El Sobrante seeks to carve out its identity north of Oakland
El Sobrante, a small suburban neighborhood north of Oakland, offers proximity to both urban amenities and rural recreation but has struggled to establish itself among the communities of the East Bay. As local Realtor Gordon Allen of Gordon Phillip Allen Realtors explains, El Sobrante has been caught in a power struggle between the neighboring cities of Richmond and San Pablo as well as Contra Costa County for quite some time. “It’s a complex area,” he says. “You can look on a map and see that El Sobrante has been split up into islands of land that aren’t connected in any meaningful way. Some addresses are Richmond, some are San Pablo. We just call ourselves western Contra Costa County. It’s very difficult to obtain an identity, depending on what side of the street you live on.” That confusion extends to basic services. “Police, fire and emergency are working hard to make things transparent,” says Allen, “but it’s still a challenge.”
A mix of midcentury two- and three-bedroom homes starting at $600,000
An eclectic mix of established homes in varying shapes and sizes populates the residential areas concentrated around San Pablo Dam Boulevard. Most homes were built in the 1960s and 1970s and offer three bedrooms, although some of the oldest homes, built in the 1940s and 1950s, are two-bedroom residences. Multi-level homes on hilly streets are prominent, while ranch-style houses also stand out among the available housing. Prices typically range between $600,000 and $900,000. “I grew up in Orinda, another nearby city, and the real estate values there are twice what they are here, and that’s only 8 miles away,” says Allen. “They call us the Poor Man’s Orinda.”
Athletic facilities and law and health programs at local schools
Younger students can attend Murphy Elementary and Crespi Junior High. Older students can attend De Anza High, a school with a B-minus rating from Niche that offers academy programs in information technology, law and health. De Anza High also features some of the finest athletic facilities in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. “The high school has been remodeled, and it’s a good retrofit,” says Allen.
Wildcat Canyon Park offers hiking, biking and children's play areas
The neighborhood has an urban feel, which is typical of the communities in this area of the East Bay. However, El Sobrante is located on the doorstep of the rural areas of western Contra Costa County. Just south of the neighborhood are thousands of acres of green space filled with hiking trails and open spaces. The centerpiece is Wildcat Canyon Regional Park. It is a popular spot not only for hikers, but mountain bikers and equestrians as well. Its popularity among mountain bikers has spurred a project to increase access by identifying and establishing a dedicated corridor. “Nature still rules up in the hills,” says Allen. Located at the northern edge of Wildcat Canyon is Alvarado Park, which offers children’s play spaces and picnic areas near Wildcat Creek.
Most residents head to Berkeley for restaurants and dining out
San Pablo Dam Road features a handful of dining options, including El Chalan, a family run restaurant that serves up a unique mix of Peruvian and Italian specialties. But the overall options are limited. “As far as restaurants go, you have to go to Berkeley,” says Allen of the college town about 10 miles south. Retail options are more prevalent, as a nearby collection of businesses is anchored by Raley’s, a full-service grocery store.
Buses and interstates keep residents connected to the Bay Area
San Pablo Dam Road provides additional convenience for work commutes and travel throughout the Bay Area. “If you don’t have a car, you have to live near San Pablo Dam Road,” says Allen. Bus stops are easily accessible throughout the neighborhood along the corridor, which connects to Interstate 80 about 2 miles outside the neighborhood. I-80 provides quick access to I-580, which crosses the northern portion of San Francisco Bay. I-80 also connects directly to Oakland only 12 miles away, and from there it can be taken directly across the bay into the heart of San Francisco. “We have easy access to a pair of on-ramps to get in and out really fast,” says Allen.
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Sean Viray
