Bonaire, San Leandro

Updated · 1,656 residents

Bonaire is a quiet, highly walkable residential community in southwest San Leandro characterized by its grid of mid-century ranch homes and proximity to local green space. Residents benefit from excellent health insurance coverage and immediate access to Madison Elementary School, though the area is defined by its dense housing layout and proximity to industrial logistics hubs.

Key Highlights

Limited PrivacyHighly WalkableUniform Housing LayoutPet Friendly SpacesSuburban MixQuiet and functionalModerate Traffic NoiseModerate Air QualityQuietly ResidentialLower Insurance CoverageStrongly LiberalDiverse Age RangeHigh Flood Risk
Map showing the location of Bonaire, San Leandro, CA

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About Bonaire

Developed primarily between 1951 and 1953, Bonaire is a post-World War II suburban tract neighborhood in southwest San Leandro, California. Built west of Interstate 880, the subdivision exemplifies the mid-century American housing boom with its curving grid of streets and single-story ranch homes. Local builder Federighi constructed many of the neighborhood's original residences using standardized 1,096-square-foot "Long Porch" and 1,076-square-foot "Short Porch" floor plans, while another builder constructed slab-floor variations. These properties typically featured three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a two-car garage. The neighborhood is anchored by the 5.4-acre Bonaire Park, which features mounded turf areas, and James Madison Elementary School, situated among quiet residential blocks lined with streets named after trees.

The neighborhood serves as a peaceful, pedestrian-friendly enclave where the grid-based street network allows for easy navigation on foot. While the residential blocks maintain a consistent suburban aesthetic, the area is bordered by significant industrial logistics hubs, which creates a sharp contrast between the quiet homes and the nearby activity of freight corridors. This layout supports a stable, low-key environment that remains distinct from the more commercialized sectors of the city.

Prospective residents should note that the housing density results in limited privacy, as homes are positioned closely together. The area is particularly well-suited for families who prioritize access to high-performing elementary education and a quiet environment, provided they are comfortable with the proximity to industrial zones and the uniform nature of the local mid-century architecture.

Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities

Privacy Index
Score: 3.5 out of 10

Residential lots feature houses positioned in close proximity to one another. According to iHuus data, this density is slightly higher than the San Leandro average, resulting in less separation between detached homes.

Ranked #14 in San Leandro →
Walkability
Score: 9.5 out of 10

Pedestrian movement is easy due to a dense sidewalk network and clearly defined crossings at intersections. This area offers superior walkability compared to the San Leandro average.

Ranked #4 in San Leandro →
Visual Appeal
Score: 6 out of 10

Standard tract housing features uniform rooflines and modest yards. According to iHuus data, the visual variety in this area is roughly in line with the rest of San Leandro.

Ranked #5 in San Leandro →
Dog Friendliness
Score: 6.7 out of 10

Extensive green spaces and school grounds provide ample areas for pet walking; according to iHuus data, the availability of these parks is higher than the San Leandro average.

Ranked #2 in San Leandro →
Urban-Rural Index
Score: 6.5 out of 10

Residential streets feature a mix of single-family homes and pockets of light industrial zones, creating a landscape that is slightly more open than the San Leandro average. This layout provides a balance of established suburban housing and nearby commercial corridors.

Ranked #6 in San Leandro →
Neighborhood Vibe
Score: 2.9 out of 10

Suburban streets and green spaces offer a tranquil environment, though the area is significantly less active than the San Leandro average. Daily activity is centered around essential local services and nearby industrial corridors rather than high-density social hubs.

Ranked #11 in San Leandro →
Acoustic Comfort
Score: 5.5 out of 10

A steady hum of local traffic from a nearby busy street is present, though acoustic conditions are noticeably more peaceful than the city average according to iHuus data.

Ranked #1 in San Leandro →
Air Quality
Score: 6 out of 10

Air quality in Bonaire is consistent with the San Leandro average, presenting a mix of acceptable and unhealthy days that may occasionally cause concern for sensitive groups.

Ranked #1 in San Leandro →
Industrial Proximity
Score: 7 out of 10

Residential areas are largely free from heavy industry, though some large-scale logistics hubs and warehouses are located near certain residential zones. This level of industrial proximity is slightly lower than the San Leandro average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #8 in San Leandro →
Health Insurance Coverage
Score: 6.3 out of 10

Health insurance enrollment in this area is lower than the San Leandro city average, according to iHuus data.

Ranked #14 in San Leandro →
Ideological Lean
Score: 9.6 out of 10

Voting patterns and census indicators reflect a very high concentration of liberal-leaning residents, closely mirroring the broader San Leandro area according to iHuus data.

Ranked #12 in San Leandro →
Population Age Profile
Score: 5.1 out of 10

Residents live alongside a balanced mix of young adults, families, and seniors. According to iHuus data, the age distribution in Bonaire is very similar to the broader San Leandro area.

Ranked #5 in San Leandro →
Flood Safety
Score: 1.9 out of 10

Properties in this area are situated within a known floodplain, which carries a higher risk of flooding than the San Leandro average. According to iHuus data, residents should anticipate the potential necessity of flood insurance.

Ranked #10 in San Leandro →

Compare with Any Neighborhood

Compare with
DimensionBonaireBay-O-Vista
🚶
Walkabilityavg 9
Score: 9.5 out of 10
Score: 8.7 out of 10
🔊
Acoustic Comfortavg 2.73
Score: 5.5 out of 10
Score: 1.3 out of 10
🤫
Privacy Indexavg 4.08
Score: 3.5 out of 10
Score: 5.5 out of 10
🎨
Visual Appealavg 6.06
Score: 6 out of 10
Score: 6.7 out of 10
🐕
Dog Friendlinessavg 5.61
Score: 6.7 out of 10
Score: 7.2 out of 10
🗺️
Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.39
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Score: 6.7 out of 10
✨
Neighborhood Vibeavg 4.8
Score: 2.9 out of 10
Score: 5.2 out of 10
🏥
Health Insurance Coverageavg 7.81
Score: 6.3 out of 10
Score: 7.5 out of 10
🌿
Air Qualityavg 6
Score: 6 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🏭
Industrial Proximityavg 7.2
Score: 7 out of 10
Score: 10 out of 10
🌊
Flood Safetyavg 2.59
Score: 1.9 out of 10
Score: 6 out of 10
🗳️
Ideological Leanavg 9.78
Score: 9.6 out of 10
Score: 9.8 out of 10
👥
Population Age Profileavg 4.97
Score: 5.1 out of 10
Score: 5.1 out of 10
🔥
Fire Safetyavg 0.04
Score: not available
Score: 0.5 out of 10
🏫
School Quality
Score: not available
Score: not available

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bonaire a walkable neighborhood?
Yes, Bonaire is exceptionally walkable. The neighborhood features a well-defined grid layout with sidewalks on both sides of the street and accessible pedestrian crossings at most intersections.
What are the schools like in Bonaire?
Families in the area are served by the San Leandro Unified School District. The local James Madison Elementary School is highly rated and serves as a central pillar for the neighborhood's educational community.
Is it quiet in Bonaire?
Generally, the neighborhood maintains a quiet atmosphere with an average noise level of 54 decibels. While it is located near industrial logistics hubs, the residential streets remain peaceful for daily living.
How private are the homes in Bonaire?
Due to the dense, mid-century tract housing layout, homes are positioned relatively close to one another. Residents may find that private outdoor space is more limited compared to less dense suburban developments.

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