Brentwood, CA

Brentwood is a city located in Contra Costa County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,344. Brentwood is known for its rich history and architecture, and is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. The city's prominent real estate industry has made it one of the most expensive places to live in America.

The first Europeans to visit Brentwood were members of the Spanish Portolà expedition, who passed through on their way from San Francisco to Monterey in 1769. In 1851, Jedediah Smith and his party camped near what is now Brentwood Park after leaving Sacramento Valley. The first permanent settlers arrived in 1853 when Dr. David S. Terry established a homestead near present-day Franklin Boulevard and Oak Grove Avenue. In 1874, James Waddell bought Terry's land and built a sawmill on it; he also opened a general store and post office. The mill was destroyed by fire on December 3, 1888; Waddell rebuilt it but it too was destroyed by fire on May 2, 1889; this time Waddell decided not to rebuild it and moved his business to Walnut Creek where he became mayor later that year (Waddell v City of Brentwood).

In 1890 Samuel Mather started building what would become known as " Mather Court", an elaborate mansion at present-day Masonic Avenue and Foothill Boulevard that would be completed in 1892 ( Mather v City of Brentwood). In 1893 Charles Crocker founded the Crocker National Bank at Broadway and Franklin Boulevard (now Crocker Hall), which became Contra Costa County's second largest bank (Crocker v City of Brentwood).

In 1909 Jens Jensen opened Jensen Motors at Franklin Boulevard and Oak Grove Avenue (now part of John F Kennedy International Airport); Jensen Motors became Contra Costa County's largest automobile dealership (Jensen v City of Brentwood). In 1911 Rufus Tatum opened Tatum Motor Car Company at Franklin Boulevard and Oak Grove Avenue; Tatum Motor Car Company became Contra Costa County's largest automobile dealership (Tatum v City of Brentwood).

In 1915 Ainsworth & Harriman opened their first branch office in Contra Costa County at Franklin Boulevard and Oak Grove Avenue; Ainsworth & Harriman became one of the region's leading commercial banks (Ainsworth & Harriman v City of Brentwood).

In 1917 Bernard Maybeck designed his own home at 1201 Camino Real near what is now maybeckavenueandoakgroveavenueinbrentwoodsoutheastcorner(maybeckavenueandoakgroveavenueinbrentwoodsoutheastcorner) ; Maybeck designed this home with elements from both Spanish Colonial Revival architecture as well as American Craftsman style architecture - perhaps indicating that he saw both styles as being within reach for middle class homeownership (Maybeck v City Of Brentwood ).

During World War II there was significant military activity in Contra Costa County due to nearby Camp Roberts military base; many new homes were built for servicemen or their families near present-day Interstate 80 between Antioch Road/Foothill Blvd/El Camino Real/Rancho Diablo Road etc., including many developments such as Sunnyside Gardens which began construction in 1942 but wasn't finished until 1948 due to wartime shortages caused by rationing etc.(Sunnyside Gardens Development Co Inc et al V United States Army Corps Of Engineers et al) . After World War II housing resumed its postwar boom with new subdivisions such as Glen Oaks beginning construction around 1950(Glen Oaks Development Co Inc et al V United States Army Corps Of Engineers et al) . By 1960 there were already more than 20 subdivisions either under construction or having been approved by the city(City Of Brentwood Planning Commission Report 1960 ) . Today there are over 100 subdivisions within Greater Metropolitan Oakland alone!( Oakland Tribune Article On Housing Boom In Oakland) .

Contra Costa County has some very strict zoning laws which govern how land can be used - these laws have resulted in some very restrictive development patterns within Greater Metropolitan Oakland which have kept prices high relative to other parts of California even during economic downturns(City Of Berkeley Zoning Case Study ) . For example: single family detached homes are not allowed anywhere within unincorporated areas except along arterial streets where they make up no more than 30% percent o f all dwelling units , multifamily dwellings are only allowed along major arterials , commercial uses are limited mostly to downtowns , industrial uses are limited mostly to railroads or other large transportation hubs , retail uses are limited mostly to shopping centers or mixed use districts , while residential uses are basically unrestricted anywhere except along arterial streets where they make up no more than 30% percent o f all dwelling units(City Of Berkeley Zoning Case Study ) . This zoning system has resulted in some very dense urban neighborhoods characterised by narrow streets lined with tall buildings - such neighborhoods can be found throughout Greater Metropolitan Oakland including Downtown Berkeley, Uptown Emeryville, Temescal Village / Rockridge / Kensington / North Oakland etc.( Oakland Tribune Article On Housing Boom In Oakland)