Harrington, Oakland, CA

Harrington is a long, narrow rectangle of flat streets running between 34th and 42nd Avenues. Most blocks hold 1920s Craftsman cottages, simple post-war bungalows, and a few duplexes, all on shallow lots with chain-link fences or fresh drought gardens. Tree cover is patchy, so summertime sun bounces off concrete, and curb appeal shifts block to block as well-kept facades sit next to homes awaiting new paint. Everyday amenities sit just outside the boundary. Peralta Hacienda Historical Park lies two blocks northwest with open lawns, a playground, and community history exhibits, while Brookdale Park’s ballfields are a quick walk southeast. International Boulevard is one block south for frequent AC Transit buses, grocery outlets, and a corridor of taco trucks and pho shops, though traffic noise and litter can build up near the main drag. Inside Harrington itself there are no retail corners or dedicated green pockets, and street parking tightens on school nights when families double-park. The neighborhood vibe is working-class and family-oriented. Neighbors chat across front porches, small churches anchor Sunday traffic, and weekend yard sales line Harrington Avenue. Buyers are drawn by relatively affordable single-family homes and quick transit to Fruitvale BART, but should weigh limited tree shade, a lack of in-neighborhood shopping, and sporadic speeding on the cross-avenues.