Orinda

Welcome to Orinda

Nestled within the rolling hillsides east of Berkley in California’s Contra Costa County, Orinda is an idyllic small city of approximately 19,000 people. First established as a community of rural ranches and summer cabins, Orinda was allegedly named in the 19th century to honor poet Katherine Philips, commonly known as “the Matchless Orinda.” This poetic title befits this charming community.

Homes here blend seamlessly into the captivating landscape. Expect luxurious modern properties with exceptional hillside views. Contemporary homes exhibit exquisite craftsmanship on winding roads that provide a variety of unique views of the landscape. With a convenient Bay Area location close to San Francisco as well as the vineyards of the Napa Valley, Orinda truly lives up to its matchless namesake.

The undulating hilly topography produces a variety of microclimates. The adjacent Oakland hills block much of the famous Bay Side fog, except in summer when the fog rolls in to cool Orinda and make it wonderfully comfortable.

 

What to Love

• The perfect balance of convenience and peacefulness
• Gorgeous surrounding hillsides
• Wonderful restaurants and cultural facilities
• Large parks and open space preserves
• A thriving cultural life
• Exceptional local schools
• Excellent proximity to San Francisco which is home to many tech companies
  
  

People & Lifestyle

Orinda is just a 12-minute drive from Oakland and 25 minutes from Downtown San Francisco. Many residents commute across gorgeous hillside scenery from this peaceful community to other Bay Area locations. The population is slowly growing year over year, as professionals seek out its perfect balance of bucolic charm and convenience.

 

Dining, Entertainment & Shopping

Orinda has a great selection of restaurants clustered around Orinda Theater Square and dotted along Orinda Way. Theater Square’s wide selection of international cuisine includes Casa Orinda, The Fourth Bore Tap Room & Grill, Serika sushi house, and innovative French-Californian fusion cuisine at Shelby’s. Theater Square also features locally-run shops such as Sanvitalia Home & Garden, along with the Bamboo Spa and Anytime Fitness. Located besides Orinda’s BART station, the square’s centerpiece is the classic 1940s-built Orinda Theater. This beautiful space showcases both movies and live concert performances.

 

Things to Do

Orinda is surrounded by sprawling green spaces, with the Siesta Valley Recreation Area, Tilden Regional Park, Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Orinda Oaks Park, and Lafayette Reservoir Recreation Area all bordering the city.

Orinda Country Club showcases a recently-renovated Golden Era golf course, first established in 1924. Other amenities include a Hacienda-style clubhouse, exceptional fine dining, and excellent tennis and swimming facilities overlooking Lake Cascade.

Orinda also hosts cultural events on a massive scale. The California Independent Film Festival has been held at the Orinda Theater since 2009, and the California Shakespeare Theater runs shows at Bruns Memorial Amphitheater between June and October.

 

Schools

Orinda’s residents enjoy access to outstanding local schools through the Orinda Union Elementary and Acalanes Union High School Districts.

 

• Del Rey Elementary: Grades K-5, Public (ranked within the top 1% of California elementary schools)
• Orinda Intermediate: Grades 6-8, Public (ranked within the top 1% of California middle schools)
• Miramonte High: Grades 9-12, Public (California Distinguished School)