509 Clayton Avenue

The longtime home of an award-winning Japanese landscape gardener, this distinctive 1941 El Cerrito home reflects a love of Japanese design inside and out. An extraordinary front garden welcomes you with intricate stonework, a graceful archway draped in wisteria, and carefully composed plantings that set the tone for what lies beyond. Inside, the 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers 1,442 square feet of living space per tax records, with a living room, dining room, eat-in kitchen, and Japanese-inspired details throughout. Shoji screens add character to the bedrooms, while the upstairs en-suite bedroom captures views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The ensuite bathrooms was remodeled in 2026. Just off the kitchen, a secluded tea garden deck creates an intimate spot for morning tea, reading, or a quiet moment outdoors. The Japanese influence continues into the rear garden, where the seller lovingly created an elaborate koi pond setting with stonework and bridges, originally featuring a waterfall, water wheel, and bamboo rocking fountain. The pond is currently drained, offering the next owner the opportunity to restore or reimagine this remarkable garden feature. A detached structure at the rear of the property offers possibilities for a woodshop, art studio, office, music room, or other creative space. Set on a 5,000-square-foot lot, the property includes one-car garage parking plus driveway parking. Held by the same family for more than 60 years, 509 Clayton is a home with history, individuality, and a point of view. And its convenient El Cerrito location puts BART just five blocks away and the shops, restaurants, and everyday conveniences of San Pablo Avenue approximately nine blocks away.

Days on Market

0 days

Current Status

Coming Soon

Original Price

$895,000

List Price

$895,000

On Market Date

Sep 23, 2026

Property Type

Single Family Residence

District

El Cerrito -

Zip Code

94530

MLS ID

426162466

APN

5040710153

Year Built

1941

Stories in Building

2

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Data Source

SFAR

Origin MLS System

Bed

3

Bath

2

Tub w/Shower Over

Parking

2

Driveway, Enclosed, Garage Door Opener, Garage Faces Front, Inside Entrance, Tandem, On Site (Single Family Only)

SQ FT

1,442

SQ FT Source

Assessor Auto-Fill

Lot SQ FT

5,000.69

Lot Acres

0.1148 Acres

Kitchen

Granite Counters

Dining Room

Dining/Living Combo

Entry Level

0

Flooring

Laminate, Tile, Wood, Other

Foundation

Concrete

Heating

Gas

Laundry

In Garage, In Kitchen

Views

Bridge(s), City, Ocean, San Francisco

Possession

Close Of Escrow

Fee

$0

MLS and other Information regarding properties for sale as shown in Theo have been obtained from various sources such as sellers, public records, agents and other third parties. This information may relate to the condition of the property, permitted or unpermitted uses, zoning, square footage, lot size/acreage or other matters affecting value or desirability. Unless otherwise indicated in writing, neither brokers, agents nor Theo have verified, or will verify, such information. If any such information is important to buyer in determining whether to buy, the price to pay or intended use of the property, buyer is urged to conduct their own investigation with qualified professionals, satisfy themselves with respect to that information, and to rely solely on the results of that investigation.

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