City of Alameda

I am not a native Alamedan. Instead I am a native Oaklander who with hubby and daughter moved here in September 1988. About three months ago I had a yelper from San Francisco who said, "Alameda is a snooze fest; end of story". I wasn't going to stoop to his level of mentality, feed into his statement and get into a "pissing" contest with him. Instead I took the higher road and thanked him for his nice compliment. There is a saying, "kindness kills". There's also "to each, his/her own".

Alameda is an island surrounded by water and in close proximity to Oakland and San Francisco. I have family in Oakland and I work in San Francisco; thus, what little wealth I have is spreaded throughout these three cities. I believe what I have on hand is the best of all three cities - urban mixed with a little suburban. Can't get any better than that, can it. On occasion, my money is spent in Emeryville (Bay Street Shopping, Target) and San Leandro (Target). Hint, hint - I would like to see a Target here in Alameda on my end of town - the west end.

Even though Alameda is not as "dynamic" as Oakland (another yelper's opinion), I like the quietness, the quaintness and the small town feel of this community. Yes, it is a bedtime community - so it seems as people are in bed by 9:00 PM. and there is not much going on in the later evening. The schools are dynamic and it's a great place to raise a family. Picnic in the summer? Check out Littlejohn Park and Washington Park. Don't want to shop in a huge shopping mall? Come on down to Southshore Shopping Center - there's Safeway, Trader Joe's, Kohl's, Old Navy, Ross, Walgreen's, Office Max, Beverly's, Post Office, several banks, eateries (Pearl's Burger, Panera Bread, Chipotle, Loard's, Starbuck's, See's Candies, etc.). Ooh, almost forgot...Beverly's, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Sushi House. Other places to shop and dine at - Marina Village, Webster Street, Park Street, Nob Hill Foods with all other businesses by the Fruitvale Bridge, even Bay Farm Island.

For those of you who are unaware, last Saturday evening there was a representative from Washington, DC, who appeared at the City of Alameda Christmas tree lighting ceremony, proclaiming this city for the second year in a row was selected as a community for young people to grow up in - what an honor. I was glad that I was there for the first time being at the Christmas lighting ceremony. I enjoyed myself and nobody stopped the group of carolers singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" among other Christmas songs. There was a band (Mistletones) who performed on the stage and of course, who could forget the Christmas tree dancers and the children having fun, waiting for Santa Claus. Also, a group of people was selling refreshments (hot cocoa, hot apple cider, popcorn, etc.) for a fundraiser and I finally got a bag of Peter's Kettle Corn, which I read on this website, had raved reviews from many yelpers. They were not lying. They were definitely the best kettle corn I have ever had - way better than the ones being sold at the farmer's markets. Aahhh, childhood memories - so sweet and so charming. Charming enough to knock some socks off..LOL.

For all the "spunk" this community has, I am staying - this is my home and I am very comfortable here. Alameda - dynamic and unique in its own way - love it.

Alameda is a really nice small city to live in. If I could work here as well, it would be even better because then I would never have to leave. Coming and going on and off the island can be slow during drive time. But hey, I ride my bike and zip past the traffic.

Alameda is also alot closer to downtown San Francisco travel time-wise, than many neighborhoods actually IN San Francisco... that is if you take the ferry. The ferry is a beautiful alternative to commuting via roads.

The weather is ideal... often sunny when San Francisco is fogged in. Oakland seems much further away than it actually is.

Housing costs have gone up, but not nearly as insane as San Francisco. You can still get a beautiful house for the cost of a 1 bedroom condo in The Mission. It doesn't make sense to me, since the distance is so small and Alameda is so much better, but there it is. There's probably a groove worn into the waters of San Francisco Bay for all the folks that have moved from San Francisco to buy real houses in Alameda. Oh, and more victorians per sq mile than maybe anywhere else.

The city where you get island fever. When there is traffic it can take 30 minutes to go just a few miles to exit and feel the freedom of being by a freeway onramp or Bart station.

