The tiny town of Piedmont is one of the wealthiest and prettiest cities in California, and for good reason. Excellent schools, stately homes, tree-lined streets, and a close-knit community make this the ideal place to settle down and raise a family. Although located inside the boundaries of Oakland, Piedmont is its own city and oversees its own schools, government, public services and taxes. The 11,000 residents enjoy the best of both worlds: small-town independence and the convenient access to all the big city amenities of San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, and upscale Walnut Creek just a short 20 minutes away. Homes that make up Piedmont real estate date mostly from the first half of the 20th century, with hundreds of unique and monumental estates of period revival style, as well as grand versions of the popular Craftsman bungalow. With a low density and a very residential character, the City of Piedmont has one small retail center. However, the shopping oasis of Piedmont Avenue is nearby, located just west of the city limits.
