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Piedmont straddles a ridge of hills situated west of the main ridgeline of the hills behind Oakland (technically, the Berkeley Hills). This ridgeline, actually a shutter ridge formed by the Hayward Fault, is lower than the ridge to the east, thus appearing to be foothills of the higher ridge to some of the early residents who chose the name "Piedmont" (Italian "foot of the mountain").
Piedmont is a small, primarily residential community with fine architecture, tree-lined streets, and competitive city schools. Due to its school system, low crime rate, good weather, and high property values, it is regarded as one of the most desirable residential communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. Property in Piedmont is markedly more expensive than real estate in neighboring communities.
Today, Piedmont remains notable for its minimal amount of commerce when compared to its statistically similar counterparts. However there is plentiful shopping in adjacent Oakland neighborhoods such as Piedmont Avenue, Montclair, Grand Lake, and Rockridge.
Piedmont is largely zoned for residential use. It has one small commercial district in the center of town along Highland Avenue consisting of a gas station, three banks (including Citibank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America), a realty office, some professional offices and a small convenience store named Bonfare and has a small number of commercial enterprises along Grand Avenue at the Oakland border.
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