Known for its sunny weather, vibrant shopping districts, and tree-streets lined with charmingly restored cottages and bungalows, North Oakland has become one of the more sought-after east bay neighborhoods in recent years.

The Claremont, a district that is shared by both Berkeley and Oakland, contains many grand homes built after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake along with more modest homes and bungalows. This neighborhood also has a high concentration of stairways and pathways connecting streets and neighborhoods. (see www.berkeleypaths.org).

Rockridge, located just south along College Ave at the base of the Oakland Hills, is a bustling neighborhood full of unique boutiques and award-winning restaurants like Citron, Oliveto, and À Côté. At the heart of this diverse neighborhood is Market Hall, a European-style market place offering a wide selection of gourmet food shops. The Rockridge BART station, located next to Market Hall, makes commuting to the city a breeze.

Centered around Telegraph Avenue, the Temescal neighborhood is a diverse mix of students, young families, working class and professionals. With large Ethiopian, Eritrean and Korean immigrant communities, Temescal has a strong international culture. Architectural styles range from small bungalows and cottages to apartment buildings and modern artist lofts.

Learn more in local newspapers: The Oakland Tribune, East Bay Express.