east bay area californiaCalifornia's East Bay Region is a Great Place to Live

If you’re thinking about relocating to California’s vibrant East Bay area, you’ll be comforted to know that your thoughts are supported by a powerful endorsement. In a recent article, Forbes Magazine, which keeps up with such things, reported that The Bay Area is number one in America. “East Bay embraces great thinking and great living," Forbes says. We must agree.

Glimmering between the San Francisco Bay and the coastal hills, the East Bay's got it all when you’re searching for the right stuff you need for your home and family or for your business. There are pleasant temperatures year around, world-class arts and entertainment, fine restaurants catering to every taste and recreational spots galore. It's just a skip-and-a-jump to San Francisco, the Wine Country, and Silicon Valley. Homes and condos are plentiful and among the most reasonably priced in the state.

East Bay lies across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco and consists primarily of Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Its residents, your future neighbors, consider it home to a unique uncomplicated culture. Oakland is the area's largest city, famous for its Jack London Square on the colorful waterfront as well as for its many parks and recreation areas. It boasts a large port with sailings to and from all the countries on the Pacific Rim and is decorated by nature with eucalyptus-spotted hills.

East Bay has Two Distinct Regions

When you relocate, know that East Bay is actually two distinct regions separated by the East Bay hills. On the bay side of the hills in the west, the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro and Hayward rest along the edge of the San Francisco Bay and rise up the western face of the foothills. On the eastern side of the hills is the Tri-Valley region, named for the Livermore, San Ramon and Amador valleys. Municipalities there include Walnut Creek, Pleasanton and Livermore. Many large corporations chose the region for offices and the suburbs of these municipalities are now growing into small cities as more and more executives decide to follow their bliss by relocating into East Bay.

East Bay municipalities are: Alameda, Alamo, Berkeley, Concord, Contra Costa, Danville, Dublin, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Lafayette, Livermore, Oakland, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Richmond, San Ramon and Walnut Creek.

East Bay Regional Parks 

East Bay features scores of parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. Lakeside Park, which encircles Lake Merritt, is the nation’s largest urban saltwater lake and water sports of all types are enjoyed there. Lakeside is the nation’s first designated wildlife refuge. A "Necklace of Lights" rings the lake's long perimeter as joggers, kayakers, boaters and strolling families enhance the scene. They enjoy feeding the ducks, cavorting at the clean playgrounds or visiting Children's Fairyland, the nation's first three-dimensional theme park for kids. It was here that Walt Disney was inspired to construct Disneyland.

best of east bay caMystery and Menus

Entertainment and athletic events give you an endless list of choices. Besides the collegiate teams, sports enthusiasts know there are three professional sports teams in the area. They are the Oakland Athletics (baseball), the Oakland Raiders (football) and the Golden State Warriors (basketball).  If tailgating or hotdogs are not your cup of soup, then visit some of the area’s finest restaurants after the game. One may combine dinner and theater at scores of locations. Remember though, this is East Bay, so there is drama even with the food. One such arrangement allows diners to eat, drink and be merry as mysteries unfold before their very eyes with live performers. 

There are plenty more conventional restaurants and theaters, and there is indeed a danger of being overcome by the decision-making dilemma.  But we’ll go along with the decision making by the experts at Forbes. No. 1 is good enough for us.