Watergate

Every morning, residents of Watergate wake up to the sound of the tide from the San Francisco Bay hitting the sides of docks and shores, boats turning the engine to head out on the water. With premium dining and shopping, access to fantastic schools and plenty of waterside parks, it’s a great place to settle for those who want to live bayside. This condominium community is situated on the Emeryville Peninsula, only 4 miles southwest of downtown Berkley.

Watergate’s recreational-residential space is a world of low-rise condominiums. A bird’s eye view will reveal the many carefully interlinked buildings that make up the Watergate community, spreading over 26 acres of manicured grounds. Originally built as apartments, the units of Watergate were converted into condos by 1979, and they’ve been meticulously maintained since then. The condominium complex is a one-stop shop for amenities, offering its residents the luxury of a gym and recreation center, pools and saunas, 24-hour security – and the list goes on. Of course, half the appeal is that the housing is directly on the water, the property built upon the peninsula. Residents get a daily view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the rolling rise of distant hills and mountains. The median selling price for a one-bedroom condo in Watergate is $440,000, while two-bedroom units spike up to $645,000.

Many public institutions are served by the Berkley Unified School District, though some fall under the Emery Unified School District. There are several schools that children may attend in the area, so choices are plentiful. If following the Berkeley pipeline, they may start at Berkeley Arts Magnet Elementary, referred to as BAM. Touting an overall A grade from Niche, BAM provides cross-disciplinary education, believing that a blend of both rigorous academics and access to art expression is the key to well-rounded learning. Students move on to Martin Luther King Jr. Middle, which takes home yet another A from Niche and is placed in the top percentile for middle schools within California. They provide a newcomer program for children arriving from other countries or learning English as a second language. The final step of primary education may happen at Berkley High, graded with an impressive A-plus by Niche. A genuine effort to close the achievement gap between the diverse student population began in 2000. Berkeley High stays committed to providing all students with a full range of progressive academics and rigorous college prep.

Watergate is bordered by the major artery of Interstate 80, making car travel quick and simple. The neighboring area of Emeryville has an Amtrak station that has transfer hubs to San Francisco, and there are several lines of the AC Transit bus you can hop on. Watergate has a substantial commercial center covering bases from shopping for clothes to stopping for a movie. With big names such as IKEA and Trader Joe’s next to international hotel chains and medical centers, everything you may need for daily life or a weekend out is right within the neighborhood. Residents also have access to several locally owned restaurants, from the freshly sourced seafood and dim sum offerings at Hong Kong East Ocean to the Indonesian rack-of-lamb that’s smoked in Chinese wood-fired ovens at the fusion eatery of Trader Vic’s.

Watergate’s position on the Emeryville Peninsula means close and personal interaction with the San Francisco Bay, and the parks for the neighborhood guarantee you’re never without a stunning view. Take the kids over to the sandy grounds of the Davenport Park Playground or jog along the paved Marina Park Pathway that winds around nearly the entirety of the peninsula. The Emery Cove Yacht Harbor and Emeryville Marina are constantly busy with enthusiastic boat lovers, and the marina offers trips out to catch fish and crabs. The Watergate residency provides a wealth of other amenities to keep you busy, from tennis courts to in-ground swimming pools.

For bayside living with all the built-in convenience, check out Watergate.

Written By

Kaitie Lamb

Photography Contributed By

Anthony Lindsey

Video By

Melinda Anselmo