268 Columbia Ave, Kensington

$1,245,000

Previous Next

4

Beds

2

Baths

2,466

Square feet

0.15

Acres

About 268 Columbia Ave

There's a version of you that already lives here — the one sipping sangria in the courtyard at golden hour, rosemary, lavender, and basil drifting up from the garden beds, blackberries ripening on the vine, and the three-bridges view catching the last of the light. This 4-bedroom, 2-bath Kensington Hills gem was built for a life lived between indoor and outdoor — the way it's done in the south of France or along the Amalfi Coast. Designed in an L-shape, the home wraps around the courtyard with French doors along both wings, opening each side to the garden in turn. It's a layout with real history behind it — the kind of architecture built entirely around seamless indoor-outdoor living, dining, and entertaining. The first floor of the 1,931 square foot* home holds two bedrooms and a full bath, along with a living room that wears its original character proudly — reeded moldings, built-ins, and a brick fireplace, all beneath an extra-large window framing Mt. Tam, the Bay, and three bridges like a painting that changes with the sky. The dining room, also capturing the Bay view, carries the details forward with picture-hanging moldings and chair railing, while the eat-in kitchen — outfitted with a Viking stove — keeps that view going the entire time you cook. Because why would you ever want to look away? Downstairs, two more bedrooms and a full bath open onto the garden — private, peaceful, and yours — alongside a large laundry room and storage to keep everyday life easy. And then there's the magic tucked just beyond: follow the gravel path to an approximately 535 sq. foot detached 1-bedroom, 1-bath bonus space**, known as ‘The Cottage’, with its own full kitchen and a private front gardenette — guest suite, studio, rental income, or simply your favorite corner of the property, depending on the day. A two-car garage with an EV charger and solar panels rounds things out, while the location does the rest: minutes to Arlington Village, award-winning Kensington Hilltop Elementary School, Tilden's trails, and public transit. Some properties you tour. This one, you imagine yourself into — and once you do, it's hard to imagine anywhere else.

Open House

Sat, Sep 19th, 2026 @ 2pm - 4pm
Sun, Sep 20th, 2026 @ 2pm - 4pm

Features of 268 Columbia Ave

MLS® # 41147612
Price $1,245,000
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 2.00
Full Baths 2
Square Footage 2,466
Acres 0.15
Year Built 1936
Type Residential
Sub-Type Single Family Residence
Style Traditional
Status Active

Community Information

Address 268 Columbia Ave
Subdivision UPPER KENSINGTON
City Kensington
County Contra Costa
Zip Code 94708

Amenities

Parking Spaces 3
Parking Garage, Garage Door Opener, Off Street
# of Garages 2
Garages Garage, Garage Door Opener, Off Street
Is Waterfront No
Has Pool No
Pool None

Interior

Interior Carpet, Concrete, Tile, Vinyl, Wood
Interior Features Eat-in Kitchen
Appliances Gas Water Heater, Dryer, Washer
Heating Forced Air, Solar
Cooling None
Has Basement No
Fireplace Yes
Fireplaces Living Room, Wood Burning
Stories Two

Exterior

Exterior Stucco
Lot Description Back Yard, Sloped Down, Front Yard, Garden
Roof Shingle
Construction Stucco

Additional Information

Date Listed September 9th, 2026
Days on Market 10
Foreclosure No
Short Sale No
RE / Bank Owned No

Listing Details

AgentLeigh Schneider
OfficeRed Oak Realty

Listing Map

Request a Showing

Provide a valid email address.
When would you like to view this property?