Why Buyers Love Oakland Hills, Moraga, California

Additionally, an affluent hilltop enclave east of downtown Oakland, defined by estate-scale homes, excellent schools, and commanding Bay Area views.

About Oakland Hills in Moraga

Oakland Hills stands as Moraga's most sought-after residential neighborhood, commanding a median home value near $1.15 million and attracting families, executives, and established professionals. Additionally, the neighborhood draws strength from exceptional schools, including Redwood Heights Elementary and Skyline High, along with sweeping vistas of the East Bay and beyond. What sets Oakland Hills apart is not just its homes but its character: tree-lined streets, generous lot sizes, and a 88.9 percent owner-occupied community where median household income exceeds $198,000. The tradeoff is straightforward—this is car country, with a walk score of 15, yet that isolation brings the tranquility and privacy many affluent Bay Area buyers demand.

Boundary note: Oakland Hills encompasses the elevated terrain east of Moraga proper, bordered roughly by Skyline Boulevard and the ridgeline parks to the east, and Moraga Avenue to the west.

Real Estate Market in Oakland Hills

Oakland Hills at a glance
Median home price$1.15m
Year over year change+2.1%
Price per sq ft$784
Median rent$3,501
Typical days on market32 days
Buyer competitionModerate
Walk Score15
Transit Score35
Bike Score14

Additionally, oakland Hills real estate reflects premium Bay Area pricing and strong owner-occupancy trends. Homes move steadily, driven by limited inventory and sustained demand from educated, high-income households.

$1.15m
+2.1% YoY
Median Price
$784
Price / Sq Ft
$3,501
Median Rent
32 days
Days on Market
Moderate buyer competition
Offer Strategy

Homes in Oakland Hills attract serious, qualified buyers. Additionally, offers above asking are common; inspections and appraisals move fast. Cash or strong pre-approval language matters in a neighborhood where 55 percent of residents drive to work and 22 percent work from home, suggesting professional stability.

Who Thrives in Oakland Hills

F
First-time Buyers
Fair fit

Oakland Hills entry point starts near $1.15m; rare inventory below $1m makes this neighborhood a stretch for most first-time buyers without significant down payment or family support.

E
Families
Excellent fit

Additionally, families dominate here: 22.6 percent of residents have children, excellent schools like Redwood Heights Elementary and Conservatory Of Vocal/Instrumental Arts High, and parks including Skyline Serpentine Prairie make raising kids rewarding.

S
Investors
Strong fit

Additionally, 88.9 percent owner occupancy and median rents of $3,501 deliver steady cash flow; long-term appreciation potential in an established, affluent enclave appeals to patient capital.

E
Remote Workers
Excellent fit

Additionally, 22.2 percent of Oakland Hills residents work from home; the neighborhood's quiet, scenic setting and high-speed internet availability suit professionals seeking a retreat from commute stress.

S
Retirees
Strong fit

Additionally, median age of 47.4 and established community character suit empty-nesters; proximity to Chabot Space and Science Center, Woodminster Amphitheatre, and Merritt College Fitness Center support active retirement.

Property Types in Oakland Hills

Single-Family Homes
78%
$950k to $2.5m

Dominant type; estate lots, mature landscaping, many built in 1970s-2000s with updated systems.

Condos / Townhomes
18%
$750k to $1.3m

Smaller community of attached homes; less common, often on slopes or with shared amenities.

Newer Construction
4%
$1.2m to $2.8m

Occasional teardown-rebuild or recent remodel; prized for open layouts and energy efficiency.

Living in Oakland Hills, Moraga

Daily life in Oakland Hills revolves around car-based convenience and home-centered activities. Additionally, A short drive reaches Safeway, Cafe Galleria, and Sparky's Burgers for weeknight staples. Moreover, residents hike Joaquin Miller Park on weekends, host gatherings in expansive backyards, and rely on Planet Fitness or Left Coast Power Yoga for fitness. The neighborhood's low poverty rate (2.0 percent), high education attainment (79.1 percent with bachelor's degrees), and median age of 47.4 foster an environment of professional stability and cultural engagement. Weekend trips to Woodminster Amphitheatre or Chabot Space and Science Center round out a lifestyle where quality of home and school matter more than walkability.

