Blackhawk & Beyond
East of downtown Danville, the valley opens up. Rolling hills, oak-dotted open space, and Mount Diablo fill the view, and the neighborhoods out here have a different feel from the older streets near Hartz Avenue: newer homes, master-planned communities, and some of the most sought-after amenities in the East Bay.
At the heart of it is Blackhawk, a guard-gated country club community with two championship golf courses and thousands of acres of protected open space. Beyond Blackhawk, along Camino Tassajara, you'll find a string of family neighborhoods built from the late 1980s onward, from Hidden Oaks to Shadow Creek and Tassajara Ranch to Magee Ranch, each with top-rated schools nearby.
And downtown Danville is still easy to reach. Hartz Avenue, the Saturday farmers' market, and community events are about 10 to 15 minutes away, while Blackhawk Plaza puts dining and shopping right in your backyard.
A Little History
New section. It ties directly to the Diablo page's history.
Blackhawk's story starts with Diablo. In 1917, Ansel Mills Easton and his son-in-law William Ward bought 1,250 acres from Robert Noble Burgess, the founder of what's now Diablo Country Club, and established Blackhawk Ranch. Decades later, in 1975, developer Ken Behring bought the ranch and began building the planned community you see today. The first neighborhood, Hidden Oaks, was finished in 1978, and Blackhawk Country Club opened in 1979.
From the start, Behring set aside thousands of acres as permanent open space, which is a big reason Blackhawk still feels so private and green today.
Blackhawk
Blackhawk covers roughly 4,800 acres at the base of Mount Diablo and consists of several gated neighborhoods within the main gates, with 24-hour security throughout. Homes range from golf course condos and villas to custom estates on large hillside lots with sweeping views.
Blackhawk Country Club. The optional club is a big part of life here, with two 18-hole, par-72 championship courses: Lakeside and Falls. The Falls is known for the waterfall behind its 11th green. The club also offers tennis, a growing pickleball program, a competition pool, a fitness and wellness center, and a full social calendar. Membership is separate from homeownership.
Blackhawk Plaza. Just outside the gates, the plaza has restaurants, shops, a movie theater, and the Blackhawk Museum, known for its world-class collection of classic cars.
Beyond Blackhawk: Tassajara Valley
Along Camino Tassajara, east of Danville's family neighborhoods, newer homes, community parks and pools, and easy access to Diablo Vista Middle and some of the district's top-rated elementary schools.
- Magee Ranch. Custom and semi-custom homes in the hills near the Diablo border, with views of the valley and Mount Diablo. Newer homes at Magee Preserve add recent construction just a mile from Diablo Country Club.
- Hidden Oaks: Blackhawk's original neighborhood, finished in 1978, and still one of its most private. Quiet, oak-lined streets inside the gates are home to single- and two-story custom homes on generous lots, many around half an acre, with a greenbelt and walking trails running through the neighborhood. Original homes sit alongside later custom builds, and Blackhawk Plaza and downtown Danville are both close by.
- Shadow Creek. A master-planned neighborhood from around 1990, much of it built by respected East Bay builder Carl Damé, with family floor plans close to schools and shopping.
- Tassajara Ranch. Mid-1990s homes in the rolling hills of southeast Danville, many with views.
- Vista Tassajara. A family neighborhood with its own pool, park, and a walking trail to Diablo Vista Middle School.
- Alamo Creek. One of Danville's newest communities, built from the mid-2000s on by builders including Shapell and Toll Brothers, next to more than 275 acres of preserved open space.
What to Love About Blackhawk & Beyond
- Guard-gated privacy. Blackhawk's gated neighborhoods with 24-hour security.
- Two championship courses. Blackhawk Country Club's Lakeside and Falls courses.
- Newer homes. Much of east Danville was built from the 1980s through the 2010s, with modern floor plans and three-car garages.
- Open space everywhere. Thousands of acres of protected hillsides, trails, and Mount Diablo views.
- Top-rated schools. Tassajara Hills, Creekside, and Sycamore Valley Elementary, plus Diablo Vista Middle.
