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Palomares Hills

Palomares Hills

Suburban Neighborhood in Castro Valley, California

Alameda County 94552

$1,496,110 Average Value
$713 Average Price per Sq Ft
9 Homes For Sale
Palomares Hills offers a welcoming community in secluded surroundings.
Palomares Hills offers a welcoming community in secluded surroundings.

Suburban living in Castro Valley

Top-notch public schools, upscale subdivisions and easy access to Bay Area cities draw young families and commuters to Palomares Hills. The neighborhood’s residential streets curve along low, chaparral- and oak-covered inclines south of the Oakland Hills and Lake Chabot, offering peaceful, natural views close to popular regional parks and trails. “It’s a new neighborhood in the hills of East Castro Valley, with homes mostly built between the 1980s and the early 2000s,” says Realtor Francesca Davila of Evolve Real Estate, who specializes in Palomares Hills realty. “It feels removed, it’s very quiet and some homes have beautiful Bay views or views of the canyon.” About 5 to 10 degrees warmer than Oakland and the Peninsula, this sought-after suburb is 25 miles east of San Francisco, well connected to Interstate 580 and close to the Castro Valley BART Station.

Plentiful local parks

Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area meanders for 360 acres along the suburb’s west end, and includes a seasonal, shallow swimming lagoon, shaded picnic areas and a network of hiking and mountain biking trails. While most of these trails are easy to moderate, the 14-mile-roundtrip Chabot-to-Garin Regional Trail is a real challenge, climbing multiple switchbacks through oak woodlands, meadows and open grassland. Lake Chabot Regional Park draws a crowd all year round. Located about 6 miles west, it’s a lark for hikers, boaters, anglers and cyclists. On weekends and in summer, the barbecue pits in Palomares Hills Park are smokin’ and picnic shelters are full of family get-togethers. Locals head to Greenridge Park to play basketball and enjoy the serene views from this semi-shaded hilltop. Belonging to the Palomares Hills HOA costs about $70 a month, but it offers residents access to a clubhouse, a community pool and tennis courts.

You’ll find the Cull Canyon Regional Recreational Area, with an inviting sand-bottomed swimming.
You’ll find the Cull Canyon Regional Recreational Area, with an inviting sand-bottomed swimming.
The Palomares Hills Recreation Center serves as a hub for social activities for residents.
The Palomares Hills Recreation Center serves as a hub for social activities for residents.
Your kids will love the playground at Greenridge Park.
Your kids will love the playground at Greenridge Park.
Palomares Hills offers opportunities for outdoor activities encouraging kids to stay active.
Palomares Hills offers opportunities for outdoor activities encouraging kids to stay active.
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Spacious homes perched on hillside vistas

Unlike adjacent Castro Valley Hills, where most homes date to the mid-20th century, most of the housing in Palomares Hills was built between the mid-1980s and 2000s. A four-bedroom single-family home here averages $1.5 million, while a three-bedroom attached town house averages $1.3 million. Within Palomares Hills’ subdivisions, it’s common to see spacious Mediterranean Revival-style homes with red tile roofs, open floor plans, back patios and two-car garages. There are also some Craftsman homes, farmhouse-style homes and midcentury modern designs available in the area. Sidewalks aren’t a given, but most homes and streets offer views of the surrounding hills, which are grassy golden brown for much of the year, tumbled with fluffy green bushes and small round trees. Hawks circle high above, and the sky stretches along a seemingly endless horizon, with stunning orange sunsets in the height of summer.

Within Palomares Hills’ peaceful subdivisions you’ll see Spanish Colonial Revival-style homes.
Within Palomares Hills’ peaceful subdivisions you’ll see Spanish Colonial Revival-style homes.
The well-manicured front lawns in Palomares Hills contribute to the overall appeal of the area.
The well-manicured front lawns in Palomares Hills contribute to the overall appeal of the area.
The homes in Palomares Hills often exhibit a blend of architectural styles.
The homes in Palomares Hills often exhibit a blend of architectural styles.
Palomares Hills it's known for its picturesque setting, nestled between rolling hills.
Palomares Hills it's known for its picturesque setting, nestled between rolling hills.
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Top-notch public schools

The Castro Valley Unified School District is the area’s star attraction: Every one of its schools earns above-average Niche ratings for their student test scores and academic progress. “The schools are a huge draw for the neighborhood, and for Castro Valley in general,” Davila says. Located in the heart of Palomares Hills is Jensen Ranch Elementary, which earns an A rating from Niche. A-rated Canyon Middle has high academic expectations but offers flexibility for individual learning styles; and downtown, the challenging, A-rated Castro Valley High maintains graduation rates that regularly top 95%. The school is a three-time winner of the California Distinguished Schools Award.

