At the southern base of Mt. Diablo rests Oakridge at Blackhawk…a small tranquil community buffeted by steep hillsides, tall ridges and extraordinary beauty. Oakridge at Blackhawk is one of five sub-association residential communities that are part of Blackhawk. Other sub-associations include Saddleback, Hidden Oaks, Tennis Villas and Silver Oak Townhomes.
The Blackhawk Homeowners Association manages Oakridge’s security front gate and street maintenance needs 24/7. The Oakridge Homeowners Association manages the front yard landscape and irrigation needs of its forty-one Members as well as the supportive Rules, Regulations and Fiduciary tasks of our Sub-Association.
Oakridge has been characterized by many as “the ideal community.” This worthy compliment stems largely because of those neighbors who unselfishly volunteer their time to help build the welfare, security and safety of our prize entity. In addition to an active Homeowners Association, we routinely engage in fun neighborhood social events, officially welcome new residents to the community, manage an “award winning” Emergency Preparedness Program and more. We are residents who believe that actions speak louder than words and live by our motto of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.”
The heritage of Oakridge is a combination of fact and rumor. Oakridge was originally developed in the early 1980’s on fifty acres of hillside open space by two developers since departed. Today, Oakridge features 49 home sites including 8 estate homes and 41 development homes. The Community is surrounded by miles of open space endowed with spectacular views and abundant wildlife. Above the western slope of Oakridge is a level lot graded for the construction in the early 1980's of an estate home complete with its own helicopter landing pad. The parcel has extraordinary views of Mt. Diablo. The helicopter pad didn’t fly well with the County Zoning Commission; hence the home was never built. Soon afterwards the initial construction phase of Oakridge took root.
The development and growth of Oakridge did not evolve without resistance. There was a monumental tug-of-war raging between local landowners and the developer of Blackhawk, Mr. Kenneth Behring. The battle started over the rights to develop an entire 4,800 acre cattle ranch. Mr. Behring had purchased the sprawling "Blackhawk Ranch” property which, by the way, was named after a beautiful shire horse and not a blackbird as some pundits contend.
Mr. Behring’s grand plan was to build new luxury estate homes, an ultra-exclusive ten million dollar club house, two 18-hole championship golf courses, championship tennis courts, tennis villas, lakes, waterfalls, childrens playgrounds, track and an auto museum filled with expensive collectable autos. Those who opposed the macro-project argued that the initiative screamed of rural sprawl, traffic mayhem and unnecessary change. Surrounding cattle ranchers and the Bay Area media opposed the Blackhawk initiative.
The dispute was settled with Mr. Behring agreeing to limit construction to 2,000 homes and donate 2,000 acres to Mt. Diablo State Park. STAGE I began in the early 1980’s with the initial development of Hidden Oaks, Tennis Villas, Oakridge and the western front of main Blackhawk. The real estate promotional campaign was well designed, tasteful and aggressive. New home and lot parcels sold rapidly. Home prices started in the low $200,000’s with large custom estate homes selling in $1,000,000 plus range. Vacant lots could be purchased from $75,000 to $100,000+. STAGE II Blackhawk commenced in 1985 with the completion of some 1,500 new homes on the eastern back end of main Blackhawk.
Blackhawk attracted top Bay Areas corporate executives, media personalities, sports professionals (Raiders, San Francisco 49er’s, Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors) and Bay Area Broadway stage celebrities. Each year Blackhawk homeowners do their part to give generously to charities, they volunteer their talents and they share their social time at the “Club” with warmth and respect for their fellow residents.
Today, Blackhawk is regarded by many as one of the most prestigious Communities anywhere. Ah yes, even for the stout hearted a little pinch brings one to the fundamental realization that by living here in Blackhawk, it just doesn’t get any better!