If your family can’t find what they want to do within Dublin, they’ll find it a short drive away. Within the city, entertainment options for all ages are plentiful. Try beating the summer at [**The Wave**](https://thedublinwave.com/) , a 31,000 sq. foot aquatic facility complete with pools, water slides and splash zones. You can even sign the kids up for swim lessons or take a fitness class here. If you have a need for speed, then the state-of-the-art electric go kart track at [**K1 Racing**](https://www.k1speed.com/dublin-location.html?utm_campaign=gbl_dublin&utm_source=google&utm_medium=directory)  is where you and the whole family can get an adrenaline fix. And who says you need kids to enjoy this one? We can see an epic corporate team-building event taking shape here. Those two spots are definitely the highlights but other honorable mentions include a [**bowling alley**](http://www.earlanthonysdublinbowl.com/), Chuck E Cheese and an [**indoor ice skating rink**](https://www.dulinice.com). 

If you’re looking for less structured fun for the fam, Dublin hosts a number of great community events throughout the year. Every Thursday from April to September, you can buy from local farmers and artisans at the [**Dublin Farmers Market**](https://dublin.ca.gov/928/Dublin-Farmers-Market). In summer months, choose from a series of outdoor concerts held at [**Emerald Glen Amphitheatre**](https://dublin.ca.gov/1917/Summer-Concert-Series), or mark the month of March with the city’s blow-out St. Patrick’s Day Celebration complete with a parade, vendors and live entertainment.




Family-Friendly Living

The Best Thing About Dublin?

One of the country’s fastest growing cities, the population in Dublin has nearly tripled from 23,000 in 1990 to 72,000 in 2023. The city offers many families the right combination of strong public schools, family-friendly amenities, community events and convenient location, at a slightly more reasonable price compared to San Francisco and other more expensive parts of the Bay Area (but it’s still pricey). 

The explosion in population over the past few decades has forced developers to build up, not out. Meaning, you’ll find an oddly large number of triple-story homes on smaller lots, especially when it comes to the newer builds. And what’s the price of living on top of your neighbor, you ask? A pretty $1.15 million. At the same time, infrastructure has yet to catch up. Traffic can certainly be an issue almost any day of the week in Dublin. 

That said, if you don’t mind having your kitchen and living room on the second story of your house, you could look at your new tri-level home as saving you some time at the gym. 



I Need Some Space

The Worst Thing About Dublin?

If you live in Dublin, you have access. Access to great schools, access to trip-worthy destinations, and access to both the essential and nice-to-have amenities. Like the rest of the Tri-Valley area, residents in Dublin enjoy proximity to big cities like San Francisco (40 minutes away on a good day) and San Jose (35 minutes away on a good day). During lighter traffic times you can also get to the popular Walnut Creek in 20 minutes, or the Oakland Airport in 20 minutes. Driving one hour south you’ll run into Santa Cruz and one hour to the north you’re in the famous wine country of Napa Valley. For weekend getaways, you’ve got Yosemite a short 3 hours away and Lake Tahoe bit further at 3 hours and 45 minutes. Is your head spinning yet?

In terms of a commute, your central location gives you the freedom to work in a variety of the neighboring cities. The BART station and easy access to both the 680 and 580 are attractive draws for prospective residents. 

As we’ve noted, Dublin is a great place to raise a family. Residents applaud their city’s low crime rate and responsive police department. Depending on where you’re moving from, the weather can either be a pro or a con for Dublin. The [**Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve**](https://www.ebparks.org/parks/dublin-hills), which is a great spot for hiking, biking and horseback riding, borders the city to the east and blocks much of the weather patterns coming in from the ocean. This means less mild weather, or sometimes below freezing temps in the winter and above 100 degrees in the summer, in extreme cases. Someone moving from SoCal will be a bit turned off while someone moving from the midwest might be unperturbed. 

