Dublin
New neighborhoods, Irish roots, and BART right in townDublin gets its name from the wave of Irish settlers who founded the town in 1850, and that heritage still runs deep, from the shamrock on the city crest to the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.
While Dublin shares its name with Ireland's capital, its official sister city is Bray, a coastal town in County Wicklow, and the two communities have kept up cultural exchanges and visits for decades.
What sets Dublin apart today is its growth. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in California, and much of that newer construction stretches east along the 580 freeway into the Tassajara Valley, where master-planned communities like Dublin Ranch, Positano, Wallis Ranch, and Tassajara Hills sit tucked into the rolling East Dublin Hills. These hills carry that same Tri-Valley rhythm you'll see all over the region: green and lush in the winter months, almost like the Irish countryside, then turning a warm golden brown through the dry summer stretch. Closer to the city center, developments like Dublin Crossing and Dublin Centre are bringing new homes, parks, and walkable retail hubs like Finnian Square right into the heart of town.
On the education side, Dublin Unified opened Emerald High School, the city's second comprehensive high school, giving families another top-tier option alongside long-established Dublin High School. With a median household income of $214,385, Dublin ranks among the highest-earning cities in California. Sitting right at the crossroads of I-580 and I-680, Dublin offers easy access across the Bay Area, making it a magnet for families and professionals looking for new construction, strong schools, and a walkable, community-focused lifestyle.
Overview
County: Alameda
School district: Dublin Unified
Transit: Two BART stations (Dublin/Pleasanton and West Dublin/Pleasanton)
Freeways: I-580 and I-680
Newest high school: Emerald High, opened in 2024 as Alameda County's first new high school in 50 years
Has undergone the most rapid, largest residential expansions in the Tri-Valley over the past 30 years.
Why I love it.
Dublin has changed more than any other Tri-Valley city in the time I've lived here. East Dublin went from open hills to whole new neighborhoods, parks, and shopping, while west Dublin kept its established, tree-lined feel. As seen on the west side of town. And every March, the St. Patrick's Day Festival celebrates the Irish roots behind the city's name.
Home Styles & Architecture
Dublin's homes tell the story of its growth. West Dublin is mostly established neighborhoods from the 1960s and 1970s, with single-story ranch homes and mature trees, plus homes in the western hills with valley views.
East Dublin is where most of the newer construction sits. Master-planned communities like Dublin Ranch offer contemporary two-story homes, and you'll also find plenty of townhomes and condos near Dublin Boulevard and the BART station. For buyers who want a newer home without a big remodel, east Dublin is often the first place I look.Text Here
Lifestyle & Amenities
Emerald Glen Park is Dublin's backyard: 48 acres with a skate park, sports fields, a rose garden, and The Wave, an aquatic center with an indoor pool, a waterslide tower, and a splash zone. Fallon Sports Park adds 60 more acres of fields, courts, and an adventure playground.
For shopping and dining, Persimmon Place and Hacienda Crossings sit side by side, and Hacienda Crossings has an IMAX theater. Dublin Heritage Park and Museums preserves the town's pioneer history, and Dublin Hills Regional Park offers hiking right on the city's west edge.
Top-Rated Schools
Dublin Unified has grown fast, serving nearly 13,000 students today. It has two comprehensive high schools: Dublin High and Emerald High, which opened in 2024 and is built to serve 2,500 students once complete. Valley High offers a continuation program.
Dublin High reports a 98% graduation rate, and SchoolDigger ranks it 78th of more than 2,100 California high schools. Which high school a home feeds into depends on its address, so confirm with Dublin Unified before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Dublin is in Alameda County, just north of Pleasanton along I-580, where it meets I-680. It's one of the closest Tri-Valley cities to Oakland and San Francisco.
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Yes. Dublin shares two BART stations with Pleasanton, Dublin/Pleasanton and West Dublin/Pleasanton, with direct trains to Oakland and San Francisco.
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It depends on the address. Dublin Unified now has two comprehensive high schools, Dublin High and Emerald High, so always confirm a home's assignment with the district.
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Yes. Much of east Dublin was built in the last 25 years, and new homes, parks, and schools keep opening. That means more choices in newer construction than in most of the Tri-Valley.
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The Wave at Emerald Glen Park, Fallon Sports Park, and the shops and restaurants at Persimmon Place are local favorites. The St. Patrick's Day Festival is the city's signature event each spring. Every summer the city of Dublin hosts concerts at Emerald park.
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I've watched Dublin grow for more than 26 years and know how its older and newer neighborhoods compare. Reach out through my Contact page, and let's find the right fit for you.