Danville, California

Despite its proximity to Oakland and Berkeley and its distance from San Francisco and the Peninsula, Danville is probably one of the nicest, most posh, quaint, suburban towns in the Bay Area. Situated in the rolling foothills of the East Bay, the views are beautiful, the state parks are abundant, the schools are excellent, and with Mount Diablo looming in the background, there is no shortage of outdoor activities.

Consequently, the prices reflect all of these perks, While not quite as over-the-top as Saratoga and Los Gatos, Danville is the East Bay's version of the Western Foothills and is one of the most expensive towns in the Bay Area. Fortunately, the homes are clean and modern, although a bit close together (like most of Northern California).

And of course, being in the far east bay, the summers are hot, the winters are cold, the suburbs are close and the city is far. But for many wealthy families, this is the perfect place to live.

This is a soldi neighborhood undergoing a transition from original owners to the next generation. Unfortunately there are a growing number of rental units which often are poorly maintained. Harlan Drive is a collector street and the traffic can be annoying. Better to look at houses on the side streets connecting to Harlan Drive. Some good values can be had for the observant shopper.