Berkeley

It's a city full of beauty and innovation of thought, a place to start a family, an art studio, or a revolution.

Welcome to Berkeley

A place to create the kind of life you want to live – where art meets life, and life meets art.

Some may know the city for its university or the activists who have marched its pavements, but Berkeley offers so much more. It's nestled between greenery and the ocean, full of vibrant neighborhoods and busy city streets. Lovers of nature flock here for its breathtaking hikes and expansive parks. Of course, that doesn't mean that it's a remote or always quiet place.

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Commuters can get to San Francisco by car or BART in about 25 minutes, and it's half that time to get to Oakland. There's no need to go beyond the city limits to have a great time, though. Berkeley has annual festivals for art, music, and culture. Its food scene showcases the diversity of the city. Foodies can enjoy farm-to-table vegan eats, a sake factory, the Gourmet Ghetto, and acclaimed chefs throughout the town. Those who love walking about downtown neighborhoods will love Shattuck Avenue, close to the University of California at Berkeley, and the infamous Telegraph Avenue, where throngs of students roam. It's a city full of beauty and innovation of thought, a place to start a family, an art studio, or a revolution.

What to Love

  • Vibrant and passionate community 

  • Connecting with nature, hiking in the local woods, or walking the bay's shoreline
  • Over 350 restaurants, cafĂ©s, breweries, and dinners with mouthwatering cuisine
  • Short commute to San Francisco or Oakland
  • Incredible theater and music performances

Local Lifestyle

The local lifestyle is very diverse in Berkeley. It's a community that has inspired political movements, dynamic art, and new ways of thought. The community in Berkeley has old roots that grow stronger every year. It is a vibrant community made evident by the many shops and restaurants representing different cultures. This is a place where great community can be found and education is highly revered.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Berkeley is known for its food. Whether one prefers the laid-back setting of a diner, the quiet ambiance of a café, or the dazzling experience of fine dining restaurants and prefixed menus, there's something for everyone to enjoy. It's a place where trying new restaurants is easy because there are so many, and the experience is almost always amazing.
 
One can taste the renowned creations of chef Alice Waters at Chez Panisse with a menu that changes daily. For the vegans and those who prefer farm-to-table fares, Gather is the perfect place to meet. The ambiance is lovely, and the food is even better.
 
For an experience of authenticity, there's Ippuku, a Japanese restaurant people proclaim to be akin to the gastropubs of Tokyo. Of course, that's not the only mouthwatering and genuine Asian cuisine to find in the city. A must-try is the outdoor dining and delicious food at La Marcha Tapas Bar and Standard Fare, serving fresh and organic ingredients.

You can head to Gregoire for French sandwiches and casual fares that comfort and warm the belly. Enjoy the daily pizza at The Cheeseboard Collective. For a delicious vegetarian sandwich or just a plate of vegan meats and cheeses, there's nowhere like the Butcher's Son. When you feel like cooking at home, the bustling farmer's market full of local produce, cheeses, and nuts has you covered.

Things to Do

All year long, there are plenty of things to do in Berkeley. It is home to the Bay Area Book Festival, where book lovers meet their favorite authors and fall for incredible new works of literature. The Berkeley World Music Festival introduces attendants to music from around the globe, new and old, mesmerizing, and body moving. There's the Kite Festival, the Chocolate Festival, and Solano Avenue Stroll, the largest festival in the East Bay. Berkeley is also a premier place to celebrate Juneteenth and connect with the community at large.
 
Berkeley's not all festivals, though, there's Adventure Playground, considered one of the best playgrounds in the San Francisco Bay area. Strolling the Botanical Gardens, the Rose Gardens, or hiking Fire Trails or Claremont Canyon are activities Berkeley residents enjoy often. The many art and anthropology museums, the historical library, and Lawrence Hall of Science keep residents engaged and captivated with traveling exhibits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Berkeley Real Estate Trends

The real estate market in Berkeley, CA, is currently characterized by high demand and limited supply, a common trend in many desirable Bay Area cities. This imbalance has led to competitive housing markets where multiple offers and bidding wars are the norms, especially for well-located properties. The presence of UC Berkeley adds a steady influx of students, faculty, and staff, contributing to strong rental demand. Home prices in Berkeley have steadily increased over the years, reflecting the city's popularity, its vibrant community, and the overall scarcity of available properties.

Property values in Berkeley have seen significant growth in recent years, driven by the area's high demand for housing and the limited availability of homes. The city's appeal to both professionals in the nearby San Francisco and Silicon Valley areas and academics associated with the university has kept the real estate market robust. Additionally, Berkeley's strict zoning laws and active community involvement in development issues have constrained new construction, further intensifying competition and pushing prices upward.

Berkeley is home to a diverse array of property types, reflecting its eclectic and historic character. The city features everything from charming Victorian and Craftsman homes to mid-century modern apartments and newer condominium developments. Single-family homes tend to dominate the more residential neighborhoods, while multi-family buildings are more common in areas closer to the university and downtown. Berkeley's architectural diversity is one of its defining features, offering something for every taste and lifestyle.

