Diablo, CA

Forbes magazine rated Diablo the fourth most expensive ZIP code in the United States

The town is named after Mt.Diablo it stands alone on the edge of Califonia's Great Central Valley. The Coast Range at this point consists only of low hills so the view is spectacular. Look to the west, beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, you see the Farallon Islands; south-east to the James Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton at 4,213 feet elevation; south to Mount Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains at 3,791 feet elevation, north to Mount Saint Helena in the Coast Range at 4,344 feet elevation, and still farther north to Mount Lassen in the Cascades at 10,466 feet. North and east of Mount Diablo the San Joaquin and Sacramento Rivers meet to form the twisting waterways of the Delta. To the east beyond Califomia's great central valley is the crest of the Sierra Nevada

Mt. Diablo Country Club The Club's 128 acres were originally part of the 6,000-acre Oakwood Park Stock Farm that stretched from Green Valley Road to the top of Mt. Diablo and included what is now the Blackhawk area.In 1914, Robert Burgess converted the farm into Mt. Diablo Country Club as an incentive for people to buy lots of summer homes. He built the Chalet in 1916 as a 39-room inn for members and their guests. An overhead passageway connected the Chalet to the Clubhouse which is now a private residence at 1925 Alameda Diablo. Up the hill, where our present Clubhouse now stands, was a pool hall. It also served as a gambling casino, Movie Theater and dressing rooms for the swimming pool. The pool dates from the Roaring '20s, when it was called "The Plunge". A new, larger state of the art pool opened in May 2002.

18-hole Diablo golf course at the Diablo Country Club features 6,640 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71 . The course rating is 72.1 and it has a slope rating of 130 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Jack Neville, the Diablo golf course opened in 1914.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 988 people, 341 households, and 308 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,016.6 people per square mile There were 348 housing units at an average density of 357.0/sq mi . The racial makeup of the CDP was 94.64% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 2.94% Asian, 0.61% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 3.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 341 households out of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 85.3% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 9.4% were non-families. 8.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.03.The median income for a household in the CDP was $197,904, and the median income for a family was $220,000.

There are 15 active listings in Diablo today

Check out my new listing at 2315 Caballo Ranchero -Spectacular Mediterranean style home . Six bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths; plus two separate living areas. Gourmet cooks dream kitchen includes hickory wood flooring, custom maple cabinets and the 12 ft. center island. Three downstairs bedrooms, a second family room and an additional media room. Also included is another full kitchen- great set up for au-pair, relatives or guests.

Beautiful lagoon pool with 49 palms and lovely gardens adorn this One of a Kind Country Estate. This is the perfect home for elegant entertaining and casual relaxation- California Style! Listed for $2,095,000.

Featured Community ~ Diablo Country Club ~ "Historic Summer Cottages to Modern Estates"

Empire Realty Realtors Marilee Headen and M.J. St. Jean have been working with buyers and sellers in Diablo Country Club and surrounding areas. This small, but unique community thrives on its own individuality, never falling prey to impersonal tracts of look-alike homes, where residents have sown the seeds of individuality, and descendant generations have returned to live the lifestyle of Diablo...

Marilee and M.J. absolutely love this special and historic community. I interviewed them last week to talk about Diablo, the details of the area, and what makes it so special

Q: Tell me more about Diablo County Club - I know there is a tremendous amount of history behind it right?

A: (Marilee) Yes! There is a tremendous amount of history. Diablo is a historic community that is nestled at the base of Mt Diablo. The first homes were built in the 1870's, with one property sitting on 4000 acres. In the 1920's, Diablo was a resort destination for families from San Franciso and Oakland. Families would enjoy the warm weather, the pretty lake and a beautiful club house.There was a railroad line that came from Oakland up to Diablo. It's tracks were where the 17th and 18th fairway of Diablo Country Club currently lie. The vacationing "well to do" San Franciscans and Oakland residents built small cottages. Many of these unique homes still remain.

A: (M.J.) Some of Diablo's history has disappeared with the passing of years, yet much remains. Nearly half of the Eucalyptus trees from the race track form the border between today's Diablo and the Cameo Acres neighborhood. Part of the current Diablo Country Clubhouse was once the bowling alley from railroad times. The stately 1800's home called "Oakwood" once an inn, then clubhouse, and now a private residence again, still stands proud on Alameda Diablo.

From a description in the July 1, 1897 Contra Costa News: "It is a beautiful little valley surrounded by rolling hills that protect it from invading winds and sudden atmospheric changes... the herds of cattle and horses that roam in the luxuriant fields and on the hills know of but one season, and that is summer... for the roses and the violets never stop blooming here in this favored spot.

