Located in California’s East Bay, San Leandro is a coastal city with more to offer than scenic views. “It’s a very family-based area in a nice location along the water with a cute downtown,” says Rudy Gonzales, a local Realtor with Red Oak Realty, who has lived in the East Bay area for over 20 years. “They have more of a community-mindset here, with a lot of hardworking people that can get a good buy for their homes.” The population of 87,000 enjoys good schools and plenty of outdoor activities. Just 10 miles from Oakland and 22 miles from San Francisco, many San Leandro residents commute into larger cities for work while enjoying the perks of a smaller area. However, there are plenty of employment opportunities right in San Leandro. The city is home to a Coca-Cola plant, Ghirardelli and OSIsoft, all of which are major employers that help boost the community. “San Leandro tends to have a steadier economy with less ups and downs than other cities in the Bay Area, so that’s a big draw,” Gonzalez says. While there are no sandy beaches, the western edge of the city provides views of the San Francisco Bay. To the east, the San Leandro Hills provide an area for hikers and mountain bikers to take in Northern California’s natural beauty.
Marina Faire is known for its proximity to San Francisco Bay and the scenic Marina Park.
OSIsoft in San Leandro blends career opportunity with easy access to Bay Area amenities.
The Coca-Cola plant in San Leandro offers steady career paths close to home.
Ghirardelli Chocolate proudly manufactured in Lower Bal, Sana Leandro for over 165 years.
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Housing prices on the rise and early 20th century homes
The median price for a single-family home in San Leandro is $869,500, about 5% lower than the state average and roughly 43% higher than the U.S. average. The median price has seen a 30% increase over the past five years, and while that pace has slowed, housing prices have still appreciated 7% over the past three years. Much of the residential areas are located on the northern and southern ends of the city, while the coastline is occupied by golf courses and marinas, and the center of the town is the major retail and dining district. Some of the most desirable areas are the Bay O-Vista neighborhood, which is on the city's eastern edge and backs up to Lake Chabot and Chabot Park. Other prominent neighborhoods include Estudillo Estates, known for its unique housing landscape of early 20th-century homes. “The homes in Estudillo Estates have a really nice charm to them,” Gonzalez says. “You’ll see a lot of Spanish Revival and Tudor types here.” Other common housing styles throughout the city include traditional ranch-styles and colorful California bungalows. Another neighborhood, Heron Bay, is an exclusive golf course community near the bay, with homes priced over $1.25 million. Current listing prices throughout the city range from $365,000 for a one-bedroom condo downtown to $1.8 million for a custom-built property with sweeping backyard views of the San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge.
Almost 40 percent of homes in San Leandro were built between 1940 and 1960. Some of the city’s neighborhoods, including Farrelly Pond and Broadmoor, feature design elements typical of the City Beautiful movement of the early 1900s. This movement emphasized the development of winding streets, manicured open spaces, gracious street trees and large front lawns.
Residents of Heron Bay enjoy instant access to a variety of outdoor activities.
Homes are landscaped, and yards have tall pine trees in Farrelly Pond District.
Estudillo Estates-Glen is known for its well-preserved early 20th-century homes.
Bay-O-Vista is known for its well-maintained properties and scenic views.
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Above average public schools with strong athletics
The San Leandro Unified School District is smaller than many others in the Bay Area, with just 12 total schools. The district received an overall B rating from Niche and an A-minus in college prep. In addition, Niche gave the district an A-plus in diversity and named it the 8th most diverse district in California. San Leandro High is the only high school, it has earned a B rating from Niche and is named a Bay Area Standout school. The athletics department is highly ranked by Niche, and alumni have gone on to play professional baseball, soccer, basketball and football.
San Leandro High School is known for the only comprehensive high school in the San Leandro.
Bancroft Middle School provides a comprehensive program that supports all learners.
Halkin Elementary provides dual language immersion program for their San Leandro students.
