Why Dublin, CA is a Great Place to Live

Nestled in the heart of northern California’s East Bay region, Dublin offers an outstanding quality of life in a picturesque setting with numerous employment and recreational opportunities. The city was recently voted one of the best places to live in America by Money Magazine and it’s easy to see why—its prime location, gorgeous weather, booming tech centers, and laidback pace of living make it a highly desirable choice for those looking to set down roots in the Tri-Valley.

Interested in living in Dublin, CA? Here, we give you a closer look at the city and list down the many reasons why it’s such a special place to call home.

DUBLIN, CA AT A GLANCE

Where is Dublin, CA?

Dublin is located within the Tri-Valley region’s picturesque Amador Valley, around 25 miles north of San Jose and 35 miles east of San Francisco. The city is part of Alameda County and encompasses approximately 15 square miles.

Dublin is known as one of the fastest-growing cities in California and is currently home to more than 72,500 residents.

Dublin through the years

• Dublin’s earliest residents were Native Americans from the Pelnen, Seunen, and Souyen tribes. They established villages along the streams and next to the large marsh that extended from present-day Dublin to Pleasanton.

• Spanish explorer Pedro Fages moved through Dublin along with his party in 1772 as they made their way south from the San Francisco Bay through the Amador and San Ramon valleys en route to Santa Clara Valley. Dublin and its surrounding area were used to pasture herds after the establishment of Mission San Jose in 1797.

• A significant population of Mexican Californians relocated to the Dublin, Livermore, and Pleasanton areas in the early 1800s. In 1835, Jose Maria Amador was granted the 17,600-acre Rancho San Ramon for his service as a soldier and administrator of Mission San Jose. Irish settlers purchased land from Amador in 1850, which they used to develop a new town.

• More immigrants arrived in the area following the creation of Alameda County in 1853. Many purchased farms and established small businesses. A school, church, general store, and boutique hotels were built at the crossroads.

• With the arrival of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s, Dublin served as a hub for local freight, transporting mostly cattle and agricultural products to Hayward, Oakland, and San Francisco.

• During World War II, around five square miles east of the crossroads were bought by the US Navy as part of a large expansion in the San Francisco Bay Area. Three bases (known collectively as “Fleet City”) were built between 1942 and 1944, housing over 90,000 marines and sailors. The bases were closed and other buildings were sold by the US government at the end of the war. One of the first buildings purchased was the Navy brig, which now serves as the Santa Rita Jail, one of the largest prison facilities in the country.

• Dublin remained an unincorporated community of Alameda County until its incorporation on February 1, 1982. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in California, its population rising from about 14,000 in 1981 to more than 72,500 today.

TOP REASONS WHY DUBLIN, CA IS AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO CALL HOME

Accessibility

Living in Dublin, CA puts you in a prime location at the heart of the Tri-Valley area.

Dublin is about 35 miles east of San Francisco, making it easy for you to reach the Golden City whether for work or leisure. The city offers easy access to several major highways and is home to the Dublin/Pleasanton BART Station, allowing you to get to other parts of the Bay Area with ease.

Want to enjoy an unforgettable weekend trip? Livermore Valley’s wineries and the Tri-Valley Beer Trail are a short drive away!

Pleasant year-round weather

Like other East Bay communities, Dublin experiences a maritime warm-summer Mediterranean climate with an average of 260 clear, sunny days every year. September is typically the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F and lows of 55°F. The coldest month is December, with average highs of around 58°F and lows of 41°F.

Dublin’s pleasant, mild temperatures year-round create many opportunities to spend time outdoors enjoying picnics at the park, exploring hiking trails, and having fun at The Wave’s slides and swimming pools.

Strong community spirit

The city fosters a strong community spirit and a close-knit sense of unity among residents, which is one of the best things about living in Dublin, CA.

There are numerous opportunities to play an active role in the community, such as volunteering for upcoming events or participating in a city commission. You can gather information about municipal services and issues facing the community by joining the Inside Dublin program.

To keep residents safe, the city of Dublin has various resources, alerts, and dispute resolution guidelines designed to enhance safety and security.

Top-rated schools

With excellent schools administered by the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD), Dublin is a terrific choice for families seeking quality education for their children. The city is home to some of the finest public schools not only in California but in the country.

In recent years, DUSD and its schools have received numerous accolades including:

• Advanced Placement Honor Roll
• California Distinguished School
• California School of Character
• Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll
• Gold Ribbon Award
• National Blue Ribbon School
• National School of Character
• Project Lead the Way Distinguished School
• Title 1 Academic Achievement Award School

Dublin High School, DUSD’s sole operating high school, is widely recognized for its prestigious academic programs like the Culinary Academy, Biomedical Academy, and Engineering Academy, all known for helping students prepare and succeed in post-secondary education.

