Orinda Country Club

Orinda Country Club (OCC) is where Orinda began. The neighborhood grew up around the club in the 1920s and retains that original character: gracious homes on generous lots, mature oaks and redwoods, and a lifestyle centered on the club itself. If you want the classic country club experience in the East Bay, this is it.

The Character

OCC feels established in a way few California neighborhoods do. The club dates to 1924, and the surrounding homes followed over the next several decades. There’s a gentility here — wide streets, manicured gardens, and a sense that this is old Orinda money (or at least old Orinda taste).

The country club itself anchors social life. Golf, tennis, swimming, dining — members structure their weeks around club activities. It’s not for everyone, but for those who want it, it’s a lifestyle, not just a neighborhood.

Typical Homes

• Style: Traditional, Colonial, some mid-century ranches
• Size: 2,500–5,000+ sq ft typical
• Lots: Generous (0.5–1+ acres common)
• Condition: Well-maintained; some estates, some comfortable family homes

The housing stock varies more than you’d expect. Some homes are proper estates; others are comfortable (if large) family homes. What unites them is the setting and the club proximity.

Price Range

$2M – $4M+ for most homes

OCC is solidly upper Orinda. Smaller or dated homes can start around $2M; prime locations with views or larger lots push to $4M and beyond. True estates can exceed $5M.

Who Lives Here

• Club members — most (not all) residents belong to the country club
• Established professionals — executives, successful entrepreneurs, senior partners
• Multi-generational families — some homes have been in families for decades
• Empty nesters and retirees — many stay after raising kids

The demographics skew older and wealthier than Orinda overall. This is where you find the community’s leadership.

Walkability & Amenities

Walkability: Low

• Walk to the country club (if you’re a member)
• Drive to everything else — downtown, BART, schools
• Large lots mean neighbors aren’t close

OCC is a car neighborhood. The tradeoff is space and privacy.

The Club

Orinda Country Club (private, membership required):

• 18-hole golf course
• Tennis courts
• Swimming pool
• Dining facilities
• Active social calendar

Membership is separate from home purchase. Not all residents are members, but most are — it’s the point.

Schools

• Sleepy Hollow Elementary or Del Rey Elementary — varies by location
• Orinda Intermediate School
• Miramonte High School

OCC families benefit from Orinda’s excellent schools regardless of specific assignment.

The Vibe

OCC is traditional Orinda. People dress for dinner at the club, know each other from the tennis ladder, and serve on community boards. It’s socially cohesive in a way that can feel either welcoming or exclusive, depending on your perspective.

There’s generational wealth here, but also professional achievers who earned their way in. The common thread is an appreciation for the club lifestyle and a willingness to invest in it.

Considerations

• Country club membership is an additional cost and commitment
• Older housing stock may need updates
• Less diverse demographically than other Orinda neighborhoods
• Conservative in aesthetic — no ultramodern homes