What do we love about the neighborhood? The architecture and history, the neighbors, and the shopping!
The Northbrae tract was developed by a local company...and named many of the streets after California counties. Back at the turn of the century, there was a movement to make Berkeley the capital of California. Hence, the street names of Solano, Colusa, The Alameda, Modoc, Tulare, Los Angeles, Napa, Yolo...
The Solano Tunnel was originally a light rail tunnel for commuter trains to San Francisco. They cut open the hill, put in the concrete arch, and backfilled the cut with soil. The traffic circle at the intersection of Marin, The Arlington, Mendocino & Del Norte is just above the tunnel, and the fountain is being restored.
The commuter trains ran up and down Solano, and another route went down Colusa and Monterey to the Westbrae shopping area.
It's a "feet first" neighborhood. Many of the homeowners have lived here for decades, and the only way they plan to leave is "feet first"
Having said that, however, there are also lots of young families with kids. The playground is next to the Thousand Oaks School.
The Solano Avenue Association sponsors the Solano Stroll on the 2nd Sunday each September! Come by, you'll have a great time!
If you'd like to write a bit about Thousand Oaks, let me know and I'll include your information on this page! I'll probably include photos and web links in the future.
Ira
Ira & Carol offer professional real estate services in Berkeley, Albany, Kensington, El Cerrito, and nearby communities in San Francisco's East Bay, and free referrals to other outstanding Realtors in the United States & Canada.
E-Mail to Realtor@home-buy-sell.com