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 The beautiful bayside community of Alameda is an island, both literally and figuratively. This quaint tree-lined "Island City" rests in San Francisco Bay just west of Oakland, yet feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of its Bay Area neighbors. Alameda is connected to the outside world by a series of bridges and a tunnel that passes beneath the estuary separating the island from Oakland; the only other means of access is by boat. Surrounded by water, Alameda has a rich maritime history, from its wartime shipyards and massive former Naval Air Station (currently undergoing an exciting new redevelopment), to the many marinas that currently dot its shores (with over 3400 boat slips - more than any other city along The Bay). Alameda is centrally located, allowing quick and easy access to Bay Area business centers and shopping districts, as well as world-class entertainment and recreation. San Francisco is just 20 minutes away by car, bus, ferry or BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). Oakland is right across the bridge; San Jose and Silicon Valley are less than an hour's drive away; and Oakland International Airport is a very convenient 5-10 minutes away for most residents. Alameda boasts the diversity of a major city while maintaining its small-town charm; and our various neighborhoods are as diverse as our people. Neighborhoods include shady tree-lined streets with elegant 100-year old vintage homes (the second largest concentration of Victorian homes west of the Mississippi), water-oriented homes along quiet lagoons and the island's scenic shoreline (many with boat docks), as well as modern new housing communities on both the island and Alameda's Bay Farm peninsula. In addition to our mild coastal weather, some of the other amenities that bring people to Alameda - and that make it very difficult to leave: the largest and warmest sand beach on The Bay; miles of waterfront, offering spectacular views of Oakland and San Francisco; beautiful walking and bicycle paths; more than 20 well-maintained parks; bird refuges; tennis courts; athletic fields and an award-winning golf complex. We also have an excellent school system (including two public High Schools and a Community College), after-school and summer programs for children of all ages, as well as a wide variety of very successful youth sports programs. And for the Pro sport enthusiast, Alameda is 5 minutes away from the home of the Oakland A's, Oakland Raiders, and Golden State Warriors; a short ferry ride away from the San Francisco 49er and Giant stadiums; and less than an hours drive from a San Jose Sharks hockey game. Lastly, Alameda is well-positioned to venture into the 21st Century with three highly regarded business parks: Harbor Bay Business Park, Marina Village and the rapidly expanding new Alameda Point. The growing concentration of industry-leading Bio-Tech and computer-related businesses has earned Alameda the nickname of "Silicon Island". And while Alameda's future looks bright, its rich history began centuries ago with the local Ohlone Indians. Spanish land grants later gave way to American entrepreneurs who, following the Gold Rush boom, first used the island to supply lumber and farm products to the rapidly growing population of San Francisco. The city was formally established in 1884, and in 1885 an Official Seal was approved with the following Latin inscription: "Prosperitas terra mari que." Those words are as true today as they were over a century ago: "Prosperity from the land and sea." Welcome to Alameda. We hope you will make it your home. |
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