Nestled at the base of the Berkeley and Oakland hills, the Mountain View Cemetery neighborhood stands as one of Oakland’s most storied enclaves — a hidden gem that beautifully blends history, natural beauty, and a sense of community. For those who call this area home, and for the many who delight in its tranquil charm, the neighborhood remains a living testament to Oakland’s diverse and dynamic past.
Roots in Oakland’s Early Days
The Mountain View Cemetery neighborhood takes its name from the iconic Mountain View Cemetery, a renowned garden cemetery established in 1863. Oakland was still a young city then, mostly farmland and open space, with development steadily moving eastward from the bustling waterfront. Visionaries, recognizing the need for a picturesque resting place for the city’s citizens, selected 226 rolling acres along what would become Piedmont and Pleasant Valley Avenues.
The celebrated landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, known for designing New York’s Central Park, was commissioned to lay out Mountain View Cemetery. He transformed the site into a park-like setting that encouraged both remembrance and recreation—a radical idea at the time, welcoming families for picnics and walks as much as for graveside vigils.
How the Neighborhood Got Its Name
The name “Mountain View Cemetery” was inspired by the cemetery’s panoramic sights: sweeping vistas of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate, and the East Bay hills. As homes began springing up on the adjacent parcels, the area’s identity became closely tied to this landmark, with local businesses and institutions adopting the name. Today, the cemetery not only serves as a historic resting ground but also as the spiritual and geographic heart of the neighborhood.
Key Historical Milestones
- Late 1800s/Early 1900s: Victorian and Craftsman homes begin to line streets such as Howe Street, Piedmont Avenue, and Broadway. The proximity to the cemetery’s lush grounds made these blocks attractive to Oakland’s emerging professional class.
- Development of Piedmont Avenue: Over the decades, Piedmont Avenue blossoms into one of Oakland’s most charming commercial districts, with shops, cafes, the historic Piedmont Theatre (opened in 1917), and independent bookstores reflecting the neighborhood’s eclectic spirit.
- Institutional Anchors: The neighborhood’s evolution is also marked by the arrival of Kaiser Permanente’s first hospital at 3600 Broadway, a transformative moment for local healthcare and a sign of the area’s ongoing growth.
- Post-War Expansion: After WWII, mid-century apartment buildings fill in the area, offering new homes to returning veterans and their families, contributing to the district’s diverse character.
Notable Landmarks and Buildings
- Mountain View Cemetery: The centerpiece and namesake, this serene expanse is the final resting place of luminaries like architect Julia Morgan, writer Frank Norris, and several California governors. Its towering palm-lined main drive and meticulously landscaped gardens are beloved for walking, birdwatching, and enjoying seasonal blooms.
- Chapel of the Chimes: Designed in part by Julia Morgan, this neighboring columbarium and mausoleum is a masterpiece of art and architecture. Its labyrinthine halls, tranquil courtyards, and stained-glass windows make it a frequent stop for architecture buffs and those seeking quiet contemplation.
- Piedmont Avenue District: The district’s historic buildings, like the Piedmont Theatre and the charming Fentons Creamery (established in 1894), harken to the area’s roots while remaining vital hubs of daily life.
Evolution Over the Decades
The Mountain View Cemetery neighborhood has always been a place of transition — from rural outskirts to urban enclave, from stately mansions to mixed-use apartment buildings. In the 1970s and 80s, the neighborhood became a haven for artists and young professionals seeking affordability and vibrancy. The growing diversity brought new restaurants, cafes, and boutiques to the area, in turn drawing in families and longtime Oaklanders who treasured the sense of neighborliness.
Today, established residents mix with newcomers who are drawn to the area’s walkable streets, proximity to downtown, and the enduring appeal of Piedmont Avenue. Pleasant Valley Avenue acts as a leafy main thoroughfare, while adjacent streets like Ramona and Moss offer peaceful pockets just steps from lively urban activity. The surrounding hills and open spaces provide a constant reminder of the neighborhood’s unique position at the meeting point between city and nature.
Parks, Streets, and Everyday Magic
The neighborhood is blessed with abundant green space. In addition to the cemetery’s own grounds, Dracena Quarry Park to the north provides a favorite playground and picnic spot, while smaller pocket parks dot the neighborhood’s tree-canopied streets.
Walkers and runners enjoy the cemetery’s rolling paths, which offer some of Oakland’s finest views, especially at sunset. Cyclists use the gentle slopes of Piedmont Avenue and Broadway as gateways to the Skyline Boulevard trails and the greater Oakland hills.
Institutions like St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, hidden away on Piedmont Avenue, add to the neighborhood’s quiet, close-knit feel. Family-owned businesses, music-filled cafes, and cozy bookstores give the area a sense of personality that larger developments elsewhere often lack.
Living with Heritage
As Oakland continues to evolve and grow, the Mountain View Cemetery neighborhood stands as a gentle reminder of the city’s layered history. Residents are fiercely proud of their community’s resilience and beauty. They celebrate decades-old homes alongside new construction, maintain traditions like community yard sales and block parties, and fiercely support their local merchants.
Whether you wander among Victorian-era tombstones, catch a matinee at the Piedmont Theatre, or simply linger over coffee watching the world stroll by, you’ll discover why this neighborhood’s special heritage is cherished by all who visit. For many, it’s the embodiment of Oakland’s rare mix of history, diversity, and heart—rooted in the past, welcoming in the future.