Hillsdale, Pleasant Hill, CA: What Buyers Should Know
Additionally, A polished, car-dependent neighborhood anchoring Pleasant Hill's east side with strong schools and mature demographics.
About Hillsdale in Pleasant Hill
Hillsdale is an affluent, established suburban neighborhood in Pleasant Hill that appeals to educated, married families seeking strong schools and quieter surroundings. The median home value of $1.09 million reflects its desirability and well-maintained housing stock, with an owner-occupancy rate of 90.1 percent. This is a car-centric community where 52.6 percent of residents drive to work and walkability is limited; buyers should expect a suburban lifestyle centered on family, schools, and local amenities rather than walkable urban convenience.
Real Estate Market in Hillsdale
| Median home price | $1.09M |
|---|---|
| Year over year change | stable |
| Price per sq ft | $650 to $700 |
| Median rent | $2,542 |
| Typical days on market | 20 to 25 days |
| Buyer competition | Moderate |
| Walk Score | 30 |
| Transit Score | 14 |
| Bike Score | 36 |
Additionally, hillsdale commands premium pricing relative to broader Pleasant Hill, driven by school quality and demographic stability. Inventory moves steadily in this mature neighborhood, with strong competition among qualified buyers.
Homes in Hillsdale typically attract multiple offers from families relocating for schools and stability. A pre-approval, strong earnest money deposit, and minimal contingencies strengthen your position without overextending.
Who Thrives in Hillsdale
Entry prices exceed $1M; first-time buyers need substantial down payment capacity and income verification to qualify.
Additionally, hillsdale is purpose-built for families; strong schools like Sequoia Elementary (68.5 rating) and established neighborhoods with 26.2% households containing children make this ideal.
Additionally, high owner-occupancy and stable demand provide steady rental income; median rent of $2,542 yields modest returns on $1.09M purchase prices.
Additionally, 21.5% work from home; car-dependent setting is manageable for remote professionals who value family-friendly surroundings over commute convenience.
Additionally, median age of 47 and established infrastructure suit downsizers; low crime and accessible amenities appeal to older buyers seeking low-maintenance community living.
Property Types in Hillsdale
Majority of Hillsdale stock; well-maintained lots with mature landscaping and modern interiors common.
Clustered in specific pockets; lower maintenance appeals to downsizers and younger families.
Limited new construction; premium pricing for updated homes with energy-efficient systems.
Living in Hillsdale, Pleasant Hill
Daily life in Hillsdale revolves around schools, parks, and suburban routines. Coffee runs to Latte Da Espresso & More or Peet's Coffee, weekend farmers market trips to Pleasant Hill Market or Safeway, and evening fitness classes at StudioFlex or Club Pilates are neighborhood staples. Dinosaur Hill Park and Rodgers Smith Park host family picnics and youth sports, while restaurants like Slow Hand BBQ and Kobe Japan serve weeknight dining without the drive into downtown Walnut Creek.
- Round Table Pizza · 15 min walk
- Slow Hand BBQ · 16 min walk
- Wence's · 16 min walk
- Kobe Japan · 16 min walk
- Sirens · 18 min walk
- Latte Da Espresso & More · 17 min walk
- Starbucks · 23 min walk
- Peet's Coffee · 36 min walk
- O’Brien’s Ice Cream · 37 min walk
- Starbucks · 39 min walk
- Dinosaur Hill Park · 5 min walk
- Brookwood Park · 15 min walk
- Rodgers Smith Park · 17 min walk
- Pleasant Oaks Park · 23 min walk
- Pinewood Park · 23 min walk
- Pleasant Hill Market · 18 min walk
- Safeway · 20 min walk
- Lunardi's · 24 min walk
- Sprouts Farmers Market · 35 min walk
- Batter 'N Icing · 36 min walk
- StudioFlex · 33 min walk
- Club Pilates · 38 min walk
- Row House Fitness · 38 min walk
- Lindsay Wildlife Experience · 29 min walk
- Turkey Vulture · 29 min walk
- Walnut Creek Model Railroad Society · 31 min walk
- Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill · 35 min walk
Annual events: Pleasant Hill Community Center events, summer concert series, back-to-school festivals, seasonal farmers markets
Schools Near Hillsdale, Pleasant Hill
Hillsdale's reputation rests on its public and private school offerings, with Sequoia Elementary (68.5 rating) and Strandwood Elementary (66 rating) consistently outperforming state averages. Families typically feed from Sequoia Elementary into Sequoia Middle (56 rating) and onward to Pleasant Hill or regional high schools.
