When people say that Berkeley’s Thousand Oaks district rocks, they really mean it rocks. The neighborhood was planned over one hundred years ago around the natural geographic features and rock outcroppings of the neighborhood. To live in Thousand Oaks is to enjoy a calming blend of nature and modern conveniences in an active community.

The best place to experience how Thousand Oaks rocks is at Indian Rock Park, just above Arlington Avenue. There, residents can scramble and climb over the large boulders, and even try some amateur rock climbing. At day’s end, enjoy the setting sun and relax to the grand views of the bay from atop the rocks. On nearby Indian Trail, you can see the last remaining decorative urns, dozens of which used to populate the Thousand Oaks district.

In addition to the natural beauty of the rocks, Thousand Oaks is home to some beautiful architecture. The neighborhood is filled with Craftsman and Spanish-style bungalows. The neighbors have banded together to form a very active community group that supports local businesses and raises money to preserve the urns, among other activities.

The major local event is the annual Solano Avenue Stroll, along the neighborhood’s main commercial district. The neighborhood is anchored by two long-standing beloved institutions: The Oaks Theatre, a pristine art-moderne cinema built in 1925, and the original family-owned Andronico’s market, built in 1929. Solano Avenue is filled with many top-ranked restaurants and local businesses, where Thousand Oaks residents congregate and socialize.