If you’re more of a homebody, or are just looking for a classic mall with your favorite box stores and essentials, you’ll be happy to hear that you have multiple spots to choose from within city limits. [**Dublin Place**](https://www.dublinplace.com/)  in west Dublin offers essentials like Target, PetSmart and Hobby Lobby with plenty of grocery stores, banks and gas stations nearby. In the center of town, [**Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center**](http://www.hacienda-crossings.com/)  has a Best Buy, TJ Maxx, Barnes & Noble and one of the best Regal Imax Theatre in the East Bay. Fallon Gateway located on the east side of town has a Dick’s Sporting Goods, Vitamin Shoppe, Guitar Center and lots more. 

 Access, Access, Access

Lifestyle of Dublin

The [**Dublin Unified School District**]( https://www.dublinusd.org/) serves 13,000 students via its seven elementary schools, one K-8 school, two middle schools, two high schools (one comprehensive and one alternative) and one alternative learning center. Soon, construction on Emerald High School will be complete.

Niche.com awards [**Dublin School District**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/dublin-unified-school-district-ca/) an “A+” rating with particularly high scores in the “Academics” and “College Prep” areas. Student-teacher ratios are 21 to 1 and according to state test scores, 73% of students are at least proficient in math and 78% in reading. Dublin High School stands out with an overall 9/10 rating on [**Greatschools.org**](https://www.greatschools.org/california/dublin/dublin-unified-school-district/) , and scores 10/10 for College Readiness and 10/10 for Test Scores. 

For private options, parents will not be disappointed. The [**Quarry Lane School**](https://www.quarrylane.org/) (PK-12), [**Valley Christian Schools**](https://www.vcs.net/) (PK-12), [**St. Raymond School**](https://www.straymondschool.org/) (K-8) and the [**Stratford School**](https://www.stratfordschools.com/schools/northern-california/east-bay/dublin/) (PK-5) are located in Dublin and have an “A+” rating from Niche.com. 


Top of Their Class

Schools in Dublin

According to Redfin, the Dublin housing market scores a 93/100 in terms of competitiveness. Most homes receive multiple offers, often with waived contingencies. Often they’ll sell above asking price within a week to ten days of going on the market. So, why are we boring you with all these details? Well, an argument can be made for taking the leap before you feel ready. Even if you do jump into the frenzy of this housing market now, it might take awhile to find the right house and have your offer accepted. With all Dublin has going for it, unless you need a huge nightlife scene or work super far away, you can trust that moving here is likely a good investment for you and your family. After all, nothing says rising property values like a highly rated school district.


Take the Leap

Why You Should Move Here Now

The Emerald Park area offers condos and townhomes galore. Centrally located within Dublin, the neighborhood encompasses the 50-acre [**Emerald Glen Park**](https://www.dublin.ca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Emerald-Glen-Park-13) , making it ideal for nature enthusiasts. If you like to lead an active lifestyle, you’ll love living here. You can participate in sports like baseball, soccer, cricket and skating. There’s also a community pool and playgrounds in the park. 

Townhomes here are typically 2- or 3-bedrooms and can range roughly $1.2 - $1.8 million. Nearby amenities include the Dublin Wave Waterpark and Hacienda Crossings Shopping Center. James Dougherty Elementary School resides within this neighborhood and Dublin High School isn’t too far away. The Quarry Lane School west campus is also right down the road as well as your Whole Foods and BART station.


SINKS/DINKS/Families

Emerald Park

Homes in the western part of Dublin, where Dublin Hills Estates sits, are slightly more reasonable ranging from $700-900,000 typically. This subdivision was built 1986-1988 and homes range in size from 1,600 to 2,300 square feet on an average lot size of 8,500 square feet. Some home owners enjoy sweeping views of the valley or the hills. As the name implies, one of your nearby greenspaces will be the [**Dublin Hills Regional Open Space Preserve**](https://www.ebparks.org/parks/dublin-hills). 

Children who live in Dublin Hills attend [**Frederikson Elementary**](https://fes.dublinusd.org/), [**Wells Middle School**](https://wms.dublinusd.org/) and [**Dublin High School**](https://dhs.dublinusd.org/). Residents also enjoy excellent commute access to the 680, 580 and BART, and the Dublin Place Shopping Mall is just down the road. 


