Berkeley's Thousand Oaks Neighborhood


Berkeley's Thousand Oaks Neighborhood
This is the neighborhood where we live! Carol & I looked at about 100 homes when we were buying our home. We finally linked up with a local realtor, who showed us 4 homes, we made offers on 2, bought 1, and have been here for over a dozen years! What do we love about the neighborhood? The architecture and history, the neighbors, and the shopping! The Architecture & History The architecture...Trish Hawthorne gives a wonderful seminar on the history and architecture of the neighborhood. There aren't any tract homes here! The Northbrae tract was developed by a local company...and named many of the streets after California counties. Back at the turn of the century, there was a movement to make Berkeley the capital of California. Hence, the street names of Solano, Colusa, The Alameda, Modoc, Tulare, Los Angeles, Napa, Yolo... The Solano Tunnel was originally a light rail tunnel for commuter trains to San Francisco. They cut open the hill, put in the concrete arch, and backfilled the cut with soil. The traffic circle at the intersection of Marin, The Arlington, Mendocino & Del Norte is just above the tunnel, and the fountain is being restored. The commuter trains ran up and down Solano, and another route went down Colusa and Monterey to the Westbrae shopping area. The Neighborhood & People TONA stands for the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association . TONA helps neighbors with local issues such as traffic, noise, schools, etc. It's a "feet first" neighborhood. Many of the homeowners have lived here for decades, and the only way they plan to leave is "feet first" Having said that, however, there are also lots of young families with kids. The playground is next to the Thousand Oaks School. The Shopping Shopping is great! I'm from The Bronx, and like to walk to shops. Within a short stroll are all the essentials of life - Coffee (Peet's & Starbucks), Movies (The Oaks Theater), Bookstores (Pegasus and Half Price Books), Banks (Great Western, Wells Fargo, American Savings), Restaurants (Alietto's, Zachary's, Porcini), Supermarkets (Andronicos, Safeway), a Post Office, and even Noah's Bagels! The Solano Avenue Association sponsors the Solano Stroll on the 2nd Sunday each September! Come by, you'll have a great time! If you'd like to write a bit about Thousand Oaks, let me know and I'll include your information on this page! I'll probably include photos and web links in the future. Ira

This is the neighborhood where we live! Carol & I looked at about 100 homes when we were buying our home. We finally linked up with a local realtor, who showed us 4 homes, we made offers on 2, bought 1, and have been here for over a dozen years!

What do we love about the neighborhood? The architecture and history, the neighbors, and the shopping!

The Architecture & History

The architecture...Trish Hawthorne gives a wonderful seminar on the history and architecture of the neighborhood. There aren't any tract homes here!

The Northbrae tract was developed by a local company...and named many of the streets after California counties. Back at the turn of the century, there was a movement to make Berkeley the capital of California. Hence, the street names of Solano, Colusa, The Alameda, Modoc, Tulare, Los Angeles, Napa, Yolo...

The Solano Tunnel was originally a light rail tunnel for commuter trains to San Francisco. They cut open the hill, put in the concrete arch, and backfilled the cut with soil. The traffic circle at the intersection of Marin, The Arlington, Mendocino & Del Norte is just above the tunnel, and the fountain is being restored.

The commuter trains ran up and down Solano, and another route went down Colusa and Monterey to the Westbrae shopping area.

The Neighborhood & People

TONA stands for the Thousand Oaks Neighborhood Association . TONA helps neighbors with local issues such as traffic, noise, schools, etc.

It's a "feet first" neighborhood. Many of the homeowners have lived here for decades, and the only way they plan to leave is "feet first"

Having said that, however, there are also lots of young families with kids. The playground is next to the Thousand Oaks School.

The Shopping

Shopping is great! I'm from The Bronx, and like to walk to shops. Within a short stroll are all the essentials of life - Coffee (Peet's & Starbucks), Movies (The Oaks Theater), Bookstores (Pegasus and Half Price Books), Banks (Great Western, Wells Fargo, American Savings), Restaurants (Alietto's, Zachary's, Porcini), Supermarkets (Andronicos, Safeway), a Post Office, and even Noah's Bagels!

