Where is Mosswood in Oakland?

Mosswood is a central Oakland neighborhood bounded roughly by MacArthur Boulevard to the north, Broadway to the west, 27th Street to the south, and the border with the Piedmont Avenue neighborhood to the east. It is named for Mosswood Park, the neighborhood's central green space. The neighborhood falls within the 94609 and 94611 zip codes and is immediately walkable to MacArthur BART station, making it one of Oakland's most transit-accessible central neighborhoods.

What is Mosswood Park?

Mosswood Park is a 12-acre urban park at the neighborhood's center, anchored by the historic Mosswood Cottage — one of Oakland's oldest surviving structures, an 1864 Victorian summer home that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park features mature trees, tennis courts, a children's playground, a community recreation center, and a performance lawn that has hosted Bay Area community events for over a century. The Mosswood Cottage itself serves as a community event space and Oakland Parks and Recreation programming center.

What are home prices in Mosswood?

Mosswood home prices typically range from $700,000–$950,000 for single-family homes and Victorian flats, with condominiums and multi-unit buildings available at a range of price points below that level. The neighborhood's central location, MacArthur BART walkability, and proximity to both the Piedmont Avenue and Temescal commercial districts create sustained demand that has supported steady appreciation. Entry-level condos can be found in the $350,000–$500,000 range.

What kind of homes are in Mosswood?

Mosswood's housing stock is a mix of late Victorian and Edwardian flats (typically 2–4 units in buildings from the 1890s–1910s), Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s, and some later mid-century infill. The neighborhood is denser than Oakland's hill neighborhoods — narrower lots, buildings closer to the street, more multi-unit housing relative to single-family homes. This density is a feature rather than a deficiency for buyers who prioritize urban walkability over yard space.

How close is Mosswood to MacArthur BART?

MacArthur BART station is within easy walking distance of most Mosswood addresses — approximately a 5–15 minute walk depending on specific location. From MacArthur BART, San Francisco's Embarcadero is approximately 20 minutes. The station also provides connections south to Downtown Oakland, Lake Merritt, Fruitvale, and the broader BART network. For buyers who prioritize rail transit access, Mosswood is one of the most BART-proximate central Oakland neighborhoods.

What is near Mosswood — shopping, dining, and amenities?

Mosswood sits between two of Oakland's most vibrant neighborhood commercial corridors. The Piedmont Avenue strip — immediately east — offers a walkable collection of independent shops, Fenton's Creamery, Piedmont Grocery, and the Mountain View Cemetery (designed by Frederick Law Olmsted). Temescal — Oakland's premier food and arts corridor — is a short walk or bike ride north on Telegraph Avenue. Kaiser Hospital Oakland, one of the region's major medical centers, is immediately adjacent to the neighborhood's western edge.

What schools serve Mosswood?

Mosswood children are primarily served by Piedmont Avenue Elementary and neighboring schools in the OUSD north-central corridor. The neighborhood's central location gives it access to OUSD's school-of-choice process across a wide range of schools. Families should verify current OUSD attendance boundaries and apply through the enrollment process to maximize their options.

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Mosswood Oakland Homes For Sale

Mosswood is a central Oakland neighborhood defined by one of the city's most beloved urban parks, a short walk to MacArthur BART, and the layered character of a community that has occupied the same few blocks since the 1890s. It sits between the Piedmont Avenue commercial corridor to the east and the Temescal food and arts corridor to the north, with Kaiser Hospital Oakland anchoring its western edge. For buyers who want central Oakland location and rail transit access in a real neighborhood — not a condo tower — Mosswood delivers that combination at a price tier that makes sense.

