A Praise for Community, and Insight for Prospective Home Buyers in Oakland’s East Bay
Introduction
There’s a quiet kind of magic to this neighborhood—one that doesn’t announce itself, but reveals itself slowly, generously, and with just the right amount of pride.
My family has only been here almost three years—but in that time, Crocker Highlands has become far more than a dot on a map. It’s become home in the truest sense: familiar, connective, and deeply shaping. My son just completed 5th grade at Crocker Highlands Elementary, and watching him grow into himself here—surrounded by friends, teachers, and neighbors who genuinely show up—has been a gift I don’t take lightly.
David Higgins, founder of Cush Real Estate, has raised his daughters here for nearly two decades. I speak from the other side of that arc—as a mom who’s raised four children over almost 30 years, in just about every academic model around, and who now sees, with fresh eyes, what it means to be part of a community that truly helps raise your kid alongside you.
Crocker Highlands isn’t flashy. It doesn’t try to impress. It’s rooted, thoughtful, and quietly exceptional. From its distinctive architecture to its top-ranking public elementary school, this neighborhood has a way of wrapping itself around you. Whether you’re already lucky enough to live here—or you’re just starting to wonder if this could be your next chapter—there’s something worth noticing about how this place lives.
Crocker’s winding streets, anchored by century-old trees, don’t grid—they bend, curve, and settle in. Like community, they’re designed to be traveled slowly. Let’s meander a bit longer.
The Crocker Highlands Neighborhood
A Brief Historical Overview
Crocker Highlands took shape in the 1920s, part of a broader movement across the country—and here in Oakland—to design neighborhoods that emphasized architectural beauty, natural topography, and a more graceful, community-oriented street layout. Homes were built with intention, often one by one, each carrying its own architectural personality.
This neighborhood doesn’t just reflect that original vision—it embodies it. Crocker Highlands is a buffet of charm and depth, not simply preserving the past but evolving with it.
The land itself was once part of the Crocker family estate (yes, the same Crockers tied to the transcontinental railroad), and by the time the first homes were built, the area was marketed as an ideal suburb—close enough to the city to stay connected, but tucked into the hills above Lake Merritt just enough to feel like a retreat.
You can still read that intention in the architecture: a curated mix of Tudor Revival, Mediterranean, French Provincial, Craftsman, and Storybook homes. No two quite the same. All of them substantial. Soulful. And unmistakably Oakland.
Community Character
It’s hard to talk about Crocker Highlands without sounding a little overcooked—but this place doesn’t need a sales pitch. It wins people over quietly.
It’s not just the homes, or the trees, or the way the sidewalks dip and curve—it’s the neighbors. Families walking their kids to school (my favorite part of the parenting day), people trading garden clippings, block parties that still happen just because. There’s an ease here, even when life is full.
You’ll find longtime residents who’ve been here for decades living just a few doors down from new families planting roots. And while there’s no central commercial strip within the neighborhood itself, you’re a short walk to the restaurants and shops on Lakeshore and Grand Avenues, with Montclair Village and the Glenview district just minutes away.
We’re close to farmers markets, Lake Merritt, and highway access to San Francisco—tucked into the hills, but fully part of the cultural mix that makes Oakland Oakland.
Crocker Highlands Elementary School
A School with Deep Roots
Founded in 1925, Crocker Highlands Elementary is nearly as old as the neighborhood itself. The original building was constructed on land donated by the Crocker family, and over the decades, the school has grown—physically and in reputation—without losing its neighborhood-school feel.
It’s long been a touchpoint for the community. Generations of families have attended, and many come back as parents themselves. With just over 400 students in grades K–5, the school is small enough to feel personal, but large enough to offer richness and depth.
Recognition and Philosophy
In 2025, Crocker Highlands Elementary was named a California Distinguished School, honoring its academic excellence and commitment to equity. It was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 10% of elementary schools in California.
But what really sets it apart isn’t the accolades—it’s the tone. The school focuses on the whole child: not just academics, but curiosity, character, and connection. There’s a shared belief in fostering joy, inclusion, and a growth mindset—for students and families.
The teachers are experienced and collaborative. The PTA is active and welcoming. The energy is quietly confident, not performative. It’s the kind of school that feels like an extension of the neighborhood: grounded, thoughtful, and fully engaged.
Why Crocker Highlands Works for Families
For families looking for more than just a home—this neighborhood offers a rare combination: architectural beauty, walkability, a top-performing public school, and a sense of community that doesn’t need to be manufactured.
You’ll find front porch conversations, playdates at the Crocker “yard,” impromptu driveway hangouts, and parents who know each other by name. There’s a rhythm here that allows families to settle in, feel supported, and raise kids in a way that feels natural—not overly managed.
Where Roots Run Deep—and Keep Growing
Crocker Highlands is more than a beautiful zip code or a convenient commute. It’s a neighborhood defined by rhythm, relationship, and the way it holds space—for longtime residents, for new families, and for the in-between seasons that shape a life.
To those who already call this place home: you are the fabric. You’re the reason the sidewalks feel lived in, the park feels safe, and the school continues to reflect not just excellence but care. From PTA meetings and porch chats to garden swaps and chalk art that fades with the fog—you make this place what it is.
To those considering a move: don’t take our word for it. Walk it. Meander through the canopy. Catch the sound of kids at recess on a Friday. Cruise past the holiday lights (especially Halloween!) or the block party setups in the summertime. You’ll know if it’s for you. Most people do.
And when it’s time to make a move, work with people who know this place deeply—not just from listings and data, but from living it. Cush Real Estate has been named Best of Oakland year after year. We offer full residential real estate services rooted in trust, experience, and an abiding respect for the stories behind every front door.
If you’re in the early stages of exploring, start here: 12 Things You Must Know When Hiring a Buyer’s Agent. It’s practical, honest, and designed to help you move forward with clarity—wherever you land.
Because whether you’re staying, arriving, or just beginning to wonder—Crocker Highlands is the kind of place where stories and relationships grow rich.