Best place to live for family if working in San Francisco (Oakland: rental, houses)

[aearle]

We are relocating to the Bay Area. We lived there a few years ago, so are familiar with the San Ramon/Pleasanton area, but don't know much about other areas. At the time, we worked in the East Bay, so commute was pretty good. This time, we are working in the Financial District. What is the best place to live regarding commute (top priority) that is also family friendly where we can get a big lot (around 1/2 acre; we have 2 large dogs)? We can spend up to $5,000 per month on a rental house. A large yard is equal in priority to a reasonable commute (45 min or less). Schools are not a top concern right now because the kids are toddlers. We can always move again once they get to be school age. We are willing to live in any area (Peninsula, Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda County) if it meets large lots and manageable commute. Thanks in advance!

[mayorhaggar]

Maybe the Oakland Hills if you can figure out how to commute easily, like driving to BART or taking a bus or carpooling. Other than that, maybe Lafayette, Moraga or Orinda though I don't know how big lots are there. Lot sizes are at a premium in the Bay Area because of the price of housing and because most of the Bay Area was built up several decades ago when lot sizes were smaller, houses in SF are so close they're basically connected and in Oakland they're just a couple feet from one another. More rural areas will have bigger lots but that means a more horrible commute.

[Zachj7]

I think most houses in orinda have around a half an acre or more (they have yards). Has Bart, somewhat small town feel surrounded by big cities, nice shopping and restaurants nearby, great people and excellent top notch public schools k-12...

[clongirl]

The Lamorinda area (Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga) Walnut Creek, and Pleasant Hill generally have homes on large lots. With your budget, you can something really nice out here. There are also BART stations in these towns (except Moraga).