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Community Information
School Information
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Community information
The cities and towns that we serve are listed below. If you would like to find out about the latest homes that have become available in these communities, please contact us at 888-869-0663 or you can setup a Private Search!
Click on underlined cities to view a description of the city.
Located on the southeast side of the San Francisco Bay, Fremont is a city of over 208,000 people with an area of 92 square miles, making it the fourth most populous city in the Bay Area and California's fifth largest city in area. With its moderate climate and its proximity to major universities, shopping areas, recreational and cultural activities, employment centers, major airports, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit system, Fremont captures metropolitan living at its best. The Fremont area was first settled with the establishment of Mission San Jose by the Spanish. In the mid-1840's, John C. Fremont mapped a trail through Mission Pass to provide access for American settlers into the southeastern San Francisco Bay Area. In 1853, Washington Township was established, taking in the communities of Mission San Jose, Centerville, Niles, Irvington, and Warm Springs. On January 23, 1956, these communities joined together to form the City of Fremont.
From its incorporation in 1956, Fremont grew from a collection of farm based communities with a population of about 26,000. With the guidance of an award winning general plan, Fremont has evolved into a community of wide landscaped streets, 46 city parks, the San Francisco National Wildlife Refuge, Coyote Hills Regional Park, and the unique Ardenwood Farm Historical Park. With a vibrant commercial/industrial sector, Fremont is home to the New United Motor Manufacturing plant (NUMMI), a joint venture between General Motors and Toyota, producing Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks, the Geo Prizm, and the Toyota Corolla.
As a part of the world famous Silicon Valley, Fremont also is proud to be home to Lam Research, LSI Logic/Micronics Computers, Logitech, and HMT Technology as well as many smaller but rapidly growing technology companies.
Long recognized as an ethnically and culturally diverse family oriented community, Fremont boasts a crime rate consistently the lowest or near the lowest of the country's 100 largest cities. While not immune to the problems of the larger urban area, Fremont is fortunate to draw on the creative resources of an involved citizenry and robust local government institutions in addressing them.
The history of the City of Fremont is presented in an attractive book published by the Mission Peak Heritage Foundation entitled "The City of Fremont: The First Thirty Years". This very thorough history of the City covers the early history in summary form and focuses on the years since incorporation. The book includes many rare historical photographs, some of which are dispayed in this Website. Copies of the book are available at the Fremont Main Library. A limited number of books may be available for purchase at a cost of $29.95 at the Ardenwood Train Station, Ardenwood Historical Park, or the Shinn House at Shinn Historical Park. Fremont Unified School District Test Results
Fremont Unified School District Info
Click here for more Fremont Area Info
(History and images courtesy of The City of Fremont Official Home Page.)
 The Hayward Hills
Hayward is a vibrant and diverse community of 123,000 residents, boasting a variety of recreational and cultural attractions -- parks, arts groups and art enrichment opportunities, historical roots and resources -- which help make Hayward a good place to live as well as a good place to work. We have many parks, swim centers, tennis courts, an arts center, performance theaters, a rodeo arena, a nature center, and a greenbelt hiking trail. Skywest, Hayward's professionally rated 18-hole golf course, is "one of the best municipal golf courses in the East Bay" according to the San Francisco Business Times. And we have restaurants to satisfy every taste! There is lots to see and do in Hayward, right here in The Heart of the Bay. Location Hayward is located on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, 25 miles southeast of San Francisco, 14 miles south of Oakland, 26 miles north of San Jose, and 10 miles west of the Livermore Valley. The city encompasses 61 square miles ranging from the shore of the Bay eastward to the southern Oakland-Berkeley Hills. People Hayward has a culturally and economically diverse population of 123,000. City Government Hayward was incorporated in 1876 and is a full service City. The City operates under the Council-Manager form of government with a City Council made up of seven members (including the Mayor) elected at-large for four year terms. History Hayward was founded in 1852 by William Hayward, who purchased 40 acres of land encompassing what is now Downtown Hayward. The early Hayward community, with its location at the crossroads of commerce, its temperate climate, and its fertile soil, consisted of a stage coach stop, post office, general trading store, a dairy farm, and one of the area's finest hotel resorts. Hayward experienced tremendous growth during the post-war years, and since the 1960's has grown at a steady and managed pace. Downtown Hayward Hayward has a pedestrian-friendly downtown comprised of two story buildings with a mix of housing, retail shops, offices, and restaurants -- and parking is free! Downtown is the site of the Saturday Farmer's Market and celebrations throughout the year including the Blues and Brew, Celebration of Nations, and Art and Wine Festivals. The City is developing a Civic Center Complex with government offices in City Hall, retail stores, and condominiums adjacent to the downtown BART station. Across from the Civic Center, 83 townhomes, the first phase of 250 new residences, have been built. Education Hayward is home to a California State University campus (Cal State Hayward), Chabot Community College, and 23 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools operated by the Hayward Unified School District. Local technical and business colleges provide training programs designed to equip students with practical job skills. The vast educational and research resources of University of California campuses in Berkeley and San Francisco, and Stanford University, are located nearby. Culture And Recreation Hayward boasts a variety of recreational and cultural attractions -- parks, arts groups and art enrichment opportunities, historical roots and resources -- which help make Hayward a good place to live as well as a good place to work. The Shoreline Interpretive Center and the Japanese Garden are unique to Hayward. We have many parks, swim centers, tennis courts, an arts center, performance theaters, a rodeo arena, a nature center, and a greenbelt hiking trail. Skywest, Hayward's professionally rated 18-hole golf course, is "one of the best municipal golf courses in the East Bay" according to the San Francisco Business Times. And we have restaurants to satisfy every taste! There is lots to see and do in Hayward -- click here for more information about the sights of our city and here for a calendar of events. Transportation/Access Hayward is served by four freeways, the transbay Hayward-San Mateo bridge, two BART (rapid transit) stations, several AC Transit bus routes, and three international airports (Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose). In addition, Hayward has its own general aviation airport. It is easy to get to and around Hayward.
