Home to approximately twenty thousand residents, Orinda was ranked as the second friendliest city in the US by Forbes (2012). Located east of Oakland, bordering Berkeley to the west, and within 30 minutes of downtown San Francisco, Orinda sits in SW Contra Costa County. Known for its family-friendly community and bucolic land where green hillsides dot the terrain, one finds the excellent schools, safety, and beauty that make Orinda a sought-after destination.

Perhaps best known for hosting the California Shakespeare Festival in its dramatic outdoor amphitheater, the town also boasts the historic Orinda Theatre, a beautifully refurbished art deco movie theatre which serves as the heart of a retail, restaurant and office complex filled with shops (and movies are free the second Thursday of each month). Parks abound, and the weather is generally described in one word: perfect.

Architecture in Orinda ranges from older ranch homes and funky cottages to large estates or magnificently renovated properties with abundant acreage. Large lots and plentiful trees on hilly streets support a natural tendency towards household privacy, yet Orinda parents say the town is friendly, peaceful, and a great place to raise kids. ​​​​​​​