photo by Evan Henkel
Orinda is a truly distinguished community of the San Francisco Bay Area. Located east of Oakland and within 30 minutes of downtown San Francisco, Orinda is situated in southwest Contra Costa County, California. Orinda incorporated as a city in 1985, after more than 100 years of gradual development.
The City of Orinda is a family-oriented community which offers its residents a serene setting in contrast to the more urban existence of the surrounding area. The tree-studded hillsides of the 12.8 square-mile city contribute to Orinda’s aesthetic beauty. Natural beauty, excellent schools, safety, history, culture, serenity and its proximity to major San Francisco Bay locations and activities with easy freeway access and its own BART station make Orinda a delightful place in which to live, visit, and shop.
photo by Evan Henkel
Orinda City Hall
The 13,900-square foot Orinda City Hall is at the forefront of eco-friendly government construction in the Bay Area. It’s one of the first city halls in California to be certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)—a third-party green-verification system that is now mandatory for city government buildings in places like Berkeley, Pleasanton and San Jose, but not in smaller towns like Orinda. Designers Siegel and Strain expect to earn a LEED silver or gold certificate based on the building’s indoor air quality, low energy consumption and use of local materials and resources.
Located on a hill within walking-distance to downtown, the building now houses the police, administrative, planning, public works and building departments and represents an end to 20 years of housing city functions in temporary settings.
photo by Evan Henkel
Orinda Library
The Orinda Library is known for its beautiful facility, its free wi-fi access, and its wonderful selection of books and movies. It is also a great resource for local business owners. Lynda is now available from the Library to help you master the job skills that any professional needs to succeed in the workforce. Online videos, taught by industry experts, are available for subjects such as Developer, IT, Business, Marketing, Photography, 3D + Animation, Video, Web, and more.
As part of the Contra Costa County Library system and the Link+ partnership, the Orinda Library gives you access to materials from all over the county, as well as numerous library systems throughout the states of California and Nevada.
The Orinda Library is located at 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563. Call the library at 925-254-2184.
photo by Evan Henkel
Theatre Square
The historic Orinda Theatre, a beautifully refurbished art deco masterwork, is the centerpiece of Orinda’s Theatre Square, a retail, restaurant and office complex with more than 30 unique and wonderful stores.
photo courtesy of CalShakes
Cal Shakes
Internationally known for producing the works of Shakespeare and the classical canon, as well as “New Classics,” Cal Shakes has its regular season from June to October at the beautiful Bruns Memorial Amphitheater in Orinda. The Theater’s conservatory operates throughout the year, featuring programs for children, teenagers, young actors, teachers and adults.
California Independent Film Festival
Presented each April, this cavalcade of classic films with their stars often making personal appearances at the festive events is for all a highlight of the year. The California Independent Film Festival also presents numerous other film events in Orinda throughout the year.
Orinda Annual Classic Car Show
Each September a fantastic collection of classic automobiles rolls into Orinda and admission to the show is free. Packed with nostalgia and automotive perfection, The Orinda Annual Classic Car Show is preceded by a gala dinner-dance event where all the owners and fans gather for a Friday evening of fun the night before the show.
Orinda 4th of July Parade
Every year Orinda kicks off America’s birthday with a quintessential small town parade. Orinda’s July 4th tradition, started in the early 1980s by the Orinda Association, is a way to celebrate Independence Day and to celebrate “community.” Thousands of citizens and visitors gather to participate in or watch the parade, followed by food and games in Orinda Community Park.
Lamorinda American Viticulture Area (AVA)
Orinda is part of the Lamorinda American Viticulture Area (AVA). Find out more at the Lamorinda Wine Growers Association website.
photo by Evan Henkel
Parks, Preserves & Trails
The Orinda community is surrounded by several large park and regional preserves, including Tilden Park, San Pablo Recreation Area, Briones Reservoir, and Lafayette Reservoir. Orinda is at the crossroads of many National and Regional Trail systems. These include the American Discovery Trail, the deLaveaga Trail, the East Bay Regional Park District, as well as several local walking areas. For more information about trails in and around Orinda, click here.