Westbrae is a compact North Berkeley neighborhood centered around Gilman Street and Santa Fe Avenue, a few blocks south of the Albany border. Its appeal comes from how much fits into an otherwise residential setting: early-20th-century homes, the Ohlone Greenway, Cedar Rose Park, great local businesses, nearby food and shopping, and practical access to North Berkeley BART.
Most of Westbrae’s housing took shape during the early 20th century, with a lot of North Berkeley development underway by 1911 and expanding substantially through the 1920s.
California bungalows and Craftsman-era homes are common, often modest in scale and set on compact lots. One- and two-story detached houses and duplexes sit primarily around the Gilman Street area, with occasional small apartment buildings.
Westbrae’s flatter grid creates a different feel from Berkeley’s hillside neighborhoods. Rear additions, converted garages, lower-level rooms, and accessory dwelling units can add useful space, but also make permit history, natural light, storage, parking, and the home’s connection to the yard important parts of the buying process.
Westbrae has a small commercial pocket along Gilman Street near Santa Fe Avenue. Berkeley Natural Grocery, Westbrae Nursery, and Headlands Brewing’s Westbrae Beer Garden sit among restaurants and neighborhood services, making the area great for groceries, meals, greenery, and an evening out.
The Ohlone Greenway cuts diagonally through the neighborhood beneath the elevated BART tracks. Berkeley’s section runs for more than a mile and a half, connecting Westbrae with North Berkeley BART, Albany, and El Cerrito. The path also passes Cedar Rose Park, where lawns, playgrounds, picnic areas, and courts create one of the neighborhood’s main outdoor gathering places.
A short walk east, the Hopkins Street commercial district adds Monterey Market, specialty food shops, cafes, and other neighborhood businesses. North Berkeley and Solano Avenue broaden the options for dining and errands without being far from home.
Westbrae addresses are served by Berkeley Unified School District, and Ruth Acty Elementary sits near the neighborhood’s southern edge.
Rachel Melby
Headsland Brewing: “Come for the beer, stay for the smashburger. Perfect spot to ride bikes to; located just off the Ohlone bike bath. Family and doggo friendly!”
Rachel Sheftel
Praaw Thai: “You honestly can’t order wrong here. Unless you skip dessert. That would be a huge mistake”
Coffee Conscious: “High-quality brews and the occasional pottery pop-up. What more can you ask for?”
Buying in Westbrae starts with deciding which everyday destinations you want closest to home.
Around Gilman Street and Santa Fe Avenue, local food, restaurants, the nursery, and the Ohlone Greenway are close at hand.
Near Hopkins Street and Cedar Rose Park, specialty groceries, cafes, play space, and sports facilities become part of the routine.
On the southern side, North Berkeley BART and the businesses of North Berkeley are easier to reach.
Toward the Albany border, Solano Avenue and Albany’s shops, parks, and services become more convenient.
For Westbrae’s older homes, make sure to review foundation and seismic work, electrical and plumbing systems, roof and drainage history, permits, additions, and converted spaces.
For buyers drawn to bungalows, local dining and shopping options, parks, bike access, and a lower-key residential setting, Westbrae brings a lot within a small footprint. The Ohlone Greenway connects the neighborhood outward, while Gilman Street, Hopkins Street, and Cedar Rose Park keep daily life close to home.
2,925 people live in Westbrae, where the median age is 41 and the average individual income is $93,941. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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Westbrae has 1,152 households, with an average household size of 3. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Westbrae do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 2,925 people call Westbrae home. The population density is 24,327 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
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