Danville

While many believe the community is named for the giant birds seen flying through its skies, the luxurious master-planned community of Blackhawk, California, is actually the namesake of a famed Irish racehorse, as the area was once used to house prize thoroughbreds. Originally a stretch of sprawling grassland set in the foothills of Mount Diablo, Blackhawk Ranch (as it was then known) was purchased by a developer in 1979 and transformed from grassland to a grandiose neighborhood laced in luxury boasting six gated communities, a prestigious country club, two golf courses and so much more. Just east of the small town of Danville, Blackhawk is buried in the natural scenery of Contra Costa County. The homes are a mix of classic luxury estates and modest-sized homes of varying styles — including Mediterranean, Spanish-inspired, Craftsman, colonial and modern designs with Queen Anne-inspired elements — with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Many of them feature grand entryways with soaring ceilings and windows. More lavish homes have backyards more suited to entertain guests in pavilions with outdoor kitchens, fireplaces and in-ground swimming pools. As extravagant as these East Bay Hills estates are, they're typically more affordable than their big-city counterparts, with price tags ranging from just over $1 million to $6 million. However, massive megamansions can be found in the mix, reaching nearly $25 million. “It is the most spectacular, private gated community in the Bay Area,” says Tonya Tecca, Realtor with Compass. “Blackhawk has a great longstanding reputation of having notable residents, from professional athletes to music producers to recording artists. Celebrities have lived here since Blackhawk’s very beginning.” Tecca is also a resident of Blackhawk herself. Stellar education awaits the students residing in Blackhawk as part of the award-winning San Ramon Valley Unified School District. “People move here for the schools, the lifestyle and because it’s more affordable than Silicon Valley,” says Realtor Julie Long of Caldwell Banker Realty. “Recently, we’ve seen lots of young families moving here from San Jose and the Peninsula, and it’s really refreshed this community.” Students can attend Tassajara Hills Elementary School and Diablo Vista Middle School as they prepare for studies at Monte Vista High School. “People are absolutely moving here for the schools,” Long says. Tassajara Hills is listed as the No. 1 elementary school in Contra Costa County, while Diablo Vista and Monte Vista High School have both been recognized as California Gold Ribbon Schools and California Distinguished Schools. Monte Vista has also been recognized with a National Blue Ribbon Award. Tassajara Hills and Monte Vista both score an A-plus on Niche. Diablo Vista has an A. Filled with the greenest fairways and jaw-dropping amenities, the member-by-sponsor-only Blackhawk Country Club is the epitome of arrival in the area. Designated a Distinguished Club by BoardRoom Magazine, the club offers its members two lush golf courses, two separate tennis facilities comprised of 18 courts and six pickleball courts. Its 10-lane competition swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness round out the amenities, all stretched across expansive open greenspace. Being in the foothills of Mount Diablo puts Blackhawk residents just a stone’s throw from some of the area’s premier hiking and trail destinations, including the Red Corral Trailhead in the massive Mount Diablo State Park. Associated with the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, the Blackhawk Auto Museum is home to the most extensive car collections in the country. Housed in Blackhawk Plaza, its six exhibits include the Classic Car Collection, Art of Africa, Pat’s Compacts, Into China, World of Nature and Spirit of the Old West. The museum’s Annual Jon Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Car Show draws a considerable crowd dressed in nostalgic ‘50s sock hop garb as classic cars from the era are admired. Every spring, the NorCal NSX and Viper Club Car Shows display those cars for club members only, and the Supercar Car Show kicks off the summer in the museum’s courtyard. The awe-inspiring architecture of the museum itself also catches the eyes of everyone who visits. Car shows aren’t the only thing going on in Blackhawk Plaza, as the open-air shopping mall with Mediterranean architecture and aquatic landscaping is also a destination for dining, shopping and special events. The Blackhawk Grille is a local favorite with a classic vibe, serving traditional dishes like steak, burgers and brisket. Fat Maddie’s Grille has everything from steak and seafood to pasta and burgers. For groceries and other essentials, Draeger’s Market is a high-end supermarket with an excellent selection of produce, cheeses and wine. With special events that include live music and entertainment, there’s never a dull moment at Blackhawk Plaza. Located about 30 miles from Oakland and Berkeley and 35 miles from San Francisco, Blackhawk residents can easily take Camino Tassajara or Crow Canyon Road to Interstate 680 to reach the surrounding areas in the East Bay Area. With such a secluded location, Blackhawk is far enough from the buzz of the cities to maintain a remote feel but still close enough to commute when a little big-city excitement is on the agenda. With an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1, with a score of 1 across the board for all crime categories, it’s worth noting that Blackhawk has little to no crime in the area.

