A quiet, yet conveniently located neighborhood minutes from the bay
Tara Hills, nestled into the suburban communities northwest of San Francisco near where San Pablo and San Francisco bays converge, offers an appealing place to settle down at an attractive price compared to the neighboring city that separates it from the bayfront. “The prices in Tara Hills are slightly lower than in Pinole, but you still get that Pinole feel,” says Roxanne Adams, a Realtor with eXp Realty who sold a home in the neighborhood in May 2023, “so a lot of people move there for that reason. It’s a nice little neighborhood that’s reasonably priced.” The attractive mix of midcentury homes populating quiet, truncated streets is broken up only by a pair of conveniently located schools – one public, one private. “You’re also close to all the shopping in Pinole,” adds Adams.
Find your forever home in Tara Hills, CA.
Tara Hills is located just minutes away from San Pablo Bay.
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Midcentury homes feature private driveways, attached garages and ample yard space
Ranch-style homes are prominent among the neighborhood’s established housing, which also includes midcentury-modern homes and their noticeable angular designs. The typical Tara Hills home includes a private driveway and attached garage, important features for a neighborhood that does not offer access to public transportation. “The houses are cute, mostly three-bedroom, 2-bath single-level homes with big yards,” says Adams. “A lot of families live there.” Given the prevalence of traditional ranch homes, the occasional multi-level home stands out. Prices typically range from the high 400,000s to the high 700,000s. Homeowners enjoy an additional benefit when it comes to purchasing a home in Tara Hills instead of Pinole or San Pablo, another other nearby city. “It’s unincorporated, so you don’t have to deal with the city for renovations or other work on your home.”
One of the many California Ranchers dotting the streets of Tara Hills.
A nicely manicured lawn and landscaping surround this charming California Rancher in Tara Hills.
One of the many styles of homes in the Tara Hills neighborhood is Craftsman.
Craftsman style homes in Tara Hills are predominant.
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Nieghborhood includes a public elementary and a specialized private school
Students can attend Tara Hills Elementary, a C-minus-rated school by Niche located in the neighborhood, nearby Pinole Middle, a C-rated school, and Pinole Valley High, a B-rated school that offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate program. The neighborhood also is home to the Spectrum Center School Tara Hills Campus, a state-certified private school that specializes in serving students with special needs.
An elevated view of Tara Hills Elementary School in San Pablo.
Tara Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school located in the San Pablo, California.
The Spectrum Center School, Tara Hills Campus, is a state-certified special needs school.
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Plenty of nearby retail and dining options are available
Tara Hills’ residential focus means that residents don’t have to deal with the traffic that normally accompanies large commercial areas, yet the community is surrounded by retail and dining options. Just outside the neighborhood, Safeway anchors the small Pinole Square shopping center, which also includes China Delights, a popular local restaurant. Target, T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods are featured stops among the many stores that are found at the nearby Pinole Vista Crossing shopping mall. The Original Mel’s Diner, known for creative treats such as cotton candy shakes, highlights the array of nearby eateries concentrated along the Interstate 80 corridor.
Tara Hills residents can shop at Pinole Square.
Pinole Square is home to many department stores including Target.
Tara Hills residents can find tasty Chinese food at China Delights.
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I-80 provides convenient commutes to nearby metropolitan areas
The neighborhood is partially bordered by I-80, which connects directly to the outskirts of Oakland about 10 miles away, and from there residents can easily access San Francisco about 5 miles across the bay. Bus stops and park-and-ride locations are located along I-80 in either direction, and the BART commuter rail station in Richmond is only 7 miles away. “So whether you want to drive or take public transportation, you have access to the major employment hubs in the Bay Area, and that’s another factor in what makes the area attractive,” says Adam Dobrinich, a Realtor with Exp Realty who lives in nearby Pinole. San Pablo Avenue and Richmond Parkway also border the neighborhood, allowing for convenient travel throughout the nearby cities and suburbs.
Tara Hill residents can commute easily on highway I-80.
Find your forever home in Tara Hills, CA.
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Bayfront recreation is a highlight of the many nearby options
Hilltop Lake Park adjacent to the neighborhood features walking trails around the lake, while larger recreation centers are found just north along the shores of San Pablo Bay. Point Pinole Regional Shoreline is a unique waterfront destination known for its walking trails and scenic views. A paved path popular with runners, bike riders and skaters winds its way alongside the iconic railroad tracks at Bayfront Park in neighboring Old Town Pinole. Visitors also can enjoy a relaxing stroll along the Pinole Creek Trail. Fernandez Park, also in Old Town Pinole, features children’s playscapes and traditional athletic amenities that include ballfields and basketball courts. It also is home to community events such as movie nights and an annual holiday festival.
The waterfront in Point Pinole Regional Park is breathtaking.
An elevated look at the Hilltop Lake Park in Tara Hills, California.
The San Francisco Bay Trail will take you to the waters edge for scenic water views.
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Written By
Alexander Hubbard
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Hipsley
Video By
Bill Jennings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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Well Maintained Home in Tara Hills Mobile Manor Senior Park • 2 Bedroom / 1 Bath 720 Sq Ft Mobile Home with Many Updates • Enjoy the Afternoon Breezes from the Golden Gate • Views to the Bay from the Hillside Location • Updated Kitchen and New Appliances • Newer Carpet & Linoleum Flooring Throughout • Newer Roof, Heater A/C & Wood Paneling • Large Side & Rear Yards with Workshop/Storage Shed •
Updated Mobile Home in Tara Hills Mobile Manor Senior Park • 2 Bedroom / 2 Bath 1,200 Sq Ft Recently Newly Renovated Home • Large Front Porch & Rear Yard with Brick Patio • Enjoy the Afternoon Breezes from the Golden Gate • New Luxury Vinyl Laminate Flooring Throughout • Updated Baths with New Shower, Toilets, Counters & Sink • Updated Kitchen with Newer Refrigerator, Cooktop, Oven & Disposal •
Move-In ready home! Substantial major updates of 150K worth. Designed for full comfort and peace of mind. For luxury, comfort, and calm seekers: private spa-style shower, jetted bathtub, and serene backyard retreat to recharge. Rest easy knowing the expensive major upgrades are also complete. Major Upgrades: Owned solar panels New electrical panel New flooring Sewer compliant Newly finished
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Come View this Grand Style Double Wide In The Tara Hills Senior mobile home park by San Pablo Bay! The Flowing Floor Plan includes Master Bedroom and Master Bath, Guest Bedroom and Guest Bath, Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Refreshment Bar, Laundry Closet and Formal Entry Way! Enjoy Outside Relaxation on the Spacious Side Porch Deck and Low Maintenance Side Yard and Vinyl Storage Shed!
Coming to Bella Vista at Hilltop is like coming home. Our newly-renovated apartments feature one and two-bedroom layouts, enjoy the panoramic view of the San Pablo Bay from your new penthouse. Our residents will enjoy extravagant interior features like hardwood cabinets, brushed nickel accents, inviting wood-burning fireplaces*, full-size washers/dryers in each home with convenient built-in
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