I love El Cerrito.  Sure, I might be biased- after all I have lived in El Cerrito for 10 years (ok, I also had a brief stint in Albany and Kensington, but who is keeping track?).  But what I love about El Cerrito is that the city is really trying to make a mark on the map. 

Not only is El Cerrito home to the great El Cerrito Plaza (think Trader Joes, Barnes & Noble and more), but this small city has become a major destination point for the arts.  Arhoolie Music, Ifshin Violins, Down Home Music, Guitar Center and 33 Revolutions have made El Cerrito a destination location for music aficionados around the Bay.  Theater buffs can enjoy live performances at the Contra Costa Civic Theater; in 2007 The Cerrito Theater, part of the Speakeasy fame of Oakland, reopened. 

Getting to and from El Cerrito is a snap: there are two BART stations, direct bus lines downtown, and San Pablo Avenue is a hop from the 80 Freeway.   El Cerrito has wonderful public parks, a brand new City Hall, the Mira Vista Country Club, and a state-of-the-art swimming and recreation center.  A farmer’s market is held twice a week at the El Cerrito Plaza.  Currently all of the streets are being repaved and San Pablo Avenue is being landscaped. 

The public schools in El Cerrito are being redone; in early 2009 El Cerrito High School students will finally have access to their new campus.  Several well-respected private schools are located in El Cerrito.

Above the winding, tree-lined streets you will find some of the best views of the Bay in town.  Try driving up to the top of Moeser and you will see what I am talking about.

RESOURCES
City of El Cerrito
Crime Statistics
Chamber of Commerce