Click here for more Hayward Area Info
(History courtesy of The City of Hayward Official Web Site)
Hayward Unified School District Test Results
Hayward Unified School District Info
Founded in 1869, Livermore is located in the Tri-Valley region East of San Francisco on Interstate 580 providing easy access to both the Central Valley and San Francisco Bay metropolitan area.
Livermore is the epitome of California living with its urban amenities and relaxed lifestyle. Surrounded by vineyards and golden hillsides, yet less than an hour from San Francisco - Livermore is ideally located for trips to the mountains or the ocean. Great hospitality, community spirit, and a sense of history with a tendency towards the futuristic - this is the image of California and an essential part of Livermore's appeal.
Tour California's Original Wine Country Award-winning quality permeates those who come to experience the 15 friendly wineries of the Livermore Valley. The quiet and unrushed community of winemakers and growers who often double as tasting room hosts offers the same friendly hospitality that visitors experienced over a century ago. Winemaking is a way of life as much as it is a vocation to these vintners, and, given the Livermore Valley's ideal climate and soil, it's no wonder that everyone from fourth generation Livermore Valley Vintners to the cadre of new, talented winemakers strives to make wines that reflect the character and potential of this region. Historic Tours and Museums Historic sites and buildings abound. Visit the History Center and Art Gallery and pick up a walking tour map of the downtown area. You just might meet an oldtimer who knew world heavyweight boxer Max Baer or world champion all-around cowboy Johnnie Scheider. Sports and Recreation With more than 41 facilities operated by the Livermore Area Park and Recreation District, there is no shortage of recreational opportunities. There are plenty of sports leagues for youths and adults. Livermore currently has two public and twoprivate golf course. Other entertainment includes bowling, movies, and two family amusement centers. Shopping and Dining Downtown Livermore features several historic sites to visit, as well as numerous antique shops and galleries. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, with more to open in the next year.
Click here for more Livermore Area Info
(History courtesy of The City of Livermore Official Home Page)
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Test Results
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Information
Welcome to the City of Newark! Newark is located in Silicon Valley on the east side of San Francisco Bay. Part of one of the most dynamic urban areas in the world, Newark has maintained a strong and proud spirit rooted in community values.
Residents and businesses alike continually demonstrate their pride in our community. This unique spirit and cooperation between residents, businesses, and city government has resulted in a thriving, well balanced, and well planned city.
