Castro Valley

Outdoor destinations are close to home in West Castro Valley. Its winding streets twist and turn along the gentle inclines south of Lake Chabot Regional Park and the Oakland Hills, giving this East Bay suburb an air of seclusion. “The neighborhood is very close to the hiking and biking trails at Lake Chabot,” says Jon Foster, a broker with eXp Realty and a longtime Castro Valley resident. It’s also a sought-after community for parents with young students, he says: “It’s in a very desirable school district, and it’s a huge reason that people move here.” West Castro Valley is a largely residential community situated between Castro Valley’s downtown district and Interstate 580. The homes in the neighborhood were primarily constructed between the late 1940s and the 1970s, and home styles include many split-level and ranch style homes that were popular at the time. Lot sizes are typically on the smaller side, usually around a quarter-acre in size. Manicured front lawns, fruit trees and towering oaks and fir trees are a common sight throughout the hilly streets. Some homes even have views of the San Francisco Bay and the city skyline. Home prices can range from around $900,000 to $1.5 million, and median price falls right around $1.1 million. Lake Chabot Public Market is a local favorite for dining. The food hall features four restaurants, including Mama Cho’s BBQ, a Korean barbecue joint, and Milk and Cookie Bar ice cream shop. It’s also home to C&H Meat Company where residents pick up fresh cuts of beef and poultry. For everything else, downtown Castro Valley is about 2 miles away from the neighborhood. This small but lively downtown district is where locals dine and shop at Castro Valley Marketplace and pick up groceries at Safeway. There’s also The Chabot, an historic, single-screen movie theater that shows new films alongside Hollywood classics. “The Chabot is a Castro Valley landmark,” Foster says. Students attend schools in the highly rated Castro Valley Unified School District. Young students start their schooling at Stanton Elementary School, which earns an A-minus rating from Niche, before moving onto A-rated Canyon Middle School. Upperclassmen attend A-rated Castro Valley High School, a sought-after school and three-time winner of the California Distinguished School award. Just over 90% of the students in the high school’s 2023 graduating class went on to attend two- and four-year colleges, according to the school’s website. Students in the western side of the neighborhood may attend schools in the San Leandro Unified School District. Lake Chabot Regional Park draws anglers, cyclists, hikers and horseback riders all year round. Located just north of West Castro Valley, visitors can enjoy a snack or a light lunch at the Marina Café before taking their boat out on the water. Park management prohibits swimming at the lake, but locals can cool off in a swimming lagoon at the Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area nearby. Neighborhood Parks include Fairmount Terrace Park, where residents enjoy grassy lawns, a basketball court and a playground. Indoor recreation can be found nearby at the Castro Valley Community Center, which hosts an array of classes, programs and social activities all year-round. West Castro Valley is home to many commuters who utilize nearby Interstate 580 to zip around the East Bay. It’s about 10 miles to Dublin, 17 miles to downtown Oakland and 26 miles to San Francisco. Those who prefer to commute by rail can catch train at the Castro Valley BART Station in the community’s downtown district. Those in need of medical care can head to Eden Medical Center, a 130-bed trauma center in the heart of West Castro Valley.

Surrounded by a gathering of California canyons, Castro Valley has its turn-of-the-century beginnings rooted in ranching, with chickens being the most profitable product of the time. Named for Don Guillermo Castro – a prominent 1800s soldier, magistrate and local rancher and magistrate — Castro Valley has since grown into a get-out-and-do-it bedroom community that values enjoying all that the outdoors has to offer. “I like working and living here because of the diversity, and I like the amount of thought put into the area by planners,” says Dinh Truong, Broker Associate with Compass. “The traditional perception is that this is just a drive-thru town on your way to Oakland or Freemont, but we’re more than that. There’s a lot of great nature, culture, traditions and a lot of progression happening.” From fishing and swimming to horseback riding and tennis, Castro Valley residents have it all just steps outside their front doors. Castro