Sunol, CA

Sunol is a quiet, rural enclave nestled in the rolling hills of the East Bay, home to fewer than a thousand residents. Located right between Pleasanton and Fremont, the town feels a world away from typical Bay Area suburban sprawl while keeping commuters connected via Interstate 680 and Highway 84. Daily life here revolves around scenic open space, quiet country roads, and a charming, tight-knit village center.

ATTRDavid Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA / CC BY 2.0

Outdoor enthusiasts have the vast Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve right in their backyard, complete with miles of hiking trails, oak woodlands, and Alameda Creek. The community has plenty of historic charm, from the iconic Sunol Water Temple to vintage locomotives running along the Niles Canyon Railway. Local children attend Sunol Glen, a small K-8 school right in town, before heading to neighboring school districts for high school.