The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most iconic regions of the United States. Often referred to simply as the Bay Area, the region encompasses nine counties (or 12, according to some sources). The whole Bay Area, as of present date, is home to approximately 7.7 million people. It is considered to be one of the largest urban areas in the country and in the world.
The Bay Area is generally accepted to consist of nine counties:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa
- Marin
- Napa
- San Francisco
- San Mateo
- Santa Clara
- Solano
- Sonoma
Sometimes, the counties of San Benito, Santa Cruz, and San Joaquin are included as well.
History
The Bay Area boasts a vivid and long history, dating back to as early as 3,000 BC, which archaeological evidence suggests was when the area’s first settlements were established.
European settlers started to arrive in the Bay Area during the 16th century, the first of which was Portuguese explorer Sebastião Rodrigues Soromenho, followed by Englishman Sir Francis Drake. The rest of the Bay Area, however, remained largely unexplored until the arrival of Gaspar de Portola’s expedition in 1769. This opened the gates to many other European-led explorations.
Throughout the years, the Bay Area has seen many monumental events. The 1960s saw it become a hotbed of the counterculture movement. In the 1970s, it became a center of tech innovation and research with the rise of Silicon Valley.
Today, the Bay Area is one of the most diverse metropolitan regions in the United States, known for its progressive politics and high-tech sector. It’s one of the most desirable places to live in the country.
Real estate and property types in the San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area offers some of the most diverse real estate markets in the United States. Housing options include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, multi-family residences, and luxury homes. Outside the main metropolitan area, as the landscape changes, ranch and farm properties, acreage, and farms are added to the region’s already long list of real estate offerings.
Because of the wealth of career and educational opportunities in the region, people continuously relocate to the Bay Area from different parts of the world. These factors, along with the abundance of outdoor recreation options, cultural attractions, and the overall high quality of life, make Bay Area real estate among the most highly valued and sought after in the country.
Living in San Francisco Bay Area
- Arts and culture – The Bay Area is one of the primary centers of arts and culture in the United States. Along with New York, the area is also a cradle of the Abstract Expressionism movement. Numerous art and culture centers, galleries, and art schools are located in the Bay Area. The region is also a center for computer animation, with Pixar Animation Studios based in Emeryville.
- Education – The Bay Area is home to a large concentration of colleges and universities. Chief among these is the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University, located in Palo Alto. Other top-performing colleges and universities in the Bay Area include San Jose State University, San Francisco Art Institute, and De Anza College.
- Outdoor recreation – The Bay Area is a haven for outdoor lovers. Some of the best outdoor recreational sites in the region include Pierce Ranch, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Mount Tamalpais State Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore.
Find your dream home in the San Francisco Bay Area
Learn more about San Francisco luxury homes and luxury apartments in the Bay Area with The Knapp Team as your guide.
Browse our website or contact us today at 925-389-8920 or Zach@TheKnappTeam.com.
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