Click here for more Newark Area Info
(History courtesy of The City of Newark official web site)
Newark Unified School District Test Results
Newark Unified School District Info
Pleasanton, is located in the eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area. Its geographic location has been one of the major factors in shaping its past and will continue to shape its future. Pleasanton has a deep agricultural heritage due to its being blessed with rich soil, it became the agricultural center for the Amador Valley and home to the oldest horse racing track in the nation. Even today, famous horses from around the country continue to be sent here to showcase their speed because of the excellent soil and facilities. The hops grown here were sought by many of the largest beer producers in the United States and Europe, making Pleasanton internationally famous. After being chosen as the background for the movie, "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm", starring Mary Pickford, the town served as the location for many films because of its historic downtown and rural flavor. Pleasanton's rural character was maintained through the late 1950's while other cities in the Bay Area grew rapidly, often routinely bulldozing blocks of historic buildings in the name of "prngress." It was only a matter of time until developers made their move on Pleasanton and the 1960s and '70s brought drastic increases in both its boundaries and population. Located at the intersection of I-580/I680, Pleasanton became a magnet for retail/commercial developers. Several business parks were constructed including Hacienda, which is the largest in northern California. Jobs multiplied rapidly. By the mid 80s, Pleasanton was the third fastest growing city in California based on economic indicators. Through the great efforts of its citizens and municipal programs, the historic downtown is once again buzzing with activity around new restaurants and retail businesses that have moved back to Main Street. Revenues from its commercial and retail centers have helped the City fund many of the essential recreational and cultural services that set Pleasanton apart from other towns of like size in the Bay Area. Pleasanton manages to preserve its "turn of the century" flavor while promoting the growth and progress necessary for the economic health of the community. Pleasanton now has the largest active sports park in northern California, a public swimming complex with three pools, a regional park with facilities for boating, fishing and swimming, a City-owned theater for live performances, state-of-the-art basketball facilities built by the joint efforts of the City and School District at both middle schools, vast open space parks connected throughout with miles of trail for horseback riding, walking, or bicycling . . . and even a skateboard park. The highly ranked Pleasanton Unified School District provides elementary, intermediate and high school education to the community. Achievement test scores consistently rank in the top percentiles among California schools.
Pleasanton Unified School District Test Results
Pleasanton Unified School District Info As Pleasanton moves into the new millineum, it remains a welcoming family town and continues to emerge as a major job center with many corporate businesses moving their headquarters here, Over 3,000 businesses and industries employing over 32,000 people are presently located in Pleasanton. Its resident population now exceeds 57,000 and is still growing. (Much of the text and images courtesy of the Official City of Pleasanton Web Site) Click here for more Pleasanton Area Info
 |  |  |  | The City of San Ramon, CA | Location: Incorporated on July 1, 1983, the City of San Ramon is located in Contra Costa Countq on 11 square miles of the San Ramon Valley, approximately 25 miles east of the City of Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area. The San Ramon Valley has long been considered one of the most desirable living areas in the Bay Area because of its scenic beauty, good climate, suburban charm, and proximity to the Bay Area's major employment centers. San Ramon is at the heart of the valley and is surrounded by the prosperous communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, Danville, and Diablo. Population: Since 1980, the population of San Ramon has increased by over 80% from 22,356 to an estimated 41,000 in 1995. Income and Labor Until the early 1980's the City of San Ramon was primarily a bedroom community for the major employment centers in the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose/Silicon Valley. The development of Bishop Ranch, in 1982, transformed San Ramon into a significant regional employment center. With the development of major new employment centers, employees are attracted from such far away distances as Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. The Bishop Ranch Office Park consists of 580 acres of land with 5.9 million square feet of office space. The office park currently is home to approximately 200 companies including such Fortune 500 companies as Pacific Bell, Chevron, AT&T, Toyota, and United Parcel Service. San Ramon is an attractive, expanding City and it is expected that over 16,000 jobs will be added within the next 15 years. This represents a 58% increase over the current 27,643 jobs in San Ramon. The City is also an affluent community with the average household income for 1990 estimated to be $79,245. This compares to a county-wide average of $59,432. The nationally awarded and highly ranked San Ramon Valley Unified School District provides elementary, intermediate and high school education to the community. Achievement test scores consistently rank in the top percentiles among California schools.
San Ramon Valley Unified School District Test Results
San Ramon Valley Unified School District Info (History and images courtesy of The City of San Ramon Official Home Page.) Click here for more San Ramon Area Info
 Image © Derek Johnson.
Sunol is a rural community of 900 to 1200 people located in Alameda County between the south San Francisco Bay and the Livermore Valley. The total land area designated as Sunol encompasses 86 square miles - about the same size as the city of San Francisco.
The area now know as Sunol was originally settled by the Ohlone tribe about 5000 years ago. The Ohlone lived in small villages with well defined territorial boundaries. Their culture was highly developed and stable in this plentiful land teeming with wildlife and other resources. A bountiful yield of plant and animal foods was ensured by careful management of the land. Controlled burning of extensive areas was carried out each fall to promote the growth of seed-bearing annual plants as well as to increase the grazing areas for deer, elk and antelope. Acorns from the many oaks were a staple plant food. When the Mission San Jose was established by the Spanish, the Ohlone population fell from about 10,000 to 2,000 within 60 years, mostly as a result of contracting European diseases.
In the mid 1800's, Antonio Maria Sunol and Maria Bernal Sunol gained ownership of 14,000 acres of Rancho El Valle de San Jose. One of their sons (also with the name Antonio Maria Sunol) build a complex of ranching support buildings near the present-day Sunol Water Temple. A larger community was created as disappointed gold miners settled as farmers.
