so many ways to commute—including the ferry!
East Bay curious? Explore a few of our wonderful communities.
I’ve lived in the East Bay for many many years, all over the East Bay in fact, as well as San Francisco and Silicon Valley. So you’ve found a real estate agent with first-hand, real-life knowledge!
East Bay towns from Alameda to Richmond (and beyond) are along the water in an area loosely known as the “Inner East Bay.” These cities — mostly in Alameda County — have a few things in common, especially the most desirable real estate feature: “Location, location, location!” Here’s what makes all of these towns really great:
- Location! Proximity to several forms of transportation — BART, car, bus, ferry, bike…and more! The 51A & B bus route starts at the Berkeley Marina and ends many miles away at Fruitvale BART, with a transfer at Rockridge BART. When home shopping, those working in SF should explore Transbay bus lines — remarkably fast!
- Location! Near nature, both hiking in the hills and trails by the Bay
- Location! Endless great shops, fitness clubs, museums, world-class hospitals, community colleges, cultural venues, cafes and restaurants
- Excellent, temperate Mediterranean weather, thanks to Bay breezes
- Beautiful and historic architecture, from industrial to Craftsman bungalows to just-built modern. All have tight-knit community vibes and community activities and groups for everyone.
ALAMEDA: SMALL TOWN living NEAR EVERYTHING
From beaches to beer, small-town vibes, and a 20-minute ferry and bus commute to San Francisco, there’s a reason the island of Alameda is so hot. It’s got everything from great grocery, small-town parades and the beach to sought-after schools. You feel like you’re far away. Yet Oakland and the airport are just a few minutes drive. Better yet, the ferry makes commuting a 30-minute vacation-like hop. Ask me all about why Alameda is a great place to live for commuters.
Costco lovers: You can take surface streets to the Costco in San Leandro!
ALBANY & KENSINGTON: CHARMING TOWNS NORTH OF BERKELEY
Enjoy small-town vibes in the little villages of Albany and Kensington just north of Berkeley. Kensington (with a fantasic farmers market) is more in the hills above Albany and parts of El Cerrito. Why am I clumping them together? Because many home shoppers do! Albany’s gently rolling residential streets, some adjacent to Berkeley’s coveted Thousand Oaks area, are home to charming bungalows, beautiful trees, and smaller homes of every vintage. Solano Ave. is a delightful shopping street with annual festivals. One stretch I especially love features the fantastic Starter Bakery, Star Pizza AND 3 Tacos and Beer Mexican food!
BERKELEY: exceptional living IN BEAR TERRITORY
Culture, food, nature, beautiful homes and access to top-ranked UC Berkeley keep Berkeley perennially popular for residents and investors alike. Its attraction for changemakers, learners, startups, and tech workers has led to skyrocketing real estate prices. It’s a conundrum that most longtime homeowners often can’t think of anywhere they’d rather live! Berkeley was voted Healtiest City in 2025, to boot.
While Berkeley might seem like a big city, it is really only a couple of miles long. In fact, I often walk from Rockridge to North Berkeley, passing through campus!
EL CERRITO: THE LITTLE LIVABLE TOWN WITH SURPRISING VIEWS
North of Berkeley and Albany you’ll find mid-century homes and cottages, many with SF Bay views, all near BART. The easy living in El Cerrito is being discovered — and property values have skyrocketed since the pandemic. El Cerrito has the amazing El Cerrito Natural Grocery store which has a wonderful cafe. You can take surface streets from El Cerrito to Berkeley…as well as to the Richmond Costco and Point Isabel Dog Park.
EMERYVILLE: INDUSTRIAL HISTORY MEETS SHOPPING BLISS BY THE BAY
Adjacent to North-west Oakland, Emeryville features hip loft conversions, condos by the Bay, and lots of Victorian homes. Water views, bay breezes, a marina and nearby freeways make Emeryville popular with locals and commuters alike — not to mention biking paths, fantastic local jobs (Pixar!), Trader Joe’s, Arizmendi (like the Cheese Board), and Ikea. In 2026 the Bay Area went wild over the new Tokyo Central market.
OAKLAND: THE BAY AREA’S NOT SO HIDDEN SECRET, with something for everyone
Whatever your lifestyle, Oakland’s got a neighborhood to fit—from quiet and forested homes in the hills (so many Mid-century!) to central Craftsman and Victorians to urban lofts and condos by Lake Merritt and Jack London Square (a ferry’s ride to SF and Marin!).
Where to live or buy investment property in Oakland depends on your priorities and goals. As a longtime Oaklander and homeowner in Rockridge, Oakland’s popular foodie neighborhood, I especially love helping people discover Oakland in all its diverse glory.
PIEDMONT: the east bay’s answer to san francisco’s pacific heights
An enclave of luxury living (with a small-town feel) and schools give Piedmont its well-deserved reputation. It’s sort of like Beverly Hills is to Los Angeles, its own town next to a city. Folks moving from San Francisco or Silicon Valley often ask if they should be looking in Piedmont instead of nearby Oakland neighborhoods such as Crocker Highlands, Montclair or the Rose Garden. As with any answer, it depends!
RICHMOND to PINOLE: towns along the bay where you can
Located in Contra Costa County, Richmond, on a BART line with a ferry to SF, has an amazing WWII history and beautiful pockets. The historic town of Point Richmond mixes historic Victorians and glorious Bay View homes. (Many cool duplexes pop up there!) Condo developments at Brickyard Cove and Marina Bay also highlight Bay-side outdoor-centric living. Just beyond, El Sobrante (a homesteader’s paradise), Pinole, San Pablo, Hercules and more have wonderfully low-key, diverse neighborhoods, open spaces, and locations central for commutes East, North and South.
Costco lovers: Richmond may have the best Costco in the country, located steps from the West’s biggest outdoor dog park, Point Isabel, which is on the Bay!!!
SAN LEANDRO: a wonderful community with a heritage of farming and food factories
Temperate weather, many huge lots, and a friendly community make San Leandro a wonderful town in between Silicon Valley and Berkeley. Agent Susie herself moved there at one point, to be in between those places. The Ghirardelli Chocolate factory is located there! San Leandro has a thriving downtown area with a variety of shops, restaurants, and an outlet mall by 880. I love the library there that has a new cafe run by As Kneaded Bakery. Its incredible weather and terrain make it a gardening paradise.
Costco lovers and those needing airport access: Just a couple miles from downtown are a Costco and the Oakland airport!
THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE EAST BAY ICEBERG!
Let’s match your lifestyle to a place you’ll love.
Throw me your “find the perfect place” challenge (like this East Bay-curious home buyer did).