Dublin is also home to a great selection of private schools such as:

• Valley Christian Schools
• The Quarry Lane School
• St. Raymond School

For those looking to enroll in higher education, Las Positas College in Livermore is a short 15-minute drive from Dublin. Several renowned universities are also located about 30 minutes from the city, including California State University, East Bay, Saint Mary’s College of California, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Excellent employment and business opportunities

Dublin has a thriving economy supported by numerous small businesses in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Some of the city’s top employers are in finance, retail, tech, and medical services.

To encourage economic growth, the city provides many business incentives and programs like the Small Business Assistance Program, Business Concierge Program, and Sales Tax Reimbursement Program.

Incredible outdoor activities

Dublin’s lush rolling hills and picturesque green spaces are reminiscent of Ireland’s capital, the city’s namesake. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts will love living in Dublin, CA thanks to the many gorgeous parks and outdoor spaces located throughout the city.

Looking forward to spending time outdoors? Be sure to visit these parks and recreational destinations:

• Emerald Glen Park – Located at the intersection of Central Parkway and Tassajara Road, Emerald Glen Park is one of Dublin’s most expansive recreational destinations. The park encompasses almost 50 acres and features various amenities including bocce ball courts, a playground, a lighted skateboard park, a large picnic area, and fields for baseball, softball, cricket, and soccer. The park is also home to an aquatic center known as The Wave, which has two swimming pools, a waterpark, a slide tower, and rental facilities.

• Fallon Sports Park – The city’s premier sports park is an ideal place to spend time with family and engage in various recreational opportunities. The 61-acre venue is home to a range of amenities including lighted softball and baseball diamonds, synthetic turf soccer fields, bocce ball courts, basketball courts, tennis courts, two playgrounds, and a BMX course.

• Dublin Hills Regional Park – Encompassing more than 650 acres, Dublin Hills Regional Park features a network of trails offering picture-perfect views for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. The park’s trails include a section of the Calaveras Ridge Regional Trail, which takes visitors on a scenic journey to pristine grassland meadows untouched since the 1800s. The best time to visit the park is during spring, colorful wildflowers are in bloom.

• Dublin Heritage Park and Museums – Dublin Heritage Park and Museums is a ten-acre park featuring several historic buildings, a cemetery, lawns, and picnic areas. Visitors can step back in time and get a glimpse of the city’s rich history by visiting the park’s two museums: the Kolb House, a historic home museum housed in a 1910 Craftsman bungalow-style house, and the Murray Schoolhouse, which features exhibits showcasing Dublin’s history.

Exciting events

There’s always something fun to look forward to when you’re living in Dublin as the city hosts a stellar lineup of unforgettable family-friendly events every year.

Staying true to its namesake city, Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration is the city’s grandest event, attracting crowds of more than 90,000 from all over the Bay Area and beyond. The annual celebration features three stages showcasing traditional Irish folk performances, an international food court with an extensive Irish menu, and an Irish marketplace with over 250 booths selling Celtic artworks, jewelry, Irish tartans, and hand-knit apparel.

St. Patrick’s Day kicks off a stacked schedule of events over the next ten months, which include the Spring Extravaganza, Dublin Pride Week, Picnic Flix at Emerald Glen Park, Splatter Art Festival, Backyard Block Party, Annual Harvest Fair, Floating Pumpkin Patch, and Ghosts of Dublin Tours.

The city caps off each year with a series of holiday events including the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Event, Breakfast with Santa, Holiday DancEscape, and Deck the Homes Holiday Home Decorating Contest.

Dublin locals also look forward to the Alameda County Fair every summer, which is held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, less than ten minutes away from Dublin.

Vibrant shopping destinations

Living in Dublin, CA gives you easy access to many of the finest shopping centers the Bay Area has to offer.

The city’s largest shopping venue is Hacienda Crossings, one of the premier retail destinations in the Tri-Valley. The outdoor shopping center is home to a diverse array of specialty retailers and dining options, and hosts a variety of seasonal events throughout the year.

Downtown Dublin also features a collection of shopping areas where you can find a mix of big box establishments, small businesses, and restaurants. Other shopping centers you can find in the city include:

• Dublin Ulferts Center
• Fallon Gateway
• Persimmon Place
• The Shops at Tralee Village
• The Shops at Waterford

Exquisite dining venues

Whether you’re catching up with friends, celebrating a milestone, dining out with the family, or just looking to grab a quick bite, Dublin’s eclectic dining scene is sure to impress even the most discerning diner.

