Homes in the Dimond / Laurel District - Oakland, California
The Laurel District is one of Oakland's most diverse neighborhoods, both financially and ethnically. A hotbed for immigrants in the early part of the century, the Laurel was formerly a rural oasis, but has transformed into a vibrant urban setting over the past sixty years. Tiny mom-and-pop shops and early 20th-century cottages and bungalows still abound, but larger stores such as World Grounds have begun to set up shop in the past few years along the main corridor for the area, MacArthur Boulevard. Glen's Charbroiled Burgers is a favorite neighborhood hangout.
The Laurel is a great Oakland neighborhood for young people, as it remains affordable and is located in close proximity to both Mills and Merritt Colleges and the terrific East Bay Regional Parks. Commuters will be drawn by its convenient access to Interstate 580 and Highway 13. Carpooling is common among Laurel residents, many of whom work in San Francisco.
The Dimond District is named for an Irish gold miner who settled in the area along with many German immigrants in the late 19th century. Streetcars used to run back and forth to Downtown Oakland, and outdoor beer gardens offered residents and visitors a respite from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco. The advent of the automobile and prohibition, respectively, eventually made both obsolete. The Dimond District today features a number of ethnic restaurants, and Dimond Park, one of the largest city parks in Oakland, is a wonderful urban oasis.
Dimond / Laurel Neighborhood Resources:
- See What School Your Child Would Attend (Tool provided by Oakland School District)
- Private Schools in Oakland
- Dimond Recreation
- Laurel District Association
- Dimond Merchants Association
- Dimond Improvement Association
- Wikipedia Entry on Laurel
- Wikipedia Entry on Dimond
- "Dimondites" Blog About Local Community
- MacArthur Metro
Learn More About Other Oakland Hills Neighborhoods