Valley East may sometimes be looked at as a drive-thru town, but it sure knows how to have a good time. Vintage vehicles and iconic muscle cars come out of hiding every Father’s Day Weekend as residents show off their collections at the Annual Castro Valley Car Show and the Annual Father’s Day Car Show. The Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo brings everyone out to celebrate one of Castro Valley’s biggest events. “It’s one of the oldest rodeos in the nation, started in 1921 by Harry Rowell. That history really speaks to the rodeo’s popularity,” says Alfreda Sebasto, owner of Sebasto Communications Group, which handles the rodeo’s public relations. “With his passing, Rowell gifted the rodeo grounds to the community, and, at his request, the event continues to take place in his memory so the community will always be tied to its history.” The rodeo pulls spectators to Rowell Ranch (off I-580) the third weekend of May for an action-packed weekend of bull riding, cattle roping and all-out fun. Barbecues, dances and picnics get kicked off by the opening parade down Castro Valley Boulevard. Partnering with local nonprofits, the rodeo also serves as a fundraiser for local charities. Lake Chabot is one of the Castro Valley’s main attractions, sporting a marina and miles of trails that welcome hikers, joggers and horseback riders. Designated a historic engineering landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the 300-acre lake prohibits swimming, but Cull Canyon Lagoon is open for business in the spring and summer. Fishing is certainly welcome. Sitting at the border of Castro Valley and Hayward, the Don Castro Regional Recreational Area is a favorite outdoor oasis among the residents of central Alameda County and the wildlife that lives there. Covering a massive 101 acres, the area is home to several paved and unpaved multi-use trails popular with hikers and horseback riders, a fishing lake with an all-abilities accessible dock and a crystal-clear swim lagoon with onsite showers for visitor use. Bay Trees Park is a tennis lover’s dream, as it houses six full tennis courts for quick matches with friends or just a little practice. With Castro Valley East situated close to the canyons, housing tracts become sparser along the Interstate 580 corridor, which opens the landscape for more spaced-out lots. Closer to the center of the community, a tightly arranged mix of bungalows and ranch-style homes line the quiet streets and cul-de-sacs around the neighborhood. Unique Craftsman homes with slight Spanish Revival influences sit along hilly avenues, and newer attached townhouse communities display smaller front yards and white picket fences. Price tags in the area can range from $900,000 to nearly $1.5 million. Stellar schools are all around Castro Valley. Eastside students can kickstart their education at Independent Elementary School, scored an A-minus on Niche, and Creekside Middle School before enrolling in Castro Valley High School. The high school offers several College and Career Readiness Pathway academies, including Drama, Art & Design (DADA), Health and Biotechnology (HABiT) and Information & Communication Technologies (ICT). The school also counts a slew of MLB and NBA stars, Emmy- and Oscar-award winners and national recording artists among its notable graduates. Creekside and Castro Valley both score an A on Niche. After working up an appetite in the great outdoors, the Castro Village Shopping Center is a trusty go-to to relax, shop or do a little wining and dining. Spa outposts like Massage Envy Spa and Mark-Jason Solofa Men’s Grooming can kickstart some relaxation, while big box retailers like Ross and TJ Maxx can tickle the shopper’s fancy. There’s a Safeway onsite for groceries and other essentials. For a bite to eat, Habit Burger Grill specializes in its signature charburgers off the pit, along with innovative sweet treats like its Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shake. Just across the street, Rudy’s Donut House is an oldie but goodie family-owned bakery that’s been feeding the community for over 50 years. For some family fun, Castro Bowl Village is popular with the kids. Castro Valley Boulevard and Crow Canyon Road are the two major thoroughfares in the neighborhood. Interstate 580 is the southern border of the community, which connects to I-238 in nearby West Castro Valley, giving easy access around the East Bay Area. Residents can also commute via the regional BART transit system, with Castro Valley Station located on Norbridge Drive. The overall CAP Crime Index for Castro Valley is 4. There’s a slight increase in motor vehicle theft, which scores a 5.

