Bridges And Bay, From Upper Rockridge

This Upper Rockridge home proves that the best views of San Francisco are from Oakland. Five bedrooms, five full bathrooms, and approximately 4,760 square feet of finished space look out across the Bay, surveying the City, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and southern Marin County.

Local builder Joe Dinges (known as the “Mayor of Sheridan Road”) built this Mediterranean in 2002 as his own home, finished with the care a builder reserves for himself. Panoramic windows in the living room take in the full sweep of the view. A gas fireplace and a bar with wine refrigerator make that room a natural place for guests and family to gather, and the dining room just beyond seats eight with ease. Distinctive Brazilian cherry hardwoods adorn the home’s main and upper level.

At the back of the house, the kitchen, breakfast room and family room share an open, light-filled space. The kitchen is built for professional cooking, with a six-burner range with grill and hood, double wall ovens, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, a built-in microwave, and Miele and Fisher & Paykel dishwashers. A large stainless-steel sink anchors the kitchen workspace, and the island adds a second sink, wine storage, and generous counter space. In the family room, a gas fireplace, wood built-ins and a reading nook overlook the garden, and French doors lead outside to a terrace. Work from home is a pleasure in the adjoining office (fitted with a built-in desk and cabinetry). A bedroom and bathroom on this floor are ideal for guests. The office and the laundry/mud room complete the main level.

Upstairs, past a skylit landing, the primary suite offers even-better views, and a private terrace allows one to take them in while enjoying morning coffee or a glass of wine at sunset. The bedroom has a built-in desk and two walk-in closets fitted with cabinetry. The bathroom has heated floors, a skylight, a double vanity, a spa tub, and a glass walk-in shower with two shower heads. Two more bedrooms on this level each have their own en-suite bathrooms and walk-in closets.

The lower level holds a fifth bedroom that equally could be configured as a den or rec/media room, with a full bathroom alongside. A wine cellar alongside holds more than 400 bottles, and storage room accommodate anyone’s extra belongings. The oversized two-car garage and driveway make parking easy. The garage includes an additional two storage rooms.

The house is wired for modern living, including integrations with Apple HomeKit through custom controls and scenes; ceiling speakers serve most rooms; and an Ecobee thermostat manages comfort. Solar panels with a 13 kWh SunPower battery keep utility costs low, and a BMW EV charger welcomes electric vehicles.

Mature landscaping surrounds the property, with olives, maples, redwoods, dogwoods and more. Behind the house, a terrace under a remote control awning is lit for dining and lounging after dark, and steps lead up to a lawn, and garden beds (with a winding path through them).

Sheridan Road is arguably the premier venue in Upper Rockridge. The quiet, tree-lined street sits above the neighborhood’s well-known commercial district. College Avenue’s cafés, restaurants and specialty markets are a short drive down the hill, and Montclair Village is nearby in the other direction. Lake Temescal and the trails of the East Bay hills are close at hand, while Rockridge BART and Highways 13 and 24 make it easy to reach San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area.

Families are well served, too. Hillcrest School, the neighborhood’s K–8 public school and one of the best in Oakland, is close by. Some of the Bay Area’s premier private schools are also minutes away, including The College Preparatory School on Broadway Terrace, Head-Royce School (K–12) and Park Day School (K–8).