Located in the east end of small-town Danville, California, Tassajara is where the suburbs meet the rolling foothills and meadows of the East Bay. The neighborhood’s modern subdivisions offer residents an excellent school district and nearby amenities in rural Contra Costa County. Residents also have stunning views of Mount Diablo and its grassy foothills along the northwestern horizon. “We’ve lived here for 26 years,” says Realtor Kerri O’Reilly, a managing partner at Engel & Volkers. “It’s a little more affordable than westside Danville, it’s got all the amenities you need, and the schools are top-rated. It's a great place to raise a family.” Tassajara is made up several residential communities at the outskirts of Danville and north of Dublin. The neighborhood is known for its rows of modern, upscale homes built between the 1990s and the 2010s, including some that are still under construction. It has a summery, coastal vibe owing to the abundance of Mediterranean Revival homes, stucco walls, red-tiled rooftops and the occasional husky palm tree. While residences are modest in size compared to the estates in nearby Blackhawk, these homes have luxury amenities like wood-beamed living rooms, enclosed courtyards, stainless steel kitchen appliances and backyard swimming pools. Home prices typically range from around $2 million to upwards of $4 million depending on square footage and lot size. The area is known to be at risk for wildfires, especially during the peak season between June and October. Students living in the neighborhood attend schools in the award-winning San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Within the neighborhood, students can attend Creekside Elementary School, an A-plus-rated school and the top-rated elementary school in the county, according to Niche. Students move on to A-rated Diablo Vista Middle School and A-plus-rated Monte Vista High School. Monte Vista High is a past recipient of both the California Distinguished Schools and National Blue Ribbon awards. Several community parks are woven into the fabric of the neighborhood that are perfect for afternoon walks and outdoor activities. “A lot of the parks have water features, which is great because it does get hot here,” O’Reilly says. On a sunny day, locals take the kids to Diablo Vista Park, also known as “snake park,” because of the mosaic snake sculpture that winds its way down the hillside. Right next door is Red Willow Park, a small greenspace where residents can relax in the sunshine on a summer day. At the southern end of the neighborhood, hikers can access Kelly’s Hill or Tassajara Ridge, both of which have nearby access points to winding trails with hillside views. Residents can head to the intersection of Crow Canyon Road and Camino Tassajara for a multitude of dining and shopping options. Tassajara Crossing shopping plaza has a Safeway grocery store and a CVS Pharmacy, while upscale shopping can be found across the street at Blackhawk Plaza, an open-air shopping mall with Mediterranean architecture. Blackhawk Plaza features dining options like Brown Butter, a coffee shop that serves up sweet and savory crepes, and Blue Sakana, a Japanese eatery with an impressive cocktail list. For groceries, there’s Draeger’s Market, a high-end supermarket with an excellent produce selection. Located about 30 miles from Oakland and Berkeley and 35 miles from San Francisco, Tassajara is close enough for commuting. “You need to watch the traffic, but if you time it right you can get to San Francisco in 40 minutes,” O’Reilly says. It’s about 7 miles from the nearest on-ramp to Interstate 680. Those in need of public transit can catch the bus on Camino Tassajara, and BART stations can be found in the neighboring towns of Walnut Creek and Dublin.

