Observation Pl, Oakland, CA 94611

"With the truly fabulous and huge East Bay Regional Parks just down the road, world-class views, generally good environmental conditions, and fine weather, the upper part of Oakland's Montclair District is a great place to work and to play that is virtually unknown even to residents of other parts of the East Bay. Despite feeling like a really remote and beautiful vacation spot, this neighborhood is actually just a few minutes from the bustling yet relaxed Montclair Village, the U.C. Campus, the California College of the Arts, Emeryville's Pixar and Novartis campuses, BART, and the Bay Bridge, and the new Downtown Oakland's vibrant and exciting cultural arts and food scenes. There are good public schools like Thornhill and Montclair Elementaries, and elite independent schools like The Head Royce School, College Prep, and Bentley all nearby. Unlike many suburban neighborhoods, this area has a high level of community involvement, jump-started by the well-educated and tech-savvy locals that have set up neighborhood websites to combat crime and to facilitate community. This area is also far from being a stuffy enclave of privilege. The diversity and culture of openess and tolerance that is so much a treasure of Oakland at large is very much part of the fabric of this place. "