Oakland's Mosswood Real Estate

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$1,425,000

3920 Clarke Street, Oakland

6 Beds 0 Baths 4,155 SqFt Residential Income MLS® # 41123545

Mark Bitzer Mark Bitzer, Broker

$1,395,000

548 37th St, Oakland

6 Beds 0 Baths 3,685 SqFt Residential Income MLS® # 41122667

Debbi Dimaggio Betta Corcoran Icon Properties

$799,000

3929 Ruby St, Oakland

4 Beds 0 Baths 1,548 SqFt Residential Income MLS® # 41126142

Ann Podesta-berkeley KW Advisors East Bay

$799,000

3929 Ruby St, Oakland

4 Beds 2 Baths 1,548 SqFt Residential MLS® # 41126140

Ann Podesta-berkeley KW Advisors East Bay

$415,000

↓ $15,000

485 W Macarthur Blvd 407, Oakland

2 Beds 1 Bath 1,033 SqFt Residential MLS® # 41117198

Taylor Sublett Compass

The neighborhood's history is embedded in Mosswood Park's centerpiece: the Mosswood Cottage, an 1864 Victorian summer home that is one of Oakland's oldest surviving structures. It was built by Samuel Merritt — later Oakland's mayor and the man for whom Lake Merritt is named — and served as the estate's main house before the surrounding land was donated to the city as a public park. That history is present in the neighborhood's fabric: it has been a place of residence and community for a century and a half.

Mosswood Park

Mosswood Park is a 12-acre urban green space at the neighborhood's geographic center, and it provides the community anchor that defines Mosswood's residential character. The historic Mosswood Cottage (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) serves as a recreation center and community event space. Tennis courts, a children's playground, a performance lawn, and mature trees give the park a genuine civic presence. The Mosswood Recreation Center operates year-round programming including youth sports, fitness classes, and community events that draw residents from across north-central Oakland.

The Homes of Mosswood

Mosswood's housing stock reflects its late 19th and early 20th century development timeline. Victorian and Edwardian flats — typically 2–4 unit buildings from the 1890s through 1910s — are the neighborhood's most common building type, mixed with Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s and some mid-century infill. The neighborhood is denser than Oakland's hill communities: narrower lots, buildings closer to the street, more multi-unit housing. For buyers who specifically want a detached single-family home with a yard, the hill neighborhoods or adjacent Piedmont Avenue corridor will often be a better fit. For buyers who want central Oakland density with real architectural character, Mosswood delivers.

Single-family homes typically sell in the $700,000–$950,000 range. Condominiums and multi-unit properties are available across a wider range. Victorian flats that have been converted to condominiums are common in the $400,000–$650,000 range for individual units.

MacArthur BART — Walking Distance

MacArthur BART station is within a 5–15 minute walk from most Mosswood addresses — making this one of the most transit-accessible central Oakland neighborhoods outside of the downtown corridor. From MacArthur BART, San Francisco's Embarcadero is approximately 20 minutes. Connections south reach Downtown Oakland and Lake Merritt in minutes. For buyers who commute to San Francisco and want to live in a real Oakland neighborhood rather than a downtown high-rise, Mosswood's BART walkability is a defining asset.

Piedmont Avenue and Temescal — Adjacent Commercial Life

Mosswood sits between two of Oakland's best neighborhood commercial streets. Piedmont Avenue, immediately to the east, provides a Main Street experience that has operated continuously since before the automobile — with Piedmont Grocery (est. 1902), Fenton's Creamery (since 1961, referenced in the Pixar film Up), the Piedmont Avenue Cinema, and independent restaurants and boutiques. Temescal, Oakland's premier food and arts corridor, is a short walk or bike ride north — bringing the city's celebrated chef-driven restaurant scene within daily-life reach.

Schools

Mosswood is served primarily by Piedmont Avenue Elementary and other OUSD north-central schools. The neighborhood's central location provides access to OUSD's school-of-choice process across a broad range of the district's options. Families should verify current attendance boundaries and apply through the enrollment process early to maximize school placement opportunities.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Mosswood's most direct comparisons are with its immediate neighbors. Piedmont Avenue to the east offers comparable density and a stronger walkable commercial identity at a slight price premium. Temescal to the north is Oakland's most vibrant food and culture corridor. Pill Hill to the south provides another central Oakland residential option near the hospital corridor. Prescott to the west offers some of Oakland's most accessible Victorian housing at lower price points.

Work With Bruce Wagg

Central Oakland's residential market rewards buyers who understand the specific block-by-block dynamics — proximity to BART, commercial corridor access, building type, and school zoning all interact in ways that make neighborhood knowledge essential. Call (669) 202-7777 or use the contact form below to start your Mosswood home search.