El Cerrito runs through the hills to the north of Kensington and Albany. This diverse and forward-thinking community, an affordable alternative to nearby Berkeley, is dedicated to creating an environmentally sustainable future through its Urban Greening Plan.

While the average El Cerrito home is modest (the city was founded by refugees from the 1906 earthquake), many hillside properties enjoy incredible views of the San Francisco Bay. Residents can take advantage of a wide variety of community-supported recreational areas. These include the 165-acre trail-lined Hillside Natural Area open space. El Cerrito also offers 18 acres of recreational areas, the public El Cerrito Swim Center and the 2.6 mile-long Ohlone Greenway—a beautifully landscaped stretch along the BART right of way through the city that is a favorite with runners, bicyclists and walkers.