Just last week I was at the newer Safeway and there are criminals walking out with tot bags full of food. A few days before I was at the Target in that same area and people are stealing tide pods. I was in that aisle looking for some Persil pods and was swarmed with armed security guards. Houses may be expensive here compared to just a mile away but its the same horrible way of life you have to live. Not long ago my friend had his cat stolen from his Prius off his driveway - seems to be worse than my experience living in neighboring cities that cost a little less and have more space and bigger houses.

Its overrated. This place was great 20 years ago but no longer. If I go shopping in Pleasanton or San Ramon its like night and day. You can only sense how bad this place got when you regularly go the Tri Valley.

Some of this island is also man made landfill. My aunt lives on this and in an earthquake I hate to say its probably the worst place to be. The soft soil turns to jello and its better to be on more stable soil at a slightly higher elevation.

People here are on edge and uptight and I think they feel trapped.

A nice diverse city just a quick tube ride from Oakland. The surface routes over the water are just as efficient and a tad more scenic. What was once home to military folks has transformed into a cool city that carries a nice urban feel.

The city of Alameda is an island, with multiple bridges and a tunnel to get there.

I genuinely like this city!! I'm always at Alameda Beach or Crown Memorial Beach running along the paved trail or just hanging out enjoying the scene.

And this being an island means it's flat, so you can walk from the beach to downtown Alameda, which has a lot of restaurants of all types, bars, all different types of shops, a movie theater, just a great place to be. Park Street is the main downtown street to be on.

You can also make your way to Alameda Point, which is the west end of the island and where the Naval Base used to be. There's still a strong Navy presence here with the ships docked and available for tours.

On the other end is Bay Farm Island, which is still considered Alameda. Over here is much more quiet and subdued, mostly a residential area.

I'm always in Alameda for one reason or another, it's like the perfect city between San Leandro and Oakland because it gives you just enough but not too much of everything.

A great little island in the Bay! Area!!

The main streets with independent stores are nice. I'm not sure you could say it's "the best of both worlds" because the island is markedly upper class now and full blown suburbanite, losing its affordability and quirk over the years as paunchy old dads move in with soccer moms. Parts of the island are extremely disappointing (like the strip mall area by the target - this could have been a charming walkable town instead of suv hell!)
The areas by the water with the old warehouses are great!

But still the population has grown decidedly basic and there's always something a bit soul killing about people who never bike or take public transportation (the kind that drive their car to cross the Safeway parking lot and go to target instead of walking) the bike lanes are improving but it seems like it's the kind of place little kids need driving for soccer practice

Highly recommend the beach! It's great for windsurfing ! And the walkable downtown on one end with the movie theater is superb

If you're single I wouldn't recommend this island though - think conservative guys and paunchy aging gray dads.

Pier 29 is also over here.my dog gives this his 5paw stars for a dog walk .it leads to cab carve,also very nice walk along the water

The one place in the Bay where you can say you live on an island! City of Alameda is like the super gem of the east bay cities! With spectacular views of SF, and tons of parks and places to walk to the beaches as well. This city truly does deliver!

They also have lots of shopping at South Shore Center and lots of great restaurants, wineries, breweries and bars on park street! Don't miss their annual restaurant week that has a great line up of places!

My daughters even learnt to sail here at the Alameda Community Sailing Center! Truly recommend Alameda for Crown Beach! Sometimes it's gets too packed but it's got the best views!

Come by soon!

12 years after my first reviews, I can still say "I live on an island!" Alameda has changed alot in the last decade. Lots of restaurants have opened in Alameda. Alameda Landing has developed into a shopping destination for many. The old Marina is being torn down to make way for more housing. As people flee San Francisco, they want to live in Alameda and enjoy our island charm.

Alameda is a very beautiful City. It has nice beach, gorgeous park, friendly people, nice outdoor shopping center, and it is surrounded by well rounded dining places to eat.

Bike riding around Alameda made realize why I love this little city!! Very rich in history, super quaint, reminds me of Capitola Village (another little city I grew up around near Santa Cruz) Tons of breweries and place to eat at. The locals take pride in their city and keep it clean and safe. Views are breath taking as well, Tons of parks and places to walk/run or bike ride.