Monte Vista, Orinda, CA
At a glance
Monte Vista is ranked #3 of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda with an overall score of 4.5/5. Its standout factors are schools (4.9/5, 11th of 28 in Orinda) and safety (4.7/5), at a median home price of $1.73M, which Houseberry currently rates as overvalued by about $1,418,000. The trade-off is nearby merchants (0.7/5), though prices run about 11% below the Orinda median.
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Monte Vista is a small, hillside pocket tucked above San Pablo Creek where curving lanes-Rich Acres, Marston, and Monte Vista Ridge-thread through mature oaks and bay laurels. The housing stock mixes mid-century ranches with custom rebuilds, many perched on terraced lots that trade backyard lawn for decks, views, and privacy. It feels semi-rural at the edges-quiet evenings, deer in the understory, and long driveways with plenty of trailhead gear in the garage. Daily living is straightforward once you drop to Camino Pablo: Orinda Village shopping and cafés sit just down the road, with quick access to Hwy-24 and Orinda BART for regional commuting. Recreation skews outdoorsy-Orinda Sports Field and nearby community facilities are around the corner, and the EBMUD watershed and Tilden/Briones ridgelines are a short drive for bigger hikes (EBMUD trail permits apply). Practical notes: expect narrow, winding streets with limited sidewalks, and driveway grades that reward all-wheel drive. Homes close to Camino Pablo pick up more traffic activity; interior cul-de-sacs are calmer. As with most Orinda hillsides, vegetation management and drainage/retaining-wall upkeep matter, and some micro-pockets can see variable cell coverage or power resilience during storms.
Top Neighborhoods in Orinda, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants0.7
Public Spaces4
Curb Appeal3.5
Overall Amenities score: 3.1
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
Monte Vista FAQs10 answers
Is Monte Vista a good place to live?
Monte Vista ranks 3rd of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda with an overall Houseberry score of 4.5 out of 5. Its strongest factors are schools (4.9/5) and safety (4.7/5). The trade-off is nearby merchants (0.7/5).
Is Monte Vista safe?
Monte Vista, Orinda scores 4.7 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 3rd of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda.
What do homes in Monte Vista cost?
The median home price in Monte Vista, Orinda is $1.73M, compared with $1.94M for Orinda as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it overvalued by about $1,418,000 against comparable neighborhoods.
Are home prices in Monte Vista rising or falling?
The median home price in Monte Vista, Orinda is roughly flat over the past 12 months, at $1.73M against $1.73M a year earlier. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Monte Vista?
Schools serving Monte Vista, 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 Monte Vista?
Monte Vista, Orinda receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 6th of 29 in Orinda. Summer days run 54° to 78°F and winter days 42° to 57°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 26 inches a year.
Is Monte Vista walkable to shops and restaurants?
Monte Vista, Orinda scores 0.7 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.1 out of 5, 14th of 29 in Orinda.
What is Monte Vista known for?
Monte Vista, Orinda is associated with Hillside seclusion with trees, Quick drop to Village & BART and Gateway to EBMUD/Tilden trails. Its highest-scoring factors are schools (4.9/5) and safety (4.7/5).
How does Monte Vista compare to other Orinda neighborhoods?
Monte Vista ranks 3rd of 29 neighborhoods in Orinda. It ranks 11th of 28 in Orinda for schools (4.9/5) and scores lowest on nearby merchants (0.7/5). The next-ranked neighborhoods in Orinda are Wilder and Knickerbocker.
What are the downsides of living in Monte Vista?
Monte Vista, Orinda scores lowest on nearby merchants (0.7/5).
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