Once the home of chicken broods and orchards, Downtown Castro Valley has morphed into a sunny neighborhood with characterful local restaurants, a highly-rated school system, and a sparkling lake in the hills nearby. “It’s a great family place,” says Cathy Brent, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Drysdale. The neighborhood has a lively arts scene, too. It’s home to one of the only independent movie theatres in the Bay Area, adding a dash of culture to the neighborhood that even extends to the school system and its robust performing arts program. Castro Valley residents can always venture out of the city and explore the surrounding hills. Several parks and a large lake draw in visitors looking for a natural getaway after work or on the weekend. “The nice thing is [Castro Valley] is up in the hills,” says Brent. “There’s a lot of hiking and walking trails.” The foothills lead hikers with antsy feet to the sparkling waters of Lake Chabot. “You can rent little canoes at Lake Chabot,” says Brent. The lake is surrounded by a network of trails and campgrounds Denica’s Real Food Kitchen draws locals in with the scents of waffles, ground coffee and cinnamon rolls. The first-come-first-serve breakfast spot has served the valley since 1999 and is such a popular spot with locals that they advise the hungry and hurried to order ahead. Denica’s Real Food Kitchen is just one of the characterful spots in Downtown Castro Valley. Knudsen’s Ice Creamery serves ice cream to combat hot California days, and the Castro Valley Marketplace, a combination grocery store and food hall, anchors the culinary scene in the area. The three-story building used to be a department store, and today locals stop by on their weekly grocery runs or to pick up freshly baked bread, hand-rolled sushi, or a bottle of locally sourced wine. The homes in Downtown Castro Valley tend to sell for around $1.1 million, and housing price are up 10% year over year. Some single-family homes are on sale for around $750,000, and condos and townhomes are on the market for as low as $650,000. Cape Cods, Ranch-style homes and bungalows with Bonsai trees, basketball hoops and decorative gravel and stone gardens in the front yard line the streets in downtown Castro Valley. The Chabot Theatre is one of the area’s distinct attractions and is one of the only independent movie theatres in the Bay Area. The single-screen theatre has been open since 1950, and the neon lights draw valley locals like moths to a flame. The marquee often changes daily, keeping cinephiles coming back for more. The art scene in Downtown Castro Valley is multifaceted; locals can hit the Adobe Art Gallery before a night at the Chabot. Interstate 580 is minutes from most homes in Downtown Castro Valley. I-580 provides access to San Francisco, about 25 miles away, and San Jose, about 30 miles away. Both cities are major employers and offer culture and nightlife to enjoy. “It’s an easy commute to San Jose,” says Brent. “It’s great because you’re in between a lot of cities.” Commuters can also use the AC and BART transit systems to get around the area. San Francisco International is the closest major airport, about 30 miles away. Residents are also close to the Eden Medical Center. Located in the heart of the area, it provides residents with access to emergency medical care. The Castro Valley Unified School District serves the area, and has an A grade on Niche. “There are a lot of families moving [to Castro Valley,]” says Brent. “People really like the schools.” Students begin their educational journey at Castro Valley Elementary School, which has a B-plus rating. They continue at A-rated Creekside Middle School and finish at Castro Valley High School, which has an A rating and offers a variety of clubs and activities for students, like improv, mahjong, and foodie nation clubs. Castro Valley High also has a lively performing arts program, complete with a 500-seat theatre and art exhibition hall.

South of 580 is a small and primarily residential area of Castro Valley, an unincorporated city surrounded by a vast natural landscape of lush canyons and redwood-studded hillsides. As its name suggest, the neighborhood sits directly under Interstate 580 and is known for its convenient Bay Area location. “South of 580 is a really good spot if you are commuting into the Peninsula and South Bay. There’s great highway access to both bridges, and the Castro Valley BART Station is very close by,” says Leslie Foster, a local realtor at EXP Realty. “It’s also next to downtown Castro Valley, which is a really nice and up-and-coming area.” Once a farming town rooted in rural aesthetic, South of 580 is now grounded in traditional suburban appeal. From well-maintained streetscapes to family-friendly community parks and naturally rich East Bay area surroundings, the neighborhood offers a small-town atmosphere not far from big urban Bay Area destinations. South of 580’s wide streets showcase well-landscaped properties lined close together on small lots with modest front yards. The neighborhood features numerous cul-de-sacs, where the community’s most towering mature trees often reside. Other highly mixed clusters of medium-sized trees are well-populated throughout the residential streets, from slender pines to rangy oaks and a few classic California palm trees. Bungalows, ranchers and California Craftsman homes make up most of the neighborhood's architectural landscape. The housing stock is typically older, with mainly one-level homes sprinkled in with two-level properties. The majority of houses were built from the 1940s to the 1960s, but some have been updated or renovated with modern amenities while keeping their mid-century exterior allure. Home prices range from $650,000 to $1.6 million, depending on the housing size and renovations. Although South of 580 is within Castro Valley, the neighborhood is directly bordered by Hayward to the west, placing students within the Hayward Unified School District. Strobridge Elementary School receives a C-minus from Niche, while Bret Harte Middle School gets a C-plus score. The B-rated Hayward High School offers Pathways programs, providing focused curriculums for students interested in biomedical or engineering careers. Residents are minutes away from nature-infused outdoor recreational opportunities. Sitting along the neighborhood’s border is the serene Hayward Japanese Gardens, California's oldest traditional-style Japanese garden and an East Bay landmark. Residents can stroll through classic-themed