15/100
Walk Score
Car-Required
35/100
Transit Score
Some Transit
14/100
Bike Score
Not Bikeable
🍽 Restaurants & Dining
  • Hunan Yuan · 13 min walk
  • Lincoln Square Liquors · 14 min walk
  • Sparky's Burgers · 15 min walk
  • Round Table Pizza · 28 min walk
  • Monaghan's on the Hill · 29 min walk
☕ Coffee Shops
  • Cafe Galleria · 13 min walk
  • Peet's Coffee · 14 min walk
  • World Ground · 36 min walk
  • Lucky Donuts and Sandwiches · 37 min walk
  • Cafe Santana Roasting Company · 37 min walk
🌳 Parks & Green Space
  • Skyline Serpentine Prairie · 5 min walk
  • Barrier Free Playground · 15 min walk
  • Roberts Playground · 15 min walk
  • Redwood Heights Recreation Center · 17 min walk
  • Joaquin Miller Park · 17 min walk
🛒 Grocery & Essentials
  • Safeway · 13 min walk
  • Woodminster Market · 28 min walk
  • House of Produce · 37 min walk
  • Farmer Joe's · 37 min walk
  • Crumble & Whisk · 37 min walk
🏋 Fitness
  • Merritt College Fitness Center · 35 min walk
  • Left Coast Power Yoga · 37 min walk
  • Planet Fitness · 38 min walk
🎬 Entertainment
  • Woodminster Amphitheatre · 18 min walk
  • Chabot Space and Science Center · 24 min walk
  • Tien MegaDome Theater · 25 min walk
  • Chabot Space & Science Center Amphitheater · 25 min walk
  • Mary E. Wilson Auditorium · 37 min walk

Annual events: Woodminster Amphitheatre summer concert series, Moraga Art & Wine event, local school fundraisers and holiday celebrations

Schools Near Oakland Hills, Moraga

Additionally, oakland Hills feeds into some of Moraga and Oakland's strongest public and private schools, with a 79.1 percent bachelor's degree attainment rate among residents underscoring the education-focused mindset. Top-performing options include Redwood Heights Elementary (score 52), Conservatory Of Vocal/Instrumental Arts High (score 50), and Skyline High (score 23.5), plus private alternatives like Raskob Day School and Oakland Hebrew Day School.

Elementary Schools

5.2/10
Redwood Heights Elementary
Elementary · KG–5
17-minute walk

School Score 52 with 47% math and 57% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
3.0/10
Laurel Elementary
Elementary · KG–5
33-minute walk

School Score 29.5 with 28% math and 31% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
2.2/10
Carl B. Munck Elementary
Elementary · KG–5
19-minute walk

School Score 22 with 22% math and 22% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026

Middle Schools

5.0/10
Community Day Middle
Middle School · 6–8
31-minute walk

School Score 50 with 50% math and 50% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
1.2/10
Roses In Concrete
Middle School · KG–8
35-minute walk

School Score 12.5 with 8% math and 17% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
n/a
Conservatory Of Vocal/Instrumental Arts
Middle School · KG–8
27-minute walk Proximitii 2026
n/a
Roses In Concrete
Middle School · KG–8
35-minute walk Proximitii 2026

High Schools

5.0/10
Conservatory Of Vocal/Instrumental Arts High
High School · 9–12
34-minute walk

School Score 50 with 50% math and 50% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
2.4/10
Skyline High
High School · 9–12
29-minute walk

School Score 23.5 with 15% math and 32% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
1.6/10
Bret Harte Middle
High School · 6–9
40-minute walk

School Score 15.5 with 13% math and 18% reading proficiency

Proximitii 2026
n/a
Community Day High
High School · 9–12
30-minute walk Proximitii 2026

Private Schools Nearby

  • Raskob Day School (4-8) — 13-minute walk
  • First Covenant Treehouse Preschool & Kindergarten (PK-KG) — 14-minute walk
  • Oakland Hebrew Day School (KG-8) — 19-minute walk
  • Mountain Blvd Montessori School (PK-KG) — 22-minute walk
  • Growing Light Montessori School (PK-KG) — 33-minute walk

Feeder pattern: Most elementary-age children feed through Redwood Heights, then progress to middle and high school options depending on choice enrollment and preference.

