Open House Sun, Sep 27th 02:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Address
685 Oberlin Ave, Kensington, CA
Price
$ 1,495,000
Property Attributes
- ID#41147597
- TypeSingle Family
- Listing Status Active
- CountyContra Costa
- CityKensington
- NeighborhoodKensington
- Zip94708
- StyleMediterranean
- Year Built1931
- Price$ 1,495,000
- Bedrooms4
- Full Bathrooms3
- Half Bathrooms0
- Sqr Footage2690
- Lot Size0.12 Acres
Data Source:
Bay East MLS, CCAR MLS, or bridgeMLS
Property Description
Built in the 1930s and extensively remodeled for modern living, this enchanting Kensington residence is a masterful blend of vintage Mediterranean architecture and sophisticated contemporary design. Filled with natural light, warmth, and character, the home offers exceptional privacy and a wonderful sense of soul. A charming wooden gate opens to an arched entryway and an inviting front courtyard—a secluded outdoor retreat that sets the tone for the home. Inside, an elegant foyer leads directly to the spacious living room, the heart of the house. An iconic fireplace, dramatic gabled ceiling with period detailing, and tall French doors opening to the courtyard create a setting that is both gracious and wonderfully intimate. The open floor plan flows into a generous dining area and an oversized, sun-filled kitchen, newly custom-designed with state-of-the-art appliances, sophisticated cabinetry, abundant counter space, and exceptional storage. Modern and elegant, the kitchen is designed for both effortless daily living and memorable gatherings. Sliding glass doors connect the kitchen to a spacious and versatile family or guest suite with a closet, full bath, and direct garden access. Upstairs, four additional bedrooms are arranged across thoughtfully separated levels. Two spacious bedrooms share a beautifully updated hall bath, while the upper garden-facing wing offers a heightened sense of privacy. The expansive primary suite is a serene retreat, featuring an enormous walk-in closet, luxurious bath, and sliding doors opening to the deck and gardens. An adjoining sunny office or bedroom provides an ideal workspace, nursery, or private guest room. Outside, the gently rising gardens offer peeks of the Bay and multiple level areas for dining, relaxing, play, and future planting. A gated driveway and attached one-car garage with interior access provide convenient parking and generous storage. Close to Kensington Elementary, the neighborhood shops and cafés of Arlington Avenue and Colusa Circle, and the magnificent trails and open spaces of Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks. With convenient access to UC Berkeley, the greater East Bay, and San Francisco, this distinctive home offers a rare combination of architectural romance, modern comfort, privacy, and connection to nature.
| Price History | |
|---|---|
| 9/9/2026 | Listed $1,495,000 |
General Features
| Living Area | 2690 |
|---|---|
| Sewer | Public Sewer |
| Heating | Forced Air |
| Cooling | None |
| Roof | Tile |
| Appliances | Dishwasher,Gas Range,Refrigerator,Dryer,Washer |
| Garage Spaces | 1 |
| Architectural Style | Mediterranean |
| Pool Features | None |
| Construction Materials | Stucco |
| Year Built | 1931 |
| Electric | No Solar |
| View | Partial,Other |
| Stories Count | 2 |
| Levels | Two Story |
| Property Subtype | Detached |
| Accessibility | None |
| County | Contra Costa |
| New Construction | false |
| Property Type | Residential |
| HOA | false |
| Subdivision Name | Kensington |
| Garage Y/N | true |
| Total Rooms | 8 |
| Full Baths | 3 |
| Status | Active |
| Directions | Arlington > Oberlin |
| City | Kensington |
| High School District | West Contra Costa (510) -231-1100 |
| MLS Area | Listing |
| Lot Size Square Feet | 5280 |
| Property Condition | Existing |
| Virtual Tour | https://685Oberlin.com/mls |
| Standard Status | Active |
| Elementary School District | West Contra Costa (510) -231-1100 |
Interior Features
| Interior Amenities | Dining Area,Family Room,Formal Dining Room,Breakfast Nook,Updated Kitchen |
|---|---|
| Flooring | Hardwood,Tile,Carpet |
| Total Fireplaces | 1 |
| Fireplace Features | Family Room,Stone |
| Air Conditioning Y/N | false |
| Heating Y/N | true |
| Fireplace Y/N | true |
| Laundry Features | Dryer,Washer |
| Total Bedrooms | 4 |
| Kitchen Features | Breakfast Nook,Dishwasher,Eat-in Kitchen,Disposal,Gas Range/Cooktop,Refrigerator,Updated Kitchen |
| Total Baths | 3 |
Exterior Features
| Exterior Amenities | Back Yard,Front Yard,Garden/Play |
|---|---|
| Fencing | Fenced |
| Parking Features | Attached,Garage,Off Street,Parking Spaces,Enclosed |
| Lot Features | Rectangular Lot |
| Water Source | Public |
| Lot Size Area | 5280 |
| Building Area Total | 2690 |
| Lot Size Acres | 0.12 |
Amenities
- Foreclosure
- Views
- Short Sale
- New Construction
- Adult 55+
- Lease To Own
- No HOA Fees
- Furnished
- Primary On Main
- Air Conditioning
- Seller Finance
- Green
- Fixer Upper
- Horse
- Golf
- Fireplace
- Deck
- Garage
- Basement
- Pool
Property vs Single Family Average in 94708
Price
Year Built
In The Neighborhood
Open House
Kensington
$ 1,095,000
86 Arlington Ave
Kensington, CA 94707
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 1,559 SqFt
- Rooms
- 3 Beds + 2 Baths
Open House
Kensington
$ 1,295,000
22 Kensington Ct
Kensington, CA 94707
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 2,187 SqFt
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 3 Baths
Open House
Kensington
$ 1,495,000
36 Kensington Ct
Kensington, CA 94707
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 2,813 SqFt
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 2.5 Baths
Open House
Kensington
$ 1,995,000
38 Highgate
Kensington, CA 94707
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 3,843 SqFt
- Rooms
- 5 Beds + 3.5 Baths
Water Views
Kensington
$ 899,000
206 Colgate
Kensington, CA 94708
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 1,791 SqFt
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 2 Baths
Primary On Main
Kensington
$ 899,000
19 Sunset Dr
Kensington, CA 94707
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 1,323 SqFt
- Rooms
- 2 Beds + 2 Baths
Union City
$ 1,599,000
30898 Cambridge Way
Union City, CA 94587
- Type
- Single Family
- Size
- 2,080 SqFt
- Rooms
- 4 Beds + 2.5 Baths
Last updated: September 26, 2026 6:23 AM UTC Property Information © 2026 
All measurements and all calculations of area are approximate. Information provided by Seller/Other sources, not verified by Broker. All interested persons should independently verify accuracy of information. Provided properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information. Data maintained by MetroList© may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.
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MetroList CA data last updated: September 26, 2026 5:32 AM UTC 
Bay East ©2026. CCAR ©2026. bridgeMLS ©2026. Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed. This information is being provided by the Bay East MLS, or CCAR MLS, or bridgeMLS. The listings presented here may or may not be listed by the Broker/Agent operating this website. This information is intended for the personal use of consumers and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Data last updated at September
