Knickerbocker, Orinda, CA
At a glance
Knickerbocker is ranked #5 of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda with an overall score of 4.2/5. Its standout factors are schools (4.9/5, 13th of 28 in Orinda) and curb appeal (4.0/5), at a median home price of $1.26M, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $171,000. The trade-off is nearby merchants (2.0/5), though prices run about 35% below the Orinda median.
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Knickerbocker is a woodsy hillside pocket west of Orinda Village where curving lanes-Knickerbocker Ln, Brookwood Rd, and Oak Rd-wind through mature oaks and bay trees. Homes range from mid-century ranches to creative custom rebuilds, often on sloped lots that trade lawn for multi-level decks, filtered canyon views, and excellent privacy. It feels tucked away, with cul-de-sacs and little through-traffic, yet you’re a quick drop to town. Day-to-day errands are simple once you reach Camino Pablo: cafés, markets, and services in Orinda Village sit minutes away, with immediate access to Hwy-24 and Orinda BART for regional commuting. Recreation skews close-to-home-Orinda Sports Field is right nearby, a membership-based neighborhood swim club (Oak Springs Pool & Clubhouse) sits inside the tract, and bigger outings to Lafayette Reservoir, Sibley Volcanic, or Tilden are a short drive. Practical notes: streets are narrow and mostly sidewalk-free, and many driveways are steep; plan for careful guest parking and a car-forward lifestyle. This is classic East Bay fuel-break country-vegetation management, defensible space, and drainage/retaining-wall upkeep matter, and some carriers quote higher fire-risk premiums. Western edges pick up a hum from Hwy-24 and, near the BART tunnel portal, the occasional train whoosh. Cell coverage and power resilience can vary by micro-pocket.
Top Neighborhoods in Orinda, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants2.0
Public Spaces4
Curb Appeal4
Overall Amenities score: 3.6
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Havens Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Wildwood Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Wagner Ranch Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Orinda Intermediate | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Miramonte High | High | 9-12 |
Click links for school listing
info at GreatSchools.org
Houseberry School Score Data
from CA Dept. of Education
Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.
Median Price
Knickerbocker FAQs10 answers
Is Knickerbocker a good place to live?
Knickerbocker ranks 5th of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda with an overall Houseberry score of 4.2 out of 5. Its strongest factors are schools (4.9/5) and curb appeal (4.0/5). The trade-off is nearby merchants (2.0/5).
Is Knickerbocker safe?
Knickerbocker, Orinda scores 3.7 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 5th of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda.
What do homes in Knickerbocker cost?
The median home price in Knickerbocker, Orinda is $1.26M, compared with $1.94M for Orinda as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $171,000 against comparable neighborhoods.
Are home prices in Knickerbocker rising or falling?
The median home price in Knickerbocker, Orinda is down about 22.4% over the past 12 months, from $1.62M to $1.26M. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Knickerbocker?
Schools serving Knickerbocker, Orinda include Beach Elementary (5.0/5), Havens Elementary (4.7/5), Wildwood Elementary (5.0/5), Wagner Ranch Elementary (5.0/5) and Orinda Intermediate (4.8/5). 1 more school is listed in the Schools section on this page.
What is the weather like in Knickerbocker?
Knickerbocker, Orinda receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 14th of 29 in Orinda. Summer days run 54° to 78°F and winter days 42° to 57°F, August is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 27 inches a year.
Is Knickerbocker walkable to shops and restaurants?
Knickerbocker, Orinda scores 2.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.6 out of 5, 4th of 29 in Orinda.
What is Knickerbocker known for?
Knickerbocker, Orinda is associated with Woodland privacy and views, Minutes to Village and Hwy-24 & BART. Its highest-scoring factors are schools (4.9/5) and curb appeal (4.0/5).
How does Knickerbocker compare to other Orinda neighborhoods?
Knickerbocker ranks 5th of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda. It ranks 13th of 28 in Orinda for schools (4.9/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (2.0/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in Orinda are Stein Way and Crestview.
What are the downsides of living in Knickerbocker?
Knickerbocker, Orinda scores lowest on nearby merchants (2.0/5).
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