The 12.8-square-mile town known as Orinda was established as a town way back in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the Caldecott Tunnel opened in 1937, making a much easier trip from San Francisco or Oakland, that Orinda began to grow. The iconic Orinda Theater opened in 1941 providing much-needed entertainment to the area.
Today, Orinda boasts excellent schools, a great culture and beautiful hills and valleys for hiking and even San Pablo Reservoir for picnicking, fishing and boating.
Orinda is home to many affluent suburban professionals who commute to downtown Oakland, San Francisco, and Walnut Creek. Its location provides for a more rustic landscape, and Orinda’s many parks and trails make it a destination for many Bay Area hikers and naturalists.
The California Shakespeare Theater makes its home at the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater from June through October. There are many programs for all ages during the rest of the year.
The bustling Theater Square area and Orinda Village shopping center provide plenty of shopping and dining.
Competitive swimming is very popular here, and the Orinda/Moraga Pool Association hosts one of the largest competitive swimming events in the country for children from 5 to 18. Consequently, many Olympic athletes hail from Orinda.
What We Like About Orinda
- Enjoy a movie and popcorn at the Art Deco-style Orinda Theater.
- Casa Orinda Restaurant has been serving he best fried chicken around 84 years.
- Republic of Cake bakes up the best cupcakes anywhere! Local ingredients make them unique and oh-so delicious.
