The port city of Richmond, California, is a residential community in the East Bay Area. The city grew substantially during World War II as a major shipyard, and this history has been commemorated with an official designation as a WWII Heritage City by the National Parks Service. Located across the bay from San Francisco, Richmond is now popular for its cost of living and miles of coast. Since the emergence of industry in Silicon Valley, Richmond’s real estate market has grown to accommodate the swelling population. “Richmond is a nice spot in the East Bay that’s right along the water,” says Eddie O’Sullivan, a local Bay Area Realtor and Broker of Elevation Real Estate, who has helped clients in the Richmond area. “One of its highlights is that it’s a great location for people who are looking to be near the bay but still want to find a nice, more affordable home than, say, San Francisco or other East Bay cities like Oakland or Fremont. It’s also a convenient place for commuting because it's close to highways; there’s a ferry here and a BART station that will take you over to the Peninsula.” Although many Richmond residents are known to commute, the city also has some prominent employment opportunities, with the manufacturing, distribution, green business and petroleum refining industries.
Parchester Village is a cozy suburban neighborhood in East Bay California.
The marina is a beautiful sight to see at sunset in Marina Bay.
Hilltop/Montalvin's Point Pinole Regional Park is full of beautiful snaking waterways.
The San Francisco Bay Ferry service is the best way to travel from Marina Bay.
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Bay area homes at a lower cost
Richmond’s housing landscape features a mix of old and new homes divided up into almost two dozen neighborhoods. The Peninsula’s state parks ring most of the city, while Richmond’s residential areas are typically concentrated inland. The most common housing styles that can be found in almost every neighborhood are Mediterranean, ranch-style, bungalow and contemporary. Some homes' exteriors are notably painted in colorful hues, often reminiscent of houses in nearby San Francisco and Oakland. The median price for a single-family home in Richmond is $670,000, considerably cheaper than the state average of $904,000 or the nearby Oakland average of $850,000. Properties in Richmond that are adjacent to regional parks or the harbor can be more expensive, however, with some exceeding the million-dollar price point. On average, Richmond homes sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 41 days.
Marina Bay has condos that are encircled by stunning moats.
It's common to find Mediterranean style homes in Carriage Hills.
Most of the homes in the Cortez-Stege area are from the 1950's and 60's.
Cortez-Stege offers plenty of new modern homes with easy access to the 580 for commuting.
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Highly rated public schools and private school options
The city is zoned for four highly rated public school districts. The Acalanes Union High School District gets an A-plus rating from Niche and is ranked the No. 1 Best School District in Contra Costa County. Albany City Unified School District gets an A rating, while the smallest district, Orinda Union Elementary School District, is rated at an A-minus. West Contra Costa Unified School District is the largest of the city’s zoned districts and is rated at a C-plus. Richmond students also have the opportunity to attend two of the top ten private schools in California. The College Preparatory School and Head-Royce School are both rated A-plus by Niche.
El Cerrito Senior High in East Richmond boasts a performing arts center.
Richmond is home to Coronado Elementary, a small school serving K to 6th grades.
Lovonya Dejean Middle School in Park Plaza has a modern campus.
The Kennedy High Campus has several outdoor gathering spaces for students and teachers.
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City parks, regional spaces and bayside recreation
With over 6,000 acres of green space inland and on the shoreline, the city offers abundant outdoor recreation. Larger national parks border much of Richmond, while local parks are scattered throughout the residential areas. According to the Trust for Public Land, 81% of Richmond residents live within a 10-minute walk of a community park. Wildcat Canyon Regional Park is Richmond’s largest park, with leisure areas, open fields and hiking trails sprawling across over 2,000 acres. Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve is a botanic park that aims to preserve native California flora and fauna. Bay Trail is another scenic location for hiking and biking. Because of its location along the bay, Richmond features extensive waterside opportunities, from Point Molate Beach to the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor. The harbor is not only a popular spot for boat docking but also a notable site for enjoying scenic views of the bay and the San Francisco skyline in the distance.
Dirt World is the perfect place for kids to ride a BMX track in City Central.
Parchester Village offers a suburban lifestyle in the Bay Area.
The beautiful scenery of Miller Knox Regional Shoreline in Point Richmond CA.
The Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline offers a great place to walk Point Richmond.
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Main highways and Richmond’s robust transit options
Richmond enjoys easy access to the interstate highway system. Interstate 580 runs through the city and leads south to Oakland, about 12 miles away and north to Marin County. Interstate 80 borders the city to the east and leads to San Francisco, about 18 miles from Richmond’s city center. Although these highways make driving a very accessible mode of transportation in Richmond, the city has a robust transit system. The city’s BART Station connects Richmond with its larger neighboring communities by light rail, while Amtrack can get residents to San Francisco in just over 40 minutes or to Oakland in just over half an hour. Multiple buses circulate throughout the city, and the Richmond Ferry is another transportation option for heading across the water and over to the Peninsula. For short travels within the city, the city of Richmond is currently focusing on augmenting walking paths and bike lanes to cut down on traffic and promote less car-dependent infrastructure.
Local restaurants and shopping centers
Most of the shopping and dining is clustered on Richmond Parkway and San Pablo Avenue. Richmond has many local restaurants, creating a diverse food scene with everything from authentic Mexican taco joints to quaint cafes and fine dining establishments. There are also a few waterfront restaurants that highlight the city’s scenic location along the bay. Multiple shopping malls and plazas are scattered throughout the city, offering access to local businesses, national retail chains and big box stores.
Locals do their grocery shopping at the Santa Fe Market in Point Richmond.
Home Depot offers all the construction supplies you need in Belding Woods.
Best Mexican food in Point Richmond is offered by Maya Taquerias.
The best pub in town in Point Richmond is the Up & Under Pub and Grill.
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Lower than state average crime rates and mild year-round weather
According to the city’s most recent 2022 FBI Crime Data Report, Richmond experienced 1,000 violent crimes per its over 226,000 population, which is less than the state average. Over 3,000 property crimes were reported, however, which is a little higher than the California property crime average of around 2,300. It should be noted though, that the northeast side of Richmond is considered to be the safest area.
Richmond has a relatively mild, Mediterranean-style climate, with long, warm summers and cool, wet winters. The average high and low temperatures typically range from 42°F to 77°F year-round. About 45% of Richmond's buildings are at risk of wildfire, making this a notable concern for the city, along with rising sea levels. Richmond's current Climate Action Plan, which is part of its “General Plan 2030,” aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and better protect the city from future extreme weather.
Performance theaters and city festivals
The city is home to a few performance theaters, including Central Stage, which has a special focus on Persian arts and culture. The Masquers Playhouse is a small 89-seat community theatre and is home to the Masquers, a local performing group that has been in production since 1955. The Richmond Museum of History & Culture is another notable cultural establishment with exhibits that celebrate and preserve the city’s history. Richmond hosts one of the biggest Cinco de Mayo events in the East Bay, which is sponsored by many local businesses. The city also commemorates Juneteenth each year with a parade and festival at Nicholl Park, while the Richmond Marina brings residents together for a popular fireworks display each 4th of July.
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