El Cerrito

The community was mostly agricultural land until the early 1900s.

Welcome to El Cerrito

Relaxed small city with spectacular views over the SF Bay

El Cerrito is a relaxed city with a small-town feel in Contra Costa County. Located in a scenic hilly area between Richmond, Berkeley, and the sprawling Tilden Nature Area, El Cerrito’s topography of rolling hillsides provides spectacular views across the Bay to San Francisco. The community was mostly agricultural land until the early 1900s. After the San Francisco Earthquake in 1906, many of those affected moved from SF to El Cerrito. Its real estate mix includes charming historic farmhouses and cottages as well as a wide variety of pre-war, mid-century, and contemporary single-family homes.

What to Love

  • Relaxed small-town feel 
  • Two BART stations
  • Spectacular SF Bay views 
  • Tilden Nature Area recreation

People & Lifestyle 

El Cerrito has two BART stations connecting the city to San Francisco and other East Bay communities. Many residents are highly educated technology professionals. The city is also home to numerous artists, designers, and other creatives. The local workforce has one of the highest rates of professionals working from home in the United States. This mix gives El Cerrito a lot of modern vibrancy—combined with its classic small-town atmosphere, this community offers an enticing blend of old and new.

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping 

San Pablo Avenue runs through the heart of El Cerrito and most commercial development is concentrated along it. Laid-back Mexican cantina Los Moles Beer Garden is a popular choice for tasty tacos and a drinks menu featuring tequila, beer, and many more options. Other businesses along San Pablo Avenue include a mix of independent restaurants and retailers and national chains. El Cerrito Natural Grocery Company is your go-to for fresh organic produce and gourmet specialty foodstuffs. El Cerrito Plaza is a large outdoor shopping center with retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, CVS Pharmacy, Petco, Ross Dress for Less, and Trader Joe’s. The classic 1930s Art Deco movie palace Cerrito Theater is a San Pablo Avenue landmark. Cerrito Theater offers a mix of the latest releases and off-beat screenings. Inside, guests can relax with high-quality meals and beer and wine brought to their seats. 

Things to Do

El Cerrito offers lots of green space. Tilden Nature Area spans 740 acres along El Cerrito’s eastern boundary. This expansive area contains ten miles of trails and diverse scenery. Its landscape includes woodlands, streams, creeks, and the picturesque former reservoir of Jewel Lake. Nestled within Tilden Nature Area, Wildcat Peak provides stunning panoramic views over the San Francisco Bay. You can also take part in educational programs at Tilden Nature Area Environmental Education Center and historic Little Farm. There are many other parks and nature spots within El Cerrito. The 102-acre Hillside Natural Area offers incredible views from trails winding through wetlands and woodlands surrounding an old quarry. 10.9-acre Canyon Trail Park has tennis courts, barbecue and picnic areas, ponds, a playground, and a clubhouse. The Ohlone Greenway runs through El Cerrito, providing access to a 4.5-mile biking and walking trail running from Richmond to Berkeley.

Schools

El Cerrito is served by the West Contra Costa Unified School District.

  • Harding Elementary, Public, K-6
  • Madera Elementary, Public, K-6
  • Fred T. Korematsu Middle, Public, 7-8
  • El Cerrito High, Public, 9-12
  • Summit Public School K2, Public, Charter, 7-12

WORK WITH BEBE

Given her enormous credibility and stellar reputation within the community, you can be confident that representation with Bebe provides the broadest exposure and the strongest results.