Jefferson Elementary School is one of the top elementary schools in San Leandro.
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Award-winning local dining, shopping, events and festivals
While there are other shopping districts in San Leandro, most unique boutique stores are in the downtown district. The downtown area is home to over 65 unique restaurants, many of which are locally owned eateries with a diverse mix of cuisines. Breweries, Japanese eateries, and diners line the pedestrian-packed sidewalks. Toy shops, flower shops and specialty markets are joined by other quaint shops. Some highly rated downtown restaurants include Paradiso, a fine Italian dining establishment that was awarded the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence for 2024. Top Hatters Kitchen and Bar is another award-winning spot, making the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top Restaurant List from 2021-2024, along with Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition. The San Leandro Farmers Market is a huge draw to the city, taking place from April to October in front of the San Leandro Main Library. It features fresh produce, local artisan goods and live music. For more extensive shopping outside of downtown, there’s the Marina Square Center. It’s one of the top shopping outlets in the area and includes nationally known stores like Nordstrom Rack, Nike Outlet and a Gap Factory Outlet Store.
The Historic Bal Theatre is a significant historical art and entertainment asset to the community. It was built in 1945 as a modern art deco, 800-seat community-based movie palace and performing arts center. Now, along with classic films, it hosts lectures and fund-raisers. Another prominent cultural establishment is the San Leandro Performing Arts Center. This 552-seat, state-of-the-art theatre hosts numerous performances throughout the year, including plays, ballets and concerts. Downtown is home to the community’s annual events, including the famous San Leandro Cherry Festival. First held in 1909, the Cherry Festival celebrates the city with a parade, live entertainment, and, of course, a cherry pie eating contest. Downtown also hosts holiday parades, an Oktoberfest and artisan markets throughout the year.
Enjoy beer tasting, live music at the Oktoberfest in Old San Leandro.
The parade is the fun part of the San Leandro Cherry Festival.
All produce from San Leandro Bayfair Farmers' Market are grown in California.
BAL Theatre’s timeless appeal makes it a San Leandro treasure for film and live events.
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Golfing and shoreline hiking in the East Bay
San Leandro has plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors, with 23 parks and recreation facilities. One such park is Marina Park, located on San Leandro’s shoreline. The 30-acre park has playground areas, open space and a walking trail along the water. The park also features a city-sponsored par 3 golf course. Another popular park is the Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline. Just to the south is Monarch Bay Golf Club, which has a pair of championship courses with views of the Bay. The marina provides easy access for locals who want to get their boats or kayaks out on the water. Just outside the city is Lake Chabot and Lake Chabot Regional Park, which offers excellent fishing, biking trails and even more golf courses.
Marina Faire golfers at Monarch Bay can enjoy picturesque views of the San Francisco Bay.
Residents of East Castro Valley have easy access to the Lake Chabot bicycle loops.
Oyster Bay Regional Shoreline offers scenic fishing spot and Bay views in San Leandro.
From ice-cream to scenic trails, Marina Park has it all.
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Mild weather and crime near the state average
San Leandro mostly experiences a dry, warm climate with a short, cool, wet winter. In the warm season, the weather averages a low of 54 degrees and a high of 71 degrees. In the cooler seasons, the temperature averages are a low of 44°F and a high of 57°F. Approximately 33 days of the year are expected to be hotter than 80 degrees, which gives San Leandro a moderate heat index factor.
Violent crime rates are just under the California average but have seen a slow and steady decline in San Leandro. Since 2017, violent crime reports have decreased by 5%. On the flip side, property-related crime has seen a 19% increase over the past decade and is slightly higher than the state and national averages. The city has neighborhood watch programs and uses Nixle 360, a service that allows residents to report a crime in real-time via text messages, email and phone calls.
