Orinda, California , is a family-friendly community nestled in a semi-rural valley. As part of the highly desirable East Bay area, Orinda is just east of the cities of Oakland and Berkeley and is just thirty minutes outside of the major metropolitan area of San Francisco. Widely considered the crown jewel of the East Bay, Orinda boasts surroundings of tree-studded forestry, and lies in sharp contrast to much of the more urban neighboring communities. With stunning scenic beauty, an excellent public school system, low crime rates, and variety of cultural and artistic activities, Orinda is simply one of the nicest communities in the state.

Orinda supports a population of approximately 20,000 residents, representing a growth of nearly five percent since the year 2000. The average age of a resident here is 45 years old, with an annual household income well above the national average at nearly $120,000 per year. Home values here reflect the desirability of not only the town itself, but the Bay area in general. The median value of an Orinda home, as listed on the 2000 Census, was $631,800.

The vast majority of residents in Orinda, almost twenty-one percent, are employed in the sector of professional services, the sciences and technology. Finance and insurance is the second largest employment sector, employing just over eleven percent of the population. Retail trade comes in at a distant third, employing seven and a half percent of Orinda residents. With easy access to neighboring communities, Orinda is full of professionals who enjoy this residential enclave, while commuting to areas such as Walnut Creek, Berkeley, San Francisco or Oakland for work.

One of the main shopping complexes in Orinda is the Theater Square Complex, whose stunningly restored Art Deco theater has been declared a national landmark. Here you will find chic boutiques and outstanding restaurants on the street level, a perfect accompaniment to the theater. The Village shopping area is near the Orinda Country Club fairways, themselves adjacent to the town's multi-million dollar public library and community center complex.

With its easy access to the cities of San Francisco and Oakland, Orinda residents have what seems to be an endless array of options for cultural activities and the arts. But this town certainly has its own claims to fame. Orinda is home to the California Shakespeare Festival, an annual event that takes place from June through October. This is an internationally renowned festival, performing at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater. The festival's conservatory operates year round, offering programs for children, teachers, and adults.

Additionally, Independence Day celebrations reach new levels in Orinda. This holiday represents not only the birth of a nation, but the founding of Orinda itself. Holiday celebrations in 2005 will certainly reach a fevered pitch, as it will be the twentieth anniversary of the incorporation of Orinda.

But residents here don't need a special occasion to celebrate. The natural beauty of Orinda draws folks to the great outdoors nearly every day of the year. This is the perfect community for an after-dinner stroll, a great chance to admire the old-growth California oaks throughout the town. The town also has Tilden Regional Park, full of trails, ball fields, golf course and impressive botanical garden. But Orinda is surrounded by several large parks and open space preserves. The San Pablo Reservoir, Briones Open Space and Lafayette Reservoir are all in the area. Orinda is also the crossroads of several significant trail systems, such as the American Discovery Trail, East Bay Regional Trail System, and the deLaveaga Trail.

Orinda is a beautiful community with plenty of small town charm. The town maintains easy access to several major metropolitan areas, while maintaining an environment of an upscale gated community. If you are thinking of moving, consider a move to Orinda, California and request our free relocation packet today!