Diablo

Perched at the base of Mount Diablo, surrounded by rolling hills and lush nature, is the upscale Diablo neighborhood. Within commuting distance to San Francisco, boasting top-rated schools and gorgeous estates, Diablo offers its population of roughly 1,000 people a quiet blend of rural and suburban living. “Diablo tends to have an older crowd,” says Holly Sibley, a realtor with Dudum Real Estate Group who has been selling real estate in the area for over 13 years. “The country club is really central to this area for socializing and golfing.”

This predominantly residential neighborhood has high curb appeal. Diablo’s wide, curving streets are lined with mature trees and large properties with an array of architectural styles, including New Victorian-style homes, ranch homes and English Tudor-style homes that sit on lots ranging from a half-acre to an acre. These lots often boast large driveways and shallow, manicured front lawns adorned with succulents. In Diablo, a four-bedroom ranch home on a half-acre lot costs around $2 million, and a five-bedroom cottage on an acre costs around $4.5 million. “This area has a slower market than some of the surrounding areas,” Sibley says. “Of course, it all depends on the state of the property more than anything.”

Students in Diablo attend school in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, receiving an overall A-plus grade from Niche. Green Valley Elementary and Los Cerros Middle both earn A grades from Niche. Monte Vista High receives an overall grade of A-plus from Niche and offers students the opportunity to enroll in Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways in fields such as game design, health careers and cosmetology. Those interested in private school can attend The Athenian School, a prestigious college preparatory private middle and high school serving students in grades six through 12 on a 75-acre campus.

Outdoor activities are abundant in Diablo. At the heart of the community is the private, member-owned golf and country club, Diablo Country Club, which was founded in 1912 and is both a destination for out-of-towners and a hub for the Diablo community. Immerse yourself in the great outdoors at the nearby 20,000-acre Mount Diablo State Park, which has dozens of trails for all levels of hikers to explore and offers stunning views of the sunset over the valley. Head to Oak Hill Park on Stone Valley Road for a nearby playground. This scenic lakeside park features a playground, trails for hiking and horseback riding and plenty of open space for throwing a frisbee or enjoying a picnic. During the summer, locals gather for their annual concert series.

You’ll have to travel out of the neighborhood for restaurants, but you need not go far. In downtown Danville, which is located 2 miles west of Diablo with a direct route along Diablo Road, you’ll find a variety of restaurants ranging from American to Italian to Mexican cuisine. Cocina Hermanas, located on vibrant Church Street alongside many shops and eateries, has an outdoor patio for lunch alfresco.
Pick up groceries at Lunardi’s on Railroad Avenue. Here, you can also pick up the essentials at small retailers and local shops. When you’re seeking big box stores, you’ll want to head 10 miles north to Walnut Creek, where you’ll find familiar retailers like Target.

Most Diablo residents travel by car, but the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system serves the area as an accessible public transportation option. When it’s time to get out of town, a 12-mile drive east will get you to Interstate 680. To get to the heart of San Francisco for work or play, a 30-mile drive on I-180 will get you there in a half-hour.

Written By

Sarah Grace Vedomske

Photography Contributed By

Anne Kohler

Video By

Remi Cox