Coming down from the hills we find the small exclusive city of Piedmont, entirely surrounded by Oakland.  It features older architecturally exciting homes and gardens. Piedmont is known for having one of the best school districts in California. It is also known for tree-lined streets, exceptionally stately, well maintained and upgraded homes, lovely and usable parks, a good recreation department, an excellent adult education system—with classes ranging from business, to language, to cooking, fitness to arts and crafts.  Some of the homes are extremely large, with beautiful grounds, and some are small and modest.  It is an exceptionally quiet community.