Kensington is an unincorporated community and located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area, in Contra Costa County.  Kensington is an unincorporated area of Contra Costa County that borders Alameda County.

Unlike many unincorporated communities, Kensington has local jurisdiction over its police department, park services, refuse collection and fire department. These are governed by two elected boards. The five-member Kensington Police Protection and Community Services District (KPPCSD) Board oversees the police department, park services, and refuse collection.

Kensington borders Berkeley and Albany to the south, El Cerrito to its west and north, and Wildcat Canyon Regional Park and Tilden Regional Park to the east.