Elmhurst Park, Oakland, CA

The neighborhood occupies a long, flat strip between the Union Pacific tracks on San Leandro Street and busy International Boulevard (Hwy 185). Interior lanes such as Ellington, Clement, and Dunbar are lined with 1920s-40s cottages and modest post-war ranches set behind low chain-link or wrought-iron fences. West of Hawley, residential blocks give way to small warehouses, trucking yards, and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, so the feel shifts quickly from quiet porches to forklift beeps and diesel rumble. Everyday services cluster on International Boulevard. Residents walk to a mercado, multiple taquerias, and a 24-hour gas mini-mart, though full-service groceries require a short drive north to Foothill Square or east to Bancroft. Inside the boundary there is no dedicated parkland—families typically head to Verdese Carter Park or Eula M. Brinson Park, both five minutes away by car. AC Transit’s Rapid bus on International offers frequent service to Coliseum and Fruitvale BART stations, but trains on the freight line and late-night traffic keep ambient noise levels high, especially for homes along San Leandro Street. Life here feels residential with an industrial edge. Long-time owners garden beside colorful new paint jobs, kids ride bikes on low-traffic mid-block segments, and church bells mix with the sounds of passing semis. Buyers are attracted by some of Oakland’s more affordable single-family prices and easy freeway access, yet should weigh limited green space, light industrial traffic, and varied upkeep from block to block.