As San Francisco’s home prices hit yet another all-time high, many interested buyers have just about had it with the ever-increasing costs of Bay Area homes. With the ongoing influx of new residents spurred by the tech boom, Bay Area cities are also feeling more crowded these days. Those looking for a house to call their own, let alone one with small-town charm, might be ready to throw in the towel. 

The new luxury community Wilder in the city of Orinda is hoping to appease interested buyers’ frustrations.

Rendering courtesy of Wilder in Orinda

Developed by California-based real estate development firm Brooks Street, Wilder is a semi-rural community located 25 minutes away from Downtown San Francisco. It’s a largely quiet area surrounded by more than 1,300 acres of protected, natural open space in Contra Costa County. Tilden Regional Park, the Robert Sibley Volcanic Preserve, and a network of trails are all nearby, which was developed for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. 

The community is comprised of 245 homesites that include houses from Brooks Street, Davidon Homes, and Taylor Morrison. 

Davidon announced the opening of their luxury homes here in early December. With prices starting at $1.9 million, these residences range between three to five bedrooms across 3,008 to 4,236 square feet and come equipped with hardwood and tile flooring, a fireplace, and an epicurean kitchen with Thermador appliances.

Brooks Street’s custom homes, which range from 2,500 to over 6,000 square feet, are selling from the $600,000s to over $1 million. Meanwhile, Taylor Morrison is going the ultra-luxury route, offering homes that range between 3,824 and 4,887 square feet as well as four-to-five bedrooms, starting at $2.3 million. 

Orinda Community Center photo courtesy of City of Orinda

According to a press release from Davidon Homes, Forbes.com ranked Orinda as the second-friendliest town in America. Locals have plenty of opportunities throughout the year to nurture that sense of community, from the Orinda Film Festival to summer concerts to open-air Shakespeare performances.

Families with children are sure to be happy with the numerous kid-friendly outdoor activities and entertainment options close to Wilder. Parents can rest easy knowing that Orinda’s local school district is one of the best in California, with high-ranking elementary, middle, and high schools.

"We chose Wilder because it had all the amenities and attributes we couldn't find anywhere else in the Bay Area,” said Steve Lo, a Wilder homeowner, via a press release. “[Wilder is] a charming community with small-town disposition, highly rated schools, close proximity to San Francisco and Oakland and an opportunity to build our dream home,” he said.