Possessing the charm and appeal of a close-knit New England town, affluent Kensington is home to quiet, tree-filled neighborhoods, unique shops and tranquil parks. Nestled high up in the Berkeley Hills, Kensington real estate is marked by upscale homes with panoramic views of the sparkling San Francisco Bay and majestic Golden Gate Bridge. It’s no wonder that this tiny unincorporated community is one of the Bay Area’s most desirable places to live.

Although small in size, Kensington is large in stature. The 10-plus-acre Blake Garden serves as a landscape laboratory for UC Berkeley and is grounds for the Blake House, the former residence of the president of the University of California. Nearby Tilden Park attracts generations of East Bay families who enjoy nature hikes, picnics, swimming, botanic gardens, and kid-friendly activities such as an oldfashioned carousel, steam train and pony rides.

Kensington’s two picturesque shopping districts are lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques, restaurants and gourmet food shops where friendly shopkeepers greet customers by name.