Families/SINKs/DINKs

Dublin Hills Estates

The Positano is a master planned community in the prestigious eastern section of Dublin off of Fallon Road. A newer neighborhood, homes here were built as recently as 2008 and are spacious with large property values. Perfect for someone looking for newer homes, houses in this area began as recently as 2008. They are spacious (ranging from 1,500 - 4,000+ square feet), typically 3-5 bedrooms sitting on everything from smaller lots to lots as large as 10,000 square feet. Home styles are contemporary with modern amenities. According to Redfin, the median sale price of homes in this area is $2.2 million.

Nearby green spaces include [**Positano Hills**](https://dublin.ca.gov/facilities/facility/details/positano-hills-park-24) and [**Sean Diamond**](https://dublin.ca.gov/facilities/facility/details/seandiamondpark-33) community parks. Families enjoy these parks for their basketball courts and picnic areas. 

Schools are quite accessible from this neighborhood, like the [**Jose Maria Amador Elementary School**](https://aes.dublinusd.org/), [**Fallon Middle School**](https://fms.dublinusd.org/) and [**Dublin High School**](https://dhs.dublinusd.org/). Also nearby are some fun eateries like Ramen 101 and Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar. For groceries and shopping you’ll likely head less than 10 minutes south to the Fallon Gateway shopping mall area. If you commute for work, you’ll enjoy easy access to the I-580. 


DINKS/Families

Positano 

Dublin

**Walnut Creek, Dublin or…?**

Walnut Creek has a better downtown. Dublin doesn't have one.

Dublin is cheaper and has access to more diverse and better restaurants.

If you are thinking of Dublin, you can expand your search to include Castro Valley and Pleasanton.

Livermore is further out but has access to both good restaurants and a downtown. Lots of families have moved their during the pandemic (and before) so home prices are like WC.


**Walnut Creek or Dublin?**

I've lived in both Dublin and Walnut Creek for a substantial number of years.

WC definitely has better walkability and character, and there are really great shops and restaurants. Lots of restaurants from SF/Oakland have been opening up here, like Sweet Maple, Third Culture Bakery, etc. Way more established trees and lots of greenery and open land (WC owns the most open space per capita than any other community in CA).

Dublin is not very charming and there's no nice downtown to walk around (it's literally big box stores lined along Dublin Blvd). It does make running errands super convenient though, so that's a plus. It's also easier to find stores and to find parking in Dublin, since it's a typical suburb with pretty straight roads. In comparison, WC can seem confusing and overwhelming with it's curved roads and small streets in the downtown area.

I know you want to BART, but if you ever drive, the tolerability of commuting to SF depends on where you live.

West WC (west of 680) has amazing highway access, whereas East WC (i.e. east of 680) will add extra time. Forget about Northgate or anywhere along Ygnacio Valley Blvd which is always a hot mess.

Non-rush hour times from West WC (such as Saranap, Tice Valley, Overlook):

West WC to Oakland: around 20 minutes

West WC to SF: around 30 minutes

Driving from Dublin to SF will be longer for sure. Living in West Dublin will save you time compared to East Dublin, but the housing in West Dublin is older.

**What do you think the future of Dublin will look like?**

I grew up in Pleasanton, and 30 years ago there wasn't much going on in Dublin. There was little housing and it more of business area. I saw the expansion of bart and the hacienda shopping center get built and it was so exciting to get a IMAX! And since then they have really expanded the housing.

I've lived in all three towns, Pleasanton, Livermore, and currently Dublin. While I miss the downtown Livermore life, I find Dublin to be quieter, safer and much cooler temperature wise. It's also much windier. I would like to see the public transportation expand a bit, as I've noticed both county connection and wheels have buses that run through town, from someone who doesn't drive, they need more bus routes with more coverage. One bus down Dublin Blvd and one down Dougherty sometimes, isn't really enough - especially if they want to boast accessibility to bart and schools as real estate amenities.

Ten years from now I'm expecting it to be more crowded and I expect Dublin to have reign on 'highrise' apts as Livermore and Pleasanton seem to want to spread out housing vs building sky ward. But so far I like living in Dublin and I hope for the best.

Dublin, California