Unincorporated Communities of SF Bay

Where or what is an Unincorporated area in the San Francisco Bay area?

Generally within each county are various “incorporated” cities, which means they have their own local government (usually city council). The one exception is the city and county of San Francisco, which as you may guess, is both a city and county within the same borders. It is governed by a Board of Supervisors.

Other than SF, there are areas within counties that are NOT part of any official city. These locations are known as unincorporated areas and are governed by a Board of Supervisors of the county, which is essentially equivalent to a city council. The local laws for these areas are found in the county municipal code.

(FYI there is no such thing as an “unincorporated city,” but you could call it an “unincorporated town” or “unincorporated territory.”)

How do I know if I am in an unincorporated area?

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For a less precise method, below is a list of the major unincorporated communities (there are many very small “islands” of land that are unincorporated; we are leaving these out for simplicity).

Alameda County

  • Ashland
  • Castlewood
  • Castro Valley
  • Cherryland
  • Fairview
  • Happy Valley
  • Hillcrest Knolls
  • San Lorenzo
  • Sunol

Contra Costa County

  • Alamo Oaks, California
  • Arbor, California
  • Avon, California
  • Bancroft, California
  • Bayo Vista, California
  • Bixler, California
  • Blackhawk, California
  • Bridgehead, California
  • Canyon, California
  • Christie, California
  • Cornwall, California
  • Crolona Heights, California
  • Diamond, California
  • Eastport, California
  • Four Corners, California
  • Franklin Canyon, California
  • Gateley, California
  • Glen Frazer, California
  • Hasford Heights, California
  • Herpoco, California
  • Hookston, California
  • Kensington, California
  • Las Juntas, California
  • Los Medanos, California
  • Luzon, California
  • Maltby, California
  • Marsh Creek Springs, California
  • McAvoy, California
  • Meinert, California
  • Monsanto, California
  • Muir, California
  • Neroly, California
  • Newlove, California
  • Nichols, California
  • Oleum, California
  • Orwood, California
  • Ozol, California
  • Rheem, California
  • Rock City, California
  • Selby, California
  • Shore Acres, California
  • Sobrante, California
  • Sparkle, California
  • Stege, California
  • Tassajara, California
  • Tormey, California
  • Valle Vista, California
  • Valona, California
  • Walnut Heights, California
  • Werner, California

Marin County

  • Almonte, California
  • Bel Marin Keys, California
  • Belvedere Island, California
  • Bivalve, California
  • Blakes Landing, California
  • Burdell, California
  • California Park, California
  • Cerro, California
  • Chapman, California
  • Cypress Grove, California
  • Dewitt, California
  • Dogtown, California
  • El Campo, California
  • Fallon, California
  • Five Brooks, California
  • Forest Knolls, California
  • Gallinas, California
  • Greenbrae, California
  • Hamlet, California
  • Harbor Point, California
  • Homestead Valley, California
  • Ignacio, California
  • Inverness Park, California
  • Jewell, California
  • Kent Woodlands, California
  • Lagunitas, California
  • Lairds Landing, California
  • Las Gallinas, California
  • Los Ranchitos, California
  • Lucas Valley
  • Manzanita, California
  • Marconi, California
  • Marinwood, California
  • Marshall, California
  • McDonald, California
  • McNears Beach, California
  • Meadowsweet, California
  • Millerton, California
  • Murray Park, California
  • Nick’s Cove, California
  • Ocean Roar, California
  • Old Town, California
  • Olema, California
  • Paradise Cay, California
  • Reed, California
  • Reynolds, California
  • Sacramento Landing, California
  • Saint Vincent, California
  • San Antonio, California
  • San Quentin, California
  • Seahaven, California
  • Shafter, California
  • Strawberry Manor, California
  • Tamalpais Valley Junction, California
  • Tamalpais Valley, California
  • Tocaloma, California
  • Vincent Landing, California
  • Waldo, California

Santa Clara County

  • Ashrama, California
  • Bell Station, California
  • Casa Loma, California
  • Chemeketa Park, California
  • Coyote, California
  • Diablo Range (census county division)
  • Holy City, California
  • Lexington Hills
  • Llagas-Uvas, California
  • Loma Chiquita, California
  • Loyola, California
  • Mountain Home
  • New Almaden, California
  • Old Gilroy, California
  • Redwood Estates, California
  • Rucker, California
  • San Antonio Valley, California
  • San Martin, California
  • Sargent, California
  • South Santa Clara Valley, California
  • Sveadal, California
  • West Santa Clara, California

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