gardens mixed with native stone and California flora while stopping for some rest and reflection at the Koi Pond. “I used to take my kids here when they were younger, and they loved it. It’s a great little place to walk around and have an outdoor picnic,” Foster says. The nearby Carlos Bee Park is a more intimate, woodsy neighborhood park shaded by redwood trees with walking trails, a playground, numerous picnic tables and a covered gazebo. South of 580 is well positioned near some of the Bay’s best and most expansive natural sites, including the Don Castro Regional Recreational Area just two miles east of the neighborhood. Spanning 101 acres, the park features a winding, central fishing lake and a clear blue water swim lagoon that’s highly popular during the warmer months. The site also has numerous hiking trails connecting to the nearby Five Canyons Open Space, a 300-acre hilly and canyon-filled park rich with wildlife. The neighborhood is surrounded by local and national chain stores and eateries. Morning crowds head to Pampas Café, a neighborhood go-to spot for coffee and savory empanadas. Just a mile away is downtown Castro Valley, with plenty of additional dining and shopping options for residents. Norman’s Grill is a highly-rated spot, offering American-style fare made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, while next door, the highly-rated Southern Comfort Chicken brings New Orleans cuisine to Castro Valley with po’boys and crawfish selections. On Redwood Road is Doug’s Place, a local staple for decades. This cozy spot serves comfort-style breakfast and lunch items like omelets, French toast and classic chicken fried steak in neighborly, laid-back interior digs. Residents can grab groceries at the nearby Trader Joe’s, or for more specialty goods, El Rancho Supermercado is just across the street. Along with offering Mexican and Central American grocery items, the store has an authentic taqueria inside that cooks up freshly prepared tacos. Neighborhood residents participate in many social events in downtown Castro Valley throughout the year. The biggest annual gathering is the Castro Valley Fall Festival, which has been running since 1972. Downtown streets get blocked off for a two-day spectacle, with over 150 arts and crafts, food and community organization vendors for residents to explore. Attendees get to shop and enjoy live music, festival rides and regional beer and wine tastings, while children can check out the mini petting zoo. To kick off the holiday season, residents come together for the annual Meet in the Street Light Parade, showcasing antique cars along with festively decorated floats from local schools and organizations. The event also features regional performers, kids’ activities and photo-ops with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. With direct access to the main Interstate 580, residents benefit from quick driving access to popular Bay Area destinations like Oakland and San Francisco. “Because of its central location, you can get almost anywhere in the Bay Area in 30 minutes outside of commuting hours,” says local realtor Bob Baptiste of Re/Max Accord. Public transportation options are abundant in South of 580, as the neighborhood is near multiple city bus stops and is less than a mile from the Castro Valley BART station, situated directly north and just across the interstate.

Five Canyons lives it up to its earthy name, thanks to its sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and its backdrop of the San Leandro Hills. Natural vistas are not the only thing the area has to offer, though. “You have a lot of people coming here from across the Bay,” says Francesca Davila, a local and Realtor with Evolve Real Estate. This is because the Castro Valley suburb has proximity to several recreational areas, top-performing schools and significant interstate highways. The CAP Index has also given the neighborhood a score of one, predicting a low likelihood of crime activity. All in all, Five Canyons is for everyone. Travelers, exercise enthusiasts, students, foodies and more can each find something to discover and make their own. There are plenty of spots in the area to see the natural vistas of the Castro Valley area. At Five Canyons Open Space, residents can explore over 300 acres of open space and catch the views. They can also hike, bike and take their pups along five miles of trails, which include a portion of the large Bay Ridge Trail. Residents can also visit the Japanese Gardens in downtown Castro Valley or take boats out on the San Francisco Bay. Local dining establishments include Top Thai Cuisine, which serves authentic Thai dishes like satay chicken and panang curry in a cozy, colorful dining space. Residents can grocery shop at big-box retailers like Safeway and Trader Joe’s or local markets like Grocery Outlet and Castro Valley Marketplace. Homebuyers can find several types of styles in Five Canyons’ residential areas, including townhomes and Mediterranean styles. A two-bedroom condo can cost around from $720,000. A larger property with four or five bedrooms can sell for up to $1.9 million. Homes typically sell after about 10 days on the market, making a quick turnaround period compared to the national average of 42 days. “The housing market is very active in Five Canyons because it’s a nice development filled with newer homes,” Davila says. Students in the neighborhood can attend schools in the Castro Valley Unified School District. The district is home to several high-performing institutions including Palomares Elementary School which earned an A-minus rating from Niche. Creekside Middle School earned an A-rating and has many quirky student organizations like Potato Club, Garageband Club and Hot Wheels Racing Club. Castro Valley High School also earned an A-rating. Students pursuing higher education can attend California State University – East Bay, located four miles away. The neighborhood is quite walkable, thanks to its many sidewalks and bike lanes. Public transportation is available through bus routes with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). Traveling by car is also convenient because many Bay Area cities can be reached from here. Oakland, San Francisco, Fremont and San Jose are all within a 50-mile radius and can be accessed through Interstate-580. This long interstate highway connects to other major roadways Interstate-80 and Interstate-880. When residents need to make a flight, Oakland International Airport is a 20-mile drive from Five Canyons.

