Washington Manor-Bonaire

Packed with parks, schools and delicious local eateries, Washington Manor-Bonaire has everything you could want in a city suburb and more.

You'll find this community in the city of San Leandro, right off Interstate 880. It's an ideal location for folks commuting to Oakland, less than 15 miles due north, or downtown San Francisco, which is 24 miles away — a 35-minute drive, give or take. And what's better is you don't even need a car to get around, thanks to several East Bay Bus Rapid Transit stops in the neighborhood, as well as the nearby Bay Area Rapid Transit station.

An abundance of local businesses is another major draw to this side of the city. For decades, folks have been coming here from all corners of the city to pick up a fresh pie from Porky's Pizza or grab a sweet treat from Clancy's Ice Cream. Many Washington Manor-Bonaire residents have the benefit of being within walking distance of these long-standing staples, as well as newer spots like El Portal Restaurant and Ryan's Pub, which is a hotspot of activity on weekends because of Friday night karaoke and a consistent lineup of weekend DJs. As for day-to-day errands, Manor Square is lined with convenient businesses right in the heart of the neighborhood. Fresh produce and groceries you wouldn't find at any old store are sold at 88 Manor Market, a small Asian-Hispanic-American grocery store with a location just outside the neighborhood.

Architecturally, Washington Manor-Bonaire's single-family properties are characterized by the dynamic shapes of the midcentury modern style along with the vinyl-sided simplicity of the Minimal Traditional style. Ranch-style homes are the most common build, but don't be surprised by the odd two-story or split-level residence since there are quite a few custom houses. As a city suburb, lots in this community aren't large. Still, with a median lot size of 5,227 square feet, there's plenty of outdoor space for homeowners to really make their properties their own. Multifamily properties, such as townhouses and condos, can also be found along these sidewalk-lined streets. Listing prices in Washington Manor-Bonaire range from $605,000 to $1.2 million. For a little more than the average listing price, $816,742, you could land a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house.

With the exception of a couple playgrounds sprinkled throughout the neighborhood, Washington Manor-Bonaire has three parks. Little and Junior League players and parents are sure to become familiar with the ballfields at Stenzel Park. Horseshoe games, picnics and playdates are popular pastimes at Bonaire Park. The crown jewel of this neighborhood's parks, Washington Manor Park, stretches across 15 lush acres on the community's east side with an array of recreational facilities, including the San Leandro Aquatic Family Center and pickleball courts.

Students living on the north side of Washington Manor-Bonaire can start school at Corvallis Elementary, rated with a C on Niche, while those on the south side may attend Dayton Elementary, rated with a B-minus on Niche. Both schools are located in the neighborhood, as is the local middle school, Washington Manor Middle, rated with a B-minus on Niche. This school is home to several clubs, including the gardening, creative writing and badminton clubs. The last stop on this academic journey is San Leandro High School, less than 5 miles northeast of Washington Manor-Bonaire. Rated with a B on Niche, this high school offers three academy programs. One of which is the San Leandro Academy of Multimedia, a three-year program that allows students to work on cross-curricular projects, seamlessly combining coursework from English, social studies and media classes to help students gain an understanding of the kind of work and dynamic thinking that goes into media-based careers. Alternatively, students can apply for the Academy for Business and Finance or the Social Justice Academy.

Central, walkable and convenient, Washington Manor-Bonaire has a lot going for it, making its unique charm a happy bonus.

Written By

Micaela Willoughby

Photography Contributed By

Anita Shin

Video By

Lucas Dyke