Elementary Schools
School Score 68.5 with 67% math and 70% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 66 with 62% math and 70% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 55.5 with 55% math and 56% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Middle Schools
School Score 56 with 48% math and 64% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 48.5 with 42% math and 55% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026High Schools
School Score 55 with 35% math and 75% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 20 with 20% math and 20% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Private Schools Nearby
- Christ The King Catholic School (KG-8) — 18-minute walk
- Alice'S Montessori Learning Center (PK-KG) — 19-minute walk
- Wellspring Educational Services Inc (PK-8) — 35-minute walk
- Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy (KG-12) — 15-minute walk
- Contra Costa Christian School (PK-12) — 29-minute walk
Feeder pattern: Most neighborhoods feed K-5 students into Sequoia Elementary, then Sequoia Middle; high school placement depends on residence within Pleasant Hill Unified and neighboring districts.
Source: Proximitii 2026
Commute from Hillsdale
Additionally, hillsdale is definitively car-dependent, with a walk score of 30 and transit score of 14 reflecting limited public transportation and spread-out commercial zones. Most residents commute by personal vehicle; public transit serves as a secondary option for those heading downtown or toward regional employment hubs.
Additionally, local bus service near Patterson Boulevard and Oak Park Boulevard; BART access via Pleasant Hill Station requires 10-15 minute drive, limiting car-free commuting to regional employment.
Neighborhoods Near Hillsdale
Not sure Hillsdale is the right fit? Compare these nearby neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hillsdale
What is the average home price in Hillsdale, Pleasant Hill?
Hillsdale homes median around $1.09 million, reflecting its affluent demographics and school reputation. Prices range from approximately $950,000 for smaller townhomes to $1.3 million for premium single-family residences. Price per square foot typically falls between $650 and $700, slightly above broader Pleasant Hill averages due to neighborhood desirability and low turnover rates.
Is Hillsdale a good place to live?
Yes, for families prioritizing schools and suburban stability. Hillsdale delivers strong public schools, low poverty (7.2%), and high median household income ($132,389), paired with established neighborhoods and mature landscaping. The tradeoff is car dependency and limited walkability; buyers should embrace the suburban model rather than expect urban convenience.
What are the best schools in Hillsdale?
Sequoia Elementary (68.5 rating) and Strandwood Elementary (66 rating) rank among the neighborhood's top choices for elementary students. Sequoia Middle (56 rating) serves grades 6-8 and feeds into Pleasant Hill high schools. Private options like Christ The King Catholic School and Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy also serve the area; many families research feeder patterns before purchasing.
Is Hillsdale safe?
Hillsdale maintains low crime rates consistent with affluent Contra Costa County suburbs. Additionally, police and fire services (Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Station 2 and Station 5) are responsive, and neighborhood watch programs are active. Community demographics and homeowner engagement contribute to a secure environment, though all suburban areas warrant standard urban awareness.
Who should move to Hillsdale?
Hillsdale suits established families with school-age children, professionals seeking suburban stability over urban walkability, and investors targeting rental income from educated, employed residents. Remote workers and early retirees benefit from low-traffic commutes and family-friendly infrastructure. First-time buyers may find entry prices ($1M+) challenging without substantial savings.
What amenities and activities are nearby in Hillsdale?
Hillsdale residents enjoy quick access to coffee shops like Peet's Coffee and Starbucks, grocery shopping at Safeway and Sprouts Farmers Market, fitness at Row House Fitness or Club Pilates, and dining at Slow Hand BBQ and Kobe Japan. Parks including Dinosaur Hill Park and Brookwood Park anchor family weekends, while Lindsay Wildlife Experience and Century 16 Downtown Pleasant Hill serve entertainment needs.
Where this Hillsdale 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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