As part of Alameda County’s largest unincorporated community, Castro Valley Hills is known for offering a nature-packed lifestyle without limiting access to great schools, public transportation and downtown amenities. Just 18 miles southeast of Oakland, Castro Valley sits in the shadow of the impressive Anthony Chabot Regional Park, making it easy for residents to explore hundreds of miles of trails. Kids can attend one of the county’s top school districts, and although the hilly community may seem detached from the rest of the Bay Area, major employment centers are just a quick BART ride away. Living in an unincorporated community on the edge of a giant park can have a few drawbacks, though. “There’s no local police or fire service — that's handled by Alameda County and CHP, who are reportedly very responsive — and it takes longer for public works like road and sidewalk repair to be completed,” says Katie Pratt, a Realtor with Compass and a longtime resident of the East Bay. But the Castro Valley community also takes care of its own with a local medical center, a downtown commercial heart and a calendar stocked with annual events. And with a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, Castro Valley Hills offers a safe, peaceful escape from the East Bay’s busier cities. Whether it’s hiking, camping, fishing or just hitting the playground, Castro Valley Hills residents are never more than a few minutes away from an active day in the California sun. Bordered by two massive regional parks, homes in the hills offer direct access to winding routes for hikers, bikers and equestrians. Spanning more than 3,000 acres, Anthony Chabot Regional Park is beloved for its scenic campgrounds and more than 70 miles of rugged trails, including access to the 31-mile East Bay Skyline National Trail. Lake Chabot Regional Park is a destination for boating and kayaking — with rentals available from the onsite marina — and the reservoir is stocked annually with trout and bass. East of the lake, the Redwood Canyon Golf Course offers a public, 18-hole experience beside the San Leandro Creek. In summer, locals flock to Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area for a dip in the chlorinated swimming lagoon. Deerview Park also features an outdoor pool, making it and other small playgrounds like Parsons Park particularly popular with kids. At Chabot Swim Club, members can sign their kids up for swim lessons or the swim team. Courses are also available at the community center in Castro Valley Community Park, which also features a playground, splash pad and a performing arts theater. Midcentury architecture reigns supreme in the hills, with sprawling ranch-style, split-level and Craftsman-influenced homes terraced up winding, sidewalk-lined streets. Most properties offer three or four bedrooms in 2,000 square feet or less and range in price from $1.2 million to $1.5 million, although there are occasional outliers — homes tucked right against the southern edge of Anthony Chabot Regional Park can easily top $2 million. Since Castro Valley is one of the Eden Area’s largest unincorporated communities, buyers benefit from not having to pay city transfer taxes on home closings, and “you’ll have fewer special assessments on your annual tax bill,” Pratt says. As part of the highly rated Castro Valley Unified School District, students can attend Proctor Elementary, Canyon Middle and Castro Valley High, which all boast impressive overall grades of A on Niche. In high school, students can participate in competitive occupation programs in fields such as business marketing, internet engineering and photojournalism. The dynamic high school campus also includes a Center for the Arts, which often showcases high school theater performances. In early September, downtown bustles with energy during the annual Castro Valley Fall Festival, a more than 50-year tradition. As winter rolls around, residents prepare floats and performances for the Castro Valley Light Parade, an evening event that brings holiday cheer to Castro Valley Boulevard. And in spring, anglers can compete in the annual fishing derby at nearby Lake Chabot Regional Park. Although there are a few small markets in the hills, most residents will make the short trip downtown to Castro Village Shopping Center for groceries and essentials. Safeway, T.J. Maxx and Ross Dress for Less sit amid a host of casual restaurants, cafes, salons, pharmacies and local businesses, creating a one-stop-shop for Castro Valley locals. Down the street, the Castro Valley Marketplace serves as a community gathering space and a gourmet food hall with a fresh market, a local baking company and international eateries. Downtown Castro Valley is also the local hub of entertainment, with the local library, The Chabot movie theater and family-friendly spots like Golden Tree Golfland keeping residents busy on the weekends. The closest hospital, Eden Medical Center, also sits right down the street, along with a handful of other health care offices down Lake Chabot Road. With little public transportation on neighborhood streets, Castro Valley Hills is best navigated by car, although AC Transit does provide a few bus stops along nearby Castro Valley Boulevard. There’s also a convenient BART Station beside Interstate 580, offering commuters easy routes across the Bay Area.