About Kensington
Kensington is not actually a city.  It is an unincorporated area that is located north of Berkeley and east and south of El Cerrito.  It is a small community with approximately 4000 residents.  There are two shopping areas:  One is on Arlington and the other is on Colusa at the Colusa Circle.  Conveniently both areas have a grocery store among the other shops. The Kensington Farmers' Market is on Sunday mornings at the Colusa Circle.

As an unincorporated area Kensington does not have its own school district but is part of the West County Unified School District.  Most of the homes in Kensington are in the Hilltop Elementary School area but not all.  Some Lower Kensington homes belong to the Harding School District.  Harding Elementary is in El Cerrito.

Much of the houses in lower Kensington between Colusa and  Arlington are California Bungalows, Period Revival and a smattering of Arts and Crafts Bungalows.  Upper Kensington has more of the 1940s and Mid-Century style architecture.  Much of the housing consists of  two and three bedroom homes between 1200 and 1500 square feet.  Because the homes are newer than homes in other East Bay neighborhoods, there is more closet space and the  original kitchens tended to have more cabinet and counter space.

Parking can be a challege in any neighborhood in Kensington.  Many of the streets are narrow and allow street parking on only one side of the street.  Having a driveway in Kensington is a plus.