El Sobrante

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El Sobrante, CA

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Delight in natural surroundings just outside a major metropolis

Diverse Suburban Scenic Lush Welcoming Quiet Residential

El Sobrante, which translates to “surplus” in Spanish, is a census designated place in Contra Costa County. Situated about 20 miles northwest of San Francisco, El Sobrante offers residents a quiet place to call home among tree-laden hills as well as convenience to one of the most dynamic cities in the United States.

While El Sobrante is a predominantly residential area, it is accessible to numerous retailers in the Pinole Vista Shopping Center and Hilltop Mall in addition to a variety of thrift stores and restaurants scattered along San Pablo Dam Road. El Sobrante residents enjoy the many outdoor recreational opportunities in their backyard, with Pinole Valley Park, Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area, Alvarado Park, Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, and San Pablo Reservoir Recreation Area all nearby. Easy access to the I-80 makes getting around from El Sobrante simple.

Rent Trends

As of March 2025, the average apartment rent in El Sobrante, CA is $1,331 for a studio, $1,979 for one bedroom, $2,503 for two bedrooms, and $2,704 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in El Sobrante has increased by 3.6% in the past year.

Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,979/month
629 Sq Ft
See Rental Market Trends in El Sobrante, CA

Transportation

52

Somewhat Walkable

out of 100 WalkScore® Rating

You might be able to get out and walk when living in this area. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, but for others you’ll need a car.

5

Minimal Transit

out of 100 TransitScore® Rating

You'll likely want a car when living in this area since it has few transit options.

31

Somewhat Bikeable

out of 100 BikeScore® Rating

You might be able to find places to ride your bike in this area, but you’ll most likely want your car for most errands.

Schools

Olinda Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

333 Students

5
out of 10

Murphy Elementary

Public

Grades K-6

404 Students

3
out of 10

Betty Reid Soskin Middle

Public

Grades 6-8

401 Students

3
out of 10

Points of Interest

Parks and Recreation

  • Sobrante Ridge Regional Preserve
  • Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area
  • Ohlone Wilderness
  • Wildcat Canyon Regional Park
  • Blake Garden

Airports

  • Metro Oakland International
  • San Francisco International

Top Apartments in El Sobrante

Houses for Rent in El Sobrante

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Methodology

† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.

Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.

Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in February 2025.