East Bay is the region of choice for professionals and families who want to live in San Francisco without actually being in San Francisco. Thanks to its rich metropolitan culture and diverse housing options, East Bay is the ideal place for newcomers who want the San Francisco lifestyle without the San Francisco price.

Alameda County
Alameda County is located just across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. It is home to several of the largest incorporated communities in the area, with several having populations over 100,000. From national-level sports team and acclaimed universities to great art institutions and fine dining establishments, Alameda County offers prospective residents an unrivaled quality of life.

— Oakland
Oakland is a major port of the Bay Area and is the administrative center of Alameda County. The last ten years has seen the creation of major housing developments in the downtown area thanks to a citywide initiative to attract 10,000 residents to the Central Business District, the Uptown District, Chinatown and the historic Old Oakland sector. Oakland has an extensive variety of neighborhoods, each with their own distinct culture, politics and demographics. Oakland neighborhoods can be divided into the following sectors: the Central Business District, Fruitvale, the Lower Hills District, Central East Oakland, San Antonio, Elmhurst, Lake Merritt, North Oakland, West Oakland, the Northeast Hills and Southeast Hills.

Almost a quarter of all residents of Oakland utilize some form of public transportation. Bus service is provided by the Alameda and Contra Costa Transit District. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) provides service to the metropolitan area from eight stations in Oakland. Despite the city’s advanced public transportation systems, it is still a car-friendly destination. The San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge directly links the two cities. It is estimated that around 270,000 drivers utilize the bridge in their daily commute. The eastern part of the bridge is currently being redeveloped and is expected to open in 2013.

The healthcare sector in Oakland represents a wide variety of fields in advanced medicine and research. The Oakland medical community is also known for its record of service and quality healthcare. The following healthcare establishments can be found in Oakland: Kaiser Permanente, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Alameda County Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland.

Oakland is the home of three professional sports teams: the Oakland Athletics (baseball), the Oakland Raiders (football) and the Golden State Warriors (basketball). Both the Oakland Athletics and the Oakland Raiders share the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum as their venue, while the Golden State Warriors play at the Oracle Arena. Oakland has a diverse nightlife that features both high-end lounges and casual dive bars. The Fox Oakland Theatre and Yoshi’s are music venues that draw top performers in the genres of jazz, rock, blues, reggae and pop.

Oakland is known for its comprehensive roster of educational institutions at all levels of learning. Primary and secondary public schools in Oakland are operated by the Oakland Unified District (OUSD). Oakland’s three largest public high schools are Oakland High School, Oakland Technical High School and Skyline High School.

The areas major colleges and universities include the Peralta Community College District, the California College of the Arts, Lincoln University, Patten University, Mills College, Samuel Merritt University, and the University of California, Berkeley. The Bay Area Technology School is also located in Oakland. It is the only school in the Bay Area to offer a technology- and science-based curriculum, and has major connections to leading universities throughout the nation.

— Berkeley
The city of Berkely has a distinctive personality thanks to its significant student population and diverse neighborhood areas. The areas surrounding the University of California campus are the most densely populated parts of the city. Berkeley’s neighborhoods include Berkeley Marina, Claremont, Cragmont, Downtown Berkeley, Elmwood, Gourmet Ghetto, La Loma Park, Lorin District, Northside, Panormaic Hill, South Berkeley, Southside, Thousand Oaks, West Berkeley and Westbrae.

Transportation is supported by several companies, including Amtrak, AC Transit and BART. Traffic can become rather severe on the freeways that run along the bay’s shoreline. As a result, Berkeley has developed one of the highest bicycle commuting rates in the nation. The city has also pioneered car sharing network systems where groups of people share vehicles rather than driving one themselves. These systems are run by City CarShare, U Car Share and Zipcar.

The city has an extensive repository of historical buildings, must-see architectural landmarks and cultural attractions. The Berkeley Art Music and Pacific Film Archive has exhibited works by acclaimed artists as Albert Bierstadt, Helen Frankenthaler, Paul Gauguin, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. The Berkeley Rose Garden features incomparable views of the cityscape and Golden Gate Bridge, along with hundreds of varieties of roses. Others places of interest include the Berkeley Marina, the Judah L. Magnus Museum, the Lawrence Hall of Science, Regional Parks Botanic Garden and the Hearst Greek Theatre. Berkeley hosts several major cultural events every year, including the Jewish Music Festival, the Berkeley Arts Festival, the Berkeley Kite Festival and the Himalayan Fair.

