Kensington Real Estate

Welcome to Kensington, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Contra Costa County, California. This charming town offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and vibrant community spirit, making it an ideal place for families, professionals, and retirees alike.

Kensington is renowned for its picturesque tree-lined streets and stunning views of the San Francisco Bay Area. With a population of just over 5,000 residents, the town exudes a close-knit community feel, where neighbors know each other by name and local events bring everyone together. The town is characterized by its beautiful homes, many of which boast unique architectural styles that contribute to the area’s charm.

One of Kensington’s standout features is its commitment to preserving green spaces. The town is surrounded by lush parks and hiking trails, providing ample opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to explore nature. The nearby Tilden Regional Park offers stunning vistas, picnic spots, and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, making it a favorite destination for residents.

Education is a top priority in Kensington, with highly-rated public schools that focus on academic excellence and community involvement. Families are drawn to the area for its strong educational programs and the nurturing environment that supports children's growth.

Culturally rich and conveniently located, Kensington is just a short drive from the bustling urban centers of Berkeley and Oakland, offering residents easy access to diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening at home or exploring the vibrant local scene, Kensington is a place where you can truly feel at home. Discover the charm of Kensington today, and you may just find your perfect slice of California living!

Newest Listings in Kensington

$1,098,000

4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ EB41150017 MLS

Classic charm and inviting outdoor spaces come together at 1648 Oak View Avenue in Kensington. Offering approximately 1,423 square feet of interior living space, the home is framed by mature trees and a landscaped front garden, welcoming you with a distinctive arched entry and a warm, light-filled interior. Hardwood floors, graceful archways, and a vaulted living room ceiling complement a striking fireplace, while large windows bring in natural light and leafy neighborhood outlooks. A separate dining room provides a welcoming setting for everyday meals and entertaining. The spacious kitchen features wood cabinetry, ample counter space, a gas range, and a conveniently tucked-away laundry area. The floor plan includes three main-level bedrooms and an additional upstairs bedroom with a half bath, offering flexibility for guests or a home office. Two full bathrooms serve the main level, while an expansive attic provides additional storage. Outside, a paved patio, garden areas, and mature landscaping create inviting spaces for outdoor dining and relaxation. A detached garage adds versatility to the property. With its appealing architectural details, flexible layout, and connection to the outdoors, this Kensington home offers a comfortable setting to make your own.

1648 Oak View Ave, Kensington

Listed by Jatin Mehta, (510) 878-6800 from Kite Hill Real Estate
(If provided) CoList: from

$1,695,000

5 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ EB41149870 MLS

This is Kensington at its finest! Enjoy the best of both worlds with the mesmerizing views and accessibility to the neighborhood amenities. From the moment you walk into the generous living room you are greeted with one of the most iconic views in the Bay Area. With French doors opening from both the living and dining rooms you can't help but be mesmerized by the stunning views. and gorgeous sunsets with the sun setting over San Francisco. The hardwood floors add warmth to the sundrenched living and dining rooms. The impressive kitchen features a stainless steel, 6 burner gas range and a large skylight over the peninsula work space and breakfast bar. Up a half flight of stairs you have a large media room that spills out to a private patio. There are also two bedrooms and a full bath on this level. The upper level features three bedrooms and two full bathrooms including a bright primary with an incredible view, walk-in closet and full bathroom. Lower level petit au pair or office with a kitchenette and full bathroom. Set in the town of Kensington the home is just around the corner from the quaint and bustling commercial center. With Young's Market, the Inn Kensington, Raxakoul Coffee and Sakana Sushi nearby it's easy to enjoy the relaxing pace. Just one mile to Berkeley's Solano A

249 Yale Ave, Kensington

Listed by Leif Jenssen, (510) 207-3387 from Vanguard Properties
(If provided) CoList: Samuel Jacob Bartsch from Vanguard Properties

$998,000

3 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ EB41149836 MLS

Presenting an elegant and updated Kensington mid-century - a fall 2026 favorite! Floor-to-ceiling glass frames views of the Bay in a living room centered on a beautiful plaster + tile fireplace, under a wood-beam vaulted ceiling. A charming dining room leads directly to the level-in backyard patio, and a fresh kitchen with new stainless steel appliances lends itself to an ideal interior flow. The private wing includes two spacious bedrooms with views of the bay, and a primary bedroom with attached en-suite bathroom that enjoys garden views and ample closet space. Downstairs, a peaceful studio with built-in bar and half bathroom is the perfect place for a houseguest, office, or a home theatre! The gardens are lush and welcoming - gentle terracing for multiple decks and patios invite the outdoors in. The perfect balance of nature and easy living for entertaining friends for a BBQ and enjoying sunsets with your loved ones. Last but not least, this home features a large two-car garage and multiple updates such as a new primary bathroom, furnace + AC installed in 2020. Impeccably maintained and move-in ready, this home offers exceptionally easy access to the beloved Kensington Hilltop Elementary school! Open Thursday 10/1 9:30 AM -12 PM, Saturday 10/3 + Sunday 10/4 2-4 PM.

