Kensington, Kensington, CA

Kensington is one of the East Bay’s classic hill towns, prized for sweeping Bay and city vistas, quiet winding lanes, and a close, civic‐minded community. The housing stock skews midcentury custom with architect‐driven touches, plus tasteful expansions that capture light and views. Mature trees, terraced gardens, and irregular lots give most homes excellent privacy without losing the neighborhood feel. Daily life orbits two anchors. The village at Colusa Circle hosts the year‐round Sunday farmers’ market, cafés, and neighborhood services, making errands and meetups easy on foot. Up the ridge, the Arlington commercial strip adds markets, eateries, and conveniences. Families value Kensington’s own police and fire districts, the community center and park, and highly regarded neighborhood schools. Outdoor access is exceptional. Trailheads into Tilden and Wildcat Canyon are minutes away for hikes, dog walks, and road cycling, while UC Berkeley’s Blake Garden provides a cultivated counterpoint for strolls and views. Commuters typically drop to El Cerrito Plaza BART or head surface streets to campus, the flats, or I‐80. Trade‐offs are mostly the natural result of hill living and strong demand. Many homes are older and command a premium, so buyers should budget for seismic, drainage, or energy upgrades and expect tighter driveway or guest parking on some blocks. Flat yard space can be limited. For those seeking a calm, village lifestyle with top‐tier parks and views, Kensington more than delivers.