Oakley, California, is one of the state’s newest cities, but it has a long history of being one the most beautiful and bountiful spots in the region. Located between Stockton and Oakland, the city was incorporated in 1999, and in that short time, its population has nearly doubled. It’s known for its gently rolling hills, country lanes and picturesque location just south of the Big Break, a small bay off the San Joaquin River. “We're primarily a bedroom community and a lot of our citizens commute west to Oakland, San Francisco and Silicon Valley," says Oakley City Council member Aaron Meadows, who grew up in the city.
While the city has a pastoral background and small-town character, its goals for the future include developing its industries, growing its workforce and adding more high-density, multi-family housing along with a state-of-the-art public library. "When I was growing up in Oakley, there were about 2,500 people and now it's closer to 45,000. To meet that the population growth, the city council wants to bring more jobs and increase public safety. We’ve worked to increase staffing in our police department and maintain our parks. We want to keep our citizens in the city so they're not forced to go beyond to have their needs met," Meadows says.
Water fountains and statues and pieces of artwork throughout the Oakley neighborhood.
Oakley neighborhood signs will be visible throughout the entire neighborhood.
Enjoy multiple activities at Big Break Regional park at the Oakley neighborhood.
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A hundred-year range of homes in a competitive housing market
Homes in Oakley are typically Craftsman bungalows and two-story stucco homes with attached garages and brick detailing. Some Spanish revival-style options are available as well. There are older constructions that date back to the early 1900s and new constructions as recent as 2024. The median price for a home is around $700,000 which is up 5% from the previous year. “Updated houses are common, which is typical of more mature neighborhoods because often the original owner is moving out and new families are coming in to do some remodeling,” says Melody Royal, broker and owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Royal & Associates. “These homes are usually priced in the median price range so they do tend to sell pretty quickly.” Lawns are decorated by palm trees, interspersed with spacious driveways and lined with sidewalks. Oakley's limited inventory combined with high demand for the city's amenities and comforts have resulted in a competitive market. Meadows says, "You can buy a more affordable home here, and the amount of square feet you get here compared to places like Walnut Creek is substantially more for the dollar."
Two-story one story homes throughout the Oakley neighborhood.
You will find various sizes of homes throughout the Oakley neighborhood.
Single-story homes are available in the Oakley neighborhood.
You will enjoy the tree line streets in the Oakley neighborhood.
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The three school districts in Oakley
Oakley is served by three school districts. Oakley Union Elementary School District, which serves about 5,000 students, includes six elementary schools and two middle schools, earns a C on Niche. Antioch Unified School District covers one K-8 school in the city and gets a B-minus from Niche. Liberty Union High School District includes the one public high school in Oakley and scores an A in Niche.
The Oakley Elementary School is centrally located in the residential neighborhood of Oakley.
Children attend Vintage Parkway Elementary at the Oakley neighborhood.
Oakley neighborhood middle school students attend, Delta Vista middle school.
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Birdwatching at Big Break or exercising at Oakley's neighborhood parks
Big Break Regional Shoreline introduces visitors to dozens of protected wildlife species, including blue herons, snowy egrets, turtles and beavers. The California Delta is a popular destination for fishing and boating. Neighborhood parks include Cypress Grove Park, a great spot for a game of baseball or an afternoon on the playground. Emerson Ranch Park sits around a small lake and has a shaded playground, basketball court and paved walking path. The Delta De Anza Regional Trail currently extends for 15 miles and upon completion, it will reach 25 miles long and follow the Contra Costa Water District's canal.
Crockett Park in Oakley has a great basketball and tennis court.
Big Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley is the perfect place to jog.
Cypress Grove Park is a beautiful to spend time in Oakley Ca.
Enjoy fishing on a beautiful afternoon in the Oakley neighborhood.
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Oakley's spots to shop and dine
Wealthy in culinary variety and quality, Oakley's restaurants serve everything from homestyle diner grub to authentic Mexican street food. The city is also home to several local and chain grocery retailers. Brentwood Junction offers lots of shops to take care of everyday shopping needs. Oakley has a long history of massive almond, walnut and vineyards, and while many of them have slowly given way to developments, a number of wineries still remain to host tastings, tours and private events.
Some of the best Mexican food can be found in Oakley Ca.
Enjoy authentic Mexican dishes in Oakley Ca.
Skipolini's restaurant is a very popular location in the Oakley neighborhood.
Skipolini's restaurant is a very popular location in the Oakley neighborhood.
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Highways, public transit and air travel
The city offers easy access to a public bus system for convenient transportation in town. Commuters can jump on Highway 4 toward San Francisco, about 50 miles to the west, or Highway 160 to travel across river toward Sacramento. The Antioch BART station provides an alternative mode of transportation just 15 miles away. A new Amtrak station is being built in the city and is expected to open in August 2025. Oakland International Airport is roughly 50 miles to the west.
Festivals and events celebrating Oakley's heritage and community
Put simply, Oakley loves to have fun. The first Friday of each month offers food trucks and live music at Friday Night Bites at Civic Center Park. The annual Movies in the Plaza series shows a family-friendly flick once a month from May to October. Oakley Summer Fest celebrates the city by holding a parade, showcasing local vendors and offering fun rides for kids.
Oakley's climate and crime rates
Summers in Oakley run long, hot and arid while winters tend to be short, mild and wet. Data from First Street reports a major wildfire risk in the next 30 years for Oakley, as well as extreme risk for poor air quality and major heat risk.
According to the FBI, the Oakley Police Department reported violent crimes at an average rate of 54 incidents per 100,000 people between December 2022 and December 2023. In the same year, the state of California saw an average rate of 105 incidents while the national average came to 116 incidents per 100,000 people.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