Potential homebuyers in Berkeley should be prepared for a competitive market environment, with properties often receiving multiple offers above the asking price. Buyers need to move quickly and decisively when they find a suitable property. It’s also important for buyers to be aware of Berkeley's unique building and zoning regulations, which can affect remodeling plans or property expansions. Understanding the rent control and tenant protection laws is crucial for investors or anyone considering renting out their property. Engaging with an experienced local realtor can provide invaluable guidance through the complexities of the Berkeley real estate market.

Berkeley can be a very good area for real estate investment, particularly for those interested in the rental market, due to the constant demand fueled by the university and the city’s proximity to major employment hubs. The market's resilience is supported by the ongoing influx of students and professionals, which ensures a steady rental demand. However, potential investors should be mindful of the city’s strict rent control laws, which can impact profitability and operating costs. Long-term capital appreciation has historically been strong in Berkeley, making it a potentially lucrative investment for those with a long-term strategy.

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Free Market Report

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Berkeley, CA

Market Report

Around The Area

Browse through the top rated businesses that Berkeley has to offer!

Schools In The Area

Check our schools near Berkeley complete with ratings and contact info.
Ruth Acty Elementary School 510-644-6298 Public KG-5
Willard Middle School 510-644-6330 Public 6-8
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle School 510-644-6360 Public 6-8
Berkeley High School 510-644-6120 Public 9-12
Ruth Acty Elementary School 510-644-6298 Public KG-5
Kensington Elementary School 510-231-1415 Public KG-6
Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier (BAM) 510-644-6225 Public KG-5
Thousand Oaks Elementary School 510-644-6368 Public KG-5
John Muir Elementary School 510-644-6410 Public KG-5
Rosa Parks Elementary School 510-644-8812 Public KG-5
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School 510-644-6290 Public KG-5
Malcom X Elementary School 510-644-6313 Public KG-5
Emerson Elementary School 510-644-6890 Public KG-5
Oxford Elementary School 510-644-6300 Public KG-5
Washington Elementary School 510-644-6310 Public KG-5
Cragmont Elementary School 510-644-8810 Public KG-5
Berkeley Rose Waldorf School 510-859-7679 Private PK-8
Walden Center & School 510-841-7248 Private KG-6
Berkwood Hedge School 510-883-6990 Private KG-6
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley 510-809-0602 Private PK-8
The Berkeley School 510-665-8800 Private KG-8
Bpc Upper School 510-529-2712 Private KG-8
Growing Light Montessori School of Kensington 515-527-1278 Private KG-TKG
Cedar Creek Montessori School 510-525-1377 Private PK-TKG
School of the Madeleine 510-526-4744 Private KG-8
Black Pine Circle School 510-845-0876 Private KG-8
Ruth Acty Elementary School 510-644-6298 Public KG-5
Willard Middle School 510-644-6330 Public 6-8
Berkeley Arts Magnet at Whittier (BAM) 510-644-6225 Public KG-5
Kensington Elementary School 510-231-1415 Public KG-6
Thousand Oaks Elementary School 510-644-6368 Public KG-5
Rosa Parks Elementary School 510-644-8812 Public KG-5
Sylvia Mendez Elementary School 510-644-6290 Public KG-5
John Muir Elementary School 510-644-6410 Public KG-5
Malcom X Elementary School 510-644-6313 Public KG-5
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle School 510-644-6360 Public 6-8
Emerson Elementary School 510-644-6890 Public KG-5
Oxford Elementary School 510-644-6300 Public KG-5
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School 510-644-6280 Public 6-8
Washington Elementary School 510-644-6310 Public KG-5
Cragmont Elementary School 510-644-8810 Public KG-5
East Bay School for Boys 510-621-3272 Private 6-8
Walden Center & School 510-841-7248 Private KG-6
Berkwood Hedge School 510-883-6990 Private KG-6
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley 510-809-0602 Private PK-8
The Berkeley School 510-665-8800 Private KG-8
Fusion Academy Berkeley 510-292-4104 Private 6-12
Black Pine Circle School 510-845-0876 Private KG-8
Bpc Upper School 510-529-2712 Private KG-8
School of the Madeleine 510-526-4744 Private KG-8
The Crowden School 510-559-6910 Private 3-8
Berkeley Rose Waldorf School 510-859-7679 Private PK-8
Willard Middle School 510-644-6330 Public 6-8
Longfellow Arts and Technology Middle School 510-644-6360 Public 6-8
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School 510-644-6280 Public 6-8
Berkeley Rose Waldorf School 510-859-7679 Private PK-8
East Bay School for Boys 510-621-3272 Private 6-8
The Berkeley School 510-665-8800 Private KG-8
Black Pine Circle School 510-845-0876 Private KG-8
Bpc Upper School 510-529-2712 Private KG-8
Fusion Academy Berkeley 510-292-4104 Private 6-12
Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley 510-809-0602 Private PK-8
Via Center 510-848-1616 Private 7-11
The Crowden School 510-559-6910 Private 3-8
School of the Madeleine 510-526-4744 Private KG-8
Berkeley High School 510-644-6120 Public 9-12
Berkeley Technology Academy 510-644-6159 Public 10-12
Bayhill High School 510-984-0599 Private 9-12
Maybeck High School 510-841-8489 Private 9-12
Bayhill High School 510-984-0599 Private 9-12
Fusion Academy Berkeley 510-292-4104 Private 6-12
Via Center 510-848-1616 Private 7-11

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