The city of Piedmont is located on land that was originally part of Don Luis Peralta's land grant. One portion of the grant became Oakland, and another became Berkeley; Piedmont is located on land that originally overlapped onto both grants. Early developer Walter Blair purchased 600 acres of land from the Peraltas in 1852. He built a dairy, a quarry, a hotel and an amusement park. He later sold 350 acres of his land to James Gamble, who gave the community its name.

The city of Piedmont has been an upscale residential enclave since its earliest days. Gamble's house and gardens alone covered an entire block in the 1880s - and his house was not even the largest in the fledgling city. The largest home was owned by Isaac and Sarah Requa and could be seen from the San Francisco Bay. By the 1920s, Piedmont had more millionaires per square mile than any other city in the country and was known, appropriately, as the "City of Millionaires."

Piedmont today remains an exclusive residential community, home to families of all shapes and sizes. With its excellent schools, variety of lush parks and recreational facilities, easy access to big-city amenities and charming small-town appeal, the city continues to draw residents of all ages.

Piedmont's nearly 3,000 students are served by the award-winning Piedmont Unified School District, which is renowned for its high test scores. In fact, student scores on achievement tests are among the highest in the state. Nearly 100% of graduates pursue post-secondary education. There are a number of outstanding colleges and universities nearby, including California State University campuses at Hayward and San Francisco, the University of California at Berkeley, and a number of fine community colleges including Vista College, Laney College, Merritt College and the College of Alameda.

Recreational options in Piedmont are diverse and numerous. The city is home to a number of fine parks, each boasting a variety of facilities. Piedmont Park - located at the geographic center of the city - encompasses 15 acres and offers tennis courts, a tot lot and panoramic views. The park also hosts a number of annual festivities, including concerts, a Fourth of July celebration and a holiday tree lighting. Dracena Park is a unique two-level facility with a children's play area and spacious lawns, while Crocker Park covers a colorful acre brimming with rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. Piedmont Sports Park is used for baseball, football and soccer games and also has tennis, volleyball and basketball courts. Linda Park features two tennis courts, children's play areas and a large grassy field.

The city offers a number of organized recreational programs for residents of all ages. The Schoolmates program offers childcare and recreation to school-age children, who enjoy arts and crafts, sports, games, and dance and drama programs. Scouting, choir, soccer and swimming are other popular options for the younger set. PLAY is a summer employment agency for middle and high school students, and senior citizens enjoy a number of activities through Piedmont Seniors and the Creative Retirement Center. The Piedmont Adult School provides a variety of classes such as cooking, exercise, arts and crafts and sports.