Major highways and light rail options
The San Leandro BART Station is a prominent public transportation option, offering light rail routes to all of the Bay Area’s major locations. The Almeda County Transit bus system also serves the city and has stops throughout San Leandro. Multiple major highways in the area make travel to larger cities convenient. Interstate 880 leads to Oakland, 10 miles away, while Interstate 80 leads to San Francisco, 22 miles away. However, I-80 is known to have high traffic, so driving into San Francisco can take as much as an hour. For both domestic and international flights, the San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport is conveniently just five miles away. The Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center is the largest hospital in the city, located on the eastern side of San Leandro, a few miles from downtown. The hospital was awarded America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Surgical Excellence Award™ in 2022 and 2023 by Healthgrades.
The future of San Leandro
The city is working hard on ways to improve the quality of life for the citizens of San Leandro in the future. Planners have developed the San Leandro Next initiative, which will create business development and opportunities. San Leandro is committed to becoming a smart city that uses high-speed internet technology and connectivity to improve education, public health and transportation. Plans are in place to create more parking availability near the downtown district and widen the roads to prevent bottleneck traffic. Another initiative will turn currently unused waterfront property into a lively center for locals to gather. The shoreline will see housing, entertainment and dining options sprout up near the marina. The 500,000-square-foot San Leandro Tech Campus is currently near completion and will bring hundreds of jobs into the area.
Written By
Britni Petersen
Photography Contributed By
Anita Shin
Video By
Timothy Cerva
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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On average, homes in San Leandro, CA sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in San Leandro, CA over the last 12 months is $850,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautifully updated upper-level condo in well-maintained community offering a bright and welcoming space that feels instantly like home. The spacious living room features vaulted ceilings and sliding door that opens to a balcony - perfect for morning coffee. The kitchen has been tastefully remodeled with quartz counters, lots of counter space and new refrigerator (2024). The large primary suite
Welcome to this charming 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom home located in the vibrant city of San Leandro. This residence offers a cozy and functional layout with 1,236 sq ft of living space. The kitchen is a standout feature, boasting granite countertops and a gas oven range, perfect for culinary enthusiasts. The flooring throughout the home includes classic hardwood and tile, adding both style and
Welcome to 2459 Jamaica Way, a truly solid, well-maintained home that offers the perfect foundation for long-term living in San Leandro's highly desirable and well-established Marina Faire neighborhood. This is more than a starter house; it's a neat, turn-key property built with pride of ownership evident in every detail. The single-story layout features 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms across 1,414
Beautifully updated upper-level condo in well-maintained community offering a bright and welcoming space that feels instantly like home. The spacious living room features vaulted ceilings and sliding door that opens to a balcony - perfect for morning coffee. The kitchen has been tastefully remodeled with quartz counters, lots of counter space and new refrigerator (2024). The large primary suite
Exceptional single-story residence located west of I-880 near San Leandro’s marina and golf course. This thoughtfully designed home blends timeless comfort with modern updates, featuring formal living and dining areas along with a welcoming family room anchored by a wood-burning fireplace. The galley-style kitchen impresses with granite countertops, designer tile backsplash, skylight, and a sink
Just Finishede Updating this nice 2 Bedroom home. Previously updated Kitchen features Wood finished Cabinets Granite Counters, Gas Stove. Laundry room just off kitchen with access door to backyard and 1 car garage. Additional room off living room possible bedroom. Fruit trees in back yard. Move-in condition just waiting for new owners.