Q: Tell me about Diablo today in 2009; what makes it such a unique community?

A: (Marilee) Diablo is a cohesive community centered around a beautiful golf course. Homes vary in size and price but most are unique and shaded by old growth trees. No cookie cutter homes here. You enter Diablo through an arbor of oak trees. People buy in Diablo for the pretty homes, large trees and country club setting but they stay for the community. The residents are involved in welcoming newcomers, special Halloween events, food bank collections, etc. The country club offers many activites for families including golf, tennis, swim team, concerts in a beautiful environment.

A: (M.J) Diablo is a "one of kind" community. Diablo today is a vibrant mix of properties in a beautiful setting at the base of Mt. Diablo. The moment you enter Diablo, it is clear you have stepped into a different world, whose residents treasure its tranquility, the winding, tree-lined lanes and strong community. It's not hard to get to know neighbors in Diablo, where the "community" center, is the quaint post office established in 1916, just steps from the private Country Club's front door. I love Diablo because of what if offers; it is like a step back in time with an amazing history and location, tremendous amenities, and has a vibrant community . It has great schools within minutes and easy access to freeways and BART

Thank you Marilee and M.J! For further information please contact Marilee or M.J. today!

For market stats for DIABLO that are updated weekly, click here!

Posted by Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Empire Realty Associates

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Press Release | 6-22-09

EMPIRE REALTY ASSOCIATES WELCOMES MARILEE HEADEN

DANVILLE - Empire Realty Associates is excited to welcome Realtor, Marilee Headen. Marilee has over 30 years of real estate experience within the local community. "She has a reputation as an exceptional producer, has incredible work ethic, and is a joy to be around. Colleagues and clients consistently rave about her!" says Hank Perry, President.

Marilee is a long-time valley resident and currently lives with her husband in Diablo, where she was elected to and has served as Director of the Diablo Community Services District. A lifelong resident of the bay area, Marilee grew up on the peninsula, is a 1977 CAL graduate, and has familial roots in real estate - all of which has resulted in a very successful 30+ year career.

While Marilee can lay claim to sales success in most of Contra Costa's fine neighborhoods, over the years she has both established and refined her skills as a luxury market specialist. When I asked her why this move was important to her, Marilee answered, "I personally feel that this transition will not only allow me the support of many long term friends and colleagues but also empower me with the ability to offer my clients many additional professional benefits."

Marilee works with buyers and sellers throughout the Diablo, Tri-Valley and Lamorinda areas. For more information, please contact Marilee Headen at 925-217-5089 or at MHeaden@EmpireRA.com.

The Junior League of Oakland-East Bay, Inc. (JLOEB) proudly announces its Fifth Annual Artful Living Home Tour. In partnership with Diablo Magazine, the JLOEB will offer a special tour of four architecturally-distinctive and meticulously-crafted residences. Three of the homes are in Alamo and the fourth is in the Diablo Country Club neighborhood. The tour is both unique and educational-focusing on an integral perspective of architectural style, landscape design, interior design and furnishings and is sure to inspire tour participants to build or remodel their own dream homes. Cathy Lee, owner of C. L. Design Services Home Staging is staging the Britton residence in Alamo, a totally eco-green custom home for the tour.

Proceeds from the Artful Living Home Tour support the charitable endeavors of the JLOEB.

WHEN: The 2008 Artful Living Home Tour begins Friday, November 7th and continues through Saturday, November 8th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

WHERE: The 2008 Artful Living Home Tour will be held in four distinctive homes in Alamo and Diablo. The check-in site and will call for the tour will be at the Alamo Women's Club at 1401 Danville Blvd., Alamo, CA, 94507.

COST: Tickets are $30 per person in advance or $35 on the days of the event. For more information, call 925.284.3740 or click here.

WHY: The Artful Living Home Tour gives everyone from design enthusiasts to the general public a peek into the world of architecturally-distinctive residences in Alamo and Diablo. The ticket purchase opens the door to the fun of exploring some of the most beautiful and interesting homes in the East Bay, while supporting the League's continued efforts on behalf of underserved children.

We look forward to seeing you there! Truly, Cathy Lee

Cathy Lee is owner of C L Design Services.com a full service professional home staging company serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Contact Cathy Lee today at 925.351.6118.

An iron-gated entrance opens to a private estate on an expansive .56 acre lot, built in 1921. Complete recreated (rebuilt) from the ground up to recapture its "Old World Charm." The estate features a pool, spa and extensive gardens as well as magnificent views and access to Diablo Country Club's 18th Fairway. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 3,564 square feet. Staged by Kym Hough's Staged to Sell.

For more information please contact John Lopes of ReMax
Direct: (925) 998-8262 mailto:John@JohnLopes.com