San Lorenzo is a quiet Bay Area suburb wedged between the San Francisco Bay and Interstate 880, offering waterfront views and access to cities beyond its borders. But the biggest draw to this census-designated place is its kind, friendly neighbors. “I’ve lived there my entire life. It’s super easy to know places and know people,” says Natalie Castle, the administrative assistant at the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a big community spirit, and we all band together. The Lorenzo Theater caught fire a while back, and the community banded together, and we were like, ‘We want to save this.’ Watching us be proud and love the spirit of our tiny little area is cute to see.”
Just under 30,000 people call San Lorenzo home. The area was farmland in the 19th and 20th centuries, producing fruit and flowers. In the middle of the 20th century, construction started on a development known as San Lorenzo Village, featuring tract homes, churches, schools and retail centers. Today, this community offers a quiet place to live in the bustling Bay Area, with active parks, local restaurants and convenient access to several highways for commuting to jobs around the region.
San Lorenzo offers a variety of amenities nearby including parks, schools and shopping.
San Lorenzo boasts serene waterfront views for peaceful and picturesque living.
San Lorenzo blends suburban charm with easy I-880 access for convenient travel.
The Lorenzo Theater is a highlights of San Lorenzo's community's rich history and charm.
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Staff and customers know each other at local San Lorenzo restaurants
Much of San Lorenzo is residential, but Hesperian Boulevard has several local and chain restaurants, including several varieties of Asian cuisine. “My favorite Chinese place of all time is called Hunan. I’ve been going there basically since I was born. We know the people, so we can order like ‘I want this Natalie’s way,’” Castle says. Other spots include Mexican food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants serving Vietnamese and Indian food. Just north of the community, Greenhouse Marketplace is a shopping center with chain restaurants, plus stores like Safeway, JOANN Fabric and Foodmaxx. Southland Mall is about 3 miles away and has a Macy’s, JCPenney and Hobby Lobby. Target and Walmart are also nearby.
San Lorenzo residents enjoy convenient shopping at the local Walmart on Hesperian Boulevard.
Safeway in Greenhouse Marketplace provides San Lorenzo residents with easy, reliable shopping.
Hunan Chinese Restaurant in San Lorenzo is the go-to spot for authentic Chinese flavors.
San Lorenzo’s R&D Café is the perfect spot for pho, banh mi, and delicious Vietnamese coffee.
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Midcentury homes in the East Bay
San Lorenzo's housing is primarily made up of midcentury houses from the 1940s to 1950s, with some from the early 1920s. Ranch-style homes are the most common, built close together on suburban streets. Craftsmans and modern townhouses can also be found throughout the community. The median housing price is around $850,000, up 3% over the past year. That price is lower than the nearby cities of Hayward and Union City but is similar to the prices in San Leandro. Reasonably priced homes are rare. “There’s a huge lack of inventory. Normal inventory would be about 70 to 90 properties for sale. I think it’s down around 25 or 30,” says Dan Ryan, a Realtor with RE/MAX Accord who has sold in the area for over 40 years. “If you price it correctly, it sells within days.”
San Lorenzo townhomes offer modern living with low-maintenance charm and convenience.
San Lorenzo homes blend suburban tranquility with modern conveniences.
Discover classic ranch-style living in the welcoming neighborhoods of San Lorenzo.
Spacious yards and timeless designs define homes in San Lorenzo.
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Community parks throughout San Lorenzo and along the Bay
San Lorenzo has several parks that make it easy to enjoy the area’s moderate weather. San Lorenzo Community Center Park features baseball fields, basketball courts, a playground and a large pond with walking trails. Mervin Morris Park, named after the founder of the former department store Mervyn’s, has tennis courts, baseball fields, a playground and a skate park. The Hayward Regional Shoreline, accessed from Grant Avenue, is operated by the East Bay Regional Park District. This waterfront park has five miles of gravel trails along the shore and is a popular spot for birdwatching and fishing.
San Lorenzo Community Park offers plenty of outdoor activities.
Enjoy waterfront views at Hayward Regional Shoreline just minutes away from San Lorenzo.
Marvin Morris Park located in San Lorenzo offers a variety of features for skaters of all levels.
Via Toledo Park is a 2-acre park with a playground, basketball court and more in San Lorenzo.
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A long legacy of education in San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo Unified School District serves the community and receives a B-minus rating from Niche. The district was founded in 1859 and is one of the oldest in the state. It serves nearly 8,500 students and offers early college programs that allow for tuition-free college credits. Students entering their freshman year of high school can also join a small learning community based on their career aspirations. These programs include electives, clubs, field trips and internships to help with career exploration.
Grant Elementary School in San Lorenzo is committed to academic excellence.
San Lorenzo High School has a wonderful football field located in Ashland, San Leandro CA.
Great School rates Bohannon Middle School at a 5.
KIPP King Collegiate High School scores a A on Niche.
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Getting around the Bay Area
Several highways near San Lorenzo make getting around the Bay Area easy. Interstate 880 passes through the community, while Interstates 238 and 580 are nearby. State Route 92 is just south of the area, offering a route west across the San Francisco Bay to San Mateo. The closest Bay Area Rapid Transit station is the Bay Fair station in San Leandro, which is on the Orange, Green and Blue lines. Riders can use this station to get to San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose or Pleasanton. Two AC Transit bus routes also operate in San Lorenzo, providing public transit throughout the community and to Hayward, Union City and Castro Valley. The closest hospital is the Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Medical Center, about 4 miles away.
Crime and environmental risks in San Lorenzo
The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services for San Lorenzo. Data from the sheriff’s office shows a recent 7% increase in property crimes in the greater Castro Valley area, which includes San Lorenzo. According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent crime throughout Alameda County is higher than the state and national rates. In contrast, property crime is lower than the statewide rate but about even with the national average.
All of Alameda County, including San Lorenzo, faces environmental risks such as drought and wildfires. To combat these hazards, the county is currently updating its Community Climate Action Plan and Safety Element.
Lorissa Bergamin – Your Trusted Bay Area Real Estate Expert
A proud Bay Area native, Lorissa Bergamin has called Vallejo home for over 30 years. As a top-producing Realtor® since 2014 and a passionate musician, she thrives on connecting with people—whether she’s helping clients buy and sell homes, performing at local venues, or networking across the region.
Lorissa believes that real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about building relationships. She takes the time to understand her clients’ unique needs, ensuring a seamless and rewarding experience. By collaborating with agents, lenders, appraisers, and inspectors, she skillfully negotiates every deal with professionalism, respect, and integrity.
With extensive market knowledge and a results-driven approach, Lorissa is dedicated to securing top dollar for sellers and helping buyers find their perfect home at the best possible price. What makes Vallejo special to her? Its rich diversity, historic charm, beautiful architecture, and unbeatable location. Situated at the top of the Bay Area, Vallejo offers easy access to San Francisco, Napa, Marin, Sacramento, and Silicon Valley—all within an hour’s drive.
Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or invest, Lorissa Bergamin is ready to guide you every step of the way.
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.
