake Anza is located inside Tilden Regional Park one of locals' favorite spot during Summer.
Lake Anza is located inside Tilden Regional Park one of locals' favorite spot during Summer.
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Berkeley schools get high marks

Students in Berkeley Hills reside in the Central elementary zone for the Berkeley Unified School District. Many kids will attend either Cragmont Elementary or Oxford Elementary, which both score grades of A on Niche. After a few years at Longfellow Middle, which scores a B-plus, students can enroll at Berkeley High, which proudly boasts an A-plus on Niche. Here, students can participate in specialized academy programs, including the competitive Academy of Medicine and Public Service, the Arts and Humanities Academy and the Communication Arts and Sciences Academy. And to continue their education close to home, seniors can apply to attend UC Berkeley.
Cragmont Elementary School offers a wide variety of enrichment programs in Berkeley Hills.
Cragmont Elementary School offers a wide variety of enrichment programs in Berkeley Hills.
Berkeley High School is located in Alameda County.
Berkeley High School is located in Alameda County.
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Scenic streets and diverse housing options

Berkeley Hills is best known for its narrow, winding and hilly streets showcasing everything from classic Tudor-style architecture to Spanish Revival builds to modern raised ranch-style homes. “A lot of real estate agents classify it as an ‘old money’ area,” Cain says, noting the large size of the homes. “The roads are very narrow, and it can be difficult to navigate.” Some properties offer a more rustic appeal, while others feature sleek, midcentury lines. No matter their size or style, though, these homes are coveted for their location and views of the bay, and prices reflect that. Three-bedroom homes usually sell for just over $1 million, while larger estates can command prices up to $3 million.
Single-family homes are available in the Berkeley Hills neighborhood.
Single-family homes are available in the Berkeley Hills neighborhood.
The Berkeley Hills neighborhood offers many different styles of homes.
The Berkeley Hills neighborhood offers many different styles of homes.
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Grocery stores are minutes away

Between downtown Berkeley and the bustling Solano Avenue, residents have no shortage of international cuisines at their fingertips. “The area is naturally so culturally diverse that it just grew out of that,” Cain says, explaining that there are very few cultures not represented along the centrally located Solano. “As a commercial district, we’re not your average. We also have a lot of things that will allow you to get stuff done, like grocery stress, banks and post offices,” Cain says. Additional grocery stores and retail destinations reside on either Shattuck or University avenues, including Trader Joe’s and Safeway. Berkeley Bowl Marketplace, about 2 miles south, is another popular stop for fresh produce.
Berkeley Hills' residents love to get their grocery at Andronico's Community Markets.
Berkeley Hills' residents love to get their grocery at Andronico's Community Markets.
Retails on Solano Ave
Retails on Solano Ave
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Events on Solano

Each September, the Solano Avenue Stroll brings a crowd to the popular thoroughfare in both Berkeley and neighboring Albany. “Solano is blessed with being in both cities, and it’s a huge community event. We feature 75 bands, dance groups and performing artists,” among hundreds of additional vendors, Cain says. Other festivals, like Cal Day, celebrate incoming students to UC Berkeley, while longstanding events, such as the Bay Area Book Festival, are a hit with all ages.

Take a bus to the BART station

Although many residents rely on cars to navigate this hilly area, there are a few options for public transportation nearby. Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District buses run along main thoroughfares like Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Euclid Avenue, and the North Berkeley BART station is only 2 miles away for easy travel across the Bay Area.
AC Transit connect Berkeley Hills residents to nearby cities.
AC Transit connect Berkeley Hills residents to nearby cities.
Berkely North BART serves as a vital transportation gateway for Berkeley Hills' residents.
Berkely North BART serves as a vital transportation gateway for Berkeley Hills' residents.
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Hannah Rainey
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Hannah Rainey
Anita Shin
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Anita Shin
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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 Andy Read, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

31 min drive

Bus

Spruce St & Glen Av

Bus

1152 Euclid Av

Bus

Spruce St & Montrose Rd

Bus

Grizzly Peak Blvd & Hill Rd

Bus

Campus Dr & Del Mar Av

Bus

Euclid Av & Cedar St

Bus

Euclid Av & Bret Harte Path

Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.1 7 Reviews
4.0
5/30/2017 Niche Review
Berkeley Hills is a very nice area for family. Raising your kids in this area is a plus, many get along and work well together. In the communities, neighbors are always looking out for others. A very nice place to raise your children.
5.0 Current Resident
7/17/2020 Niche Review
I have lived here for three years. Berkeley Hills is a beautiful place. It looks like a giant park If you like to hike there are numerous trails close by in Tilden park as well as the endless stairways in the hills between each street The only negative issue I have with is place is the unfriendliness. The locals claim to love everyone but are not the nicest people
Are you familiar with the Berkeley Hills neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

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

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Berkeley Hills Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$620,000
Median Sale Price
$550,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$604,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$442,500
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$445,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
91
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
51%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$361

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
4,104
Number of Homes for Sale
13
Median Year Built
1938
Months of Supply
1.70
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,124
Above the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,666
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,232
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
874
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,098

Open Houses

  • Thursday, Jul 31
    9:30am - 12:30pm

    911 San Benito Rd, Berkeley, CA 94707

    $1,375,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 1,892 Sq Ft
    • 911 San Benito Rd
    • New 1 day ago

    Up a few steps and through a welcoming front deck, you'll enter a home surrounded by windows and light with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and an additional bonus room (perfect also for au-pairs or in-laws). The main level feels bright and airy throughout. To the left, a spacious living room with a cozy electric fireplace invites you to relax. To the right, the dining room is open to the

    Anna Bellomo District Homes

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  • Sunday, Aug 3
    2 - 4pm

    1091 Creston Rd, Berkeley, CA 94708

    $1,995,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,056 Sq Ft
    • 1091 Creston Rd
    • New 20 days ago

    Welcome to 1091 Creston Road, an exceptional opportunity to own a piece of Bay Area architectural history. Perched in the Berkeley Hills with sweeping views of San Francisco, the Bay, and the Golden Gate, this mid-century modern masterpiece was designed by acclaimed architect Roger Lee-an East Bay modernist known for his elegant simplicity and deep connection to nature. Even more special, the

    Mark Fleckles Bay Area Modern Real Estate

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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 Andy Read, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
10,410
Median Age
54
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
16.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
33.6%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$219,804
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$218,860

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
98.6%
College Graduates
85.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
52.1%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
61.2%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

29 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

31 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

39 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Berkeley Hills