Pinole: A Bay Area bedroom community with a small-town feel
Pinole is a sunny city of about 20,000 people located 17 miles north of Oakland on the San Pablo Bay. In the early 20th century, the city was a regional shipping hub for nearby explosives companies and oil refineries. Little of that industry remains, and in-town jobs are mainly in retail, at big box stores and in small businesses, so many residents commute to regional employment hubs. Today, Pinole is a bedroom community with a timeless, laid-back feel. “My family moved here in 1964, and I haven’t seen it change a heck of a lot,” says Carl Schober, a Realtor and owner of Old Time Realtors. “Downtown almost looks the same as it did; it’s mainly small family-owned businesses.” Pinole is about the farthest city from Oakland for a reasonable commute. The housing is modest and less expensive than in nearby areas, a main draw for homebuyers. “It’s got a safe, small-town feel with its own character, and the housing prices by Bay Area standards are very affordable,” says Schober.
Downtown Pinole is in the heart of Gateley.
Estate Ave will take you to many of the main destinations in Pinole Valley.
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Old Town Pinole has older homes, newest are in Pinole Valley
Most of the homes in Pinole are three-bedroom mid-century ranch-style homes. There are also some contemporary houses built in the ‘80s and 90’s. The median home price is $700,000, and the average home value is about 50% higher than the national average, and they tend to sell twice as quickly. But it’s only about half the average for the San Francisco metro area. “There’s still a strong seller’s market,” says Schober. “Prices all over were affected by the interest rates doubling, and since we’re further out, you get more for your money, so there’s not a lot of listings.”
The Old Town Pinole neighborhood has a mix of home styles and ages, including some nineteenth-century homes, some sections of mid- to late-century homes and a few condos and apartment buildings. In the Gateley neighborhood, there are rows of townhomes and ranch-style houses with colorful facades. Most have 2-car garages and fenced yards. Pinole Valley is on the other side of Interstate 80, where newer two-story homes in the hills are the priciest.
Old Town Pinole has a few Spanish-inspired homes reminiscent of its history.
Contemporary homes decorate the hills in Pinole Valley.
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Sunny days bring people to Pinole Point and Bayfront Park
Sunshine and warm air tempered by breezes off the bay bring people outdoors many months of the year. A paved portion of the San Francisco Bay Trail runs through the marshlands of Pinole Point Regional Shoreline, and Bayfront Park has views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Fernandez Park in the historic district features playgrounds, sports fields and picnic areas. Pinole Valley Swimming Pool is open in the spring and summer, and Amber Swartz Park has a playground, picnic tables and a small pond with fishing. The oak-studded Pinole Valley Watershed and Sobrante Ridge Regional Park are just south of the city, both with hiking trails and views of the bay from the hills. For a day trip, San Francisco is near, and Napa Valley is about 40 miles away. There is skiing nearby in the mountains, and Lake Tahoe is about a 3-hour drive.
Bayfront Park has a beautiful hiking trail along the coast.
Pinole Valley Swimming Pool is the perfect place to learn how to swim in Pinole Valley.
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High school stands out among West Contra Costa District schools
West Contra Costa Unified School District serves Pinole and is graded B-minus by Niche. Pinole Valley High School is graded B, higher than average for the district. It is an International Baccalaureate World School with advanced classes for students of all backgrounds, and it has an award-winning performing and visual arts programs. Members of the American rock band Green Day attended Pinole Valley High School.
Pinole Valley High School has an impressive athletic department with various sports to choose.
Pinole Middle School offers high quality education in Pinole Valley.
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Community life centers around Downtown Pinole and youth sports
Downtown Pinole has some Victorian homes that have been converted into businesses. Residents come downtown for events, including the annual Pinole Holiday Tree Lighting at Fernandez Park, an Easter egg hunt in the spring and a summer concert series. The Pinole Farmer’s Market is held on Saturdays. Youth sports leagues are popular for baseball, soccer and basketball. “Soccer has been big since I was a kid,” says Schober. “The high school sports programs are also strong and bring a lot of people out.”
Old Town Pinole is fun for the whole family.
Kids can get their face painted at the The Old Town Pinole Holiday Tree Lighting event.
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Interstate 80 connects Pinole to regional destinations
Residents can commute to Oakland and other hubs via Interstate 80. Traffic begins to get congested just south of Pinole, as the highway picks up commuters from other cities. Oakland is about 17 miles south, with Oakland International Airport about 25 miles away. The WestCAT bus system has public bus stops around Pinole, and buses connect to the El Cerrito BART station about 10 miles south. Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center is about 8 miles away.
Shops at San Pablo Avenue and Pinole Valley Shopping Center
In the commercial strip along San Pablo Avenue, restaurants serve Italian, Vietnamese and American cuisines. Bear Claw Bakery and Café has been around for decades and has lifelong customers. Pinole Valley Shopping Center on Interstate 80 has bowling lanes, burger joints, coffee shops and grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s and Sprouts Farmers Market. Pinole Vista Crossing on Fitzgerald Drive has big box stores, including Target, HomeGoods and FoodMaxx.
San Pablo Avenue is the main street in Old Town Pinole.
The Pinole Farmer's Market is an excellent place to grab organic produce on weekends.
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Minimal downsides in Pinole climate and crime
Being in the Bay Area, Pinole has a risk of earthquakes. Pinole and Contra Costa County have disaster preparedness plans, and mild weather balances the risk for many residents. “It’s really moderate here even in the summer. We get the benefit of the afternoon breeze, and the nights cool off,” says Schober. “A lot of people talk about leaving California but stay because of the weather.” The overall crime rate decreased by 41% between 2018 and 2023, based on California Department of Justice data. Property crime decreased by 44% during that time period, and violent crime decreased by 13%.
On average, homes in Pinole, CA sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Pinole, CA over the last 12 months is $767,500, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
With over 20 years in Mortgage and Real Estate combined, Felicia brings unparalleled expertise to help you find your dream home. Raised in the Bay Area and majoring in Finance, Felicia’s deep understanding of Real Estate, Finance and Mortgage allows her to seamlessly guide clients through the complexities of buying and selling properties.
Her background gives her clients a unique advantage—they not only gain access to her Real Estate knowledge but also her keen insight into Mortgage solutions. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, Felicia’s experience ensures you’ll receive personalized guidance every step of the way.
As a lifelong resident and an expert in communities along the I-80 corridor, 580,680, 780 and 880, she is uniquely positioned to serve Super Commuters and others seeking homes in these high-demand regions of the Bay Area.
When she’s not helping clients buy or sell homes, Felicia enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her family. As Your I-80 agent, Felicia Spiller is passionate about delivering a real estate experience that’s personalized.
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.
