Piedmont may be tiny in its footprint (1.7 square miles) but it’s impressive in every other way. This residential community, entirely surrounded by Oakland, is the wealthiest city in Alameda County. Home to about 11,000 people, Piedmont works hard to maintain safe, manicured, tree-lined streets which head into the hills.You’ll find expensive family homes with lovely views and, importantly, a
highly lauded school system, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools ranking among the best in the state. (Piedmont High School is among the top 100 in the nation!)
Piedmont, meaning “foot of the mountain” in Italian, had only seven houses in the late 1800s. But as the city grew so did its reputation as an area of wealth and class. Artists and authors moved into the large houses among the rolling hills. In the Roaring Twenties, Piedmont was known as the City of Millionaires, home to some of the area’s most celebrated families (Bechtel, Ghirardelli). You can still see some of these mansions, notably on Sea View Avenue and Sotelo Avenue/Glen Alpine Road in 'Alta' Piedmont.
Almost entirely zoned for single-family dwelling residential use, Piedmont has relatively few multi-family in-law units. The city is tight-knit and hosts many active charities and community groups. Residents have access to a Community Hall, a Veterans' Memorial Building, a Recreation Center, Aquatics Center, a Center for the Arts, and numerous green public parks.
A commuter town, Piedmont relies on Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco for culture and entertainment. That said, this is a place where traditions for gathering the locals is strong: Regular town events include the popular July 4th
parade with its bagpipe players and antique cars, Movies in the Park,
Harvest Festival, Haunted House, Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, and Christmas Tree Lighting. Another highlight is the fact that winners of the Piedmont High School's annual
Bird Calling Contest are regularly featured on national late-night television.
Read more here, and call Winkler Real Estate Group to help you find a glorious home in Piedmont, CA.