Montclair is a small, upscale village perched in the Oakland Hills. Also referred to as Montclair Village or Montclair District, it is distinctive for its forested landscape, which shelters a primarily residential community.
The heart of the community is a vibrant shopping district called Montclair Village. Scattered throughout the neighborhood are numerous parks, trails, and recreational centers. Because of this, Montclair is often considered a choice jump-off point for adventure seekers looking to explore Oakland’s wild side.
Adjacent to the city of Piedmont, Montclair is also bounded by the Oakland neighborhoods of Piedmont Pines, Oakmore, Forestland, and Glen Highlands, among others. The neighborhood appeals to everyone from young families to empty nesters to some of Oakland society’s more prominent members. There are several schools located in the neighborhood, quite a few of which are numbered among the best public schools in all of Oakland.
History
Montclair, like other neighborhoods in the city, has a shared history with Oakland. During pre-Spanish colonial times, the area was inhabited by Ohlone Indians, particularly the Jalquin and Huchiun tribes.
The area Montclair now occupies was once part of Rancho San Antonio, a Mexican land grant awarded to Luis Maria Peralta. The land was eventually divided and distributed to his sons. Montclair, which was part of the San Antonio section, went to Antonio Maria Peralta.
Some of the earliest development projects in Montclair includes the construction of the Thornhill Road. In its early years, the area became a hub for redwood logging; today, a large portion of redwoods in the area are now protected. More growth and development was introduced when the Sacramento Northern Railroad passed through Montclair.
Montclair started to become the neighborhood we know today in the 1920s, when residential development of the whole hilly area started.
Real estate and property types in Montclair
Montclair’s housing market is primarily composed of single-family homes in a diverse array of architectural styles. This variety is one of Montclair real estate’s best points. Some of the styles found in the neighborhood include:
- Mid-century modern
- Craftsman
- Tudor Revival
- Storybook
- Postmodern
- Mediterranean
- Ranch
- Split-level
- Prairie
Individual lots in Montclair tend to be large and spacious – the largest properties are sprawling, multi-acre estates. Most homes in the neighborhood were built between the 1940s and the 1970s, although there are a handful of mansions built in the early 20th century.
Montclair also offers a small collection of apartments and condominiums developments.
Living in Montclair
- Mountain resort lifestyle – One of Montclair’s main draws is itsunique mountain resort feel. Aside from an active village association, the community has several recreation centers, sports clubs, culture and arts clubs, and easy access to some of Oakland’s best parks and hiking trails. On Sundays, residents head to the Montclair Village Farmer’s Market.
- Family-friendly appeal – Environment-friendly Montclair is a great choice for families, young couples, empty nesters, and anyone who wants to live the sweet life. It’s relatively close to Oakland, about 15 to 20 minutes away. Within the neighborhood are top-ranking schools such as Montclair Elementary School and Montera Middle School.
Find your dream home in Montclair
Montclair’s tree-lined streets are home to some of the Bay Area real estate market’s most covered homes. Learn more about luxury homes in Bay Area and Bay Area homes for sale by browsing our website.
Alternatively, you can also get in touch with The Knapp Team at 925-389-8920 or Zach@TheKnappTeam.com.
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