Orinda

 

Orinda is a peaceful Contra Costa County community in the scenic hillsides east of Berkeley. Orinda is secluded yet convenient, with a BART station and Highway 24 providing convenient access to Walnut Creek to the east and Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco to the west.

Orinda has an inviting small-town feeling. The community features a vibrant downtown district surrounding an original 1940s movie theater.

 

Orinda’s housing options include many well-preserved properties dating back to the first half of the 20th century. There are also newer customer builds offering impeccable design and stunning views from Orinda’s oak tree-covered hillsides.

 

Orinda was once ranked by Forbes as the second-friendliest town in the United States. Residents of this affluent suburban community have much to be cheerful about. Orinda offers great local restaurants, a convenient East Bay location, and gorgeous surrounding scenery with many outdoor recreation opportunities.

 

Orinda Theatre Square is the heart of the community’s downtown district. This vibrant area features a great mix of casual and upscale restaurants and retailers surrounding an original 1940s movie theater. Highlights in this area include The Fourth Bore Tap Room and Grill, a stylish pub with 28 craft beers on tap. The Fourth Bore also serves a menu of prime burgers and elevated pub grub. Shelby’s offers sophisticated French-Californian fusion cuisine in an inviting, dog-friendly setting. Meals at Shelby’s can be enjoyed alongside an extensive selection of craft beers, international wines, and handcrafted cocktails.

 

Casa Orinda has been a local landmark for even longer than the Orinda Theatre. First opened in 1932, Casa Orinda has delighted generations of diners with its scratch-made mix of Italian and Western fare. Menu favorites at this Zagat-rated eatery include Southern-style fried chicken, prime beef, veal, and classic Italian pasta dishes. 

 

The Orinda Classic Car Show takes place each September, with tours and displays of many vintage automobiles. The car show is preceded by a community party organized by the Orinda Rotary Club. Each Saturday morning, the Orinda Farmers Market brings vendors selling fresh local produce and specialty foodstuffs. Orinda also hosts a large annual Fourth of July Parade attended by thousands of residents and visitors. Many homes throughout Orinda are decked with red, white, and blue decorations for the festivities, and lots of residents host front yard barbecues.

 

Orinda Community Center and Orinda Library are wonderful community resources that host a wide variety of classes and programs for all ages to enjoy. The large local library has a huge collection spanning 70,000 books and 30,000 children’s materials. The library also offers an art gallery, plaza, and café. The Art Deco Orinda Theatre has been an icon of the community since it first opened in 1941. Orinda Theatre continues to screen all the latest releases in an elegant vintage setting.

 

Orinda Country Club was established in 1924 in a gorgeous hillside setting overlooking Lake Cascade. The country club’s scenic and challenging 18-hole golf course was designed by William Watson during the 1920s golden age of American golf courses and later renovated by Todd Eckenrode in 2015. A spectacular Spanish Mediterranean clubhouse has overlooked the course since 1925. Amenities inside include a grand ballroom, elegant indoor dining spaces, outdoor terraces and verandas, and a Pro Shop for golfers.

 

Orinda is served by the Orinda Elementary and Acalanes High School districts.