El Cerrito offers lower costs with access to all of the Bay Area
Meaning “Little Hill” in Spanish, El Cerrito is a fitting name for this Bay Area city that butts up against the San Pablo Ridge. The city of around 24,000 people started as a refuge for San Francisco residents after the 1906 earthquake and fire. In the over 100 years since, El Cerrito has grown into a Bay Area suburb known for lower housing costs and outdoor activity. “I guess the top of the list would be affordability,” says Jeff Weissman, a Realtor with Compass who has sold multiple homes here. “The El Cerrito Hills homes have wonderful views and are also close to open space just a bit east. There’s hiking, mountain biking, trail running, dog walking and those sorts of things.” While locals can spend their free time exploring the hills and parks, another main draw to El Cerrito is its proximity to other Bay Area cities. The average commute is about 30 minutes, typically to places like Oakland or San Francisco. With its location near Silicon Valley, tech is one of the largest employment sectors, although healthcare and education also make up a large chunk. Residents can easily commute throughout the region thanks to two nearby rapid transit stations and Interstate 80.
El Cerrito’s suburban neighborhoods balance access to urban amenities and the great outdoors.
You can amazing views from Hillside Natural Area.
El Cerrito is a beautiful town against the San Pablo Ridge and close proximity to Oakland or San Francisco.
With its location near Silicon Valley, tech is one of the largest employment sectors in El cerrito.
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Wildcat Canyon and Hillside Natural Area for recreation
El Cerrito has 16 parks covering 175 acres, including natural areas and developed parks. Hillside Natural Area is one of the highlights, with plenty of trails and open space for residents to explore. This green space contains native plants, oak trees and riparian environments. There are many more hiking trails in Wildcat Canyon Regional Park just east of the city. This expansive area covers nearly 2,800 acres and has a trailhead on Rifle Range Road. Other access points are at Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley or Alvarado Park in Richmond. Cerrito Vista Park is one of the largest developed green spaces in the city, with tennis courts, a baseball field and a soccer field, as well as picnic areas and a walking trail. It’s also the site of the annual 4th of July Festival, which includes live music, rides and food. The Berkeley Country Club is a private par-72 course in El Cerrito with a dining room and fitness center. The Hana Gardens Senior Center hosts several community events each year, like the winter Maker’s Faire with live music, treats and vendors.
Cerrito Vista Park is the perfect place to play soccer in El Cerrito.
Enjoy a brisk morning walk at Hillside Natural Area.
Wildcat Canyon Regional Park is a popular destination for local residents.
El Cerrito has excellent walking trails near the Memorial Grove.
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Midcentury-era homes throughout each El Cerrito neighborhood
Homes in El Cerrito are primarily from the middle of the 20th century and include cottages, bungalows, Craftsmans and Mediterranean styles. “It’s a great place to live, with its tree-lined streets,” says Jimmy Reina, a Realtor with Red Oak Realty who has sold several homes in the city. “The houses are mostly from the post-war period, and they get a little fancier as you go up into the hills.” The homes on the city’s hilly east side frequently have scenic views of San Francisco Bay or Golden Gate Bridge. The median cost of housing in El Cerrito is $1,175,000 and has not changed over the past year. That price is lower than nearby cities like San Francisco and Berkeley but higher than Oakland. Homes typically sell in 18 days, much faster than the national average of 44. “Inventory is still on the low side. Move-in ready homes sell for over asking with multiple offers, but opportunities are a little scarcer,” says Weissman.
El Cerrito has several newer homes getting built in the area, and many have million-dollar views.
20th-century bungalows are the most common home style in the flat part of El Cerrito.
El Cerrito homes enjoy amazing views while nestled close to each other on narrow streets.
The sloping, curvilinear streets in the hills are lined with single family homes in El Cerrito.
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Shopping and dining along San Pablo Avenue
San Pablo Avenue is the main commercial strip in the city, with a mix of chain stores and local restaurants. Los Moles Beer Garden serves authentic Mexican food and is known for its buffet with various mole options. New Dumpling is a small Chinese restaurant serving a menu of extensive dumpling options. Other businesses along San Pablo Avenue include local hardware stores, record shops and grocery stores like El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company. El Cerrito Plaza is a large shopping center with chain stores like Ross, Marshalls, Barnes & Noble and Trader Joe’s. The center also has a mix of chain restaurants ranging from coffee shops to seafood.
El Cerrito Plaza is a central shopping area for everyone in El Cerrito.
El Cerrito Natural Grocery is on San Pablo Ave and is in the middle of shopping for locals.
Les Moles Beer Garden has fresh, local ingredients for their dishes for El Cerrito residents.
Most locals in El Cerrito shop for groceries in the Lucky store.
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West Contra Costa Unified School District serves El Cerrito students
West Contra Costa Unified School District serves the city and receives a B-minus rating from Niche. The district has been around since 1965 and has nearly 26,000 students. It offers AP courses and college and career readiness resources. El Cerrito High School is in the city and has programs like an Information Technology Academy and a Media Academy. The school is also known for its award-winning band program.
El Cerrito High School is in the city and has programs like an Information Technology Academy and a Media Academy.
Educational opportunities abound at Madera Elementary School.
A view of the Fairmont Elementary School from the street.
Students are the highest priority at Invictus Academy of Richmond.
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I-580, I-80 and BART provide transportation options
Interstate 80 also passes through the city, leading north across the Bay to Vallejo or south into San Francisco. Nearby Interstate 580 provides a highway west across the Bay to San Rafael. Two Bay Area Rapid Transit stations in El Cerrito offer public transportation throughout the region. These stations are on the Orange and Red Lines, taking riders into San Francisco, Oakland or San Jose. AC Transit operates multiple bus routes in the area, connecting various points in the city and to nearby communities. San Francisco International Airport is about 25 miles away, while the closest hospital is Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center, about 4.5 miles away.
Interstate 80 also passes through El Cerrito, leading north across the Bay to Vallejo or south into San Francisco.
The El Cerrito BART offers great commute options for residents of the Richmond Annex.
San Francisco International Airport is about 25 miles away from El cerrito.
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Crime rates in El Cerrito
According to data from the El Cerrito Police Department, violent crime increased by 5% in 2023, while property crime decreased by 5%. Both types of crime have been down since 2019, which saw the highest crime in the past five years. Data from the FBI shows that the city’s violent crime rate is lower than the statewide and national averages, while the property crime rate is higher.
Risks of wildfire and earthquakes in El Cerrito
Due to its location near wilderness areas and the Hayward Fault, El Cerrito faces risks like wildfires, extreme heat and seismic activity. The city has a section of its general plan known as the Safety Element, which outlines policies and goals for addressing these hazards. It also has a brochure on its website covering wildfire preparedness and evacuations. Residents can sign up to receive alerts through the Contra Costa County Community Warning System.
Written By
Matthew Atkins
Photography Contributed By
Marcell Puzsar
Video By
Victoria York
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Azadeh Yazdi,
an experienced agent in this area.
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