Canyon Middle School offers a space where all student can learn and thrive.
Canyon Middle School offers a space where all student can learn and thrive.
Jensen Ranch Elementary School is known for its commitment to providing a quality education.
Jensen Ranch Elementary School is known for its commitment to providing a quality education.
Castro Valley High School offers a comprehensive range of academic programs.
Castro Valley High School offers a comprehensive range of academic programs.
Castro Valley High School score an A on Niche, with a student-teacher ratio of 23 to 1.
Castro Valley High School score an A on Niche, with a student-teacher ratio of 23 to 1.
Welcome to Canyon Middle School in Palomares Hills.
Welcome to Canyon Middle School in Palomares Hills.
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Downtown Castro Valley

While there’s no shopping or dining in the neighborhood, there’s a shopping plaza close by with a Safeway grocery store, a pet supply store, a 24-hour gym and several restaurants, including Pho Play, a downhome Vietnamese noodle shop. Downtown Castro Valley is the community’s lively centerpiece where residents shop at independent markets and dine on outdoor patios. Castro Valley Marketplace is an artisan food hall with a bakery and wine shop, as well as eateries like tapas hotspot Oculto, voted one of 2023’s Top 25 Bay Area Restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle. Downtown also features The Chabot, an historic single-screen movie theater.

Palomares Hills' resident can stop by the Saturday Makers Market located by CV Market Place.
Palomares Hills' resident can stop by the Saturday Makers Market located by CV Market Place.
Palomares Hills' residents can experience the food hall in Castro Valley Natural Grocery.
Palomares Hills' residents can experience the food hall in Castro Valley Natural Grocery.
Enjoy award-winning eats in a variety of cuisines inside Castro Valley Market Place.
Enjoy award-winning eats in a variety of cuisines inside Castro Valley Market Place.
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Castro Valley BART Station serves as a vital transportation gateway for Castro Valley residents.
Castro Valley BART Station serves as a vital transportation gateway for Castro Valley residents.

Getting around Castro Valley and the East Bay

Palomares Hills is just a few miles from Interstate 580, a major East Bay travel corridor that connects residents with nearby cities like Dublin and Oakland. It’s also just 4 miles from the Castro Valley BART Station, a commuter train that runs throughout most of the Bay Area.

Residents of Palomares Hills often enjoy amenities such as parks and community facilities.
Residents of Palomares Hills often enjoy amenities such as parks and community facilities.

What you need to know

Castro Valley is part of the Eden Area, a series of unincorporated communities in Alameda County, so it has no mayor and relies on the county for police and fire service. The area is at an increased risk for wildfires; however, a new fire station was built right in Palomares Hills in 2021, cutting response times to a bare minimum. Nearby hospitals include Kindred Hospital San Francisco Bay Area and Eden Medical Center.

Daniel Berti
Written By
Daniel Berti
Anita Shin
Photography Contributed By
Anita Shin
Zack Kojoyian
Video By
Zack Kojoyian

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Russelle Arciaga, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

21 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Palomares Hills US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,490,000
Median Single Family Price
$1,510,000
Median Townhouse Price
$1,225,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$713
Number of Homes for Sale
9
Last 12 months Home Sales
63
Months of Supply
1.70
Median List Price
$1,432,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
-1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
4%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,383
Median Year Built
1979
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,084
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,855
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,350
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
9,583

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    2 - 5pm

    20962 Sherman Dr, Castro Valley, CA 94552

    $1,350,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 2.5 Baths
    • 1,940 Sq Ft
    • 20962 Sherman Dr
    • New 2 days ago

    Charming Home Nestled in the desirable Palomares Hills Community in Castro Valley, this beautifully maintained single-family home combines comfort, elegance, and convenience in one stunning package. With 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, the thoughtfully designed layout offers both relaxed everyday living and stylish entertaining. Soaring ceilings fill the home with natural light. The

    Diana Fong United Brokers Real Estate

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 4pm

    5345 Crown Ct, Castro Valley, CA 94552

    $1,699,888

    • 4 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,138 Sq Ft
    • 5345 Crown Ct
    • New 5 days ago

    The Eichler Home you've been waiting for! Beautifully updated and located on a wonderful court. This home has been loved & cherished by its current owners. The moment you walk through the door, it feels like "home." From the open-air atrium, you see into the living room with high ceilings and a fireplace surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass and out to the backyard with incredible Bay and hill

    River Collins 4 Rivers Realty, Inc.

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  • Saturday, Apr 26
    1 - 4pm

    18720 Buren Place, Castro Valley, CA 94552

    $1,225,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 1,887 Sq Ft
    • 18720 Buren Place
    • New 15 days ago

    Gorgeous townhouse located atop of Castro Valley’s sought-after Palomares Hills, offering a scenic canyon view and ensuring privacy with no rear neighbors. This home features three spacious bedrooms upstairs, along with 2 full baths upsstairs and full bath downstairs. A versatile bonus room downstairs can easily be converted into a 4th bedroom, home office or den. Large kitchen with lots of

    Deanne Batis RE/MAX Accord

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Russelle Arciaga, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
6,567
Median Age
49
Population Density
4 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.2%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$190,873
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$205,796

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.9%
College Graduates
62.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
27.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

2 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

6 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

0 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Palomares Hills