The Solano Avenue Association sponsors the Solano Stroll on the 2nd Sunday each September! Come by, you'll have a great time!

If you'd like to write a bit about Thousand Oaks, let me know and I'll include your information on this page! I'll probably include photos and web links in the future.

Ira

Give us a call - we'll treat you like friends!

We'll find you a great place to live by making sure that you don't miss any homes which meet your needs! We specialize in helping nice folks buy and sell pleasant homes in the East Bay's most comfortable neighborhoods, and we offer FREE refer to other outstanding Realtors in the United States.


Give us a call - we'll treat you like friends!
We'll find you a great place to live by making sure that you don't miss any homes which meet your needs! We specialize in helping nice folks buy and sell pleasant homes in the East Bay's most comfortable neighborhoods, and we offer FREE refer to other outstanding Realtors in the United States.

Directions, Mapping, Navigating & Feedback
Map It With Mapquest! The best route to get there from your home, and an interactive map of any street address.	Take advantage of our FREE Buyer Broker Services when you're ready to buy your next home in the East Bay! Send Email or call 800/887-6668 or 510/526-6668!
Visit other great East Bay Neighborhoods	Return to Serkes Real Estate Search Engine http://www.home-buy-sell.com

Oaks Theater

Arlington Fountain

Sue Johnson Shades

Starbucks Server

Andronico's Produce

Noah's New York Bagels

Pegasus Books

Pegasus Magazines

Half Price Books

Directions, Mapping, Navigating & Feedback

Mapping! The best route to get there from your home, and an interactive map of any street address. Ira & Carol..show me how I can buy a home in this pleasant neighborhood! Send Email or call 800/887-6668 or 510/526-6668!
Return to the Serkes Neighborhood Site Return to Serkes Real Estate Search Engine http://www.home-buy-sell.com

Directions, Mapping, Navigating & Feedback
Mapping! The best route to get there from your home, and an interactive map of any street address.	Ira & Carol..show me how I can buy a home in this pleasant neighborhood! Send Email or call 800/887-6668 or 510/526-6668!
Return to the Serkes Neighborhood Site	Return to Serkes Real Estate Search Engine http://www.home-buy-sell.com

Buildings, Architecture & History

Arlington Fountain Arlington & Marin Berkeley

Historic Sights 1605 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-9665
Library & Bookstores

Berkeley Library North Branch 1170 Alameda Berkeley 94707 510-644-6850
Half Price Books & Magazines 1849 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-526-6080
Pegasus Books 1855 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-6888
Kids

The Bone Room 1569 Solano Berkeley 94707 510-526-5252
Movie Theaters, Theaters & Video

Oaks 1875 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-526-1836
Front Row Video 1831 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-526-5353
Parks & Recreation

Indian Rock Indian Rock & Oxford Berkeley 94707

Thousand Oaks School Tacoma & Ensenada Berkeley 94707

Cafes & Restaurants

Rivoli's Restaurant 1539 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-526-2542
Berkeley Bakery 1585 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-527-2253
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers 1591 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-526-8185
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine 1736 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-527-8611
Cafe Del Sol 1742 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-4927
Starbucks Coffee Berkeley 1799 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-5885
Peets Coffee & Tea 1825 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-526-9607
Zachary's Chicago Pizza 1853 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-5950
Noah's New York Bagels 1883 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-4447
Boran Thai Rest 1892 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-3625
Andronico's Market 1850 Solano Ave Berkeley 94707 510-524-0513
Schools

Thousand Oaks Preschool 1812 San Pedro Ave Berkeley 94707 510-525-4561
Dandelion Coop Nursery 941 The Alameda Berkeley 94707 510-526-1735

