Thousand Oaks / Solano

Thousand Oaks is an idyllic Berkeley suburb in an inspiring setting. The original town planners worked to create a balance between the existing natural environment and the buildings. Granite boulders and trees were left standing, roads followed the contours of hills, and all of it was enhanced with lush plantings and colorful flowers. Today, the neighborhood remains a lovely retreat.

Early on, Craftsman bungalows and shingled lodges were sprinkled throughout the community. Later, between 1910 and 1940, Thousand Oaks saw period revivals in Spanish, Tudor, and French Provincial styles. These magnificent homes still remain, and are enhanced by mature oak trees and the neighborhood’s lush, landscaped walking paths, creeks, and bucolic parks.

Many features make Thousand Oaks appealing, among them the walking paths to Solano Avenue, homes with bay views, a strong community feeling, and express transportation to San Francisco. In 1996, residents working with UC Berkeley, the City of Berkeley, and local Realtors restored the Marin Circle Fountain with its iconic California bears.

The area’s shopping district is along Solano Avenue, a charming, tree-lined boulevard of locally owned shops and restaurants. Residents enjoy an array of dining options including Nepalese, Tibetan, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Italian, and California cuisine.  For grocery shopping, we love the small family-owned groceries that specialize in Italian, Middle Eastern, or Asian foods.