Located 30 miles east of San Francisco, downtown Danville blends rustic charm with an upscale, nature-infused community in the heart of the San Ramon Valley. Residing along the beautiful Dan River and highlighted by a sweeping hillside backdrop of Mount Diablo, downtown Danville exudes a classic Main Street essence. “You get the small-town feel while having the amenities of a larger city,” says lifelong Contra Costa County resident, Khrista Jarvis-Diebner, a broker and realtor at The Khrista Jarvis Team in Danville. “We have great restaurants, shopping, entertainment, hiking trails and multiple country clubs nearby.” Downtown’s booming historic district, with walkable streets and colorful vintage buildings, showcases the city’s rich past, which is epitomized by the 350-year-old Danville Oak tree that dates back even further than the area’s roots as a Gold Rush Settlement in the 1800s. A strong community spirit, along with the area’s desirably central Bay Area location and excellent education system, attracts residents looking for more suburban living without sacrificing vibrant urban amenities. “The schools here are top-rated, plus it’s so close to Silicon Valley and San Francisco,” Khrista Jarvis-Dieber adds. “It’s perfect for any professionals working there who want a great place to raise a family.” Along Downtown Danville’s idyllic, historic streets, there’s a substantial variety of lively restaurants and one-of-a-kind shopping options. “We have great cuisine from sushi to steakhouses, and there are quaint coffee shops that are perfect for meeting friends,” says Jarvis-Diebner. Dining hotspots include places like the highly-rated Locanda Ravello. Owned by Naples, Italy natives, the restaurant serves up Neapolitan-style Italian dishes in a garden-style, indoor-outdoor setting. Patrons can dine on the patio and enjoy favorites like carbonara and ravioli while sipping on Aperol Spritz and looking out at the rolling hill views. For sweeter offerings, Danville Bakery is the go-to downtown spot. “It’s a staple for the best pastries, cookies, cakes and service,” says Jarvis-Diebner. “It’s been around for decades.” When cooking at home, locals can grab groceries at Trader Joe's or the gourmet Lunardi’s Market, located on Railroad Avenue. For retail shopping, residents can explore an array of trendy establishments, from vintage to upscale shops and charming boutiques, all lined along Hartz and Prospects Avenues. “For shopping downtown, I love going into Flaunt and Ella J boutiques, they're always staying on top of trends with the newest things.” Residents can join together for numerous downtown community events. Town Green hosts multiple gatherings, including Music in the Park with performances by local bands and a Moonlight Movie series, where residents can lay out on the lawn and enjoy outdoor movies under the stars. The autumn season is highlighted by the district’s Flavors of Fall event. Locals can try out local food and beverages while kids participate in a costume contest and check out the “Scarecrow Stroll,” where local businesses put out fun scarecrow displays and provide a safe setting for kids to trick-or-treat. One of the most popular events is the Spring Sip and Stroll, where attendees can sample local wines while enjoying shopping specials from local downtown businesses along Hartz and Prospects Avenues. Downtown Danville homes are situated along wide neighborhood streets, surrounded by a forestry of Live Oaks, California Bay Laurels and California buckeyes. The most common architectural styles include modern farmhouses and one-level ranchers, with many properties enclosed by white picket fences. “The area has everything from townhouses all the way up to sprawling luxury estates,” says Jarvis-Diebner. Home prices range from $1,300,000 to over 5 million dollars, with the higher range being grand estates on multiple acres of land with unobstructed views of Mt. Diablo. “Any homes that we have had in the $1.8 million to - $2 million price range have been going pending in less than a week, and luxury homes are highly sought after here as well.” Neighborhoods here have the added benefit of being within walking distance of downtown’s lifestyle scene, along with having direct access to numerous trails. One of the biggest residential draws to downtown is its exceptional public school system. The area is part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, which gets an A-plus rating from Niche. Young to middle-grade students are zoned for Montair Elementary School and Valley Middle School, which both get an A-rating. For high schoolers, San Ramon Valley High School also receives a top A ranking. Over the past decade, San Ramon Valley Unified School District schools have received more than 67 National Bule Ribbon and State Distinguished School distinctions. Additionally, the district earned more Distinguished School awards in 2022 than any other district in California or the U.S. Surrounded by natural abundance, downtown residents can enjoy vast outdoor recreation. Less than two miles west of downtown is the Las Trampas Del Amigo Trail entrance, which provides locals with access to the East Bay area’s beloved Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park. This 5,000-acre park includes numerous hiking and horseback riding trails winding along steep rolling mountains and is a notable destination for birdwatching and spotting native wildlife. Right within the downtown district, residents can find smaller-scale outdoor serenity at Town Green. Well-shaded by oak trees, this beautiful green space is located across from Danville Community Center, where residents can picnic out on the grass or rest on one of the site’s multiple benches. Also flowing right into downtown is the prominent Iron Horse Trail. This notable East Bay area trail spans 32 miles from Pleasanton to Concord, and provides locals with a pedestrian-only route for walking and stopping at various towns and along the trail. Downtown is one of the most walkable locations in all of Danville, where residents can easily walk or bike into the district’s center hub for dining, shopping and other entertainment offerings. Busgoers can utilize the County Connection public bus service, with stops at nearby cities like Dublin and San Ramon. The route also takes locals to the nearest BART station, a metro rail line connecting numerous cities around the greater Bay area. Downtown sits directly next to Interstate 680 for convenient traveling and gives residents a direct route to the closest airport, the Oakland International Airport. “It’s a central location, so destinations like Tahoe, Napa or Carmel are just an hour or two away.”

