Hidden gem of El Sobrante Hills
If you are narrowing things down between Orinda and Berkeley, it might be useful to include El Sobrante Hills in the mix.
It is right nearby, so you are not losing access to anything. Berkeley and Orinda are both close, and getting into San Francisco can take about 25 minutes without traffic.
One thing that caught my attention was how convenient everything is. Within a few minutes you have Trader Joe's, Sprouts Farmers Market, Target, TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and The Home Depot, which makes daily routines simple.
The area itself feels a bit different from what people expect in that part of the East Bay. It is quieter, less crowded, and has more space overall. After spending some time there, it starts to feel like a really practical alternative in the same location range.