- Blackhawk Plaza. Dining, shopping, a movie theater, and the Blackhawk Museum close to home.
- Downtown Danville within reach. About 10 to 15 minutes to Hartz Avenue.
Who Calls Blackhawk & Beyond Home
- Golfers and club families. Two courses, tennis, pickleball, and swim, all inside the gates.
- Buyers who want security and privacy. Guard-gated living with open space all around.
- Families who want newer homes. Modern floor plans, community pools and parks, and nearby schools.
- Move-up buyers. More house and more view for the money than many older Danville neighborhoods.
- Downsizers. Blackhawk's golf course condos and villas offer lock-and-leave living with nearby club amenities
Real Estate Market Insights
East Danville spans a wide range of homes and price points, from golf-course condos to multimillion-dollar Blackhawk estates. Values in Blackhawk tend to follow newer luxury communities rather than older parts of Danville, and they depend heavily on views, lot size, gated neighborhood, and proximity to the club. In the Tassajara Valley neighborhoods, school access, updates, and backing to open space really come into play.
Because each community here has its own HOA, amenities, and market, a pricing conversation with Jill is the best way to understand what a specific home is worth.
Lifestyle and Local Highlights
Blackhawk Country Club: two championship golf courses, tennis, pickleball, swim, fitness, and dining for members.
Blackhawk Plaza and the Blackhawk Museum: restaurants, shopping, a movie theater, and a renowned collection of classic cars.
Mount Diablo State Park: more than 20,000 acres of trails just to the north.
Diablo Vista Park: sports fields, tennis courts, and playgrounds in the Tassajara Valley.
Downtown Danville: about 10 to 15 minutes for patio dining on Hartz Avenue, the Saturday farmers' market, and events such as the Fourth of July parade and the Hot Summer Sundays car show.
Schools
Level | Nearby schools |
|---|
Elementary | Rancho Romero Elementary, Alamo Elementary |
Level | Nearby schools |
|---|
Elementary | Elementary, Sycamore Valley Elementary |
Middle | Diablo Vista Middle School |
High | Monte Vista High School |
Private | The Athenian School, Carondelet High School, De La Salle High School, The Saklan School, The Bentley School |
Getting Around
Downtown Danville: about 10 to 15 minutes via Camino Tassajara or Blackhawk Road
- I-680: about 10 to 15 minutes, at Sycamore Valley Road or Crow Canyon Road
- Bishop Ranch / City Center: about 15 minutes
- BART: Dublin/Pleasanton, about 20 to 25 minutes
- Airports: Oakland International is about 35 to 45 minutes; SFO and San Jose are generally 50 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic
FAQs
Is Blackhawk a gated community?
Yes. Blackhawk is guard-gated with 24-hour security, and it's made up of several gated neighborhoods.
Do you have to join Blackhawk Country Club to live in Blackhawk?
No. The country club is optional and separate from homeownership. Homeowners do belong to the Blackhawk HOA.
Is Blackhawk part of Danville?
Blackhawk has Danville addresses in ZIP code 94506 and is generally considered part of the greater Danville area. It's an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County.
What's beyond Blackhawk?
Along Camino Tassajara, you'll find family neighborhoods like Magee Ranch, Shadow Creek, Tassajara Ranch, Vista Tassajara, and Alamo Creek, most built from the late 1980s on.
Which schools serve the area?
East Danville is in SRVUSD. Nearby schools include Tassajara Hills, Creekside, and Sycamore Valley Elementary, Diablo Vista Middle, and Monte Vista High. Always verify a specific address with the district.
How far is downtown Danville?
About 10 to 15 minutes by car from most of Blackhawk and the Tassajara Valley
Find your home in Blackhawk or the Tassajara Valley
From guard-gated golf course estates to family homes near the best schools in the valley, East Danville offers many options, and each community works a little differently. Jill Fusari has spent more than 19 years helping buyers and sellers in Danville, Alamo, and Diablo, and she can walk you through the gates, the HOAs, the clubs, and the homes that fit how you want to live.
Whether you're buying, selling, or just starting to think about a move, let's connect and talk through what Blackhawk and beyond could look like for you.