Rarely available Old San Leandro neighborhood home with an attached studio. Classic home in the heart of San Leandro with tremendous curb appeal and low maintenance front & back yards. Features three large bedrooms, formal living room, eat-in-kitchen, family room, approximately 1800 square feet of living space. Large yard with side access and tremendous off street parking. Located minutes from
Discover Metro 77 & 85, a vibrant community in SanLeandro, CA, offering studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homesdesigned for contemporary living. With a prime location near top employers likeKaiser Permanente, Alameda US Naval Air Station, and Willow Rock Center, ourcommunity provides the perfect balance of convenience and comfort. At Metro 77 & 85, residents enjoy a
Wonderful, 2,000 sqft home with one large master bedroom, three good-sized guest bedrooms, backyard and balcony access in the highly sought-after San Leandro Bay O Vista neighborhood, conveniently located near downtown San Leandro. With its eateries, grocery store, bakery, and much more. All utilities, excluding internet/cable service, are included. There is street parking in front of the home,
Perched on quiet, winding streets in the hills of San Leandro, the suburban oasis of Bay-O-Vista offers a wealth of mid-century homes with views of the San Francisco Bay and San Leandro Hills. It’s placed at the precipice of Lake Chabot, a blue lake surrounded by a sprawling natural preserve. “The name says it all. People there want to enjoy views of the Bay," says Realtor Antonio Cardenas of Real Estate eBroker. "And the most prestigious views are those of the San Francisco skyline. That’s the one everyone wants."
The homes in Bay-O-Vista were built in the 1960s on curving streets and steep slopes. Sturdy ranches on mid-sized lots come with attached garages, landscaped yards and the occasional glimmering backyard swimming pool. Larger custom homes are peppered throughout the neighborhood, and many of these dwellings have large front windows to take advantage of the viewshed. “From some homes, you can look out from your kitchen window and see the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge,” Cardenas says. Homes in the neighborhood typically sell between $600,000 and $800,000 or $1 million and $2 million, depending on the size of the house, the view and whether it’s been renovated.
For outdoor relaxation and activities, locals head to Hill Crest Knolls Park, a community park with a wide-open green space, basketball courts and a playground. At the other end of the neighborhood, residents can take advantage of the leafy hiking trails at Chabot Park, a 10-acre woodland park with towering trees at the edge of Lake Chabot. To the east is easy access to hiking and biking trails around Lake Chabot Regional Park, a massive, 5,000-acre preserve with eucalyptus- and chaparral-covered slopes surrounding the glistening blue lake. For an afternoon by the pool, residents bring sunblock and beach towels to Bay-O-Vista Swim & Tennis Club, a family-owned facility with a pool, tennis courts and a gym.
Students can attend Roosevelt Elementary School, which has a B-plus rating on Niche, followed by Bancroft Middle School, which earns a B-minus. Students at Bancroft can enroll in the school’s Dual Language Immersion Program, which allows students to complete their core curriculum while simultaneously learning to speak, read and write in another language. High schoolers can attend San Leandro High School, which has a B on Niche and is ranked in the top 100 high schools in the San Francisco metro area by U.S. News and World Report.
Bay-O-Vista may have little in the way of retail or restaurants, but it's only a 2-mile drive to downtown San Leandro. Locals can buy groceries and everyday items at Safeway and CVS or grab a bite to eat at any of downtown's restaurants and breweries. At Fieldwork Brewing, locals gather at happy hour to enjoy a craft beer with friends. Nation's Giant Hamburgers & Great Pies serves residents oversized specialty burgers and all-day breakfast, while Café Sorriso is a cozy neighborhood dive offering coffee, pastries and Vietnamese sandwiches. For retail shopping, natives either stay around downtown or drive about 3 miles south to the Bayfair Center shopping mall, which has a movie theatre and many brand-name shops, like Target. For some San Leandro history, locals head to the district's northern edge. The corner of Estudillo Avenue and Hays Street features some of the city’s oldest landmarks, including the Little Brown Church, built in 1867, and the San Leandro History Museum.
Some Bay-O-Vista residents commute to Oakland and Greater San Francisco for work, which are 13 and 22 miles away, respectively. Bay-O-Vista is near Interstate 580, also known as the MacArthur Freeway, making for an easy drive around the East Bay. The nearest BART stops are San Leandro station, about 2 miles away, and Bay Fair station, about 3 miles away. For out-of-state travel, San Francisco International Airport is 30 miles away. The neighborhood is also home to Kindred Hospital, an acute care hospital.
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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.
