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A Guide to Orinda, CA
A look at the City, Neighborhoods, Schools & More
CITIES, NEIGHBORHOOD & SCHOOLS
Welcome to Orinda, CA
Located in Contra Costa County, the city of Orinda is situated in a semi-rural valley on the east side of the Oakland/Berkeley Hills in the San Francisco Bay Area. The tree-studded hillsides of the 12.8-square-mile city contribute to its natural beauty. A family-oriented community, Orinda is surrounded by a picturesque natural setting that includes Tilden Regional Park, San Pablo Reservoir, Briones Open Space, and the Lafayette Reservoir. For parents of school-age children, Orinda schools are consistently ranked among the best in California. As of 2020, the city is home to approximately 20,136 people, many of which are affluent suburban professionals who commute to downtown Oakland, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek.
Orinda At-A-Glance
Situated immediately east of the Caldecott Tunnel on Highway 24, Orinda is also served by Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). Its location provides a more rustic landscape, and the community’s many parks and trails make it a popular destination for many Bay Area hikers and naturalists. Orinda residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. The Oakland hills often block the cool, foggy conditions that can be seen in Oakland and the inner bay. Neighboring cities include Berkeley, Oakland, Moraga, Lafayette, and Walnut Creek.
Orinda CA Real Estate
Orinda's lush rolling hills are dotted with well-maintained homes in beautiful natural surroundings, and most homes feature breathtaking views. From single-family homes in family-friendly neighborhoods to sprawling luxury estates in private gated communities, you're certain to find the perfect home for your lifestyle needs. As of 2021, the typical home value of homes in Orinda is $2,374,808 (seasonally adjusted and only includes the middle price tier of homes). Home values in Orinda have gone up 13.8% over the past year.
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Orinda's Economy
Strategically positioned, the city of Orinda offers easy access to major employment centers in the Bay Area.
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% |
| Recent Job Growth | 1.4% |
| Future Job Growth | 36.9% |
| Sales Taxes | 8.8% |
| Income Tax | 8.0% |
| Income per Capita | $99,090 |
| Household Income | $186,075 |
| Family Median Income | $233,684 |
Schools & Education
Orinda is proud of its top-ranking schools. The community has four elementary schools: Wagner Ranch Elementary, Sleepy Hollow Elementary, Glorietta Elementary, and Del Rey Elementary There is one middle school: Orinda Intermediate School. Together, these five schools make up the Orinda Union School District. High school students living in Orinda attend Miramonte High School, part of the Acalanes Union High School District. Both of these districts are noted for their academic excellence. The closest universities include the University of California-Berkeley, San Francisco State University, and California State University-East Bay.
Outdoor Recreation
Orinda’s many parks and trails make it a destination for Bay Area hikers and naturalists: The Orinda Community Center Park & Tennis Courts offers a large open grass area, two playground areas, picnic and barbecue areas, and three lighted tennis courts. Orinda borders Tilden Regional Park, a 2,079-acre park featuring hiking trails, a golf course, Lake Anza, and a carousel. Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area is a sizable park featuring a reservoir, hiking trails, and activities like fishing & boating. San Pablo Reservoir offers opportunities to get on the water or view the lake from hiking trails and picnic spots (boat launch & boat/ kayak rentals are available).
The Arts & Film
The historic Orinda Theatre is home to The California Independent Film Festival (CAIFF), a collaboration of multi-talented filmmakers. It celebrates diversity, human rights, and freedom of expression through an array of dramatic and comedic feature films, shorts, and moving documentaries. The California Shakespeare Theater (“Cal Shakes”) is a regional theater with a performance space, the Lt. G. H. Bruns III Memorial Amphitheater located in Orinda. The Theater’s conservatory operates throughout the year, featuring programs for children, teenagers, young actors, teachers, and adults.
Shopping
Orinda Theater Square offers premier shops, casual, yet upscale dining, health and beauty services, and all the latest movie releases at an iconic theater, located off Highway 24 in Orinda. Orinda Village Square includes Rite Aid, a bank, a bookstore, and several shops. There are also several major shopping malls in the Tri-Valley to choose from, including Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek, Blackhawk Plaza in Danville, Paragon Outlets Livermore Valley in Livermore, Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, and Sun Valley Mall in Concord.
Hospitals & Medical Centers
The closest hospitals/medical centers medical serving Orinda include John Muir Medical Group, Sutter Alta Bates Medical Center: Herrick Campus, Summit Hospital, and Alameda Health System Hospital
Transportation
State Highway 24 provides access to San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley via the Caldecott Tunnel running under the Berkeley Hills. The average one-way commute in Orinda takes 22 minutes. 71% of commuters drive their own car alone, 21% carpool with others, 1% take mass transit and 3% of residents work from home.
The County Connection transit agency provides bus service throughout the East Bay communities of Orinda, Alamo, Danville, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Lafayette, Moraga, Danville, and San Ramon. The nearest major airport is Oakland International Airport, located 18 miles from the center of Orinda. San Francisco International Airport is about a 29-mile drive away and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport is about 48 miles from town.
Public Transportation:
Orinda CA Homes for Sale
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