San Lorenzo, CA

335 Apartments for Rent with Balconies

Located just across the bay from and south of San Francisco, the pleasant city of San Lorenzo once bore the less attractive moniker of "Squatterville." It was so dubbed because California Gold Rush miners camped between the former Mexican land grant properties of Rancho San Lorenzo and Rancho San Leandro. They may not have found gold but they could've found oysters. Oysters were introduced to the bay, brought all the way around the cape from Patchogue, Long Island on the east coast by a half-shell loving gent named Moses Wicks in the 19th Century. Originally designed as a planned community in 1944, the town featured neighborhoods of two and three bedroom homes, parks, schools, and retail centers, San Lorenzo served as a model for other well known communities like Levittown, PA. See more

Balconies are a coveted amenity for many renters looking for high-rise views and opportunities for fresh air. However, you should keep in mind that balconies often come with restrictions.

Before signing a lease, ask about how many people can be on the balcony at once. Also, ask about whether you’re allowed to store a bike or other items.

You’ll also want to know about any maintenance schedules. Using your balcony as storage could result in fines and intervention from your property management.

Keep in mind that not all balconies are created equally. You may discover the views of the parking area are less than optimal or reduce your overall privacy.

Balconies can also get messy with debris, foliage, dirt, and pollen depending on your location. Renters are typically responsible for any clean-up and basic balcony upkeep.

Regardless of the issues to keep in mind, balconies are usually a big win for San Lorenzo renters. Ask about apartments on higher floors for the best views.