Source: Proximitii 2026

Commute from Oakland Hills

Oakland Hills sits on the ridge above central Oakland, making car commutes the default. Additionally, most residents drive to jobs in downtown Oakland, Walnut Creek, or the Peninsula; transit is limited but viable for select routes. Working from home (22.2 percent of residents) remains a popular alternative.

Downtown Oakland
Drive: 12 to 18 minTransit: 35 to 50 min
Walnut Creek / Concord
Drive: 25 to 35 minTransit: 50 to 75 min (via AC Transit)
San Francisco / Bay Bridge
Drive: 30 to 45 minTransit: 60 to 90 min
SFO Airport
Drive: 50 to 65 minTransit: 90+ min

Additionally, AC Transit serves Skyline Boulevard and Joaquin Miller Road; service is infrequent (transit score 35) but sufficient for those with flexible schedules or short-distance commutes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Oakland Hills

What is the average home price in Oakland Hills, Moraga?

The median home value in Oakland Hills is approximately $1.15 million, reflecting the neighborhood's premium positioning within Moraga and the East Bay. Additionally, prices range from roughly $950,000 for smaller condos to $2.5 million for larger estate homes. Year-over-year appreciation runs near 2.1 percent, modest but steady given the established nature of the neighborhood and consistent demand from affluent families and professionals.

Is Oakland Hills a safe neighborhood?

Yes. Additionally, oakland Hills maintains a poverty rate of just 2.0 percent and a median household income exceeding $198,000, characteristics closely correlated with lower crime and strong community engagement. Moreover, the neighborhood's high owner-occupancy rate (88.9 percent) fosters investment in upkeep and security. Like any Oakland area, standard awareness practices apply, but the neighborhood's affluent, stable character supports a safe living environment.

Which schools serve Oakland Hills, Moraga?

Elementary students typically attend Redwood Heights Elementary (score 52) or Laurel Elementary (score 29.5). For secondary education, Conservatory Of Vocal/Instrumental Arts High (score 50) and Skyline High (score 23.5) are popular public options; private families explore Raskob Day School and Oakland Hebrew Day School. The neighborhood's 79.1 percent bachelor's degree attainment rate reflects the emphasis many families place on education.

Is Oakland Hills walkable?

Oakland Hills is not walkable in the traditional sense, with a walk score of 15 and bike score of 14. Nearly all errands and activities require a car. However, the neighborhood's remote work rate (22.2 percent) and car-dependent design are intentional trade-offs that many residents choose precisely to escape urban hustle and enjoy hillside tranquility, sweeping views, and spacious lots.

Who is Oakland Hills best suited for?

Oakland Hills appeals most to affluent, established families seeking top schools and quiet, scenic surroundings; remote workers comfortable with car dependence; and retirees or investors drawn to the neighborhood's stability and high owner-occupancy culture. First-time buyers may find entry prices daunting unless well-capitalized.

What are nearby amenities and how accessible are they?

Oakland Hills residents enjoy easy car access to Safeway and Woodminster Market for groceries, Cafe Galleria and Peet's Coffee for daily coffee, and Sparky's Burgers for casual dining. Additionally, recreation options include Joaquin Miller Park for hiking, Planet Fitness for workouts, and Chabot Space and Science Center for family outings. Most are 5 to 15 minutes away by car; public transit to these venues is limited.

Where this Oakland Hills data comes from

Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Additionally, walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.

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