Oakland & Piedmont Real Estate Listings of Houses and Homes for Sale in Alameda County, California


	Oakland Houses for Sale

Oakland

Oakland

In 1200 BC, the Ohlone Indians first settled the land that would become Oakland. Several hundred years later, Spanish explorers visited the East Bay and established the Mission de San Jose in Fremont, extending Spanish jurisdiction over the area. Spain's king granted Luis Maria Peralta a 44,800-acre land grant in what is now Alameda County in 1820. The grant encompassed all of present-day Oakland, Piedmont and Berkeley.

In 1842, Peralta divided this land among his four sons. Antonio Maria Peralta had already built an adobe home in Oakland, which was later replaced by an Italianate frame house that is still standing today. The grand house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the main attraction of the Peralta Hacienda Historical Park. Oakland was incorporated in 1852.

During the California Gold Rush of the 1840s, Oakland was the mainland staging point for passengers and cargo traveling between the Bay and the Sierra foothills. Oakland today remains a bustling center of commerce due to its strategic location, shipyards, rail connections and temperate weather. Many major corporations have a presence in Oakland, such as Children's Hospital Oakland, Clorox, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Federal Express, Kaiser Permanente, Pacific Bell and Southwest Airlines.

The Oakland area is home to many exciting and beautiful attractions. Chabot Space & Science Center is nestled among 13 trail-laced acres of East Bay parkland, offering stunning views of the San Francisco Bay and the Oakland foothills. The Dunsmuir House & Gardens Historic Estate is a turn-of-the-century mansion in a secluded valley in the Oakland Hills. Preservation Park is a two-block site featuring renovated Victorian homes, park benches and street lamps set amid manicured lawns and lush foliage. Homes in Preservation Park represent the architectural history of Oakland. The park's 16 historic buildings currently house 45 businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Whatever your tastes, Oakland offers recreation and entertainment for everyone. Oakland's waterfront is perfect for yachting, sailing and other water sports. Lake Merritt is home to a wildlife refuge, rowing and a four-mile bike path close to shopping and fine dining in the city center.

Residents of Oakland have access to world-class cultural and entertainment venues. The Oakland Museum of California features the largest collection of art and cultural and historic artifacts in the state. The Oakland Zoo is situated in 525-acre Knowland Park. Of course, Oakland's professional sports teams - Athletics baseball, Golden State Warriors basketball and Raiders football - enjoy national success and recognition. The cultural center of San Francisco's East Bay, the city is home to the Oakland Ballet, the Oakland Civic Center, Paramount Theater of the Arts, the Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Alice Arts Center.

Oakland is a thriving waterfront city with an educated workforce, convenient transit and an oak-studded, park-like landscape. Renewal and redevelopment of the city has preserved its fine residential neighborhoods, and the community continues to progress while preserving its long and colorful history.

Piedmont

The city of Piedmont is located on land that was originally part of Don Luis Peralta's land grant. One portion of the grant became Oakland, and another became Berkeley; Piedmont is located on land that originally overlapped onto both grants. Early developer Walter Blair purchased 600 acres of land from the Peraltas in 1852. He built a dairy, a quarry, a hotel and an amusement park. He later sold 350 acres of his land to James Gamble, who gave the community its name.

The city of Piedmont has been an upscale residential enclave since its earliest days. Gamble's house and gardens alone covered an entire block in the 1880s - and his house was not even the largest in the fledgling city. The largest home was owned by Isaac and Sarah Requa and could be seen from the San Francisco Bay. By the 1920s, Piedmont had more millionaires per square mile than any other city in the country and was known, appropriately, as the "City of Millionaires."

Piedmont today remains an exclusive residential community, home to families of all shapes and sizes. With its excellent schools, variety of lush parks and recreational facilities, easy access to big-city amenities and charming small-town appeal, the city continues to draw residents of all ages.

Piedmont's nearly 3,000 students are served by the award-winning Piedmont Unified School District, which is renowned for its high test scores. In fact, student scores on achievement tests are among the highest in the state. Nearly 100% of graduates pursue post-secondary education. There are a number of outstanding colleges and universities nearby, including California State University campuses at Hayward and San Francisco, the University of California at Berkeley, and a number of fine community colleges including Vista College, Laney College, Merritt College and the College of Alameda.

Recreational options in Piedmont are diverse and numerous. The city is home to a number of fine parks, each boasting a variety of facilities. Piedmont Park - located at the geographic center of the city - encompasses 15 acres and offers tennis courts, a tot lot and panoramic views. The park also hosts a number of annual festivities, including concerts, a Fourth of July celebration and a holiday tree lighting. Dracena Park is a unique two-level facility with a children's play area and spacious lawns, while Crocker Park covers a colorful acre brimming with rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. Piedmont Sports Park is used for baseball, football and soccer games and also has tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. Linda Park features two tennis courts, children's play areas and a large grassy field.

The city offers a number of organized recreational programs for residents of all ages. The Schoolmates program offers childcare and recreation to school-age children, who enjoy arts and crafts, sports, games, and dance and drama programs. Scouting, choir, soccer and swimming are other popular options for the younger set. PLAY is a summer employment agency for middle and high school students, and senior citizens enjoy a number of activities through Piedmont Seniors and the Creative Retirement Center. The Piedmont Adult School provides a variety of classes such as cooking, exercise, arts and crafts and sports.