Sycamore Valley is a name that prompts images of rolling hills and trees as far as the eye can see. This heavily residential part of Danville lives up to its name. Located 23 miles east of Oakland and 35 miles east of San Francisco, Sycamore Valley is full of recreational areas. Its beautiful natural spaces aren’t the neighborhood’s only strength, however. Here, residents can find several exceptional schools for their children, eat a hearty meal and learn about different cultures at museums, galleries and shows. “It’s a very luxurious residential area close to Danville, a beautiful little town with nice little shops, restaurants and cafes," says Soraya Golesorhki, a local Coldwell Banker Realtor with 18 years of experience. Sycamore Valley also receives a 2 out of 10 CAP Index crime score. So while this neighborhood may be a valley, it has many peaks. Houses in Sycamore Valley have spacious front yards great for decorating and relaxing in the warm California sunshine. Home styles include everything from upscale townhomes to Mediterranean-inspired properties. "The housing market is hot there because the proximity to downtown is in high demand," Golesorkhi says. As a result, homes roughly sell between $1.3 million to $3.8 million and typically after a period of 14 days. The schools zoned for the neighborhood are part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. Many of them have garnered significant acclaim. Sycamore Valley Elementary School, Charlotte Wood Middle School and San Ramon Valley High School all maintain an A-rating from Niche. In addition to several other prestigious accolades, San Ramon Valley High is a California Distinguished School and a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. The school offers lots of interesting courses including culinary arts, philosophy and women’s literature. Residents can play bocce or catch a refreshing breeze by the fountain at Sycamore Valley Park. For even more outdoor adventures, they can head to the expansive Sycamore Valley Open Space Preserve. This large recreational area encompasses two major ridges in a collection of valleys and hills below Mount Diablo. Visitors can encounter many kinds of local wildlife including Western bluebirds, Northern Pacific rattlesnakes and scrub jays. There is also the Iron Horse Trail, which "people also really love because they can go walk their dogs, ride their bikes and walk from Danville to Livermore or Walnut Creek," says Golesorkhi. Residents have their pick of several restaurants in the area. Similan Thai Cuisine serves lunch, dinner and cocktails with outdoor seating, while Juice Zone offers fruit smoothies. When everyday items need to be restocked, grocery shoppers can head over to big box stores like Safeway and Costco Wholesale. Blackhawk Plaza is a premier hub for shopping, dining and entertainment as well as a great gathering space thanks to its Mediterranean-style open architecture. Sycamore Valley Road is an important road that cuts directly through the middle of the neighborhood, running from east to west. This road also eventually connects to Interstate-680, a major vein of travel in the area. The interstate runs from Fairfield at the northeast to San Jose to the southeast. For residents looking to travel by plane, they can drive to Oakland International Airport, which is roughly 30 miles away. Near the plaza is the Blackhawk Museum, where visitors can browse unique displays like its classic automobile collection and African and Chinese cultural exhibits. They can also explore the exhibits over at the Blackhawk Gallery. In May, the gallery holds Primavera, an annual Spring Art Show where artists display and sell their work.