The city of Berkeley has eleven elementary schools, three middle schools, and one public high school. Berkeley High School (BHS) was established in 1880 and was designated a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places on January 7, 2008.

— Alameda
Alameda is situated on an island in the East Bay. The city is connected to mainland by a series of tunnels and bridges. Alameda has a long history of being a resort destination for Bay Area residents who are attracted to its temperate climate. Today, many residents from San Francisco vacation there to enjoy its beaches and golf courses. Alameda Point is currently being redeveloped for residential and commercial purposes.

Alameda is renowned for its beautifully preserved Victorian houses. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 families live in a Victorian home, while still many other properties have been divided up into several units. It is also believed that Alameda is home to the largest concentration of pre-1906 Victorians than any other city.

There are several notable cultural institutions in Alameda, including the Alameda Arts Council (AAC) and the Alameda Museum. Due to its geographic isolation, Alameda has been the on-site location for many major films, including The Matrix Reloaded, The Net, Rent, What Dreams May Come and Mission: Impossible II.

Contra Costa County
Easy Bay used to be referred to as Contra Costa to indicate the opposite side of the water from San Francisco, but now the name refers specifically to this largely suburban county. Compared to Alameda County, Contra Costa offers a more casual and insular lifestyle that is sure to be appealing to prospective residents who want to raise their families in a more intimate urban setting.

— Concord
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County. Located less than 30 miles east of San Francisco, Concord has typically served as a commuter city for the larger Bay Area metropolises. The result is that Concord is primarily a residential city, which has proved ideal for family-focused households. In fact, since 2000, Concord has adopted the identity as a city where “families come first.” The city’s family-friendly initiatives have led to an increase in community-oriented events, activities and organizations.

Within the past 10 years, Concord has seen a diversification of its local economy. Major corporations such as Chevron and Bank of America have set up large-scale offices in Concord, created a small demand for locally-based skilled professionals. Concord also has a thriving retail market thanks to its own Sunvalley Mall, one of the nation’s 50 largest malls, and other notable stores such as Costco, Fry’s Electronics and several car dealerships.

— Richmond
Residents of Richmond often site its enjoyable weather and interesting geography as key factors in their decision to make the city their home. Residents can appreciate the city’s Mediterranean climate and diverse natural environments that are home to a variety of stunning flora and fauna. Nearby San Pablo offers beautiful bayside views and tranquil woodland spaces for exciting outdoor adventures.

Like Concord, Richmond’s economy is supported by a variety of industries, including the petrochemical, medicine, pharmaceutical, retail and manufacturing sectors. The city’s top 10 largest employers are Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, Berlex, Inc., Costco Wholesale, Macy’s, the California Autism Foundation, Palecek Imports, Veriflo Division, The Home Depot and Dicon Fiberoptics, Inc. Richmond is also home to a few notable shopping centers, including the Hilltop Mall, the 23rd Street Business District, the Downtown Richmond District and the MacDonald 80 Shopping Center.

The public school needs of Richmond are served by the West Contra Costa Unified District. The area’s private Catholic schools are overseen by the Diocese of Oakland. Graduating high school seniors who wish to go to a community college before they enter a four-year university attend Contra Costa College.

Richmond is home to several notable media outlets, including its three local newspapers: the Richmond Post, the Richmond Globe and the West County Times. KCRT-TV is a local cable television station established in 1990 that broadcasts local news, historic documentaries and historical archives. KNEW (AM) is a new conservative talk radio station.

— Walnut Creek
Walnut Creek is a popular getaway for residents of the larger nearby metropolises of San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and San Jose due to its location on I-680 and SR-24. Recent urban living developments have made Walnut Creek the perfect location to live for prospective residents who want a small town atmosphere with big city amenities.

For a city with a population less than 100,000 people, Walnut Creek has a diverse and well-established fine arts community. The California Symphony has been based in Walnut Creek since its formation in 1986 and has gained worldwide recognition for being the only orchestra in the nation to include at least one work form an American composer in each of its programs. The Center Repertory Company is a resident theater company that performs a six-show season every year, including some of the most popular works in dramatic and musical live theater. The Lesher Center for the Arts provides the city with additional spaces for a variety of theatrical performances. In addition, the Civic Arts Program and the Clay Arts Guild provide the community educational classes in the visual arts.