Buildings, Architecture & History
Arlington Fountain	Arlington & Marin	Berkeley
Historic Sights	1605 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-9665
Library & Bookstores
Berkeley Library North Branch	1170 Alameda	Berkeley	94707	510-644-6850
Half Price Books & Magazines	1849 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-526-6080
Pegasus Books	1855 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-6888
Kids
The Bone Room	1569 Solano	Berkeley	94707	510-526-5252
Movie Theaters, Theaters & Video
Oaks	1875 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-526-1836
Front Row Video	1831 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-526-5353
Parks & Recreation
Indian Rock	Indian Rock & Oxford	Berkeley	94707
Thousand Oaks School	Tacoma & Ensenada	Berkeley	94707
Cafes & Restaurants
Rivoli's Restaurant	1539 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-526-2542
Berkeley Bakery	1585 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-527-2253
Barney's Gourmet Hamburgers	1591 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-526-8185
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine	1736 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-527-8611
Cafe Del Sol	1742 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-4927
Starbucks Coffee Berkeley	1799 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-5885
Peets Coffee & Tea	1825 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-526-9607
Zachary's Chicago Pizza	1853 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-5950
Noah's New York Bagels	1883 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-4447
Boran Thai Rest	1892 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-3625
Andronico's Market	1850 Solano Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-524-0513
Schools
Thousand Oaks Preschool	1812 San Pedro Ave	Berkeley	94707	510-525-4561
Dandelion Coop Nursery	941 The Alameda	Berkeley	94707	510-526-1735

Directions, Mapping, Navigating & Feedback

Map It With Mapquest! The best route to get there from your home, and an interactive map of any street address. Take advantage of our FREE Buyer Broker Services when you're ready to buy your next home in the East Bay! Send Email or call 800/887-6668 or 510/526-6668!
Visit other great East Bay Neighborhoods Return to Serkes Real Estate Search Engine http://www.home-buy-sell.com

Directions, Mapping, Navigating & Feedback
Map It With Mapquest! The best route to get there from your home, and an interactive map of any street address.	Take advantage of our FREE Buyer Broker Services when you're ready to buy your next home in the East Bay! Send Email or call 800/887-6668 or 510/526-6668!
Visit other great East Bay Neighborhoods	Return to Serkes Real Estate Search Engine http://www.home-buy-sell.com

We Value Your Business And Appreciate Your Referrals

Almost all our clients have been referred to us by their friends, family, local neighborhood Realtor, or found us on the Internet. One of the nice benefits of a referral based business is that we get to work with people who are motivated, financially qualified, highly educated, decisive, pleasant, and have interesting backgrounds (one client won a Gold medal at the Olympics). What's particularly rewarding is how many of our buyers and sellers have become friends.
If you're planning to buy or sell a home, we'd appreciate the opportunity to show you how you'll benefit from our services. And, if you know a friend, neighbor, or family member who is buying, selling, or relocating anywhere in the United States, we'll be happy to check our extensive database of highly qualified Realtors and refer you to a great local Realtor.

We Value Your Business And Appreciate Your Referrals
Almost all our clients have been referred to us by their friends, family, local neighborhood Realtor, or found us on the Internet. One of the nice benefits of a referral based business is that we get to work with people who are motivated, financially qualified, highly educated, decisive, pleasant, and have interesting backgrounds (one client won a Gold medal at the Olympics). What's particularly rewarding is how many of our buyers and sellers have become friends. If you're planning to buy or sell a home, we'd appreciate the opportunity to show you how you'll benefit from our services. And, if you know a friend, neighbor, or family member who is buying, selling, or relocating anywhere in the United States, we'll be happy to check our extensive database of highly qualified Realtors and refer you to a great local Realtor.

Ira & Carol Serkes & Nolo Press' "How To Buy A House In California"

Ira Serkes, GRI, CRS - Certified Residential Specialist, co-author of Nolo Press' "How To Buy A House In California," and Carol Serkes, GRI, CRS, are Realtors with the RE/MAX Real Estate network.

Page design, text, and photos by Ira Serkes Copyright 1997
Maps by Vicinity Corp Copyright 1996 and Etak, Inc. Copyright 1984-1986