Surrounded by the beautiful hillscapes of Mount Diablo, Greenbrook is a family-friendly neighborhood in Danville known for its quiet, clean and idyllic suburban nature. “It’s the people and the spirit of the neighborhood that really make it special,” says Realtor Loray Hawkins of Compass Real Estate, a longtime Greenbrook resident who has lived there for over 30 years. “There are lots of young families and kids here because the schools are so good.” Along with an excellent public school system, the area is rich in natural splendor. Surrounded by a forestry of coast live oak and California bay laurel trees, Greenbrook’s location provides residents endless outdoor recreational opportunities within the sprawling East Bay region. Recreational offerings like the neighborhood’s popular Crow Canyon Country Club are one of the biggest draws to Greenbrook. “We have a lot of retirees here who love the country club lifestyle for golf, recreation and socializing at the clubhouse.” With its classic suburbia landscape just minutes from Historic Downtown Danville’s lively dining and shopping scene, Greenbrook is an alluring oasis for peaceful residential living in Northern California’s vast Bay area. With almost 800 homes on 206 acres of land, the neighborhood’s quiet, clean and well-maintained residential streets offer residents an idyllic suburban setting amongst a Mount Diablo hillscape backdrop. Greenbrook homes feature highly manicured lawns with narrowly paved sidewalks that flow from one subdivision to the next. While most of the homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s, the neighborhood’s housing styles are architecturally mixed. The most common styles include two-story traditional homes, mid-century variations and one-story ranchers with prices in line with most Danville neighborhoods. “The average home prices in the area range from about $1.8 million to $2.2 million,” says Jarvis-Diebner. The neighborhood’s homeowner’s association provides amenities such as a central clubhouse and an Olympic-sized community pool. Greenbrook public school kids are zoned for Greenbrook Elementary School and Charlotte Wood Middle School, both of which get an A rating from Niche. For upper-level students, the A-rated San Rom Valley High School is one of the top high schools in the area. This Blue-Ribbon award-winning school offers over 20 athletic programs, with unique options like badminton and water polo. Greenbrook is surrounded by numerous outdoor and recreational opportunities. “The Crow Canyon Country Club is very popular around here and located right within the neighborhood,” says Jarvis-Diebner. “You also have direct access to the Iron Horse Trail for hiking.” Residents can practice their golf swing at Crow Canyon Country Club’s 18-hole course designed by the famous Ted Robinson. Sitting at the base of scenic Mount Diablo, the club offers additional resort-style amenities and athletic features like pickleball and tennis courts. Centrally located within the neighborhood and surrounded by residential homes, Danville South Park has an ample open green space shaded by tall Redwood trees and features playscapes for the children. The neighborhood’s Greenbrook School Park backs up to the 32-mile Iron Horse Regional Trail for hiking, biking and wildlife spotting. Dining and shopping options reside just outside of the neighborhood. Residents can enjoy places like Piatti, an Italian restaurant that cooks freshly made pasta and stone-hearth oven-baked pizza in an open kitchen with an Italian villa-style outdoor patio. When heading a few miles out to Downtown Danville, residents will find many restaurant options, including Revel Kitchen and Bar. This new American bistro offers small plates and an extensive wine menu. Also along Downtown’s historic streets, residents can shop at quaint lifestyle and apparel stores or grab groceries at the local favorite, Lunardi’s Gourmet Market. Just outside Greenbrook, locals can find more shopping essentials at the Castle Square Shopping Center, featuring big box chains like Marshalls and Costco. The neighborhood sits right to the east of Interstate 680 and just south of Sycamore Valley Road, providing convenient access for commuting and traveling throughout the greater Bay area. The community is also served by the County Connection bus system, which has to and from stops at the Walnut Creek BART station. For more immediate access to the Danville area’s public transportation, residents can head to the Sycamore Park and Ride Lot downtown. Greenbrook residents enjoy a ton of community gatherings a few miles out in Downtown Danville. During the summer, residents can head to the city center’s Town Green to listen to live music from local performers at the Music in the Park series or spend an evening at the Moonlight Movie event, sitting out on the lawn to watch outdoor, family-friendly movies. Along with holiday festivities like the Spooktacular Celebration, with Halloween activities and local vendors, residents enjoy other seasonal gatherings like the popular Spring Sip and Stroll along Hartz and Prospects Avenues. Locals can taste regional wines while checking out shopping specials from local downtown businesses.