Public transportation in Walnut Creek includes service from the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) via two stations: Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill. A free shuttle runs from the city’s downtown area to the Walnut Creek BART station. The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority provides further public transportation.

— San Ramon
San Ramon is a small city known for its rustic environment. It’s a frequent travel destination for Bay Area residents looking for a great place to camp, hike and participate in outdoor activities. Notable parks include Crow Canyon Gardens, the Iron Horse Regional Trail, Forest Home Farms Historical Site, Old Ranch Park and Las Trampas Regional Wilderness.

Another significant landmark is Memorial Park, named in honor of Tom Burnett, a resident of San Ramon that was killed in the 9/11 attacks. The park also commemorates the lives of others that died aboard Flight 93.

The Chevron Corporation is headquartered in San Ramon, as well as the western division of AT&T. 24-Hour Fitness also makes its headquarters in the city. In addition, the San Ramon Medical Center provides a significant number of jobs in the health care field.

Solano County
Of the three East Bay counties, Solano is the most rural of the three and offers the most serene country environment; waterfront properties, rustic woodlands and charming farmlands combine to recreate the tranquil American landscape of bygone eras. The people of Solano are also known for their commitment to community and service, which has resulted in one of the most friendly and neighborhood-conscious areas in the state.

— Vajello
Vallejo, founded in 1844, originated as an important shipping and naval center. Just 35 minutes from San Francisco and 15 minutes from Napa and the Sonoma wine countries, Vallejo is considered the gateway to the wine country, a mere 15 minutes to the north.

West Vallejo is the oldest part of the city, and includes the historical neighborhoods the Vallejo Heights, the Vallejo Old City Historic District near downtown and Saint Vincent’s Hill Historic District. The city’s newer neighborhoods are situated to the east of Interstate 80. Due to development of newer housing projects in the area, East Vajello is now the most populous part of the city.

Of notable interest is the Mare Island Navel Shipyard (MINS). Even though it ceased operations in 1996, it has been undergone significant redevelopment for commercial and residential use. It’s still a popular destination as parts of MINS have been named a National Historic Landmark District. Ferry service runs from a terminal on Mare Island Strait to San Francisco.

Vallejo is home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, an amusement park that features a variety of roller coasters and rides mixed in with an extensive menagerie of wildlife, including dolphins, walruses, penguins, elephants and cougars. Vallejo’s bustling downtown sector also makes it a great tourist destination, which is easily accessible by ferry service throughout the Bay.

Local media is provided by the Times-Herald newspaper and Vallejo Community Access Television (VCAT), which gives residents the opportunity to produce their own visual content.

— Fairfield
Fairfield is centrally located between San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland and Napa Valley, making it an ideal location for prospective residents who want to experience the Bay Area in its entirety. This incorporated municipality of more than 100,000 residents takes its name from Fairfield, Connecticut, the hometown of Robert H. Waterman, the captain who founded the city.

The economy of Fairfield is made up of several high-profile employers. The Jelly Bean Candy Company is headquartered in Fairfield, and Anheuser-Busch has a large facility in the city. Other notable employers include Clorox, Wal-Mart, the Travis Air Force Base, Solano County Government Offices and Edwards Cinema. Westfield Shopping Mall also provides a significant amount of entry-level retail jobs.

The public school system in Fairfield is governed by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District and the Travis Unified School District. There are also several universities and colleges that are located in or near Fairfield. They include the California Maritime Academy, Chapman University, St. Mary’s College, Sacramento University, Solano Community College, UC Berkeley, UC Davis and the University of Phoenix.

— Vacaville
Considered by its residents as a “small town at heart,” Vacaville is an appealing location for families because of its affordable housing. Like Fairfield, Vacaville is located to some of the region’s most ideal tourist destinations, including Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley and the gorgeous beaches of the San Francisco Bay. The city itself is home to numerous family-friendly activities, including several community parks and the Vacaville Performing Arts Theater.

Vacaville’s economy is supported the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Major companies with a significant presence in the city include ALZA Corporation, Genentech, Kaiser Permanente and Novartis International AG. Nut Tree Airport is located two miles away from Vacaville.

Vacaville’s primary and secondary public school are operated by the Vacaville Unified School District and the Travis Unified School District. Parents also have a large private school option, as Vacaville is home to several well-known institutions, including Bethany Lutheran High School, Faith Academy, Notre Dame Parochial School, Vacaville Adventist and Vacaville Christian Schools.