42 Cowper Ave, Kensington

Listed by Jessica Waggoner, (510) 604-4009 from District Homes
(If provided) CoList: from

$1,095,000

3 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ EB41149077 MLS

Enchanting Kensington home with a private, enclosed courtyard, this special property is a true sanctuary. Offered for the first time in over four decades, it has been a cherished refuge for the same family and is now ready to welcome its next stewards. The spacious living room is designed for both entertaining and relaxing by the fireplace, framed by Heath ceramic tile. The dining room flows seamlessly to the outdoor patio, creating an inviting setting for al fresco dining and quiet moments outdoors. Thoughtful updates include energy-efficient windows, new light fixtures, electrical improvements, and an updated hallway bathroom. The main level measures 1,570 sq. ft., while the lower-level living space measures 789 sq. ft., for a combined total of 2,359 sq. ft. The main level features three bedrooms, including a spacious primary suite with an en suite bathroom, offering comfortable single-level living. A versatile lower-level space with its own entrance, bathroom, and kitchenette provides additional flexibility for a variety of uses. Ideally situated near Tilden Regional Park, UC Blake Garden, and Hilltop Elementary, with convenient access to Solano Avenue, Berkeley, El Cerrito, and the greater East Bay. Don't miss the opportunity to make this special Kensington home your own!

86 Arlington Ave, Kensington

Listed by Leanne Liang, (415) 606-4654 from Redfin
(If provided) CoList: from

$995,000

3 Beds ⋅ 2 Baths ⋅ BE41146385 MLS

Updated, Permitted and Stylishly Move-In Ready in Kensington. THE FEELING: 267 Cambridge sits above the street in Upper Kensington, where the elevation earns real privacy and a steady wash of daylight. Years of permitted work mean there's little left to do but move in. THE HOUSE: 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 1,325 SQFT. Primary suite set apart from the other bedrooms. Office nook off the primary with added closet storage. Stacked washer/dryer and utility closet nearby. New track lighting through the living room, dining room, and hallways. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The dining room stretches toward large bay-facing windows. The updated kitchen sits within easy reach of both the dining room and a patio - cooking and gathering flow naturally between them. Above the home, a reworked rear yard with raised garden beds, irrigation, a fenced upper garden, and updated stair railings, all overlooking the city. GROUNDWORK ALREADY DONE: New roof, modernized electrical panel, replaced sewer lines under the home, releveled garage with new automatic door and wired for car charging, and a rebuilt retaining wall with French drains at the rear. Newer washer and dryer included - the infrastructure most buyers hope for but rarely find already done. THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Kensington keeps its small-town feel

267 CAMBRIDGE AVE, Kensington

Listed by David Gunderman, (510) 205-4369 from KW Advisors East Bay
(If provided) CoList: Joe Dickerson from KW Advisors East Bay

$1,995,000

5 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ EB41146863 MLS

Welcome to 38 Highgate Road, a private five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath architectural retreat in one of Kensington's most desirable enclaves. Set down from the street on a secluded 0.38-acre lot, this 3,843-square-foot home blends Mediterranean warmth with iconic Mid-Century character. High-end windows frame unobstructed panoramas of the San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Tamalpais, and San Francisco skyline. Recently renovated by Berkeley's Averyl Interior Design, the home is approached through a water-conscious garden and private brick courtyard. Inside, varying-width white oak floors unite the living room, dining room, and newly renovated chef's kitchen, appointed with Carrara marble countertops, Fireclay tile, and Rejuvenation hardware. A classic brick hallway with rich wood ceilings opens to a tranquil central atrium. Three spacious, view-filled bedrooms and office room anchor this level, including a serene primary suite with a designer bath and double shower. The renovated lower level offers two additional bedrooms, an updated full bath, soundproofing, insulation, and Green Building Supply cork flooring for acoustic comfort. Flexible and private, it is ideal for guests, extended family, a home office, gym, media room, or short/long term rental. The landscaped

38 Highgate, Kensington

Listed by Daniel Clark, (415) 317-0286 from The Agency
(If provided) CoList: Ellis Clark from The Agency

$1,399,000

4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ CC41146890 MLS

A Rare Canyon Retreat, Offered for the First Time in Over 50 Years! Tucked into a peaceful canyon setting, this private and distinctive home tells the story of another era built with love, and rich with authentic Kensington character. Its mid-century flair meets the open, airy design influences of the 1970s, creating a layout that feels both grounded and free. Behind the home's bones stands Verner & Miram, a San Francisco structural engineering firm whose name carried real weight in mid-century California architecture. Partners Edwin A. Verner and Oleg V. Miram built their reputation from the 1940s through the 1960s, becoming the engineers architects turned to when a project demanded more than the ordinary. Their fingerprint here is part of what makes this home more than a relic of its era it's a piece of art! its open-concept flow to the quiet sense of privacy and retreat that defines the property. Filled with personality and possibility, this is a true canvas a rare opportunity for a buyer with vision to honor the home's original character while reimagining it for the way we live today. Homes like this seldom come to market. For the right owner, it's a chance to create something entirely their own, in a setting that feels worlds away, yet close to everything.

281 Los Altos Dr, Kensington

Listed by Marissa Smith, (925) 286-7226 from Enkasa Homes
(If provided) CoList: from

$995,000

CC41140061 MLS

Five Contiguous Vacant Lots for sale in Kensington! Totaling just under 1 full acre these five lots offer an unprecedented opportunity to not only build you dream home minutes from Tilden but also possible development potential.

0 Beloit Ave., Kensington

Listed by Alyse Pellegrini, (925) 640-8642 from Compass
(If provided) CoList: William Shumate from The Reiser Group

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The data relating to real estate for sale on this display comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the MLSListingsTM MLS system. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Legacy Real Estate Inc are marked with the Internet Data Exchange and detailed information about them includes the names of the listing brokers and listing agents.
Based on information from MLSListings MLS as of . All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.