By the late 1800's trains came through Sunol and Niles Canyon as the easiest way enter and leave San Jose. The ready access to Sunol by the railroads helped develop Sunol as a vacation area for city dwellers. By the turn of the century, the town boasted four hotels, three grocery stores, a meat market, two barber shops, two restaurants, and a soda fountain. During the same period, land and water rights were acquired by the Spring Valley Water Company which supplied water to Oakland and San Francisco.
The Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads had separate tracks through Sunol until 1984 when the Southern Pacific right-of-way was abandoned. In 1987, the Pacific Locomotive Association gain access to the Southern Pacific right-of-way and relaid the tracks between Sunol and Niles. They now offer steam train rides down Niles Canyon.
In 1906, William Bourn, a major stockholder in the Spring Valley Water Company, and owner of the Empire Gold Mine, hired Willis Polk to design a "water temple" at Sunol where people could celebrate the "meeting of the waters." Bourn wanted to sell the water company to the City of San Francisco and saw the temple as a way to appeal to San Francisco voters (there is more information on the Water Temple at the Save our Sunol web site.)
Sunol continued to develop as both an agricultural and recreational area. In 1925, Hazel Glen Avenue (now Kilkare Road) was improved, and 100 log cabins were constructed as summer retreats among the trees 3-1/2 miles up the canyon. The cabins in Kilkare Woods remained as summer homes until World War II when people started living in them all year because of a shortage of homes in the Livermore-Amador Valley.
The current Sunol Glen school, built in 1925, has about 250 students in kindergarten through eighth grades. The school has always acted as a community center - the auditorium still contains a metal lined movie projection loft designed during the era of carbon-arc projectors.
Over the years, fires have consumed much of the historic structures in Sunol. Most recently, between 1987 and 1989, three separate fires destroyed 7 businesses and a home on Main Street. Only now are they being replaced.
This brief history is only glimpse into the essence of Sunol. It doesn't explain why there are bed races, how a community theatre group flourishes, or who would have a dog for a mayor. If you are interested in learning more, A Place Called Sunol is good starting point, or simply strike up a conversation in the Olde Townhouse Cafe. The stories on this page are from the book A Place Called Sunol, by Connie and Allen DeGrange. This book is available from The Olde Townhouse Cafe (Main St. Sunol) Sunol Glen Unified School District Info (History and images courtesy of The City of Sunol Official Home Page.) Click here for more Sunol Area Info
Silicon Valley Gateway Community Affordable, quality housing is attracting an increasing number of Silicon Valley jobholders to purchase homes in Union City, says Deputy City Manager Susan McCue. The reasons include safe and excellent schools, proximity to transportation services, convenient shopping and a wide selection of newer housing stock.
If you haven't been to Union City in a while, says Susan, "It's time to look again!"
Alameda County Test Results
Union City Area School District Information
(History courtesy of Union City Official Home Page)
Click here for more Union City Area Info
On Oct. 21, 1914 the original town of Walnut Creek and surrounding area, comprising 500 acres, were incorporated as the eighth city in Contra Costa County. Today Walnut Creek is Contra Costa County's central hub of activity and traffic flow. At the crossroads of major highways 680 and 24, and containing 2 BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) stations, Walnut Creek is arguably Contra Costa's most urbanized city. Suprisingly, as urbanized as Walnut Creek has become, it hasn't lost its grass-roots feel. The residents are a vocal bunch, constantly wrestling for the magical balance between economic growth and the potential for uncontrolled urban sprawl. It has a charming downtown bustling with shops, markets and restaurants of the quality found in even San Francisco, but without the urban coolness of that larger city. Walnut Creek's residential areas are a throwback to its rural and suburban roots, yet convenient to the bustling downtown, numerous parks public facilities and public transportation that so many suburbs lack these days. With Mount Diablo at its Southeastern corner, many parts of the community boast spectacular views of the mountain in the background. Walnut Creek's school age children are served by schools from 4 different school districts: The Walnut Creek Elementary School District- District Information
District Test Scores
The Acalanes Union High School District- District Information
District Test Scores
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District- District Information
District Test Scores
The Mt. Diablo Unified School District- District Information
District Test Scores
Please note that the Mt. Diablo School District is one of California's largest districts and encompasses 6 other large communities besides Walnut Creek. It is best to check specific school performance in the area in which you are considering rather than district-wide data which may be skewed down by other economically challenged areas within this enormous school district. The specific schools serving Walnut Creek in each district (Images courtesy of the Official City of Walnut Creek Web Site) Click here for more Walnut Creek Area Information
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