El Cerrito

City, Contra Costa County

© McCormack's Guides

 

Zip Code: 94530

West County bedroom community that rises about 1,000 feet from flats to hills. Great views of bay from hill homes. Close to Berkeley, another plus: university town full of arts and fun. Borders Albany, which has a horse-racing track (Golden Gate Fields) and a popular restaurant row (Solano Avenue). www.mccormacks.com

Built out. Expected to add no more than 1,000 residents in the next 20 years. A good address in a quiet way. Nice homes. Popular with University of California professionals, especially hill homes.

Population hit 25,500 in 1960, dropped to 22,731 in 1980 and in 2008 was estimated at 23,320. Good but pricey housing: 10,699 total units — 7,347 single homes, 355 single-family attached, 2,965 multiples, 32 mobile homes (2007 state tally).

Two BART (commute rail) stations. Bay Bridge toll plaza is seven miles away via Interstate 80 — a slow seven at peak hours — but El Cerritans are watching the evening news while others are still slogging home.

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School scores middling but deceptive. El Cerrito draws many students from low-scoring flatlands but also sends many to top-notch colleges. Served by West Contra Costa Unified School District, which over the past few years has passed bonds totaling $890 million — exceptionally high — to renovate and build schools. Two Catholic schools, one Jewish and a few others. See Schools.

El Cerrito has spent much time and money fixing up San Pablo Avenue, the city’s main thoroughfare. Two discount department stores were opened. El Cerrito Plaza, a shopping center, was renovated and added a giant supermarket, Ross store, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Pier One, Barnes and Noble bookstore, Petco, and several restaurants. www.mccormacks.com

In 2006, El Cerrito reopened a two-screen movie house with art deco designs. Opened before 1950, the place, which has murals and a vaulted ceiling, was converted into a furniture store and it was only upon the closing of the store in 2001 that some residents came up with the idea of restoring the place. The pushed and organized and won the support of other residents and the politicians — and so, Cerrito Theater is back.

El Cerrito does a good job in parks (11) and rec and has an excellent community theater that works to get kids involved in staging shows. Mira Vista Golf and Country Club rolls over the hills. Community pool. Community center. Garden club. Regional parks nearby. City sponsors tiny-tot programs. Exercise classes. Seniors center. Library. Annual city-wide garage sale. Fees are levied on homes and apartments to pay for landscaping, park maintenance, street sweeping and street lights.

El Cerrito often goes years without a homicide but it had at least two in 2006 and three in 2005. In 2006, a prominent attorney and his wife, both active in civic affairs, were murdered at home. Police arrested the wife’s brother.

Homicides for previous years 1, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0.

Chamber of commerce (510) 233-7040.

• El Cerrito High School in 2006 was being rebuilt. Students are being housed in portables on the playing fields. www.mccormacks.com

• Portola Middle School was supposed to be rebuilt but concerned about unstable land, the district has scrapped the job and is now thinking about rebuilding a school on an underutilized campus or spreading the Portola students to other schools.

• Just over the El Cerrito border is the Pacific East Mall, one of the best places in the Bay Area for Asian food and fresh fish.

• In 1987, concerned about earthquake safety, El Cerrito demolished its city hall and put the staff and politicians in trailers. And in trailers they have stayed since then. In 2006, the town finally mustered the money, $10 million, to build a city hall. Opening in 2008.

• Take the elevator to work or to home. El Cerrito is mixing retail stores and offices with apartments and condos.

City web site: www.el-cerrito.org