Apartment living in the San Francisco Bay Area of California can be a brilliantly rewarding experience, offering everything from seafront views to some of the best fish restaurants in the US. The Bay Area boasts great school districts for kindergarten to high school, an array of pet-friendly restaurants, and with more than 50 parks in Richmond, and another 25 in Pittsburg, there's something for all ages.

Luxury apartments in the Bay Area offer more than just a desirable lifestyle of sprawling beaches, streets packed with character and a culture of acceptance. A variety of local attractions such as the wine capital Napa Valley and of course, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge gives luxury apartment rental within the Bay Area exceptional appeal. The recent tech boom in San Francisco caused by nearby Silicon Valley has increased job opportunities and salary offerings pushing up property prices to an all-time high.

Sitting around 35 miles to the east of San Francisco is the city of San Ramon, often considered one of the most desirable locations for residential living thanks to its scenic beauty, excellent school systems and close proximity to major employers.

Union City might suit those looking for residential living close to the tech offerings of Silicon Valley, and the education prowess of Stanford University, which sits just 16 miles away. Union City is an area with an extensive industrial heritage, having been a former railroad and steel town.

Richmond likes to think of itself as the "Rising Star of the San Francisco Bay Area", and it's not hard to see why. Richmond offers a central location, with quick and easy access to freeways leading in all directions. It boasts 32 miles of shoreline, marinas, and yacht clubs - certainly a location for those that might enjoy a bit of sailing.

Novato, ranked as one of the best places to live in the US by Livability.com, is a small city with a population of a little over 50,000. It's a family-oriented community with a focus on education and is ideal for those that enjoy the outdoors.