Here are a few examples of top-rated restaurants for you to check out:

Burma! Burma!
7294 San Ramon Rd., Dublin, CA

Treat your taste buds to a delicious meal at Burma! Burma!, a casual restaurant offering an extensive selection of Burmese cuisine. The restaurant’s experienced chef cooks up delectable Burmese fare, from the refreshing traditional tea leaf salad and wok-sautéed Burmese shrimp to the flavorful minted jalapeno chicken. All dishes are prepared using traditional techniques, giving diners a taste that’s authentic to the restaurant’s Burmese heritage.

All dishes pair perfectly with the restaurant’s curated wine and beer list. Non-alcoholic beverages are available as well including Burmese iced tea, regatta ginger beer, and fresh baby coconut.

Amakara
7568, Dublin Blvd, Dublin, CA

Amakara is your go-to dining destination if you’re craving fresh hand-rolled sushi and authentic Japanese dishes. This top-rated restaurant in Downtown Dublin is known for their inventive rolls. In addition to classic sushi selections like sashimi, ebi, and nigiri, they serve signature rolls like the spicy crunchy rainbow, made with spicy tuna, tempura shrimp, assorted fish, teriyaki, mustard sauce, spicy mayo, crispy tempura bits, tobiko, and green onions. Amakara also has an enticing selection of donburi bowls, ramen, meat, and seafood dishes for those looking for a heartier feast.

88 BaoBao
3880 Fallon Rd., Dublin, CA

Started from a family idea in 2018, 88 BaoBao is a steamed dumpling and noodle restaurant specializing in traditional handcrafted dumplings and buns along with a variety of rice and noodle dishes.

Don’t let the strip mall eatery’s unassuming looks fool you—88 BaoBao is known for serving some of the most delectable xiao long bao in the East Bay. In fact, all of their appetizers, steamed dumplings, buns, beef rolls, and scallion pancakes are worth a try!

Denica’s Real Food Kitchen
6058 Dougherty Rd., Dublin, CA

One of the top breakfast spots in Dublin, Denica’s Real Food Kitchen offers flavorful and inventive homemade treats like cookie dough waffles, cinnamon rolls, croissants, savory pancakes, and a wide variety of comfort food staples. Owned and operated since 1999 by husband and wife team James and Denica Freitas, Denica’s is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking to kick start your day with a delicious meal.

Among their standout dishes is the Hawaiian-inspired King Kamehameha Loco Moco, a delectable concoction of sticky rice and Angus prime ribeye covered in a warm blanket of eggs and ono brown gravy.

Other notable restaurants in Dublin include:

• Lazy Dog – 4805 Hacienda Dr., Dublin, CA
• Egg Happiness Café – 4288 Dublin Blvd., Ste 113, Dublin, CA
• Demiya – 7477 Village Pkwy, Dublin, CA
• Mao Izakaya & Sushi – 722 Regional St., Dublin, CA
• Frankie, Johnnie, and Luigi Too! – 11891 Dublin Blvd., Dublin, CA

Future developments

Dublin residents have plenty to look forward to with many exciting new developments on the horizon. Here’s a glimpse of projects currently underway.

• Dublin Arts Center– The 13,000-square-foot Dublin Arts Center will serve as a multi-use facility with amenities that include an art gallery, an indoor/outdoor art yard, a dance studio, a theater, and art and music classrooms.

• Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Square – Currently in the design phase, Jordan Ranch Neighborhood Park will feature a multi-use sports court, a playground, picnic areas, and a pollinator garden. The park will be located on Central Parkway and is scheduled for completion by Summer 2024.

• Wallis Ranch Community Park – Set to open near Wallis Ranch in Spring 2024, Wallis Ranch Community Park will include picnic areas, playgrounds, a dog park, a fitness circuit, grass fields, and tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts.

FIND YOUR DREAM HOME IN DUBLIN, CA TODAY!

Ready to browse the finest selection of homes for sale in Dublin, CA?

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more experienced and dedicated professional to have at your side than me, Kimberly Ghazvini. As a seasoned Realtor and top producer at Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty, I have assisted countless clients looking to realize their real estate goals in Dublin, Danville, San Ramon, Pleasanton, and other sought-after communities in the Tri-Valley region.

Get in touch with me today at 650.444.3148 . You can also send me an email or leave me a message here.