Panoramic Hill, Oakland/Berkeley, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Panoramic Hill
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A house in Panoramic Hill
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 Panoramic Hill
Location in Oakland, California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alameda |
| Cities | Oakland and Berkeley |
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Panoramic Hill
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| NRHP reference No. | 05000424 |
| Added to NRHP | October 21, 2005 |
Panoramic Hill is a special residential neighborhood located in both Berkeley and Oakland, California. It is known for its unique homes built along a winding road called Panoramic Way.
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Where is Panoramic Hill?
Panoramic Hill is found on the eastern edge of Berkeley. It sits near the University of California campus. The neighborhood is also close to the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve.
The eastern part of Panoramic Hill is actually in the city of Oakland. The neighborhood includes several streets like Panoramic Way, Mosswood Road, and Arden Road. It covers an area of about 0.258 square miles.
Getting Around Panoramic Hill
Panoramic Way is a very steep and narrow road. It has many sharp turns. About 500 people live along this road. Driving can be tricky, especially when there are many cars or large trucks.
Emergency vehicles regularly check the area. This helps them know how to reach everyone quickly if there is an emergency. On narrow parts of the road, cars going downhill must always stop for cars going uphill. This is a California law.
Parking Rules
Since Panoramic Hill is in both Berkeley and Oakland, it has parking rules from both cities. In the Berkeley part, you can park for up to two hours. This rule is enforced from 8 AM to 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. Residents can get a special "K" parking permit.
In the Oakland part, parking is also limited to two hours. This is enforced from 8 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Residents here can get an "L" parking permit.
Exploring Panoramic Hill's Paths
Panoramic Hill has many walking paths and staircases. These paths lead off the main road and up the hill. They connect to fire trails that go further into the hills. Each set of steps has its own name and signs.
Signs are placed around the hill to help visitors. They show the way to the closest "steps off the hill." This helps people find their way if they get lost among the trees and winding roads.
The lowest steps are called Orchard Lane. It splits into Panoramic Way (the car road) and Mosswood Path. Mosswood Path is a walking trail covered by old redwood trees. The Arden Steps are very steep and lead to Arden Road. Arden Path finishes the series with a sloping path and more wooden steps.
At the start of Orchard Lane, there is a special plaque. It describes Orchard Lane as a "romantic treasure" of Berkeley. It also says that Warren Cheney, who developed Panoramic Hill, built the walk and staircase in 1909. He hired Henry Atkins to design it.
History of Panoramic Hill
Panoramic Hill was started in 1904 by Warren Cheney. It has a rich history. In 2005, Panoramic Hill was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historic district in the United States.
Fire Trails
The upper and lower Jordan trails are fire trails. They go through the University of California's natural areas. The university must keep these trails open. This allows emergency vehicles to use them if needed.
What to See and Do
The Berkeley Historical Society often leads walking tours of Panoramic Hill. These tours explore the trails and offer amazing views.
Unique Architecture
Panoramic Hill is famous for its beautiful homes. Many important architects designed buildings here. These include Julia Morgan, Ernest Coxhead, John Hudson Thomas, and Bernard Maybeck.
The homes are built in many styles, including American Craftsman. Each house is designed to fit the hilly land and capture the best views. Panoramic Hill is often part of architectural walking tours in Berkeley. The Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association even called it "Berkeley's Most Romantic Neighborhood."
