Canyon Views in Piedmont Pines

A treehouse vibe, wraparound decks, and multilevel living give this property a mountainside retreat feel.

If you ever wanted to live in a tree house, this might be the closest thing you can find without wobbling on a rickety rope ladder to get there. Every window, balcony, and wraparound deck of this multilevel contemporary home on 5895 Scarborough Drive in Oakland look out on a woodsy canyon above Montclair Village in the Piedmont Pines neighborhood.

It was the original vegetation on these slopes that drove development here. Once upon the mid-1800s, the Oakland hills were thick with old-growth redwoods. Two unusually tall trees at the crest are said to have been used by ship captains to navigate the bay. With such an abundance of lumber, the hills were logged to the nub, and what were merely logging access roads eventually sprouted into the little village of Montclair.

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN KLUGMANN

Leafy views are abundant from the rustic Piedmont Pines home.
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Today, Montclair is one of the most sought-after areas of Oakland. Rustic cottages and high-end homes are tucked along winding roads. And the pedestrian/pet-friendly downtown has a Bavarian mountain-town vibe with eateries, shops, florists, Pilates studios, art galleries, and a weekly Sunday farmers market.

Not many redwoods remain (go to the nearby Redwood Regional Park for that), but oaks and pines have sprouted up in their place, and the wooded, bucolic, country-in-the-city feel is the draw for the district’s roughly 4,000 residents.

The Scarborough property, a four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1992, provides just such a retreat, blending into the hillside with its dark wood siding. “This is a fabulous home surrounded by such serene nature,” said listing agent Andrea Gordon of Red Oak Realty. “It is a wonderful place to be, to appreciate its quiet beauty.”

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN KLUGMANN

The well-appointed kitchen has a large pantry with slide-out drawers, wine racks, and shelves.
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Typical of many Montclair homes, a two-car garage sits at street level, with steps down to the large deck off the front entrance. As you step through the front door, the gray stone floor-to-ceiling fireplace draws the eye with drama. The home’s main level has a modern, great room feel with a spacious living room, dining room, and kitchen all melding together under soaring ceilings. Gleaming hardwood floors encourage the flow, and sliding glass doors open onto the wraparound porch, overlooking the wooded canyon.

The kitchen is up-to-date with sleek white countertops, dove-gray cabinetry, and stainless-steel appliances. But the best part is the large pantry with slide-out drawers, wine racks, and shelves. Perfect for the home chef.

PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN KLUGMANN

Wraparound decks, lots of windows, and a spacious, open floor plan add appeal.
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Next level down are two good-sized bedrooms, a hall bath, and the sun-dappled master suite, with its huge walk-in closet, bath, and vanity. Off the master suite are another balcony and yet another deck to absorb the pastoral views. The lowest level holds a large rumpus/media room, another bedroom, another deck, and finally stairs leading to the base of the hillside property.

“Of course, the great room is phenomenal, but my favorite part of the property is the amazing master suite and the little balcony deck off of it looking into the canyon,” Gordon said, “It’s simply magical.”