Rockridge

 

Rockridge is what many consider the ideal Oakland neighborhood. With its "let's get outside" atmosphere, this neighborhood has an exemplary public transportation system combined with a very pedestrian-friendly layout, making commuting easy and local exploration fun and relaxing. BART and bus lines run through the community, and several freeways feed you to the Caldecott Tunnel, Bay Bridge, East I-580, and South I-880.

 

Living here, you are definitely in the mix and close to it all. Rockridge is known for its fine dining and eclectic restaurant scene, boutiques, and pubs. College Avenue in the evening is a wonderful place to be greeted with the glow of thriving restaurants, the chatter of friends gathering, and the gentle hum of BART. College Avenue boasts many restaurants, cafes, vintage and collectible shops, as well as the only Dreyer's Ice Cream parlor, attracting locals and tourists alike. Established streets are lined with appealing bungalows and pre-war homes with wood built-ins, vintage details, and expansive gardens. Many of the wonderfully restored homes that make up Rockridge real estate date from the first decade of the 20th century to the 50s, with some of the earliest reaching back to 1909. The Arts and Crafts-style home, however, is the architectural poster child for this area. Clinker brick chimneys, half-timbered or cedar shingled facades, beamed ceilings, and dark oak built-ins are characteristic of many of the fine old residences in this neighborhood.

 

An active district association hosts holiday and community events and many other opportunities that encourage a strong and cohesive neighborhood. Local art galleries and a handful of commendable public and alternative schools ensure there is something for everyone in this neighborhood. This is the perfect spot for balancing an urban lifestyle with the enjoyment of a backyard.