Oakland Hills, Oakland, California facts for kids

The Oakland Hills (in gold) are between Oakland's flat areas and the East Bay Regional Park District.

The Oakland Hills is a common name for the neighborhoods found in the eastern part of Oakland, California. These areas are known for their hills and beautiful views. In 1991, a large fire affected some of the northern neighborhoods here.

Geography of the Oakland Hills

What are the Oakland Hills?

The "Oakland Hills" is a popular name for a part of the Berkeley Hills mountain range. This range runs along the eastern side of Oakland, California. Long ago, before the University of California was built in Berkeley, these hills were called the Contra Costa Hills.

The area often called Oakland Hills also includes another ridge. This ridge was formed by the Hayward Fault, which is a large crack in the Earth's crust. This fault has shaped the land, creating features like the "shutter ridge." You can find many different kinds of plants here. Some slopes have open grasslands with oak trees and chaparral plants. Shady areas have forests with oak, madrone, bay laurel, pine, and redwood trees.

Neighborhoods in the Hills

The Oakland Hills neighborhoods are the highest parts of the city. They follow the line of the hills and the central part of the Hayward Fault Zone. This area includes all of Oakland that is east of California State Route 13 and east of I-580.

Some of the neighborhoods in the Oakland Hills are Upper Rockridge, Oakmore, Montclair, and Mountain View Cemetery. The Oakland Hills also touch the eastern edge of Piedmont, California. Part of the Claremont neighborhood is also in the Oakland Hills. The northern part of Lake Chabot Regional Park is here, and the area borders several other parks. These include Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, Redwood Regional Park, and Anthony Chabot Regional Park. All these parks are part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

Oakland Hills Neighborhoods

You can see the Oakland Hills from the Chabot Space and Science Center.

The Oakland Hills are home to many different neighborhoods. They are often grouped into two main areas: the Northeast Hills and the Southeast Hills.

Northeast Hills

• Claremont (southern part)
• Forestland
• Glen Highlands
• Hiller Highlands
• Joaquin Miller Park
• Lake Temescal
• Merriwood
• Montclair
• Montclair Business District
• Mountain View Cemetery
• Oakmore
• Panoramic Hill
• Piedmont Pines
• Shepherd Canyon
• Upper Rockridge

Southeast Hills

• Chabot Park
• Crestmont
• Grass Valley, Oakland, California
• Sequoyah Heights
• Sheffield Village
• Skyline-Hillcrest Estates
• Caballo Hills
• Leona Heights
• Laurel
• Redwood Heights
• Woodminster

Culture and Fun in the Hills

The Oakland Temple stands out in the Oakland Hills.

The Oakland Hills are home to several popular places and events. These spots offer fun and learning for everyone.

• Chabot Space and Science Center: A great place to learn about space and science.
• Woodminster Summer Musicals: Enjoy outdoor musical shows during the summer.
• Montclair Jazz & Wine Festival: A local festival with music and food.
• Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park: A park with many different types of trees and plants.
• Oakland Zoo: See animals from all over the world.