Presented by Ruth Frassetto
Exceptional Kensington Home
∎
$1,045,000
318 Arlington Avenue, Kensington
All Property Photos
∎
About This Home
∎
A Magical Kensington Retreat Above Cerrito Creek
A Creekside Retreat, Hidden in Plain Sight
Discover a truly unexpected Kensington treasure—an enchanting 4-bedroom, 2-bath retreat tucked into a lush natural setting above Cerrito Creek, yet wonderfully close to Kensington Village's cafés, shops, and everyday conveniences.
From the street, this home feels charming and understated. Step inside, however, and it opens into a surprisingly expansive residence with an extraordinary connection to nature.
A welcoming porch leads into the foyer and main living spaces, including a bedroom and bath. Down on the garden level, three additional bedrooms and a second bath offer remarkable flexibility for family, guests, a home office, studio, or creative space. A laundry room, generous storage, and bonus space add even more functionality, including an inviting casual retreat for kids.
The heart of the home is bright and welcoming. The spacious living room features abundant natural light, a vaulted ceiling, and a fireplace—an ideal place to gather, unwind, or settle in with a good book. A formal dining room with a dramatic ceiling brings a sense of occasion to entertaining, while a separate breakfast area offers a relaxed spot for everyday meals. An updated kitchen and baths, along with updated systems, provide contemporary comfort while preserving the home's distinctive character.
Then step outside—and discover what makes this property truly special.
Five interconnected decks create a seamless series of outdoor rooms for morning coffee, alfresco dinners, weekend gatherings, or simply slowing down beneath the canopy. The lush garden greenery creates a private, woodland-like setting that feels remarkably removed from the surrounding world.
Nature isn't simply something you look at here—it becomes part of how you live.
A heated H2X Fitness swim spa brings year-round opportunities for exercise and relaxation, while a charming treehouse adds a playful touch of whimsy. An attached single-car garage with interior access and abundant built-in storage makes everyday living that much easier.
And for all the privacy and tranquility, convenience is remarkably close. Kensington Village—with its shops, cafés, and neighborhood essentials— Parks, the Community Center, and the library are just a few blocks away. Awarded Kensington School is a hop, skip, and a jump away, as is the TransbayX & BART direct bus stop. Berkeley is right next door, while San Francisco is approximately 40 minutes away by car.
For those drawn to the Bay Area lifestyle—where a morning can begin among the trees, the workday can happen from home, and dinner or coffee is just a stroll away—this is a rare opportunity.
A one-of-a-kind Kensington retreat where creekside nature, indoor-outdoor living, and Village convenience come together.
318 Arlington Avenue
Property Details
∎
Bedrooms
4
Bathrooms
2
Square Footage
1,771 sq ft
walkthrough
3D Virtual Tour
∎
Floor Plan
∎
about this
Explore the Neighborhood
∎
Thanks to its proximity to the University of California, Berkeley campus, Kensington may boast the largest number of Nobel Prize winners of any community in the world. But one look at this neighborhood of large homes in the hilly streets above Berkeley, its commanding views of the Bay Area, and sunny terraced yards will explain why this community is one of the most sought after in the East Bay.
Famed architect Bernard Maybeck had a home on Purdue Street. The homes he designed here at the turn of last century have become an informal blueprint for the signature home in Berkeley. These well-proportioned homes are designed for family life and dinner parties. Shingle siding, rustic construction, and bright expansive vistas are the hallmark of the homes in Kensington.
Tilden Park provides the boundary to the east. Miles of biking and hiking trails, a miniature steam train, exhibition farm, merry go-round, and the naturally landscaped swimming hole at Lake Anza make Tilden a popular destination for families.
Transportation via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is convenient. Heading on Colusa Avenue leads to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station and a short drive down Arlington Avenue takes you to North Berkeley BART and North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood. There are two distinct shopping districts in Kensington.
El Cerrito means "the little hill" in Spanish, and the town that is perched on the hill above San Francisco Bay offers easy access to Interstate 80 and Interstate 580 to Marin. Hillside homes along the curving streets deliver sweeping views of San Francisco and sunsets over the Golden Gate Bridge.
El Cerrito's main shopping corridor is undergoing a rebirth, beginning with Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, which was restored from the former Cerrito Speakeasy Theater. Access to open space and parkland is extensive, with Arlington Park, Cerrito Vista Park, Hillside Natural Area, Huber Park, Poinsett Park, and Tassajara Park & Pottery Studio all nearby. The Ohlone Greenway is a popular trail with hikers and bikers.
The University of California, Berkeley is several miles away, and two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations, at El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte, make commuting easy. El Cerrito Plaza is a major shopping center housing grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores, a pharmacy, and smaller mom-and-pop stores.
Famed architect Bernard Maybeck had a home on Purdue Street. The homes he designed here at the turn of last century have become an informal blueprint for the signature home in Berkeley. These well-proportioned homes are designed for family life and dinner parties. Shingle siding, rustic construction, and bright expansive vistas are the hallmark of the homes in Kensington.
Tilden Park provides the boundary to the east. Miles of biking and hiking trails, a miniature steam train, exhibition farm, merry go-round, and the naturally landscaped swimming hole at Lake Anza make Tilden a popular destination for families.
Transportation via Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is convenient. Heading on Colusa Avenue leads to the El Cerrito Plaza BART station and a short drive down Arlington Avenue takes you to North Berkeley BART and North Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto neighborhood. There are two distinct shopping districts in Kensington.
El Cerrito means "the little hill" in Spanish, and the town that is perched on the hill above San Francisco Bay offers easy access to Interstate 80 and Interstate 580 to Marin. Hillside homes along the curving streets deliver sweeping views of San Francisco and sunsets over the Golden Gate Bridge.
El Cerrito's main shopping corridor is undergoing a rebirth, beginning with Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, which was restored from the former Cerrito Speakeasy Theater. Access to open space and parkland is extensive, with Arlington Park, Cerrito Vista Park, Hillside Natural Area, Huber Park, Poinsett Park, and Tassajara Park & Pottery Studio all nearby. The Ohlone Greenway is a popular trail with hikers and bikers.
The University of California, Berkeley is several miles away, and two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations, at El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte, make commuting easy. El Cerrito Plaza is a major shopping center housing grocery stores, restaurants, bookstores, a pharmacy, and smaller mom-and-pop stores.
Ruth Frassetto
C.R.S, SERES. Specializing in Residential Real Estate and property held in Trust
Recent Listings
∎
Schedule
∎
Upcoming Events
Get in Touch
∎
Thank you!
Your message has been received. We will reply using one of the contact methods provided in your submission.
Sorry, there was a problem
Your message could not be sent. Please refresh the page and try again in a few minutes, or reach out directly using the agent contact information below.
Ruth Frassetto