Home to a little more than 20,000 people, suburban Albany is a sought-after bayfront city that harbors a remarkable history. At the start of the 20th century, this area – then known as Ocean View – was used by the city of Berkeley as a massive dumping ground for excess garbage. Fed up with their community being treated like a landfill, the women of Ocean View armed themselves and confronted inbound Berkeley trash wagons, kickstarting a series of conflicts known as the “Garbage Wars.” In September 1908, locals were finally able to incorporate Ocean View as a city and passed legislation to prevent further dumping. Soon after its incorporation, the city was renamed Albany, and the community spent the following decades focused on revitalizing the land. Today, Albany is a vibrant Bay Area enclave with walkable shopping districts, scenic parks and highly rated schools. “The area is so desirable,” says Allen Cain, executive director of the local Solano Avenue Association. "It’s not just the schools and the businesses and the great yogurt places; it’s about the public safety. The streets are well-lit, and your kids can walk home from school alone."
Jogging is a common morning routine in Albany parks.
Dog-lovers end their day at Albany Beach.
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Homes with character and million-dollar price tags
Albany spans less than 2 square miles, so its residential streets are lined with densely packed homes exhibiting eclectic Craftsman-style and Mediterranean motifs. Lawn space is minimal, and although many homes have short driveways, residents also take advantage of the city’s free street parking. Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are present on many properties; they’re becoming increasingly popular as homebuyers seek more affordable housing options. The median price of a home here is approximately $1.2 million; listings spend an average of 35 days on the market before being sold. Albany’s high housing costs are primarily attributed to the city’s public school system and East Bay location next to Berkeley.
Cherished memories built in this cozy Albany family home.
Albany is full of architectural houses and landscaping.
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A's all-around at Albany City Unified School District
The Albany City Unified School District is one of the town’s biggest draws. The district receives an overall A rating from Niche and includes three elementary schools, one middle and one high school. Families can also send younger children to Albany Children’s Center, the district’s preschool; all Albany City schools earn ratings of A or higher. At the A-plus-rated Albany High, students can take applied arts courses in partnership with the Contra Costa County Region Occupation Program.
Albany is also home to the University Village neighborhood, an off-campus residential community maintained by the University of California, Berkeley. The university’s main campus is situated in downtown Berkeley, only 3 miles from Albany. Part of the UC system, this research university is consistently recognized as one of the nation’s top public universities. Between 2023 and 2025, UC Berkeley was ranked the No. 1 public university in America by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Center for World University Rankings.
Shaping futures at Albany High School.
Educational cornerstone Marin Elementary in Albany.
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Albany Bulb is a waterfront wonder
Albany has a total of 16 city parks with recreational amenities like athletic facilities, picnic areas, walking trails and playgrounds. What was once the community’s primary landfill site in the early 1900s has since been transformed into the Albany Bulb, a waterfront park and natural area spanning over 80 acres. Urban trailways in the area include a hiking trail at Albany Hill Park lined with towering eucalyptus trees and the Ohlone Greenway, a pedestrian walkway stretching from El Cerrito to Berkeley. Farther inland is the Tilden Regional Park, a well-known hiking destination with a 2,000-acre landscape including a botanical garden, golf course and a swimming lake. The city’s recreation department, public library and cable station are all in the Albany Community Center, which also offers event venues. Albany has a moderate Mediterranean climate, meaning residents can enjoy year-round outdoor recreation.
Joyful beach day with dogs at Albany Beach.
Get an adrenaline rush from high-speed cycling in Albany.
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Events, eateries and entertainment along Solano Avenue
Albany’s cardinal shopping destination is Solano Avenue, a bustling east-west street packed with small businesses, boutiques and local eateries. This principal corridor also hosts a jam-packed calendar of events organized by the Solano Avenue Association; one of the largest events is the annual Solano Avenue Stroll, a massive street festival that began in the 1970s. “It’s this huge kind of community event, and it wouldn’t be a community event without the community. Whoever you are, however much you make, you can come here and listen to bands, meet nonprofits and try new food, all for free,” Cain says. “Last year, it was over 100,000 people.” Additional shopping and dining options in Albany are located along San Pablo Avenue, a local thoroughfare with heavy motor vehicle traffic. Aside from Target and a couple of grocery stores, the closest big box retailers and national chains are in next-door Berkeley.
Come into Zaytoon and for a bite to eat or even a nice glass of wine.
Enjoy fine food and drinks at Zaytoon restaurant.
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Albany caters to commuters and pedestrians
Albany’s small size allows for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, including a city-wide network of biking paths and an abundance of sidewalks. Ohlone Greenway is a paved, pedestrian-only walkway through the middle of the city, passing by shopping areas, parks and community centers. Commuters can rely on local buses operated by the Alameda Contra-Costa Transit District, which connects with nearby BART stations in Berkeley and El Cerrito. Interstates 580 and 80 run through western Albany along the waterfront and connect to major cities like Oakland, 8 miles away. However, despite the short distance to places like Oakland, interstate traffic often causes longer driving times. Oakland International Airport is approximately 16 miles from Albany and has direct flights to dozens of cities in the United States.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
